This presentation examines the region’s workforce product through the lens of Education and Industry. The gap between what the k-12 system produces and what business leaders are reporting they need has grown increasingly wider. By examining the regional initiative, Tri-County STEMersion, attendees will be able to: 

•    Apply similar creative problem-solving ideas to address their business’s needs.
•    Analyze specific business challenges involving workforce to offer solutions. 
•    Apply critical thinking to this information to evaluate what can be used for organizational success.  

Presented by Michelle L. McDonald, MBA, GCDF

Michelle McDonald is the current Deputy Director of Dorchester County Economic Development. In her role she engages Dorchester County’s existing industry partners and promotes workforce development efforts for County residents. 
 
McDonald brings over 15 years of experience in workforce development and consultation in the government, nonprofit and private industry sectors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Winthrop University and a master’s degree in business administration from The Citadel. She previously served in business development and workforce roles for the Berkeley/Dorchester office of South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation and the Berkeley/Charleston/Dorchester Council of Governments. She currently sits on the Trident Workforce Development Board as well as the Trident Regional Education Center Advisory Board. 

As a presenting partner of STEMersion, a Tri-County initiative, she strives to bridge the gap between education and industry. 

www.tricountystemersion.com