Executive’s Advisory Board for Higher Education

The Baltimore County Executive’s Advisory Board for Higher Education (EAB) brings representatives from the region’s colleges and universities together with business, government, and public school leaders to assist in meeting the changing skills needed from today’s workforce. Businesses are invited to present their specific training and workforce needs to the Board for review and consultation. The EAB is the only forum in Maryland where business and education at all levels come together.

Industries represented on the Board include construction, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, hospitality and long-term care.

Benefit to Businesses

EAB is a one-stop location for business to access the educational community. Industry representatives can review areas where skills gaps exist and receive immediate feedback on possible solutions. Educational institutions can coordinate responses according to the strengths of each individual institution.

Case studies of successful coordination projects supported by the EAB:

Interactive Entertainment Industry Cluster: The industry presented to the EAB several years ago, highlighting their workforce needs. Following the initial board meeting, the EAB convened a more detailed focus group to look at specific skill needs and training issues with industry reps. These efforts resulted in a new program being introduced at UMBC and a joint program between CCBC and the University of Baltimore in Internet and Multimedia.

bwTech@UMBC - Research Park : The EAB was an early supporter of this technology park development at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Representatives of other colleges and universities testified at public hearings in support of the development.   Three buildings have been constructed and occupied and a two additional are planned.

Owings Mills Higher Education Center: The EAB also has supported the development of a college center in the Metro Center at Owings Mills, a mixed-use project that will be developed near the Owings Mills Mall. Businesses in the area have expressed interest in having a center where college courses and professional development could be offered by multiple institutions.

Benefit to Institutions

• The EAB also serves as a forum for educational institutions at all levels to coordinate curriculum and training programs and exchange information.
• Subcommittees of the Board focus on partnerships between the public school system and local 2- and 4-year colleges and universities.
• The Board annually collects and distributes information on the legislative requests of the higher education institutions in the region.
• The Board has also collected information on the economic impact of higher education in the region; looking at colleges, universities and school systems as major employers and economic engines for the area.

For more information on the EAB, contact us at  businesshelp@baltimorecountymd.gov

Baltimore County
Executive’s Advisory Board for Higher Education
400 Washington Avenue   Towson Maryland 21204
Phone 410-887-8000

Revised January 17, 2008