Developing Professional Competencies to Support ABET Accreditation & Workforce Readiness

October 7, 2026

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM PT | 1:00 PM ET

Generative AI can solve equations, optimize systems, and generate technical documentation in seconds. So, what is the defensible value of an engineering degree?

For ABET-accredited programs, the answer lies in professional outcomes that extend beyond technical proficiency: communication, ethical and professional responsibility, teamwork and leadership, and lifelong learning. As automation transforms technical workflows, the differentiator for engineering programs will be their ability to demonstrate that graduates can collaborate across disciplines, act ethically in high-stakes contexts, communicate complex ideas, and continuously adapt.

The emerging divide in engineering education is becoming clear — some programs assume these competencies develop naturally through projects and design experiences. Leading programs can measure, develop, and defend them.

In this forward-looking session, our panel will share how engineering schools can move from distributed course-level rubrics and capstone artifacts to systematic, program-level evidence of the development of professional outcomes.

Hosted by Andrea Blais, Acuity Insights