Raphael Bostic, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, visited Broward College on Thursday, September 7, for two events focused on the regional economic outlook.  

Broward College President Gregory Adam Haile, J.D. led a public session where he and President Bostic discussed the current state of the economy and the Fed’s larger efforts to take the mystery out of foundational economic concepts like inflation. “The more people for whom it’s not a mystery, the more people we’ll have that can make good judgments and position themselves to fulfill their dreams,” said President Bostic. 

President Bostic’s insight and candor made it a special event for more than 60 attendees including Broward College students, the Broward College District Board of Trustees, and local business leaders. President Haile and President Bostic touched on the biggest issues facing our region, including the need for affordable housing options, the influence of AI on the job market, and the rippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s economy.  

Earlier in the day, Broward College Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President Central Booseong (Eric) Seo moderated a roundtable event with President Bostic, President Haile, and a select group of Broward College student leaders.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is one of 12 federal banks located around the country that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., comprise the Federal Reserve System. The Atlanta Fed’s territory includes Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, as well as portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. 

At the end of the event, talk turned to the value and need for workforce development programs like those offered at Broward College. President Bostic praised President Haile for Broward College’s collaborative efforts in this area.  

“We focus on making sure that our students have the skills to meet the opportunities before them, and for those individuals who are unexposed, we bring them into the fold so they can access those same opportunities,” said President Haile. “Broward County is second to none when it comes to bringing folks together to solve these exact kinds of challenges, and the Fed has been a great partner within this community to drive workforce opportunity.” 

Want to know more about how we prepare our students for the best opportunities in the current job market? Check out Broward College’s Workforce Education and Innovation programs.