Scranton, PA (Feb. 28, 2014) — Penn Foster, a leader in career-focused online and hybrid education designed to address the skills gap in America, will lead a panel discussion, “Online Education as a Passport for Learning,” at the SXSWedu Conference on Tuesday, March 4th in Austin, Texas. At SXSWedu, innovative leaders come together to discuss the future of American education and career training.

Penn Foster CEO Frank Britt will be joined by three Penn Foster adult learners, De Janiera Thomas,  Erika Vinson Blair and John Cardinal. The students will discuss how an online education provided the tools needed to advance their careers and how career-oriented training can close the middle-skills gap.

“This panel is a chance for Penn Foster’s students to showcase the role online education played in preparing them for success in school and in life,” said Britt. “As the career landscape continues to evolve, it is important that the education space evolves with it.”

“Attending Penn Foster has been a life-changing experience,” said Thomas, who received her associate’s degree in early childhood education from Penn Foster. “Even though I struggled to complete my education because I was caring for my younger siblings, I am proof that you are not defined by your obstacles. Online learning gave me a quality, affordable education that made me job ready.”