Langston dean says AI is reshaping entry-level jobs

By AI, Created 10:38 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Langston University business dean Daryl D. Green says AI is shrinking the traditional path into entry-level work and forcing employers to value skills over pedigree. He says schools and companies need tighter pipelines, more certifications and more work-based learning as graduates enter a tougher labor market.

Why it matters: - AI adoption is changing what employers expect from new graduates. - Entry-level work is being redefined as routine tasks move to automation. - Employers that keep screening by school prestige and degree alone may miss candidates who are already job-ready.

What happened: - Dr. Daryl D. Green, dean of the School of Business at Langston University, used the 43rd Annual Oklahoma World Trade Conference to push a skills-first message on workforce readiness. - Business executives approached Green after his panel presentation and asked how to prepare employees for AI. - Green said the labor market now expects graduates to contribute at a higher level on day one. - Green brought seven Langston students to the conference to participate in a live professional setting.

The details: - Entry-level job postings fell more than 11% in 2025. - Roles requiring no prior experience declined by 7% to 10%. - The Federal Reserve Bank of New York found higher unemployment among recent college graduates than the national average. - Demand for AI-related skills in entry-level jobs has surged, based on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, LinkedIn Workforce Report and McKinsey Global Institute. - Green said AI is absorbing tasks such as data entry, basic analysis and routine reporting. - Green said entry-level jobs are not disappearing, but being redefined faster than universities can adapt. - Two years ago, Langston University began embedding AI literacy, IBM SkillsBuild certifications, mandatory internships and business simulations into its business curriculum as institutional policy. - Langston students ranked in the Top 1% nationally on the Peregrine Business Exam and outperformed students from predominantly white institutions and peer HBCUs across 13 core business competencies. - Enrollment in the Langston University School of Business grew from 270 to 416 students, a gain of more than 54%, while national business school enrollment is declining. - Green argued that the talent pipeline problem is a connection problem, not a supply problem. - Green urged employers to partner with HBCUs and regional universities, recognize AI certifications and applied skills, expand internships as a recruiting tool and invest in upskilling current workers. - Green’s background includes 27 years of senior leadership at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he oversaw more than 400 projects totaling more than $100 million. - Green also has more than two decades of experience in higher education and entrepreneurship.

Between the lines: - Langston’s approach suggests smaller, under-resourced schools can move faster than larger institutions when curriculum changes are tied directly to labor-market shifts. - Green’s message reflects a broader tension in hiring: employers want AI-ready talent, but many still rely on older screening systems built around traditional credentials. - The data points to a mismatch between graduate preparation and hiring practices, not just a shortage of workers.

What’s next: - Green is positioning Langston University as a model for career-ready business education built around AI and applied learning. - He is available to speak with media about AI workforce transformation and career-ready education. - Employers that want to close skills gaps may need to redesign recruitment, internships and training faster than they have so far.

The bottom line: - AI is not just changing jobs. It is changing the entry point to work, and degrees alone are no longer enough to guarantee access.