The Detroit Regional Chamber, the DTE Energy Foundation and WXYZ-TV Channel 7 will host the "Higher Education and the New Economy" Town Hall Meeting, which will air April 30 from 8-9 p.m. on Channel 7.

The program will focus on the need for students to get an education or training beyond high school in order to succeed in the knowledge economy.

The show builds on a town hall meeting from last year, viewed by 85,000 households, which featured an engaging discussion about ensuring grade-school and high-school students receive a quality education.

The program will feature a panel of education and business experts including:

• Dr. Bill Cosby
• Carol Goss, The Skillman Foundation President & CEO
• Mike Flanagan, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Nancy Schlichting, Henry Ford Healthy System President & CEO

An audience of parents, students, educators and business leaders will also actively participate in the discussion.