160. Annalisa Holcombe — Creating Pathways to Opportunities

Season 6 Episode 3: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Annalisa Holcombe, senior vice president of advancement at Western Governors University (WGU). 

Holcombe shares her unique career journey, transitioning from law to higher education and eventually leading WGU's fundraising efforts. She discusses the university's unique approach to online education, focusing on competency-based learning and providing each student with a personalized, mentor-driven experience. Holcombe sheds light on WGU's mission to bridge the workforce development gap and its commitment to affordability and equity in education. She speaks on WGU's impact, providing flexibility for working learners and creating opportunities for adults with some college experience but no degree. 

She also provides insights into WGU's efforts to address the changing education landscape, including developing skills-based transcripts and partnerships with organizations like the Open Skills Network. Holcombe shares her thoughts on work-life balance, the significance of creating meaningful experiences in the workplace, and much more.