S2 E4 | Traversing the Education-Workforce Continuum – with Rick Torres

Imagine a future where learners can instantly verify their skills, credentials, and employment. Thanks to the National Student Clearinghouse, this future is already becoming a reality. In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Rick Torres, President and CEO of the National Student Clearinghouse. They discuss topics such as the “K-20 to workforce continuum”, the top factors accelerating enrollment declines, and how a “point of no return” now requires higher ed to pivot for good. Key Takeaways: How the Clearinghouse is evolving paper transcripts into a digital credentials wallet How the credentials ecosystem is becoming less of a “wild west” Why employers have been upskilling talent in-house and how higher ed institutions can help Understanding recent enrollment declines via the community college sector Why universities, states, and federal policy makers must work in tandem to track education and job outcomes Guest Bio Rick Torres joined the National Student Clearinghouse as President and CEO in 2008. Under his leadership, the Clearinghouse has provided access-driven educational reporting, data exchange, verification, and research services to help learners, institutions, and organizations maximize human potential across the “K-20 to workforce continuum.” Rick currently serves as a board member of the John Tyler Community College Foundation and Achieving the Dream. He is also a founding member of the Groningen Declaration Network Group, a multinational group of leaders dedicated to developing a trusted international data exchange ecosystem. Rick holds an MBA in international finance from Georgetown University and undergraduate degrees in both marketing and management from Manhattan College.