An Educated Guest

In this deeply inspiring episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with Erika Halstead, CEO of Minds Matter National, an organization close to Todd's heart. Erika shares her personal journey from starting her career as a bilingual teacher to leading Minds Matter, an organization that started in 1991 with no full-time employees and has grown to serve 1,100 high-achieving, low-income students annually with the support of 2,000 volunteers across 14 chapters.Erika unpacks Minds Matter's unique multi-year mentorship model, emphasizing why its "people-to-people" approach, focusing on social-emotional learning and expanding students' horizons, remains paramount even amidst technological advancements like AI. She reveals how Minds Matter helps students secure over $2.5 million in scholarships annually, enabling them to attend top-tier colleges while paying significantly less than their peers. The conversation also explores the challenges facing the non-profit sector, including the post-pandemic decline in volunteerism, and how Minds Matter is adapting its funding and visibility strategies, including recent features with celebrities like Jalen Hurts. Finally, Erika shares her bold vision for scaling Minds Matter's impact to end poverty through education, advocating for a nationwide movement that champions talent from underserved communities.Key Takeaways from this Episode:The Minds Matter Model: A deep dive into the unique volunteer-driven, multi-year mentorship program that provides comprehensive college advising, test prep, and holistic student development.Tangible Economic Mobility: How Minds Matter's support translates into real financial outcomes, helping students secure significant scholarships and pay substantially less for college.Human Connection vs. AI: A compelling argument for why human mentorship and in-person relationships remain the most critical lever for student success, even as AI transforms other aspects of education.Navigating Non-Profit Challenges: Insights into the current state of the non-profit sector, including funding dynamics, the post-pandemic decline in volunteerism, and strategies for sustainable growth and visibility.Scaling for Systemic Change: Erika's ambitious vision to dramatically expand Minds Matter's reach, creating a national movement to address systemic inequities and unlock talent from low-income communities.About Our Guest:Erika Halstead is the CEO of Minds Matter National. With a background as a bilingual teacher and a deep personal connection to education's transformative power, Erika has dedicated over a decade to Minds Matter. She has led the organization's growth from the Executive Director of the New York City chapter to her current national role, championing access and equity for high-achieving, low-income students across the United States.

In this insightful episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper welcomes Andy Rosen, CEO of Kaplan, for a deep dive into the evolution of one of the world's most enduring education companies. Andy shares his personal journey at Kaplan, reflecting on over 30 years of continuous reinvention that transformed a test prep company into a global powerhouse in higher education, professional training, and international student pathways.The conversation explores Kaplan's unique "outcomes-first" DNA, its strategic approach to M&A as a tool for capability building, and how its long-term orientation, supported by Graham Holdings, enables strategic patience. Andy provides a compelling look at the future of assessment in an AI-driven world, including Kaplan's innovative performance-based evaluations for high-stakes professions. He discusses the critical role of corporate partnerships, exemplified by Kaplan's work with Amazon's Career Choice program, and reveals how Kaplan cultivates a culture that keeps its diverse global team motivated and passionate, earning it a spot as a Newsweek Global Most Loved Workplace. This episode offers invaluable lessons on leadership, innovation at scale, and adapting to the ever-changing demands of the education and workforce landscape.Key Takeaways from this Episode:The Power of Reinvention: How Kaplan's culture of continuous transformation and outcome-driven approach has enabled it to adapt and thrive through decades of industry shifts.Strategic M&A: Kaplan's philosophy of using acquisitions as a tool to acquire specific capabilities that align with its long-term vision, rather than solely for scale.Assessment in the AI Era: Insights into how AI is redefining the landscape of assessment, moving towards more rigorous, performance-based evaluations that validate uniquely human skills.Optimizing Corporate Education: A deep dive into Kaplan's role in major corporate partnerships like Amazon Career Choice, demonstrating how tailored educational advising can maximize ROI for both employers and learners.Building a Loved Workplace at Scale: Lessons on fostering a highly motivated and engaged workforce in a large, global education company, contributing to Kaplan's recognition as a top "Most Loved Workplace."Global Education Trends: Andy's perspective on the massive demographic shifts driving international education growth and the strategic importance of global alignment in educational development.About Our Guest:Andy Rosen is the CEO of Kaplan, a leading global provider of educational and career services. With over three decades at the company, Andy has played a pivotal role in Kaplan's strategic evolution, expanding its reach across test preparation, higher education, professional licensure, and international student pathways. He is recognized for his leadership in driving innovation, fostering a strong company culture, and maintaining a relentless focus on student outcomes.

In this provocative and incredibly insightful episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with John Katzman, a serial entrepreneur and one of the most influential figures in education, known for founding The Princeton Review and Noodle. John offers a no-holds-barred perspective on the seismic shifts needed across the entire education landscape.The conversation delves into the evolution of online program management (OPM), why its traditional model is unsustainable, and how Noodle aims to redefine university partnerships. John tackles the soaring costs of higher education, proposing systemic solutions to the $1.7 trillion student debt crisis that challenge conventional thinking. He then pivots to K-12, dissecting its "governance problem" and explaining why top-down reforms continually fail. This episode is packed with John's unique, often controversial, takes on everything from the resurgence of for-profits to the transformative (and sometimes reckless) potential of AI in education, all while offering powerful insights for edtech founders and a glimpse into his vision for the future of learning.Key Takeaways from this Episode:OPM's Future: John's candid assessment of the Online Program Management (OPM) industry, why he believes it's "transitional," and how Noodle is forging a new path for university partnerships.Solving the Student Debt Crisis: A deep dive into the true cost of higher education and innovative, systemic solutions to the $1.7 trillion student debt burden, including state-level incentives.K-12's Governance Challenge: An incisive critique of the American K-12 system, arguing that curricular reforms fail due to a fundamental "governance problem" that requires radical change.AI's Dual Impact: Insights into how Artificial Intelligence can dramatically lower administrative costs and enable powerful, affordable learning simulations, but also its potential pitfalls if deployed carelessly.Why EdTech Philanthropy Falls Short: A frank discussion on why billions of dollars invested in education reform have yielded limited impact, citing arrogance, systemic inertia, and a lack of true R&D.The Power of Data & Networked Universities: Discover how data can personalize student support and why forging strong university networks is crucial for adaptability and innovation in a rapidly changing world.About Our Guest:John Katzman is a legendary entrepreneur and visionary in the education sector, having founded three incredibly impactful companies: The Princeton Review, 2U (formerly), and Noodle. As the Founder and former CEO of Noodle, he has been at the forefront of transforming higher education through online program management and strategic partnerships. Katzman is a frequent commentator on educational trends, policy, and innovation.

In this illuminating episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with Joe Ross, CEO of Reach University, a pioneering non-profit college. Joe shares his compelling personal journey to education leadership and unpacks Reach University's groundbreaking model, which literally "turns jobs into degrees" to address critical talent shortages, particularly in teaching. He explains the "ABC's" of the apprenticeship degree – Affordability, being Based in the workplace from day one, and earning Credit for learning at work – fundamentally flipping the traditional education pipeline.The conversation delves into how this innovative approach delivers traditional bachelor's degrees for as little as $75 a month (after aid), enabling students to graduate debt-free. Joe provides surprising early data showing that graduates of these work-integrated programs often outperform and have higher retention rates in their jobs. They discuss the systemic barriers holding back apprenticeship growth in the U.S., Reach's vision to scale this model nationwide for 3 million enrollments, and why this "job-first" pathway might be the future of accessible, outcome-driven higher education.Key Takeaways from this Episode:Transforming Education for Shortages: Discover Reach University's groundbreaking model, which "turns jobs into degrees" to directly address critical talent shortages, particularly in the U.S. teaching profession.Debt-Free Degree Pathways: Learn how students can earn a traditional bachelor's degree for as little as $75/month (after aid), making quality higher education genuinely affordable and debt-free.The "ABC's" of Apprenticeship Degrees: Unpack the three core tenets of this innovative model: Affordability, being Based in the workplace from day one, and earning Academic Credit for on-the-job learning.Superior Outcomes from Earn-and-Learn: Hear surprising early data indicating that graduates of these work-integrated programs often perform better in jobs and have higher retention rates with employers compared to traditional graduates.A National Catalyst for Apprenticeship Growth: Explore Reach University's ambitious vision to scale this model nationwide, aiming for 3 million apprenticeship degree enrollments in the U.S. within a decade across various high-demand fields.About Our Guest:Joe Ross is the CEO of Reach University, a non-profit college dedicated to advancing the apprenticeship degree. His work focuses on creating accessible, affordable, and work-integrated pathways to high-demand careers, particularly in education and healthcare.

In this highly anticipated return episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper welcomes back Paul LeBlanc, former President of SNHU and current Chairman of the new AI education startup, Matter and Space. This captivating conversation dives deep into how Artificial Intelligence is not just a buzzword, but a transformative force fundamentally reshaping education.Paul explains how AI is being leveraged today for massive productivity gains in operations and curriculum design, challenging educators to rethink pedagogy from "product" to "process." They explore the critical question of whether AI can finally bend the cost curve of higher education and democratize access, where previous technologies fell short. The discussion also bravely confronts the societal implications of AI, from its potential to inadvertently increase loneliness if not carefully managed, to its power to unlock a "golden age" focused on uniquely human jobs like teaching, social work, and healthcare. Paul shares his vision for Matter and Space's human-centered approach to AI-powered learning and paints a compelling picture of what the learning ecosystem could look like in 5-10 years.Key Takeaways from this Episode:AI's Real-World Impact in Education: Discover how AI is driving significant productivity gains in university operations and curriculum development right now.Rethinking Pedagogy in the AI Age: Learn why educators must shift their focus from assessing "products" (like essays) to guiding the "process" of learning with AI, using advanced prompting and critical evaluation.Bending the Cost Curve: Paul's perspective on whether AI can finally make quality higher education radically more affordable and accessible, addressing the systemic challenges he outlined in his book "Broken."The Human-Centered Future of Work: A bold vision for how AI might displace information-age jobs, creating an imperative to prioritize and properly value distinctly human roles focused on care, connection, and community.AI's Societal Dichotomy: A candid discussion on the risk of increased loneliness and decreased social competency due to technology, and AI's potential to either exacerbate or mitigate these challenges by fostering genuine human interaction in learning environments.About Our Guest:Paul LeBlanc is the former transformative President of Southern New Hampshire University and now serves as Chairman of Matter and Space, an AI education startup. A renowned innovator and author of "Broken," Paul is recognized for his pioneering work in online and competency-based education, and his deep insights into the future of learning, technology, and access.

In this captivating episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with Dr. Robert Rohm, a renowned expert in human behavior and the DISC model, for a deep dive into understanding ourselves and others. Dr. Rohm shares the fascinating personal story that ignited his lifelong dedication to personality insights, and then unpacks the foundational principles of DISC – revealing how this powerful framework can revolutionize communication, leadership, and personal effectiveness in every aspect of life.The conversation goes beyond simple collaboration, exploring how companies can strategically leverage DISC for everything from optimizing hiring and sales to fostering a more empathetic and productive culture. Dr. Rohm also makes a compelling case for integrating personality assessments into K-12 and higher education, demonstrating how understanding behavioral styles can help tailor teaching, improve student relationships, and guide career exploration. Ultimately, this episode offers actionable takeaways for applying DISC to achieve greater personal and professional success, even as technology like AI reshapes our interactions.Key Takeaways from this Episode:The Unexpected Origin of DISC's Impact: Hear Dr. Rohm's surprising personal story of how his "difficult" daughter became the unexpected catalyst for his lifelong dedication to understanding human behavior.DISC for Strategic Business Growth: Discover how companies can leverage DISC insights beyond basic teamwork to optimize hiring, enhance leadership, resolve conflict, and improve customer relations, ensuring the right personalities are in the right roles.The Vital Role of "Soft Skills": Dr. Rohm makes a powerful case for why communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills, often dismissed as "soft," are in fact the most fundamental and vital for success in every area of life.Revolutionizing Education with DISC: Learn how schools can transform classrooms by understanding student and teacher personality types, fostering better engagement, tailoring instruction, and preparing students for real-world interactions and career exploration.Practical Application & Lifelong Growth: While AI can offer DISC insights, Dr. Rohm reveals why true mastery of human behavior comes from continuous learning, intentionally building diverse relationships, and relentless personal practice.About Our Guest:Dr. Robert Rohm is a highly respected expert in human behavior and personality insights. As a leading voice in the application of the DISC model, he helps individuals and organizations understand diverse communication styles. Through his company, Personality Insights, he's dedicated his career to empowering people to improve collaboration, leadership, and personal effectiveness. His work extends across corporate training, professional development, and educational settings, guiding both employers and employees to greater success.

In this premiere episode of An Educated Guest Season 3, host Todd Zipper sits down with Brandon Busteed, CEO of BrandEd, for a compelling conversation about the seismic shifts occurring at the intersection of education and workforce development. This episode explores why employer brands are increasingly stepping into the role of educators, redefining how talent is developed and valued in a rapidly changing economy. From the growing skepticism about traditional degrees to the urgent need for relevant skills, Brandon offers a nuanced perspective on the forces driving companies to build innovative learning solutions and strategic partnerships.The discussion delves into critical data points, including why today's 18-24 year-olds represent the least working generation in U.S. history despite high demand for internships. Brandon makes a powerful case for why employers must embrace work-integrated learning, viewing it as a crucial "try before you buy" strategy for talent acquisition. They discuss the vital importance of effectively measuring the return on investment for these educational initiatives, and Brandon shares a bold prediction: the future will see the distinction between a school and a workplace become increasingly indistinguishable, creating a new educational blueprint for the 21st century.Key Takeaways from this Episode:The "Least Working Generation": Understanding the alarming trend of declining work experience among young adults and its implications for the future workforce.Employers as Educators: How leading companies are building their own educational programs and talent pipelines to address critical skills gaps and drive competitive advantage.The ROI Imperative: The vital need for robust metrics to quantify the true return on investment for employer-sponsored education and talent development.Work-Integrated Learning: Why hands-on, real-world experiences (like internships and apprenticeships) are becoming non-negotiable for student success and employer recruitment.Blurred Lines: Brandon's vision for a future where education and the workplace are seamlessly integrated, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.About Our Guest:Brandon Busteed is a prominent figure in the education and workforce development space, currently serving as the CEO of Branded. He is widely recognized as a thought leader on the future of higher education, career readiness, and the evolving relationship between employers and educational institutions. His work often focuses on how to improve America's "talent health" by aligning educational outcomes with workforce needs and demonstrating the value of education through career success.

How do you build skills and cause proven, sustained wage gains for young adults in the US? Just ask Gerald Chertavian, founder and CEO of the youth workforce development non-profit, Year Up. Tune into this episode of An Educated Guest and join Gerald and host Todd Zipper, Executive Vice President and GM at Wiley, to learn how Year Up is closing the Opportunity Divide, returning $2.46 to society for every $1 invested in the organization, and teaching employers how to implement inclusive, skills-based hiring. Key Takeaways: Year Up’s leadership in operationalizing emergent talent at scale by combining workforce and youth development How the organization has caused the largest proven sustained wage gains for young adults in the US How Year Up provides high support and high expectations through its multi-modality, three-stage program Why social capital and building higher socio-economic connections are critical to talent career success Year Up’s virtuous, ecosystem approach of bringing young adults and employers together through skills-based hiring Guest Bio Gerald Chertavian is dedicated to closing the Opportunity Divide that exists in our nation. Determined to make his vision a reality, Gerald combined his entrepreneurial skills and his passion for working with young adults to found Year Up in 2000. Gerald’s commitment to working with young adults spans more than 25 years. In 1999, he sold his technology company, Conduit Communications, and left his career on Wall Street to help low-income, at-risk youth. A year later, in 2000, Year Up was born. Gerald holds a B.A. in Economics from Bowdoin College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He’s also a New York Times best-selling author of his book published in 2012 called A Year Up. 

What does it mean to be an equity-serving institution? And how can universities actually serve learners for life? Michelle Marks, Chancellor of the University of Colorado, Denver (CU Denver), sheds light on these topics in the quest to redefine the public, urban research institution. On this episode of An Educated Guest, hosted by Todd Zipper, EVP and GM at Wiley, Todd and Michelle explore CU Denver’s ambitious strategic goals to equitably serve a diverse population of students for life. Key Takeaways: How CU Denver is redefining the public urban research institution The impact of CU Denver partnering with Apple and K-12 to teach tech skills early How the university’s Smart Cities living laboratory can improve Coloradans’ quality of life How CU Denver’s work as an “age-friendly university” is creating a new, non-traditional learner demographic Guest Bio Michelle Marks is the Chancellor of the University of Colorado, Denver, as well as a tenured professor. She is well-known for developing innovative programs that help students succeed, attracting new student populations, facilitating research opportunities, and driving new revenue growth. Previously, Michelle served as vice president for academic innovation and new ventures at George Mason University. In this role, she focused on leading strategic partnerships to deliver online programming at scale and support adult degree completion. Michelle holds a BS in psychology from James Madison University and an MA and PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from George Mason University.

To value student centricity is easy. But to prove these values are actualized in student outcomes bears asking, “How do we really know we do what we say we do?” This is one among many spirited insights from guest Dr. Gregory Fowler, President of the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), in this episode of An Educated Guest. Dr. Fowler and host Todd Zipper, Executive Vice President and GM at Wiley, discuss a wide range of topics in career-connected education, such as the true implications of student centricity, how to meaningfully surface skills through lifelong learning, and the broader implications of AI and ChatGPT. Key Takeaways: What led UMGC to become the number one college serving transfer students  How the university is experimenting with a “metaversity” to help learners develop skills  The importance of learners’ dispositions beyond knowledge and skills How successful student outcomes hinge on validating and communicating skills  Guest Bio Dr. Gregory Fowler is the President of the University of Maryland Global Campus, the largest public online university in the US, with courses offered online and in more than 20 countries and territories worldwide. Gregory is a nationally recognized scholar and leader in developing innovative learning models and experiences for adult and non-traditional learner populations.   Prior to UMGC, he served on the leadership teams of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Global Campus and Western Governor’s University. At SNHU, he led efforts to develop competency-based online and hybrid programs that respond to the rapidly changing demands of the workforce and global communities, including disadvantaged students in Los Angeles, refugees in Africa and the Middle East, and learners in Mexico and Columbia. In addition to his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Morehouse College, George Mason University, and SUNY–Buffalo, Gregory holds an MBA from Western Governors University and completed programs at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and Business School.