An Educated Guest

Higher ed must serve the many, not the few. That’s why journalist, Paul Fain, covers outcome-focused, career-connected education for all.   In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes independent journalist, Paul Fain. Todd and Paul dive into some of the timeliest topics in higher ed, from big tech’s investments in credentials to the future of an equity-driven Carnegie classification system.  Key Takeaways:  How we can make non-degrees, alternative credentials, and apprenticeships more career-connected at scale for all  How employers can do more for their employees in terms of career mobility, diversity, equity, and inclusion  The motivations and challenges of recent big tech investments in non-degree credentials  Why community colleges have been struggling despite being a pathway to affordable learning  The impact of including social mobility and DE&I in the Carnegie Ranking System  Guest Bio :Paul is a well-respected journalist in higher ed, having written for Inside Higher Ed, The Chronicle of Higher Education, C-VILLE Weekly, The New York Times, Washington City Paper, and Mother Jones. He is currently a Senior Fellow for Strada Center for Education Consumer Insights, where he creates content to shed light on the gap between postsecondary education and the workforce. He also hosted the podcast, When Policy Meets Practice, which features conversations with community college leaders about the policy approaches that produce results for workers, learners, and employers.  Paul won a journalism award for beat reporting from the Education Writers Association and the Dick Schaap Excellence in Sports Journalism Award. He attended the University of Delaware and got hooked on journalism while working at the student newspaper, The Review.

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Pierre Dubuc, Co-founder & CEO of OpenClassrooms. Todd and Pierre discuss making higher ed more accessible with resources like OpenClassrooms, an online education platform that trains learners, places them in the workforce, and provides job-ready talent to employers. Topics Discussed: How OpenClassrooms plans to bridge the gap between higher ed and career by offering skills-based and practical curriculum The benefits of connecting learners with mentors and career coaches The opportunity for digital apprenticeships to solve the growing skills gap How upskilling and reskilling relate to workforce development and the future of work Guest Bio:Pierre Dubuc has been working on creating the education of tomorrow for the past 20 years, designing his first-ever online course in 1999, at age 11. In 2016, Pierre appeared among Forbes “30 under 30” for social entrepreneurship. Now, he is on a mission: to make education more accessible. Pierre is the Co-founder and current CEO of OpenClassrooms, an online education platform offering top-quality education-to-employment programs and career coaching services for students worldwide. OpenClassrooms trains over 300,000 students per month in over 100 countries, featuring curriculum that teaches the skills and competencies needed for the most in-demand jobs in the market today. This includes programs in areas such as web development, data analysis, and design.

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Richard Vedder, Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Ohio University. In this episode, Todd and Richard discuss the current affordability crisis in higher ed, the idea of free college, and alternative ways for students to finance their education. Topics Discussed: Why college enrollments have declined in the past decade How the rise of student loans in the 1970s led to massive tuition increases and student debt Why prestigious universities continue to grow The impact of the free college movement The benefits of implementing a college exit exam for graduates Guest Bio  Richard Vedder is a Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Ohio University and Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute. He is well known for his work as an economic historian with a focus on the economics of higher ed. Previously, he served on the Spellings Commission on the Future of Higher Education, ran the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, and administered Forbes’ Best Colleges rankings. Richard is also a prolific writer. He has authored over 200 scholarly papers and many books including, Going Broke by Degree: Why College Costs Too Much, Restoring the Promise: Higher Education in America, and Out of Work: Unemployment and Government in Twentieth-Century America.

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Sean Gallagher, Founder and Executive Director of Northeastern University’s Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy, and Executive Professor of Educational Policy. Todd and Sean discuss the changing higher ed landscape, including MOOCs, alternative credentials, and the skills gap. Topics Discussed: •How innovations are evolving the higher ed model during a transitional period•Why the value chain of higher ed has gone from vertically integrated to a horizontal model •Why employers are creating their own credentials and training programs and how they can partner with universities in the future•How a shift in employers’ requirements for applicants can cause universities to change their content Guest Bio:Sean Gallagher is the Founder and Executive Director of Northeastern University’s Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy, and Executive Professor of Educational Policy. He is a nationally recognized expert with nearly 20 years of experience in higher ed. Sean’s writing and commentary have been featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CBS Television.Prior to Northeastern, Sean worked at Eduventures, advising executives at hundreds of universities, education companies, and investors. In 2016, he became a published author with his book, “The Future of University Credentials: New Developments at the Intersection of Higher Education and Hiring." Sean holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from Northeastern University; an M.B.A. from the New York Institute of Technology; and a B.S. in Marketing from Northeastern.

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Reuben Ogbonna, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Marcy Lab School. Todd and Reuben discuss alternative education and how it can help underrepresented high school students find tech opportunities without financial burden. Topics Discussed: The Marcy Lab School’s journey to becoming an impactful alternative education pathway The role technology plays in correcting challenges in society Why excellent pedagogy and 1:1 feedback prepares students for career success  The profound impact of equipping Black and Brown students with language and learning that validates their lived experiences How to nurture and scale an ecosystem for alternative education Guest Bio Reuben Ogbonna is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Marcy Lab School, an alternative education opportunity for underrepresented and underserved high school graduates that focuses on launching financially rewarding and purpose-driven careers in tech. Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, his family is split between Imo State, Nigeria and Shreveport, Louisiana. Previously, Reuben coached teachers across New York City as a Director at Teach for America. He also served as the Dean of Students at Coney Island Prep High School and taught 8th-grade math in the greater New York City area. He has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University.

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Christine Cruzvergara, Chief Education Strategy Officer at Handshake. Todd and Christine discuss how higher ed can better integrate career services into the college student experience. Additionally, they expand on career readiness outcomes, the ways colleges can apply metrics to define student success, and the great resignation. Topics Discussed: How Handshake works with students, universities, and employers to help young professionals jump start their careers   Why the democratization of hiring practices leads to a more diverse candidate pool  The industries and roles that are seeing high growth rates The ways higher ed can acknowledge the new learner and shift to accommodate these students  The three main skills students need to be career ready Guest Bio:Christine Cruzvergara is the Chief Education Strategy Officer at Handshake, a company focused on connecting college students with employers and internships, helping them land the job that they crave. She is recognized within the field of career education and is often referenced in national media, has diligently contributed thought pieces, led trainings, and consulted extensively with colleagues across the nation and internationally.  Previously, Christine held senior level positions and board roles at Wellesley College, George Mason University, Georgetown University, The George Washington University, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, and the American College Personnel Association. In 2017, she was awarded the Career Excellence Award from NACE and the Innovation Award from Eduventures. Christine also received national recognition for co-authoring the article “10 Future Trends in College Career Services” and more recently, the article “5 Future Directions in University Career Services.”

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Ken Oliver, Executive Director at Checkr.org and John Koufos, Executive Director at Taking Action for Good Foundation. Todd, Ken, and John dive into what works and what doesn’t for the justice involved community and how we can increase access to outcomes-driven education.Topics Discussed: Reimagining the re-entry experience for formerly incarcerated individuals through investments in housing, education, and job-readiness The importance of transforming the prison system from one that punishes to one that reforms How second chance hiring in corporate America can provide meaningful job opportunities The barriers to online education in the prison system and solutions for change How society can help restore a sense of belonging for formerly incarcerated individuals Guest BiosKen Oliver Ken Oliver has over 28 years of direct experience with the criminal justice system, leading and representing the justice involved in their quest to learn, manage, and restore their civil and human rights. He was a major catalyst for a landmark litigation to end the use of solitary confinement as a status-based deprivation in California. As a result of his litigation efforts, Ken’s life sentence was recalled, and he was released from prison early. Soon after his release, Ken was hired as a paralegal for a public interest law firm and quickly became the organization’s policy director based on his work and strong advocacy efforts. During his tenure as policy director, Ken’s innovative and impact-driven approach to solving re-entry and fair-chance employment challenges made him a sought-after speaker on issues related to technology in re-entry, talent development, and the California Governor’s Future of Work Initiative. John Koufos John Koufos works with the public and private sector to build partnerships that lead to better employment outcomes and safer communities. Prior to his incarceration, John was a criminal trial attorney. After his release, John’s work began in New Jersey, where he helped the Christie Administration, and five former Governors implement effective, evidence-based re-entry services. He went on to design New Jersey’s nationally recognized legal program, combining staff lawyers with approximately 70 pro bono lawyers to help the re-entry community clear old tickets and warrants to restore their driver’s licenses and secure jobs. His leadership in the business community was recognized in 2016 when NJBIZ named him one of New Jersey’s “Top 40 Under 40.” With lived experience on both sides of the criminal justice system, John has become a regular speaker, known for helping cities, states, and the federal government to optimize re-entry systems.

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Eric Bing, Chancellor & CEO of The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP). Todd and Eric discuss CHCP’s stackable credentials model, the benefits of short-term, hands-on training, and program outcomes.Topics Discussed:  The need for flexible reskilling and upskilling opportunities in healthcare  Why traditional colleges were not built for adult learners with busy lives  Why CHCP focuses on job placement over graduation  The results CHCP alumni are seeing upon program completion, including an average salary increase of $15,000    Guest Bio   Eric Bing is the Chancellor & CEO of The College of Health Care Professions. He is known for his work in post-secondary education, healthcare human capital, and workforce training. Eric leads award-winning teams in the development and implementation of post-secondary education, providing opportunities for first generation students and individuals from underserved communities. Under his leadership, CHCP saw enrollment growth of over 20% per year and mostly through referrals. CHCP is now the largest provider of allied health graduates in the state of Texas.

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes  Lisa Flesher, Chief of Realm 4, Project Acceleration at Arizona State University (ASU). Todd and Lisa discuss the new Dreamscape Learn Pod, the Center for Education Through Exploration, and the amazing results ASU is seeing with high-quality virtual reality experiences.Topics Discussed:   The five teaching and learning realms at ASU and how they support innovation  The opportunity for virtual spaces to turn students into explorers   How Hollywood and higher ed came together to create fully immersive edutainment   The ways virtual reality can serve as a compliment to face-to-face learning  How ASU’s corporate partnerships resulted in better retention rates for businesses    Guest Bio     Lisa Flesher is the Chief of Realm 4, Project Acceleration at Arizona State University. She guides unique, technology-enhanced projects to advance initiatives including Dreamscape Learn, which empowers learners through fully immersive and interactive virtual reality experiences.   Lisa’s background includes developing technical tools and solutions focused on student support and success, including Starbucks, Global Freshman Academy, me3, and ASU’s partnership with the Al Ghurair Foundation for Education. She earned her undergraduate degree in education and taught seventh grade math before pursuing a master’s in higher and postsecondary education.

Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Dr. Angela Jackson, Managing Partner at New Profit. Todd and Angela discuss how New Profit is bringing the principles of venture capital into private sector philanthropy and how we can modernize the education to career system. Topics Discussed: Why students need access to good coaching so they can succeed in the corporate world Why we should invest in proximate leaders who have lived the problems we need to fix How the Future of Work Grand Challenge encourages innovators to solve current workforce challenges The importance of outcomes-based reporting for universities and MOOCs Guest Bio Dr. Angela Jackson is the Managing Partner at New Profit, a Boston-based Venture Fund, where she manages a $50M investment portfolio spanning education and workforce tech. She is passionate about modernizing the public education to career system and advancing academic and professional opportunities for women, people of color, and veterans. Angela launched the Future of Work Grand Challenge initiative that resulted in the development of an ecosystem of over 60 employers, foundations, and education operating partners that reskilled and placed 25,000 workers impacted by COVID-19 into living-wage jobs. She serves as an advisor to Freedom Learning Group and Education Design Lab and is on the Board of Beyond 12 and Summer Search. Angela is widely published in leading journals including Harvard Business Review and Stanford Social Innovation Review. Her work and writing have been featured in CNN, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, and she has spoken at numerous conferences including The Economist, Wall Street Journal, and TED.