In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we sit down with Lisa Huffman, Dean of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology. Together, we explore the university’s long-standing Early IT program and the powerful new Microschool partnership designed to bring multiple districts, diverse learners, and shared resources into one collaborative ecosystem. Lisa unpacks why higher education is leaning in so deeply to rethink the K–12 pipeline and how this joint endeavor creates a win-win for students, universities, and future employers alike.

We also discuss how early college credit, real-world problem-based learning, and multi-district collaboration offer students a transformative pathway into high-demand IT careers. Lisa highlights the economic benefits of accelerated degree completion, the value of divergent perspectives, and why microschools may hold the key to scalable, future-ready learning experiences across communities.

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We unbox:

• Why post-secondary institutions are rethinking partnerships with K–12
• The design and purpose of the Early IT Microschool model
• Multi-district collaboration as an engine for divergent thinking and problem solving
• How early college credit accelerates economic mobility for students
• What it takes to scale microschool models across different contexts

Resources:

• University of Cincinnati Early IT Program

Produced by NOVA