All In: Student Pathways Forward

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Rogue Community College (RCC) and Southern Oregon University (SOU) graduate Jahna Thompson, Rogue Community College president, Dr. Randy Weber and Director, Postsecondary Success at The Ford Family Foundation, Denise Callahan. 

Jahna emphasizes the value of strong faculty mentorship and advising from her student experience at both Rogue Community College and SOU with a unique lens of having taught in her field of study at both institutions as a faculty/professor over the past year. She elaborates on her academic journey that began taking GED prep classes at RCC and after completing her Bachelor's and Master's degrees, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Immunology & Infectious Disease at Washington State University.

President Weber reflects on Jahna’s interview and describes specific college efforts through responsive programming, student supports and community partnerships that have helped increase enrollment and improve retention and completion outcomes for students, including those who enter the college taking adult education courses. 

Denise highlights the Foundation’s impactful postsecondary education work across Oregon,  particularly in rural communities, through Foundation investments, scholarships and research. She describes how the Foundation's work supporting over 1000 postsecondary education students annually across Oregon through scholarships helps inform the organization's policy and research work and shares more on the recently released Oregon by the Numbers report by the Foundation that offers a detailed profile for each of Oregon’s 36 counties. 

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Clackamas Community College (CCC) parenting student Kaytlen Thomas, Clackamas Community College president, Dr. Tim Cook and Trellis Strategies Senior Policy Strategist, Carrie Welton. 

Kaytlen describes how impactful her first experience was at CCC enrolling in the GED prep program, how it shifted her perception of what the future may hold, and led her to take leadership in student government at the college advocating to address student basic needs. 

President Cook reflects on Kaytlen's interview and shares more on the ROCCS initiative he is undertaking this summer - Running for Oregon Community College Students (ROCCS) - a 1500 mile run over 50 days across the state of Oregon visiting all 17 community colleges to raise awareness about challenges student face in meeting basic needs.

Carrie talks about her national and state policy work supporting postsecondary education access and completion by leveraging and integrating public benefit programs. She provides more information on the Trellis Strategies Student Financial Wellness Survey, a free resource to higher ed institutions that allows them to benchmark key student financial wellness indicators to drive institutional change, strengthen student enrollment efforts and improve student satisfaction. 

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

This intro episode sets the stage for season 4 of the All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast which will feature students who began their college journeys enrolling in adult education courses that propelled them to pursue further education and career pathways at their respective colleges. 

The All In host Marc Goldberg moderates a panel discussion with three innovative workforce development and adult education college leaders who have led impactful student-centered programs and partnerships at their institutions, across their states and at the national level – Dan Belyea, Chief Workforce Development Officer, Maine Community College System and Alfond Center, Laurie Kierstead-Joseph, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Adult Basic Education for College & Career, at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona, and Sheridan Nixon, Associate Vice Provost, Career Connected Learning, School of Workforce Education, at Dallas College. 

The panelists all share insights on effective Adult Ed models that have created pathways to careers with economic mobility through workforce education at their institutions. They offer their perspectives on the value and importance of Adult Education within their communities and at their colleges and highlight strategies in how they have centered student voices to shape better programs, policies and partnerships. This engaging and inspiring conversation is the perfect way to kick off the new season of the All In podcast. 

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

The Season 3 finale of the All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast features an engaging panel discussion with three inspiring students and graduates enrolled in or having completed high quality credential programs from different community and technical colleges: Lucy Briseno, a current student at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon; Monique Sallis, a current student at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota, and an apprentice with Aon; and Cha Zong Yang, a graduate of Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wisconsin.

Throughout the conversation, these students share their experiences participating in innovative, high-quality credential programs at their colleges that have helped shape their career pathways. They highlight the resources, supports, and services from their respective colleges and employers that have made an impact on their progress and success. From knowledgeable, dedicated, and accessible faculty to work-based learning opportunities to available financial assistance and strong career services, the panelists offer a firsthand perspective on what makes a difference for today’s learners. The students also provide thoughtful recommendations for college leaders, policymakers, employers and other students based on their own experiences. Their insights offer a compelling call to action for strengthening pathways that connect education, employment, and lifelong success.

These three remarkable individuals previously shared their community/technical college stories and insights this past fall at national and Oregon state conferences as part of plenary student panel discussions. Cha Zong spoke at the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers  (NCATC) conference in September about short-term industry recognized, advanced technology programs and unique student supports such as the Metallica Scholars Initiative. 

Monique joined the student panel at the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) conference in October in Minneapolis on transformative workforce education programs, including apprenticeships, that offer pathways from college into careers. 

Lastly, Lucy offered her perspective during the student panel at the Oregon Pathways to Opportunity statewide summit in October on the critical topic of student basic needs insecurity and elaborated on different resources and supports that can help address common student realities. The podcast conversation was an opportunity to explore these topics in more detail and culminate this season featuring students in quality credential programs. 

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network and supported by the Lumina Foundation.

This episode features interviews with Klamath Community College student Reyna Cunningham, the president of Klamath Community College Dr. Roberto Gutierrez and Dr. Theresa Anderson, a Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute. 

Reyna, a dedicated student parent pursuing a pathway in Early Childhood Education, describes her experience in a quality non-degree career pathways credential program at the college, and highlights the importance of holistic supports for students on campus and through community resources.

President Gutierrez reflects on Reyna's interview and the broader significance of non-degree credential programs at KCC. Dr. Gutierrez discusses how critical community partnerships are, especially in rural areas, in supporting student success and economic development, and sheds light on Klamath Community College’s plans for a new childcare facility on campus to address a priority need for student parents at the college and in the overall community.   

Theresa provides insights into Urban Institute’s national work focused on student parents at higher education institutions sharing more on the Data-to-Action Campaign for Parenting Students and the Student-Parent Action through Research Knowledge (SPARK) Collaborative, both initiatives helping shape more inclusive programs and policies at community colleges across the country.

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network and supported by the Lumina Foundation.

In this episode, host Marc Goldberg interviews Bishop State Community College graduate Ms. Andrea Heningburg McCants, Bishop State Community College President Olivier Charles and Ms. Michelle Burris, Fellow and Cohort Manager for The Industry and Inclusion Team at The Century Foundation.

Ms. McCants shares both of her chapters as a student at Bishop State, particularly her most recent when she enrolled in and completed a quality non-degree credential program as a working professional enhancing her skills and credentials that have opened up new business opportunities. 

President Charles reflects on Ms. McCants interview and describes how the College’s non-degree credential programs meet the needs of both students and regional employers and have been designed in a supportive and inclusive way creating accelerated educational pathways for adult education students, working professionals, parenting students, recent high school graduates and other community members to quality jobs and careers in regional high demand industry sectors. 

Ms. Burris offers more information about the Industry and Inclusion Cohort project that Bishop State Community College is a part of that focuses on creating better access to manufacturing careers for historically underrepresented populations including people of color and women through quality community college manufacturing programs in partnership with regional employers that are committed to broadening their talent pool and workforce. 

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is supported by the Lumina Foundation and part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

This episode features interviews with Olive-Harvey College Rivian Technical Trades program graduate Kyle Johnson, Olive-Harvey College president Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth and the Illinois Community College Board Deputy Executive Director Jennifer Foster. 

Kyle describes how the Rivian Technical Trades program met his needs as a returning student by providing accelerated training that led to an industry recognized credential in the emerging field of electric vehicles and a clear pathway to a job and career with Rivian in an apprenticeship program model that worked well for him.

Dr. Hollingsworth offers helpful reflections from Kyle’s interview and shares more on the responsive transportation, distribution and logistics programs at Olive- Harvey that include various supports and resources available to students such as Project Evolve, the college’s Workforce Equity Initiative program.

Deputy Executive Director Foster elaborates further on the Workforce Equity Initiative in its origins, design and goals to close historical opportunity gaps for African American students across the state of Illinois reducing potential barriers to enrollment and completion in community college quality non-degree credential programs.

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network and supported by the Lumina Foundation.

In this episode in honor of Mother's Day, we revisit some clips from past All In podcast student guests who are moms. The host Marc Goldberg also interviews his own mom, Nancy Yelenik Goldberg, who describes her experience as a returning, parenting student at the local community college in the 1970's taking classes in the emerging field of computer science. She elaborates on the trailblazing career she had as as a programmer and eventual executive leader in the technology field and talks about the civic engagment she is involved in these days. 

The first All In clip is from an early season one episode of the podcast during the pandemic with Nellisha Moore, a student from Chemeketa Community College. The next one is from a conversation with Cristina Cruz, an early childhood education career pathways student from Lane Community College. Following that are highlights from an interview with Shalease Williams from Portland Community College in season one. The  next clip is from Emily Geise, a graduate of Klamath Community College and employee of Cascade Comprehensive Care. Lastly, there are highlights from an interview with Lynne Hamblin, a student at Rogue Communtiy College. Each of these All In moms share different thoughts about the intersections between their community college experiences and their own children and families.

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network and supported by the Lumina Foundation.

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Lane Community College Culinary Commercial Cooking Certificate program graduate Barbara Graham-Adams, college president Dr. Stephanie Bulger and CEO and President of NACCE, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, Dr. Rebecca Corbin.

Barbara talks about her experience as a returning student who enrolled in a culinary career pathways program to enhance her skills for her existing food cart business, Irie Jamaican Kitchen, which has now led to new opportunities through the college. She offers helpful insights to college faculty and staff on additional ways to meet the needs of parenting students and gives great advice to other community college students.

Dr. Bulger shares her reflections from Barbara’s interview and touches on different programs and supports the College provides for small and emerging businesses through the Small Business Development Center, entrepreneurial academic programs and even through the College’s procurement process.

Dr. Corbin describes how NACCE supports colleges across the country in developing an entrepreneurial mindset with students and through college programs and touches on the power of this national network to learn together, co-create and take innovative action.

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network and supported by the Lumina Foundation.

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Clark State College nursing graduate Lemohang Mokhalinyane and then a follow up conversation with both Clark State College President Dr. Jo Blondin and Higher Learning Commission (HLC) President Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley.

Lemoh describes her experience as a student in the nursing pathway at Clark State - first in the Licensed Practical Nursing program leading to employment and then the Registered Nursing program. She highlights the incredible support and guidance she received from college faculty and staff as a student and the culture of meeting students where they’re at. Lemoh also describes  the benefit of enrolling in and completing a non-degree credential of value in her educational journey at Clark State.

Dr. Blondin and Dr. Gellman-Danley, both transformative, student-centered leaders with expertise advocating and shifting systems at the local, state and national level, share their reflections from the interview with Lemoh and elaborate on the topic of quality non-degree credentials.

Dr. Blondin describes how Clark State has established meaningful on-ramp and off-ramp credential programs to support student goals. Dr. Gellman-Danley offers expertise and insights from the lens of an accrediting board and how HLC has prioritized non-degree credential programs in their work with member institutions. Both Dr. Blondin and Dr. Gellman-Danley emphasize the importance of centering students and student intent when considering policies and practice at the institutional and national level. 

The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network and supported by the Lumina Foundation.