Google’s search bar gives power to the everyday learner. But now, Google is working to develop lifelong learners too.

In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Steven Butschi, Director of Education at Google Cloud. Todd and Steven discuss Google’s approach, partnerships, and advancements in the world of higher ed and careers. 

Key Takeaways:

How Google is investing in an ecosystem of lifelong learning, from in-house certificates to traditional degree programs with partner universities 

How new employer-recognized certificate programs compare to typical MOOC courses 

Why a machine-learning approach, predictive analytics, and user search experience can improve the educational process 

How Google is personalizing higher education with AI, from advancing DE&I to improving financial aid support  

Guest Bio

Steven Butschi is the Director of Education at Google Cloud. In his role, he works with school districts, universities, colleges, and EdTech companies to digitally transform by adopting cloud computing products. Steven joined the Google Education team in 2009 after working in IT consulting and volunteering as an adult English Language Learner (ELL) teacher.

In his time at Google, Steven has helped universities migrate to Google Workspace for Education, worked on the founding team to bring Chromebooks to the education market, and launched efforts to bring the Google Cloud Platform to researchers, universities, and EdTech companies. Steven holds a BA from Brown University in International Relations and French.

Western Governors University (WGU) is breaking the mold of traditional education. Discover how taking a student-centered approach can shape the future of higher ed and skills-based hiring practices.

In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Marni Baker Stein, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Western Governors University to discuss some of their top innovations.

Key Takeaways:

The impact of personalizing education around individual learners’ needs

How competency-based education translates into surfacing skills within the workplace

How WGU was inspired by health care to pioneer the Community of Care, a 360-degree case management model

How WGU is democratizing access to skills-based hiring and empowering learners with a skills-based achievement wallet through the Open Skills Network

WGU’s sophisticated approach to learner outcomes data and how they hope to advance competency-based education in the future  

Guest Bio

Dr. Marni Baker Stein is Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Western Governors University. Marni has more than 25 years of experience designing and scaling programs to improve access, affordability, and student success. In her current role, she’s responsible for driving the university’s focus on academic quality and student success, contributing to making Western Governors University one of the leading online universities in the United States today.

Prior to WGU, she worked for several educational institutions in the U.S. and abroad on the development and administration of pioneering high school, undergraduate, graduate, and continuing and professional programming models. These institutions include the University of Texas System, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of California Santa Barbara, Pennsylvania State University, SUNY Buffalo (Latvia), and the United States Information Agency (Turkey, Japan). Marni earned her Ph.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum from the University of Pennsylvania.

How has higher ed trended this year? Just ask Richard Garrett. With nearly 25 years of experience in higher ed research, consulting, and policy, he has his finger on the pulse of postsecondary education’s current trends and future trajectory.

In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Richard Garrett, Chief Research Officer of Eduventures to review his predictions for higher ed in 2022.

Key Takeaways:

How developments in alternative credentials and online learning at elite universities can shape the future of higher ed

The background of the “gainful” employment rule and how it could evolve and impact non-profits and consumers

The issue of student debt cancellation and how we can expect it to play out

How approaching peak bachelor’s degrees can pave the way for options that better serve learners

How new, state-led learning initiatives can localize the online learning experience

Guest Bio

Richard Garrett is Chief Research Officer at Eduventures, a higher ed research and advisory firm under Encoura. Richard is also Co-Director of the CHLOE Project. CHLOE—Changing Landscape of Online Education—is an annual survey of online leaders in US colleges and universities that monitors how online learning strategy, policy and practice is evolving.

Prior to Eduventures, Richard was the North America Director for i-graduate, working with clients of the International Student Barometer. From 2015 to 2019, Richard was Director of the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, focused on global developments in online learning, internationalization, and commercial activity and partnerships. He also worked as a researcher in the School of Education & Continuing Studies at the University of Surrey in the UK and as a policy analyst at the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from King’s College London and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Cambridge.

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 Bios

Ken 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.