ASU+GSV Summit

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Rosemary Lahasky, Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs at Pearson; Joe Barela, Executive Director at Colorado Department of Labor and Employment; Dr. Steve Taylor, Policy Director and Senior Fellow of Economic Mobility at Stand Together Trust; and Alison Griffin, Contributor at Forbes.

The session explored how leaders are shaping a resilient labor market through bipartisan policy innovations that bridge the skills gap, enhance job training, and drive inclusive workforce development. The speakers discussed how evidence-based strategies and public-private partnerships are transforming workforce policy to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. They shared insights into successful initiatives, addressed common challenges, and presented actionable solutions for building a future-ready workforce that benefits communities across the nation.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Dana Bryson, SVP of Social Impact at Study.com; Dr. Asya Johnson, Principal at NYC Public Schools: HBCU Early College Prep; Megan Moulton-Levy, Vice President at JTCC & USTA; Kareem McLemore, Interim Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and International Affairs at Delaware State University; and Sekou Biddle, Vice President at UNCF.

The session highlighted how prioritizing access leads to transformational pathways for traditionally underserved students. The speakers shared how groundbreaking partnerships between community organizations, schools, colleges, and innovative programs are breaking barriers, driving educational equity, and building sustainable funding models that fuel opportunity and economic mobility. They explored how collective action is reshaping the future of education and workforce readiness, proving that when access isn’t optional, success becomes inevitable.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Christopher Gabrieli, Partner at Empower Schools; James DeVaney, Special Advisor to the President and Founding Executive Director of the Center for Academic Innovation at University of Michigan; Donna Linderman, Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Success at SUNY System Administration; Noe Ortega, Commissioner at Massachusetts Department of Higher Education; and Stephanie Ralston-Khurana, Chief Executive Officer at Axim Collaborative.

The session explored how state agencies and systems are becoming pivotal engines for innovation in higher education. The speakers shared their insights and experiences in orchestrating statewide educational transformation, highlighting how moving from campus-level initiatives to statewide strategies can drive more scalable and impactful change across the sector.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Marcus Felder, Managing Director & Head of Career Pathways at Blackstone; Julian Johnson, Corporate Manager, DEI & Engagement at Great Wolf Lodge; Ebony Thomas, Managing Partner at Grads of Life; and Barbara Logan Smith, Chief of Experience and Belonging at Teach For America. The conversation was moderated by Kim Mitchell, Chief People Officer at Renaissance Learning.

The session explored the operationalization of talent acquisition and workforce development with an inclusive lens, focusing on the business imperative of innovation, expanding talent pools, and creating career pathways for employees. Industry leaders shared insights and best practices from diverse sectors, including private equity, education, and hospitality. The discussion uncovered how innovative approaches to sourcing and developing talent can drive business success, foster a more inclusive workforce, and empower employees to thrive in their career journeys.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Lee Weiss, Chief Commercial Officer of Higher Education & General Manager of Higher Education at Kaplan, Inc.; John Woods, Chief Academic Officer & Provost at University of Phoenix; Justin Lonon, Chancellor at Dallas College; Anne Kress, President at Northern Virginia Community College; and Paul Fain, Editor at Work Shift.

The session explored how to more effectively connect education systems with the workforce to enable seamless transitions for students into meaningful careers. The speakers discussed the transformative potential of systems change, highlighting practical solutions such as apprenticeships, co-op programs, and the pivotal role of community colleges in bridging the education-to-employment divide.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Stig Leschly, President at Postsecondary Commission; Pano Kanelos, President at University of Austin; Courtney Hills McBeth, Chief Academic Officer & Provost at Western Governors University; and Meghan Cressman, Vice President of Development and Partnerships at Merit America.

The session explored the significant barriers to creating new colleges in a higher education system where most institutions are more than 50 years old. The speakers discussed how higher education is not an open marketplace and emphasized the need for new models and innovative leaders to emerge. They highlighted what it will take to foster a movement of new colleges, including the roles that accreditors, state and federal leaders, and philanthropy can play in jumpstarting this transformation.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Jeff Selingo, Special Advisor at ASU; Michael Sorrell, President at Paul Quinn College; Fernando Bleichmar, CEO at Risepoint; Jacob Fraire, President at ECMC Foundation; and Adela de la Torre, President at San Diego State University.

The session explored how the 400+ regional public colleges and universities in the United States—educating nearly 40% of all undergraduates and 70% of undergraduates at public, 4-year institutions—serve as critical drivers of workforce development, innovation, and economic mobility. While discussions on higher education innovation often focus on R1 flagships or well-funded elite institutions, the speakers highlighted how regional colleges are leading advancements in online education, flexible credentialing, and workforce-aligned learning. The panel examined how these institutions are uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of today’s learners, employers, and communities at scale.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Cordell Carter, Esq., Executive Director at Aspen Institute; Alejandro Gibes de Gac, CEO & Founder at Springboard Collaborative and Paloma Learning; Heejae Lim, Founder & CEO at TalkingPoints; Antoinette Banks, CEO at Expert IEP; and Anupama Vaid, Founder & President at ParentSquare.

The session explored how empowering families as true partners in education can drive academic success and reduce absenteeism. Through the lens of groundbreaking programs and research, the speakers highlighted innovative strategies that equip families with tools to support learning at home and emphasized the critical role of technology in fostering meaningful school-family connections. They discussed how districts and educators can leverage digital platforms, communication tools, and data-driven insights to engage families, build trust, and create equitable, thriving school communities. The session demonstrated how collaboration and technology together can unlock the full potential of families to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Trish Sparks, CEO at Clever; Ben Dodson, CEO at Doowii; Patrick Gittisriboongul, Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Innovation at Lynwood Unified School District; Doug Levin, Director at K12 SIX; and Eric Gorski, Managing Editor for Local News at Chalkbeat.

The session explored how generative AI and new safety technologies are redefining the education landscape, presenting schools with the critical challenge of enhancing learning outcomes while safeguarding students. The speakers discussed the intersection of AI-driven innovation and cybersecurity in K-12 districts, sharing real-world strategies for creating secure, modern learning environments. They addressed how districts can protect student data, manage limited resources, and ensure students benefit from secure and equitable digital tools.

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Nate McClennen, Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at Getting Smart; Vriti Saraf, CEO & Co-founder at Ed3 DAO; Carole G. Basile, Dean at ASU / MLF College for Teaching and Learning Innovation; Gwen Baker, Advisor at LearnerStudio; and Norman Atkins, Managing Partner at Array Education.

The session examined how, as districts across the U.S. create competency-based "Portraits of a Graduate" to define student success, it is equally critical to reimagine the "Portrait of a Teacher" in the Age of AI. The speakers explored how teachers must embody happiness, agency, and critical thinking to model these traits for students. They discussed what aspects of teaching should remain human-led, what can be supported by AI—such as tutoring, personalization, and curation—and what new competencies educators will need. The session offered insights into updating expectations for teachers, rethinking the teaching role, and hiring more thoughtfully for the future.