Career Education Report

Higher education accreditation influences everything from institutional reputation to student opportunities, yet there are concerns that it has become more about bureaucracy than educational quality. In this episode, Christopher Bjornstad, executive director of A3STEP, joins host, Jason Altmire, to share his vision for a new accreditor that prioritizes student outcomes over excessive institutional governance. He also discusses how accreditors could better serve career education and skilled trades programs, which are often overlooked by traditional models. 

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

With 25% of bachelor’s degrees and a staggering 43% of master’s degrees showing negative return on investment (ROI), too many students are taking on student debt that outweighs the earning potential of their degree. Dr. Preston Cooper, a senior fellow at AEI, joins host Jason Altmire to break down his research on ROI in higher education. They discuss how tuition costs, low completion rates, and poor labor market outcomes create a ROI crisis in higher ed — and why taxpayers are unknowingly funding failing programs.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

As more students seek flexible and affordable education options, short-term Pell is emerging as a vital tool for creating equitable access to high-quality programs designed to meet evolving workforce needs. Kevin Stump, Vice President of Impact at the Education Design Lab, joins host Jason Altmire to share insights on this bipartisan initiative and its potential for transforming higher education. He also breaks down the Education Design Lab’s micro-pathways and explains why these stackable, credit-bearing credentials are key to lifelong learning and upward mobility. 

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Darnell Epps, Founder and CEO of Thurgood Industries, joins host Jason Altmire to share his remarkable journey from growing up in Brooklyn’s housing projects to graduating from both Yale Law School and Lincoln Tech. Together, they explore how job-focused education can bridge the skills gap, connect workers to in-demand careers, and uplift communities. Epps also reflects on the policy barriers that prevent greater access to career schools and discusses his mission to create workforce solutions through Thurgood Industries.

As 2025 ushers in a new presidential administration and potential shifts in higher education policy, host Jason Altmire sits down with Jon Fansmith, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and National Engagement with the American Council on Education. Together, they unpack the challenges of representing a diverse and sometimes conflicting range of interests in the higher ed community. Fansmith also offers thought-provoking insights on how data-driven accountability standards—focused on program success over institutional type—can pave the way for a fairer and more impactful higher education system.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

In an increasingly polarized and misinformed world, the ability to think critically and debate thoughtfully is more important than ever. Aidan Kestigian, Vice President of ThinkerAnalytix, shares how college students can sharpen these essential debating skills without creating a combative environment. She encourages the use of tools like argument mapping – a powerful teaching method that allows a group to visualize their arguments in a way that allows students to discuss the topic more neutrally. Join host Jason Altmire to see how people can argue better and how to deal with misinformation in a debate.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

The gainful employment regulations put in place by President Biden will have a devastating impact on many schools and students. Low-income and underserved communities will be hardest hit, especially those with workforce shortages and large populations of women and minority students. Join CECU’s Jason Altmire and guests Josh Vasquez and Felida Villarreal as they discuss the real-world impact the gainful employment regulations will have on the communities most in need.

As AI continues to evolve, how can colleges harness its potential for good—streamlining teaching, boosting productivity, and preparing students for the workforce? Dr. Joe Sutherland, an expert in education and technology, shares his vision for using AI in the classroom. As the inaugural director of Emory University’s Center for AI Learning, Dr. Sutherland is focused on helping students apply AI to real-world problems and fostering cross-disciplinary innovation. He also discusses the importance of maintaining core educational values—honesty, transparency, and a commitment to knowledge—even as technology advances faster than policy can keep up. Learn about the innovative ways Emory is preparing the next generation for success.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

In the realm of higher education, many believe there’s a necessary tradeoff between acquiring a degree and gaining practical job skills. However, Ben Wildavsky, host of the “Higher Ed Spotlight” podcast and author of “The Career Arts: Making the Most of College, Credentials, and Connections,” challenges this misconception, making the case that higher education isn’t as simple as choosing between two binary options.

Wildavsky argues that the traditional view of higher education as a choice between theoretical knowledge and practical experience is both outdated and limiting. He emphasizes that both elements are essential for building valuable connections and achieving career success. Rather than viewing educational experiences in isolation, he advocates for a diverse approach that allows students to benefit from a variety of learning experiences to build their human capital and work towards a successful career. 

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

How can some of the biggest companies across New York find skilled workers to fill gaps in their workforce? Guest Kiersten Barnet may have answers. She is the Executive Director of the New York Jobs CEO Council, an organization made up of some of the biggest CEOs in New York. She tells host Jason Altmire that her organization is aiming to build a workforce and education system in New York City that benefits both workers and employers.

Barnet explains that they create connections between New York CEOs and local talent from New York schools with the goal of hiring 100,000 low-income New Yorkers by 2030. They offer opportunities for high school and college students to pursue apprenticeships in their area of interest, opening a pathway to eventually securing a full-time job at that company. These opportunities can help to overcome barriers that New York students face in getting a degree, as they can get paid in a job in their field while they learn. 

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.