DisruptED

At a time when traditional higher education is being reevaluated for its return on investment, institutions like Calbright College are emerging as transformative forces. With roughly 6.6 million students in California having some college experience but no degree, the pressure is on to create alternative pathways that are flexible, skill-driven, and aligned with workforce needs. Calbright’s innovative model—combining online delivery with competency-based education and job-focused programs—is leading that charge.

How can public higher ed evolve to meet the realities of adult learners and the modern job market?

Welcome to DisruptED. This episode features guest host Darin Francis in conversation with Dr. Shannon McCarty, Vice President of Learning and Instruction at Calbright College. Together, they unpack Calbright’s unique approach to workforce education, innovations in student support, and the role the college plays in statewide education and labor initiatives.

Key takeaways from the episode:

Calbright is integrating AI tools and micro-internships to provide just-in-time support and real-world experience to learners.

Durable skills like critical thinking and digital literacy are being embedded across all programs, not just technical training.

The college plays a key role in California’s workforce development, aligning curriculum with industry needs and helping adults transition into well-paying careers.

Dr. Shannon McCarty is a seasoned academic leader with deep expertise in online learning, curriculum innovation, and competency-based education. She has held executive roles at institutions like Calbright College, National University, and Bay Path University, where she launched large-scale online programs, led multimillion-dollar grant projects, and advanced workforce-aligned degree pathways. Known for her strategic leadership and commitment to student success, she has been instrumental in designing scalable education models that integrate digital tools, microcredentials, and labor market data.

E-learning has evolved from a fringe innovation to a global necessity. As traditional classroom models struggle to keep pace with the demands of modern learners, platforms like D2L are leading the e-learning transformation. According to the World Economic Forum, over 1.5 billion learners were impacted by pandemic-related school closures, accelerating the shift to digital-first learning models. This transformation continues as institutions seek scalable, engaging, and accessible solutions for learners of all backgrounds.

What does it take to design digital learning that feels personal, human, and deeply impactful, not just digitized?

This episode of DisruptED, hosted by Ron Stefanski, features John Baker, founder and CEO of D2L. Together, they explore how a question John asked in college, “What problem can I solve that has the biggest impact?” sparked a 26-year journey in transforming global education. The conversation covers D2L’s early mission, enduring market success, and how it continues to lead the e-learning transformation by empowering educators and learners around the world.

Key Highlights:

• From Idea to Impact: John launched D2L in college with a mission to break barriers in learning. Today, it supports millions worldwide.

• Beyond Digitization: The future of e-learning lies not in replication but transformation—through AI, mastery-based learning, and real human connection.

• Driving Engagement: D2L’s Creator+ enables student interactivity, instructor feedback, and design rooted in learning science to combat disengagement.

John Baker is the founder and CEO of D2L, a global leader in learning management systems. A University of Waterloo systems engineering graduate, John started D2L in 1999 with a vision to make education more accessible and meaningful. Under his leadership, D2L has become a trusted partner to institutions worldwide. He is also the founder of SkillsWave, a venture focused on upskilling the modern workforce.

Digital learning is undergoing a major shift. As businesses look to retain talent and equip employees for evolving roles, the demand for workforce upskilling is rising fast. A 2023 McKinsey Global Institute survey found that 87% of companies worldwide are either experiencing skill gaps or expect to within five years, posing risks to productivity and national competitiveness.

What will it take to make learning more personal, relevant, and accessible, especially for mid-sized businesses that lack traditional training infrastructure?

On this episode of DisruptED, host Ron Stefanski once again sits down with John Baker, founder and CEO of D2L and founder of SkillsWave, a new platform focused on workforce upskilling. Together, they explore what inspired Baker to launch a second venture and how SkillsWave is removing friction from the upskilling journey for businesses and learners alike.

Key Highlights:

• Bridging Industry and Academia: SkillsWave connects employers and academic institutions to deliver personalized upskilling that helps workers advance their careers.

• Upskilling Without the Overhead: Small and mid-size businesses gain access to usage-based learning models without the need for costly internal training platforms.

• AI-Powered Career Matching: SkillsWave uses AI and curated marketplaces to align employee roles and goals with targeted academic programs and in-demand skills.

John Baker is the founder, President, and CEO of D2L, a global leader in education technology, and also the founder and Executive Chairman of SkillsWave, focused on advancing workforce skills. With over 25 years of leadership in edtech and innovation, he has played key roles in shaping education and skills policy through advisory and board positions with organizations like the Business Council of Canada, Global Skills Opportunity, and SSHRC. Baker has also contributed to national initiatives such as the Government of Canada’s Industry Strategy Council and served on multiple boards including Canada’s National Ballet School and the University of Waterloo.

Higher education is at a turning point. As employers demand more than technical proficiency, schools are being challenged to equip students with durable skills like collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Traditional classroom models often fall short of this need. This shift has fueled growing interest in mass experiential learning as a way to prepare students for real-world challenges at scale. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), college graduates who engaged in experiential learning realize multiple early-career benefits, including higher salaries and greater career satisfaction.

So, how can institutions deliver transformative, skill-building experiences without sacrificing accessibility, affordability, or academic rigor?

Welcome to DisruptEd. In this episode, guest host Darin Francis speaks to Alana Heath, Co-founder and COO of How to Change the World, at the ASU+GSV Summit. Heath outlines how her organization delivers large-scale, interdisciplinary experiential learning using a custom-built technology platform—and how it’s changing what’s possible in higher education.

Key themes from the episode include:

Scalable experiential learning: How pairing pedagogy with custom-built tech enables meaningful, global, cross-disciplinary learning experiences at scale –advancing the potential of mass experiential learning.

Educator empowerment: Why professional development through their educator fellowship ensures schools can integrate and sustain experiential learning.

Skills that matter: How structured peer-to-peer interaction fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability—skills employers are actively seeking.

Alana Heath is an experienced social entrepreneur and operational leader with a strong background in edtech, impact investing, and sustainable energy finance. As Co-Founder and COO of How to Change the World, she is currently pioneering scalable experiential learning programs that address global challenges through education and technology. Her career spans leadership roles in financial inclusion, ESG impact reporting, and solar energy access across emerging markets, supported by her sustainability-focused MBA and deep cross-cultural project management experience.

A growing number of colleges are struggling to convert applicants into enrolled students—and to keep them engaged through graduation. With Gen Z students relying heavily on familiar digital platforms like Instagram and Discord for social interaction, traditional college tools for orientation, enrollment, and community-building often miss the mark. According to research, between 10-40% of students who accept offers at four-year institutions fail to show up in the fall—a phenomenon known as “summer melt.” The stakes are high: universities lose millions annually from melted admits, and students lose momentum toward degrees.

So, what if the solution to improving student yield, engagement, and retention isn’t another third-party platform—but the apps students are already using?

On this episode of DisruptED, guest host Darin Francis, CEO of Harbinger Lane, speaks with Jonah Liss, COO and Co-Founder of MeetYourClass, a student engagement platform born out of Instagram class groups. Broadcasting from ASU+GSV, they discuss how this student-first innovation is helping colleges tap into the social habits of digital natives to drive enrollment outcomes.

Key moments in the episode…

The student-led origin of MeetYourClass: How Jonah and his co-founders evolved a social media hobby into a yield-boosting platform used by 19 universities—with zero marketing spend.

Why traditional platforms fail: Students often ditch school-provided roommate finders and portals in favor of social apps they’ve used since middle school, contributing to disengagement and summer melt.

What’s next for MeetYourClass: Plans to integrate housing, events, and student life into a CRM-like platform that starts engaging students well before they apply.

Jonah Liss is the COO and Co-Founder of MeetYourClass, a higher ed SaaS platform that leverages social media to increase student yield and reduce summer melt in university campuses. He has led the company’s growth to over 500,000 users and partnerships with top institutions, earning recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30 and Techstars. With a background in tech, product development, and early-stage entrepreneurship, Liss has also founded a COVID-19 support platform and held roles in investment banking and data science.

College admissions have long favored those with access—whether that’s legacy ties, zip code advantages, or the ability to afford pricey private consultants. But now, the game is changing. Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a powerful equalizer in education, and one startup is turning that promise into reality. Just days ago, Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban backed ESAI, a platform founded by Julia Dixon that’s helping students craft authentic, compelling college applications—without ghostwriting, gimmicks, or gatekeeping.

If elite-level college admissions support has traditionally come with an elite price tag, can AI finally break down those barriers for good?

On this episode of DisruptED, guest host Darin Francis, Managing Partner & CEO of Harbinger Lane Consulting, speaks with Julia Dixon, Founder of ESAI. The conversation, recorded live at the ASU+GSV Summit, explores how Dixon’s platform is flipping the script on college advising, giving hundreds of thousands of students high-touch guidance powered by data, storytelling, and ethical AI.

The main topics of conversation…

Dixon explains how ESAI helps students uncover personal narratives that make their applications stronger, without writing essays for them.

The platform has engaged over 33 million students via TikTok, offering Gen Z a relatable, accessible on-ramp to the admissions process.

Ethical design is at the core of ESAI’s AI tools, developed with input from current and former admissions officers to ensure the platform empowers students without compromising integrity.

Julia Dixon is the Founder and CEO of ESAI, an AI-powered college admissions platform that has helped over 550,000 students and saved families more than $150 million in advising costs. With a background in cultural strategy and marketing at Weber Shandwick and a strong focus on Gen Z engagement, she has driven 33M+ views on TikTok to expand ESAI’s reach. A University of Michigan alum and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Dixon combines deep industry knowledge with a mission to make ethical, personalized college support accessible to all.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the mobility landscape, but concerns about battery safety continue to cloud consumer confidence. Despite media narratives, data confirms that EVs are less likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. A study by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency found that EVs are 20 times less likely to ignite than petrol or diesel cars. However, misconceptions persist, slowing public adoption.

What does a safer, smarter EV future require, and who will power it?

On this episode of DisruptED, host Ron Stefanski sits down with Ron Butler, CEO of ESSPI (Energy Storage Safety Products International). A former Detroit firefighter and public school teacher, Butler shares how his company is building a safer battery ecosystem while also developing the next-generation EV workforce. The conversation explores battery risk realities, the soft skills gap, and how industry collaboration can accelerate progress.

Highlights from the episode:

• EV battery safety is overstated in the media: Real risks occur in storage, manufacturing, and logistics, not during regular vehicle use.

• Soft skills and tech training are critical: ESSPI focuses on building a labor force prepared for digital-heavy EV platforms, not just mechanics.

• Collaboration is key to innovation: Butler outlines NET-FIRST(Fuel, Innovation, Research, Safety and Testing), a model for automakers to jointly address safety and innovation challenges in the early product cycle.

Ronald Butler is the CEO of ESSPI, where he leads the development of patented fire suppression systems tailored to lithium-ion battery risks in energy storage, transport, and defense applications. He specializes in hazard mitigation, emergency response planning, and safety training for alternative energy systems. Butler has over 30 years of experience in fire safety, including two decades as a Detroit Fire Department officer. His expertise also extends to designing containment protocols and workforce training interventions for industries handling high-risk battery technologies.

Jerry Wagner of Flexible Plan, shares how quant-driven investing and adaptive strategy design can help investors navigate market volatility.

Across the country, workforce development systems are under pressure to deliver better outcomes in an economy that demands speed, flexibility, and equity. Traditional pathways, such as community college without clear career prospects, no longer serve enough people well. A report by the Center for Community College Student Engagement found that 42% of community college students reported their colleges taught them “very little” or “not at all” about in-demand jobs in their regions, highlighting a disconnect between education and workforce needs. As employers seek adaptable, job-ready candidates, there is growing demand for more agile and inclusive talent development strategies.

How can cities and regions build smarter, more inclusive systems to prepare people for jobs that exist right now and those emerging tomorrow?

On DisruptED, host Ron Stefanski features Sandy Mead, the Vice President of Workforce Development at Skilltrade, and Tracey Carey, CEO of Midwest Urban Strategies. Together, they unpack how innovative partnerships, braided funding models, and career-aligned education are reshaping workforce and talent development in Detroit and beyond.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Braided funding and employer partnerships create practical pathways: Programs involving partners like Focus Hope show how aligning training with employer needs leads to stronger outcomes.

• Stackable credentials build career agility: Carey emphasizes the importance of enabling workers to grow across sectors, especially in fast-changing fields like healthcare.

• Innovation must be community-centered: The episode highlights how regional collaboration across states like Missouri, Kansas, and Georgia fuels scalable, inclusive workforce solutions.

Sandy Mead is a seasoned workforce development strategist with over two decades of experience designing training programs in healthcare and IT. She has held leadership roles at Skilltrade, Metrix Learning, and MedCerts, where she focused on aligning employer needs with online and hybrid learning solutions that lead to nationally recognized certifications. Her expertise lies in building strategic partnerships and expanding access to career-aligned training for underrepresented and unemployed populations across the U.S.

Tracey Carey is the CEO of Midwest Urban Strategies, where she leads multi-state workforce collaborations focused on innovation, funding, and inclusive career pathways. She brings over two decades of expertise in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and program development across workforce, education, and youth services. As founder of People Capital, Inc., Carey has supported public-private initiatives that align training systems with labor market needs in healthcare and beyond.

The traditional residential college experience is transforming. Driven by rising costs, declining enrollment, and student demand for flexibility, small private colleges are rethinking their academic models. A 2022 McKinsey & Company survey found that 65% of higher education students want aspects of their learning experience to remain virtual, even post-pandemic. This shift signals a growing appetite for hybrid environments that blend campus life with scalable online access.

What does a hybrid future look like for small colleges, and can it preserve the heart of the campus experience while offering students more?

On DisruptED, guest host Darin Francis, the CEO at Harbinger Lane Consulting, welcomes Charlie Anastasi, the VP at Rize Education. Anastasi explains how his team is guiding colleges through the shift toward hybrid learning. Speaking from the ASU+GSV Summit, he describes how Rize partners with over 100 institutions, including many residential colleges, to collaboratively deliver online programs that broaden academic offerings, boost enrollment, and improve career outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• Rize enables small colleges to launch high-demand programs like cybersecurity by sharing core online courses across institutions.

• Students retain the in-person residential experience while gaining access to new majors that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive to launch individually.

• Rize partners report a fivefold return on investment through increased enrollment and strong student satisfaction with hybrid course offerings.

Charlie Anastasi is Vice President of Revenue and Academic Partnerships at RizeEducation, where he leads institutional growth strategies that expand access to affordable, career-aligned programs. He previously served in leadership roles at Adrian College and CADRE, bridging higher education innovation with strategic development. Earlier in his career, he worked in real estate private equity at Blackstone, bringing strong financial and operational expertise to the education sector.