Only 16 percent of Native Americans hold a bachelor's degree, but one organization is rewriting that story.

In this episode of In the Margins, we sit down with Sara A. LaBarge, M.S.Ed., CFRE, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Native Forward Scholars Fund, the nation's largest direct scholarship provider for Native students. A proud citizen of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and an alum of the program herself, Sara shares how Native Forward is breaking barriers in higher education through culturally relevant support, strategic philanthropy, and transformational alliances with federal agencies, tribes, and corporate partners.

LaBarge discusses how Native Forward has more than doubled its revenue, expanded its reach across all 50 states, and helped over 22,000 Native students from 500 tribes pursue degrees with financial and emotional support tailored to their needs. She also discusses the impact of major philanthropic gifts, such as MacKenzie Scott's $50 million donation, the power of allyship, and the urgent need to fund basic necessities like housing, transportation, and food security to support students' success.

Key Points:

- Native student enrollment decline and its root causes

- How Native Forward has grown its impact and scaled nationwide with 22,000 Native students supported across 500 tribes

- Tackling food, housing, and transportation needs that hinder degree completion

- Sara's Story: From Menominee roots to higher-ed changemaker

- The role of representation and belonging on campus

- Rising demand, 35% more scholarship applications this year

- Building cross-cultural alliances and advocating for policy change

- Transformative Giving: $50M gift fuels scholarships and growth

- The lasting impact of MacKenzie Scott's trust-based philanthropy

- How listeners can become allies and support Native education

- Future Vision? Closing the $150M funding gap for Native scholars.

Resources:

Scholarships For Native Students | Native Forward Scholars Fund

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In The Margins is produced by The EDU Ledger and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

What if community college could serve as a launchpad to the nation's top universities?

In this episode, we sit down with Nolvia Delgado, Executive Director of the Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF), a former KEF scholar herself, to explore how the foundation's Kaplan Leadership Program helps first-generation and low-income students transfer from community colleges to some of the most prestigious four-year institutions in the country.

Delgado shares her own journey from Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) to Smith College, and the life-changing mentorship and financial support that made it possible. In conversation with The EDU Ledger host David Pluviose, she unpacks KEF's innovative programs: from the Community College Bridge Program to the digital Transfer Hub, which are closing knowledge gaps, reshaping perceptions of community colleges, and proving that access and excellence can coexist.

Don't miss this episode as it offers a masterclass in what real transformation looks like.

Key Points:

• Delgado's Journey: From Dominican-born first-gen student at BMCC to Smith College alumna

• How KEF is reframing community college as the first two years of a four-year degree, not a lesser path.

• While only 14% of community college students nationwide earn a bachelor's, over 90% of KEF scholars do.

• Secret to success: intensive mentorship, transfer guidance, and ongoing support through bachelor's completion.

• A forthcoming digital platform giving nationwide access to transfer resources and partner school connections.

• The myth? Elite schools often meet full financial need; KEF scholars graduate with little to no debt.

• Delgado aims to scale KEF's model so every community college student has a clear, supported path to a bachelor's degree.

Quotes:

"For us, I think part of our magic sauce is closing that knowledge gap and really working with the scholars so that they understand all the different steps that are required for them to transfer and continuing to support them beyond graduation…we stay with them until they graduate [with] a bachelor's degree."

"We teach our scholars that they need to advocate for themselves and make sure that they have everything that they need from their institutions when they get there. That's also part of it."

"The goal is really to reach as many students as possible who are entering Community College, and to equip them with the tools, the resources, and the knowledge that they need to close that gap. So, of the 80% of students who are aspiring to earn a bachelor's, we don't have just 30% who are transferring."

Resources:

Kaplan Educational Foundation Taps KEF Alum Nolvia Delgado as its Next Leader

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In this episode, Sophie Nguyen, Senior Policy Manager in the Education Policy Program at New America, joins Diverse (soon to become The EDU Ledger) to unpack the findings of Varying Degrees 2025 – the latest national survey exploring how Americans view higher education.

From her start as an intern to her current role leading research on affordability, accountability, and public opinion, Nguyen shares her personal journey into higher education policy and why she believes access to transformative education must be protected. She explains the survey's biggest takeaways: cost as the persistent driver of dissatisfaction, the partisan and demographic divides shaping perceptions, and the surprising common ground between Republicans and Democrats on making college more affordable.

In conversation with host Ralph Newell, she digs into the growing polarization, the challenges facing institutions, and the urgent need for colleges to reclaim the narrative, rebuild trust, and demonstrate real value to students and society.

If you've wondered where Americans agree, and where they sharply differ, on the future of higher ed, this discussion sheds light on the trends shaping tomorrow's colleges and universities. Tune in and explore what the data tells us, and why it matters for the future of students, families, and the nation.

KEY POINTS:

- Nguyen's journey from college student to Senior Policy Manager at New America

- Why transformative college experiences should be accessible to more students

- Overview of the Varying Degrees 2025 survey and its role in shaping public debate

- Key long-term trends: Americans value higher ed's ROI but remain dissatisfied with cost

- Bipartisan concerns about affordability, accountability, and transparency in outcomes

- Where Democrats and Republicans converge [and sharply diverge] on solutions

- The outsized influence of elite institutions in shaping higher ed's public image

- Why local colleges often enjoy more trust than "higher ed in general"

- The role of policy, institutional narrative, and support services in rebuilding public confidence

- The call for colleges: to be more transparent, proactive, and student-focused to rebuild trust

Quotes:

"New America is a think tank, a space in Washington, D.C. We work on a variety of issues, providing policy analysis, also advocacy on a variety of issues, such as domestic policy related to children, family, part of the education program."

"I think what I'm most proud of is... not in terms of any particular work, but I realized that higher ed is actually a very nimble... even though there has been criticism that it's very slow to change and adapt, but I think during my time learning about the sector, I have seen institutions that prove that they can adapt, they can grow, they can deal with the challenges that they face with and still support the students in the meantime."

"Colleges and universities now need to be more active in telling those stories—what they actually do, how they actually help students, how they actually help and support students... to be more transparent, to be able to regain public trust and public confidence."

Resources:

New America | Sophie Nguyen

The EDU Ledger | Linktree

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In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Rodriguez, Director of the STEMM Opportunity Alliance (SOA) at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), sits down in the pod to talk about STEMM education, workforce development, equity, and policy advancement.

From growing up in Indiana to earning her PhD in immunology, Rodriguez shares how a teacher's spark changed the trajectory of her life — and informs her work to empower future scientists.

In this conversation, with Diverse host Ralph Newell, she dives deep into the challenges and opportunities facing STEMM education, including funding cuts, threats to DEI, as well as the crucial role of community colleges.

Rodriguez explains how she leads SOA's national strategy to create seamless, equitable STEMM pathways, especially for underrepresented communities, and shares how 280+ organizations are supporting in coalition to build a more inclusive, innovative STEMM future.

Ready to understand the movement building tomorrow's diverse scientific workforce?

Press play and be informed.

KEY POINTS:

- Rodriguez's Midwest upbringing and the reason behind her passion for science

- Her transition from immunology research to policy, education, and systemic change

- Why she believes "luck" shouldn't determine access to STEMM careers

- The STEMM Opportunity Alliance's mission: to grow a diverse STEMM workforce by 2050

- The five pillars of SOA: engagement, inspiration, discovery, innovation and opportunity

- How funding cuts are impacting research, equity, and student opportunity

- The critical and evolving role of community colleges in STEMM training and apprenticeships

- Facing challenges in DEI efforts and how SOA is helping partners to adapt and persist

- What's next? Implement co-created strategies and build coalition resilience

Quotes:

"If your organization is involved in helping people get from curiosity to learning to career in STEMM, then there are resources and community available inside of the STEMM Opportunity Alliance." – Dr. Stephanie Rodriguez

"The goal here is to make sure that the needs of one are being supported by the system that is doing the work — downstream and upstream." – Dr. Stephanie Rodriguez

Resources:

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) | Stephanie Rodriguez

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In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

Today, Diverse sits down with Dr. Carrie Kisker, president of Kisker Education Consulting and director of the Center for the Study of Community Colleges, delving into the critical role of community colleges in providing social mobility for marginalized groups.

Kisker shares her journey from soccer goalkeeper to education researcher, inspired by her mentor Arthur Cohen. In conversation with Diverse host Ralph Newell, she also explores the current challenges facing higher education, including attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Kisker offers insights into how educators, administrators, and students can resist these challenges while maintaining core educational values. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding shared values and communicating the true purpose of DEI initiatives as well as the fight for equity. Furthermore, she dives deep into the fundamental role of community colleges in protecting democratic ideals and providing equitable access to education.

Don't miss this episode as Kisker discusses institutional autonomy, academic freedom, her summer plans, and more. Tune in now.

KEY POINTS:

- Kisker's background, growing up in Colorado, and her passion for soccer

- Key inspiration to focus on community colleges, through mentor Arthur Cohen

- The challenges community colleges face in the current US administration

- Public policy and the role of community colleges in helping marginalized groups

- The importance of DEI in higher education

- The significance of students advocating for DEI programs and policies

- The need for institutional autonomy and academic freedom

- Potential elimination of the Pell Grant for part-time students

- How senior leaders can support DEI via connection, resistance, and innovation

- Common misconceptions about DEI

- The difference between equal and equitable distribution of resources

QUOTES:

"There has been a systematic and very intentional effort over many years to tear down the pillars that hold up our system of higher education." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

"If we can focus on stakeholder needs and we have a solution that meets one stakeholder's set of needs, but not another's—it's not a real, lasting solution." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

"When people are taught how to think critically and for themselves, it threatens autocratic rule." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

"We want students to be safe on campus. We do not want to discourage anyone from attending college. We want to do everything we can to help them afford it and be successful in it." – Dr. Carrie B. Kisker

Resources:

Kisker Education Consulting

Center for the Study of Community Colleges

Council for the Study of Community Colleges

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In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

In this honest and intimate episode, we celebrate 2025 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar of the Year Jayo Adegboyo from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). His story highlights the power of networking, persistence, and interdisciplinary learning.

As a first-generation pre-med student, Jayo shares enthusiastically about the Meyerhoff Scholars program and its support for students like himself pursuing STEM careers. Jayo is a biochemistry major with a physics minor and a member of the track and field team specializing in 200m and 400m events.

Tune in as he shares his experience balancing academics and athletics, and his aspirations for neuroscience research (particularly in migraine studies), with Diverse host Ralph Newell. Their conversation also explores Jayo's approach to making lasting impacts in communities, fostering relationships with mentors, and advocating for patients with neurological disorders.

KEY POINTS:

- Jayo's background as a first-generation medical student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

- His involvement in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, which supports diversity in STEM fields

- His track and field specialization, influenced by his father's athletic background

- Jayo's passion for migraine research inspired by his father's long-term struggle with migraines

- Jayo's acceptance into an MD/PhD program

- Networking and building relationships with mentors who guide his research opportunities

- Jayo's commitment to advocating for patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders

- Jayo's strategic approach to managing time and priorities as a student-athlete

- Seeking to elevate and enrich communities, leaving them better than he found them

QUOTES:

"I want to not only flourish myself, but also leave whatever space I enter better than I found it." – Jayo Adegboyo

"There's only 24 hours in a day, and you should allocate those hours in a way that whatever is the most pressing matter at that time you can focus on that." – Jayo Adegboyo

"I'm someone who likes to think a lot, even during my races, I'll be thinking as I'm running." – Jayo Adegboyo

"I'm interested in the future mostly… advocacy for people with neurological disorders and psychiatric disorders, just because there is a lot of negative stigma for people with those. Even for people with migraines, sometimes their neurologists either don't believe them in terms of what pain they're facing, or don't believe that they're actually taking the medication that was prescribed to them." – Jayo Adegboyo

Resources:

Diverse's Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars program

Meyerhoff Scholars Program – UMBC

Academic Pipeline Programs for Underrepresented Students That Work | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

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In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

In this inspiring episode, we celebrate 2025 Arthur Ashe Jr. Female Sports Scholar of the Year Jaida Ross from the University of Oregon. This conversation explores her journey from a small Oregon town to the Olympic stage, highlighting her excellence in academics, athletics, and community service.

Jaida shares her path from discovering shot put in middle school to competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she finished fourth place, missing a medal by just inches. She reveals how she found her athletic calling in a sport that celebrated her body type and natural strength, contrasting with her earlier experiences in other sports. Beyond her athletic achievements, Jaida opens up about her commitment to community service—particularly her work with young people and mental health advocacy.

Tune in as this discussion with Diverse host Ralph Newell also touches on Jaida's realities of being a student-athlete, the challenges of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals in track and field, and her memorable experiences in the Olympic Village. Don't miss this–press play.

KEY POINTS:

-Jaida's background growing up in Medford, Oregon, and her sports journey

- The role of mentors and her "village" of supporters—family, friends, coaches, and twin sister

- Her decision to stay at the University of Oregon throughout her collegiate career

- Balancing academics, athletics, and community service

- Making the 2024 U.S. Olympic team and her fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics

- Her experiences in the Olympic Village, meeting world record holders and other elite athletes

- The reality of NIL deals in track and field, particularly for throwers vs. more popular events

- Her transition to professional athletics (Nike sponsorship and Diamond League competition)

- Future career aspirations in social work, focusing on helping children in the community

- Her interests in music and guitar, being self-taught through Ed Sheeran's YouTube videos

- Jaida's advice to young and aspiring athletes

QUOTES:

"I just wanted to be an Olympian since I was a kid. That's all I wanted." – Jaida Ross

"I had so many different kinds of role models for all the different aspects of my life that if I can, if I can be that for one person, that's all I need. That's all I want to feel kind of that accomplishment for me." – Jaida Ross

"The biggest part of the sport is finding passion and love for it, and everything else will fall into place. You just have to keep working hard, keep your love for it, and you will find a way to make everything happen." – Jaida Ross

RESOURCES:

Diverse - Jaida Ross

The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar program is part of Diverse's over 30-year legacy of recognizing young minority men and women who have distinguished themselves in their collegiate academic and athletic pursuits.

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In today's episode, we sit down with Ruthe Farmer, founder and CEO of the Last Mile Education Fund, for a powerful conversation about unlocking opportunity in STEM education.

This discussion focuses on the Last Mile's mission to support students in the final stretch of their degrees—especially those in high-demand fields like cybersecurity. Farmer also describes how the fund provides crucial support for tuition, certification exams, and even basic needs, helping students stay on track when it matters most.

The conversation looks at the fund's innovative partnership with Microsoft to boost community college cybersecurity programs, and its recent expansion into graduate-level support. With data-driven impact in hand, Farmer explains how every graduate supported by the Fund delivers a $510,000 lifetime return—and a ripple effect on the broader economy.

Tune in as Farmer, and Diverse host Ralph Newell, also explore the real-world consequences of proposed changes to Pell Grant eligibility and why addressing students' basic needs isn't just compassionate—it's smart policy.

KEY POINTS:

-Farmer's 20 years of experience in talent pipelines in STEM; and the inspiration behind starting the Last Mile Education Fund in 2017

- How the Last Mile aims to support students in high-demand STEM fields (who are in their last four semesters of a degree)

- Partnership with Microsoft and brands to support cybersecurity students and other related majors

-The fund's expansion to support graduate students at the master's and PhD levels

-The importance of supporting students in high-demand fields – workforce development

- Farmer's previous work with Girl Scouts USA, where she helped develop STEM programs

- A look at the GOP-backed bill that could limit Pell Grant access for students who need it most

- How the fund goes beyond tuition to cover essential needs—like rent, groceries, dental work, and even funeral expenses

- Paying-it-forward with inspiring student success stories

- Farmer's candid advice for future leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone charting their path

QUOTES:

"We believe that any student who has made it halfway through a degree in a high-demand STEM field like computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, [or] AI has proven themselves, and they need to graduate." – Ruthe Farmer

"If money is the barrier to you graduating, we're here to help." – Ruthe Farmer

"We need 1.1 million software engineers. By 2034, we need 700,000 cybersecurity workers. Right now, the CHIPS and Science Act is predicting we need 200,000 semiconductor workers per year. We can't afford to be weeding people out. We need to be weeding people in." – Ruthe Farmer

"Students are winning because they're graduating, universities are winning because their students are graduating, employers are winning because they're getting access to more talent, and then society is winning because we're contributing more money to the safety net." – Ruthe Farmer

"Normalize asking for help. You are the future of America. We want you to succeed. So ask for help, because it's out there." – Ruthe Farmer

RESOURCES:

Apply — Last Mile Education Fund

2020-2024 Last Mile 5-Year Impact Report

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In this inspiring episode we engage with Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, the outgoing president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), as he prepares to conclude his transformative 15-year tenure at the end of 2025.

This candid conversation highlights his remarkable journey in higher education, from his early days at Murray State University alongside future community college leaders Dr. Ken Atwater and Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton, to becoming one of the most influential voices in community college leadership.

Bumphus shares pivotal moments from his career, including his first community college position at East Arkansas Community College, his leadership during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Louisiana, and his visionary work with the 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges. He also reflects on the challenges of securing equitable funding for community colleges during COVID-19 and his commitment to cultivating diverse leadership in higher education despite today's political climate. His parting wisdom for emerging leaders emphasizes self-awareness, humility, and dedication to helping others grow.

Join Diverse host Ralph Newell for this compelling conversation with one of higher education's most respected voices.

* On June 5, the print edition of Diverse will feature an in-depth profile of Dr. Bumphus and other distinguished presidents retiring this year. Subscribe to receive a copy.

KEY POINTS:

-Bumphus's early career connections with fellow community college leaders Dr. Ken Atwater and Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton at Murray State University

- His decision to pursue community college leadership due to greater opportunities for leaders of color

- Leadership experiences during crises, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and applying those lessons amid COVID-19

- Development of the influential 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges

- Successful advocacy for equitable funding for community colleges during the pandemic

- Perspectives on cultivating diverse leadership in today's challenging political climate

- Post-retirement plans, including writing a book with Dr. Angel Royal

- Advice for emerging higher education leaders on self-awareness and helping others grow

- Reflections on his 15-year legacy at AACC and the future of community colleges

QUOTES:

"I wanted to learn from the best. And so, I tried to read about what great leaders were doing. I actually would go and visit some presidents who were at least reputationally very successful at what they did." – Dr. Walter Bumphus

"Know who you are as a leader. Understand yourself before you can start to help others grow. And don't be too full of yourself. Learn how to laugh at yourself. Take your work seriously, but not yourself; and try to be helpful as you can to others." – Dr. Walter Bumphus

"The DEI piece has never been something where you gave a leader of color anything, but you just gave them the opportunity to earn — earn opportunities, earn the right to be promoted, earn the right to excel, and earn the right to show people what they could do." – Dr. Walter Bumphus

RESOURCES:

Dr. Walter Bumphus - AACC

Community College Leader Dr. Walter Bumphus to Step Down After Transformative Era | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

Bumphus Takes Center Stage at AACC Conference | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

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In today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Marilyn Sanders Mobley, a distinguished scholar, author, and academic leader. As founder of the African American Studies program at George Mason University and former Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity at Case Western Reserve University, Mobley has spent decades shaping conversations on race, gender, and social justice — now serving as a diversity consultant.

Mobley shares her journey as a literary scholar and how she helped establish the Toni Morrison Society, dedicated to preserving Morrison's legacy. Her conversation with Diverse host Ralph Newell dives deep into Morrison's impact on literature and culture, exploring her masterful use of language, space, and identity.

Mobley also discusses her book Toni Morrison and the Geo-Poetics of Place, Race, and Belonging, examining how Morrison's work navigates identity, history, and the power of storytelling.

Explore the transformative power of language and the necessity of creating spaces for belonging and justice in this inspiring conversation. Tune in.

KEY POINTS:

- Mobley's academic journey as a professor of English and African American Studies

- Founding of the Toni Morrison Society in 1993, with 26 professors recognizing Morrison's literary significance before her Nobel Prize

- Morrison's unique approach to writing, focusing on imagination, joy, and resilience beyond oppression

- The Geo-poetics concept: how writers use space and language to create meaning

- Insights from Morrison's Nobel Lecture, its power of language in connection or division

- Strategies for social justice (inspired by Civil Rights Movement tactics): finding spaces to strategize, building new coalitions

- Challenges of current DEI work and the importance of imagination in responding to systemic oppression

- Final thought: Who would play Mobley in a movie?

QUOTES:

"The only grace you have is the grace you can imagine." – Dr. Marilyn Sanders Mobley

"Language is all we have, and the misuse of language will continue to shape our lives." – Dr. Marilyn Sanders Mobley

"People can use language to assault one another [or] to undermine one another. And when you have a genuine encounter, let your biases drop away, and listen to the other—you can engage in an actual dialogue." – Dr. Marilyn Sanders Mobley

RESOURCES:

The Toni Morrison Society

Toni Morrison and the Geopoetics of Place, Race, and Be/longing

Diverse Top Women Honoree, 2013

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