In this podcast, Rick and Kiran explore the entire continuum of higher education in the US. Rick argues that as a society, we have not yet defined the purpose of education. What are we preparing students for? Can the lack of clear learning objectives be a root cause of skills gaps?

They also discuss how partnerships with employers can help clarify learning objectives, how technology will drive personalized learning, and how a Learning Employment Record brings it all together with a composite view of an individual’s journey.

Connect with Rick Torres on LinkedIn and Twitter @BDataWise.

Learn more about the National Student Clearinghouse on LinkedIn or by visiting StudentClearinghouse.org. You can also follow @NSClearinghouse on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to blog updates here.

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Kevin believes that the educational sector is least transformed by technology. Rather than disrupting old processes and ideas, technology is used only to enhance traditional methods. This is problematic for graduates who earn degrees that don’t prepare them for a career in a connected world.

Kevin and Kiran also touch on why it is important to build IT initiatives around desired outcomes, how to break down tech silos between business functions, and why tech should support the student experience over administrative processes.

Connect with Kevin Pashuk on LinkedIn and Twitter @Invisitech. Learn more about Sheridan College at SheridanCollege.ca.

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In this episode, Jordan and Kiran take a deep dive into several topics from Jordan’s publications. Regarding education, Jordan believes that learning is the process of building a shared language. To this end, schools need to improve at fostering collaboration and communication, skills that will serve students throughout their lives.

They also discuss the role technology plays in education, and how resistance to tech in learning environments is ignoring the real world children live in.

The episode wraps with a teaser of Jordan’s new book, Father Figure. He shares how his experiences as a father shaped his outlook and outlines the four steps men can take to become feminist dads.

Connect with Jordan Shapiro on LinkedIn and Twitter @jordosh. Visit JordanShapiro.org for his remarkable full biography. You’ll also find links to purchase The New Childhood and pre-order Father Figure.

This episode is brought to you by N2N’s Illuminate App, the iPaaS for Higher Education. Learn more at https://illuminateapp.com/web/higher-education/

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In this episode, Dr. Ulmer explains why Walden and other online institutions are critical to the future of higher education--they provide alternative pathways to a college degree for older working students, individuals with some college but no degree, and others with limited access to the traditional four-year college experience.

Dr. Ulmer pinpoints the COVID-19 pandemic as the major turning point in higher education. Kiran and Dr. Ulmer also discuss several trends in higher education, including the value of a gap year, the importance of open dialogue and authenticity on social issues, and whether in-person learning is here to stay.

Connect with Dr. Ward Ulmer on LinkedIn and watch his message to the Walden University community on YouTube.

Learn more about Walden University by visiting WaldenU.edu and following @WaldenU on Twitter.

This episode is brought to you by N2N’s Illuminate App, the iPaaS for Higher Education. Learn more at https://illuminateapp.com/web/higher-education/

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Jory begins by sharing a little history of CVC and how he worked to influence other institutions to aspire to a new idea of what online education could be. He also discusses how students are getting savvier on assessing the ROI of educational opportunities, while employers are becoming more open to hiring individuals with more diverse educational backgrounds.

Speaking from experience, Jory reflects on the positive impact community college had on his career and discusses the drawbacks of traditional academic schedules for working professionals with families and responsibilities.

Connect with Jory Hadsell on LinkedIn or Twitter @JoryHadsell.

Learn more about the California Virtual Campus at CVC.edu. You can also explore WCET, the non-profit organization Jory mentioned, here.

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The episode opens with a timely discussion on diversity and inclusivity in higher education. Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic Jesuit institution in the United States, and Kelly explains how Jesuit principles provide the foundation on which Georgetown approaches education--meeting learners where they are and supporting holistic student experiences.

Kelly also takes a deep dive into how online learning is transforming SCS. Many students were moving toward online options even before the pandemic, and the crisis has accelerated this process. In particular, she extolls the value of faculty commitment to content development. She explains how Georgetown builds cross-functional teams to create virtual or hybrid learning experiences that support SCS students’ professional goals.

Kiran and Kelly also discuss trends in higher education. Kelly explains SCS’s approach to competency-based learning, how institutions can better support veterans as they transition to civilian careers, the growing tensions between colleges and for-profit vendors, and more.

Learn more about Kelly Otter on LinkedIn, Twitter @KellyOtter, and Instagram @Kelly_Otter. Read her publications, including the Ozzy Osbourne article, here.

Visit scs.georgetown.edu to explore Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies.

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Dr. Rogers reflects on her experience teaching an online class for the first time in 2009. She discusses numerous ways of increasing engagement and communication, from guided discussion forums online to taking acting classes to improve virtual “stage presence.”

She also clarifies what “equitable access” really means and reinforces how critical it is to acknowledge that these challenges are ongoing. There are numerous barriers to entry for higher education beyond socioeconomic status. Race, sexual orientation, physical or mental disabilities, even languages are equally important.

The episode wraps with a discussion about the Global Indigenous Knowledge certificate offered by ESC. The program recognizes global indigenous knowledge without a colonial mindset.

Connect with Dr. Rhianna C. Rogers on LinkedIn. Learn more about her background, research, and publications by visiting her faculty website.

Books:
¡El Yunque se levanta! Interdisciplinarity and activism at the La Mina petroglyph site (2021)

From Ichcanzihoo to Mérida: Documenting Cultural Transition through Contact Archaeology in Tíhoo, Mérida, Yucatán (2011)

Visit ESC.edu to explore SUNY Empire State College.

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Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr., President of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), joined this episode of the Illuminate Higher Education podcast to address issues of race in higher education and the role of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Dr. Mason began his career in law but transitioned to higher education. After 17 years at Tulane University, he identified opportunities within the HBCU space at Jackson State University and Southern University System before joining UDC. 

In this episode, Dr. Mason and Kiran begin by establishing a working definition of HBCUs as they relate to predominantly white institutions. They are institutional reflections of the Black experience in America, beginning with little to no access to wealth.

Dr. Mason and Kiran agree that education should be a great equalizer and should be a talent production pipeline for future employers. Yet employers insist they cannot find the talent they need. Ongoing systemic challenges of wealth inequality are just one reason why the system, as-is, destroys more talent than it produces.

The conversation also addresses hot topic issues such as historical roots of white supremacy, dangers of miseducation, and Dr. Mason’s optimistic predictions for the future of higher education.

Learn more about The University of the District of Columbia and Dr. Ronald Mason’s leadership by visiting UDC.edu and following @UDC_edu on Twitter.

Subscribe to email updates about the Institute for the Study and Elimination of White Supremacy in America here.

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David and Kiran begin by reflecting on the massive impact of COVID-19 on the Drury learning environment. David shares that Drury is part of the small percentage of colleges still meeting predominantly in person and explains the rigorous system of testing, social distancing, and mask usage on campus.

David also shares his journey from IT and tech consulting to higher education, and what he learned along the way. In addition to online learning, institutions use a myriad of software platforms to do business--human capital management, financial, purchasing, and more. Building a tech landscape at a college requires evaluating every business process and desired outcome.

The biggest challenges facing higher education today, in David’s opinion, are increasing accessibility and bridging the technological divide. Students need access to financial resources, mental and physical health support, and basic needs such as food and shelter. They also need the technological tools and support to be successful.

Looking to the future, David advises that tech and IT leaders in higher education remember that it is more than moving from paper to software. Solutions should be implemented with an eye on business impacts and outcomes that advance the institution’s mission.

Learn more about David Hinson on LinkedIn or Twitter @DavidJHinson.

Visit Drury.edu for more about Drury University.

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The episode begins with a brief background of higher education in Louisiana, traditionally a state that has trailed behind in educational attainment compared to other states. As a leader of a university system, Dr. Henderson works to balance the individual identities of nine institutions while leveraging the whole toward some common good for the state of Louisiana.

A key part of this goal is Compete Louisiana (LA), an initiative designed to assist thousands of Louisianans who have some college education but no degree. Acknowledging the myriad of circumstances that could lead an adult to pause his or her education, Dr. Henderson explains how Compete LA supports the learning process for working adults.

Kiran and Dr. Henderson also touch on issues related to social justice and socioeconomic inequity in education. For example, Dr. Henderson shares anecdotes about extraordinary high school students with no plans for post-secondary education, simply because they don’t know what their options might be. He discusses initiatives designed to help facilitate the mechanics of going to college, including registering for the ACT and filling out FAFSA forms.

Other key issues discussed in this episode include the transformational role of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the impact of the pandemic on the University of Louisiana System, what role technology might play in facilitating the learning experience, and Dr. Henderson’s vision for the future of higher education. He believes that more and more people will pursue higher education not just because they want a new job, but because it helps individuals become adaptable and flexible for whatever their next career might be.

Learn more about Dr. Jim Henderson on LinkedIn or Twitter @DrJBHenderson.

Visit ULSystem.edu for more about the University of Louisiana System and CompeteLA.org to learn more about Compete Louisiana.

This episode is brought to you by N2N’s Illuminate App, The iPaaS for Higher Education. Learn more at https://illuminateapp.com/web/higher-education/

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