Join host Craig Williams for an inspiring conversation with Ellen Burns, Dean of Career and Technical Education, and Jessa Morgan, Trades Program Advocate at Carl Sandburg College. Together, these two dynamic leaders are revolutionizing how students discover and pursue careers in the skilled trades.

Discover how Sandburg's "Goldilocks approach"—not too big, not too small, but just right—creates an ecosystem where students thrive through hands-on learning, strong industry partnerships, and innovative technology like VR career exploration. Learn about hidden gem programs like industrial maintenance, where 19-year-olds can earn $70,000+ annually, and medical office administration that offers remote work opportunities.

Ellen and Jessa share candid insights about leading in traditionally male-dominated fields, how the pandemic unexpectedly enhanced CTE programming, and why their approach of "making it feel like home" is producing remarkable results. From state-of-the-art facilities that rival professional workplaces to the power of eating lunch together in a shared student lounge, this conversation reveals the human side of technical education.

Whether you're a student exploring career options, a parent wondering about alternatives to traditional four-year degrees, or someone considering a career change at any age, this episode demonstrates why the skilled trades represent opportunity, security, and fulfillment in today's economy.

Join host Craig Williams for an inspiring conversation with Nate Budde, a 40-year-old career changer who traded retail management for network administration, and Linda Lee, whose 24-year journey at Carl Sandburg College spans the entire digital revolution.

Discover why information technology careers are perfect for both first-time students and career changers, how Sandburg's flexible programming accommodates working adults, and why the best IT professionals often come from unexpected backgrounds. Learn about real earning potential—from $40,000 help desk positions to $55,000+ network administrator roles—and explore how hands-on internships and industry certifications create direct pathways to employment.

Nate shares his transformation from missing family time due to retail hours to building a career that offers both financial security and work-life balance. Linda reveals how 24 years of teaching technology has shown her that problem-solving skills matter more than age, and why mixing traditional students with career changers makes both groups stronger.

Whether you're troubleshooting your home WiFi or figuring out why the office printer won't work, you might already have the foundation for an IT career. This conversation explores how Sandburg's approach to technology education meets students where they are, regardless of their background or previous experience.

Join host Craig Williams for an illuminating conversation with Ashley Reeves, dental hygiene educator at Carl Sandburg College, and Alan Castro Medrano, a recent graduate now serving rural communities at Eagle View Community Health Center.

Discover why dental hygiene is far more than "tooth scraping"—it's prevention, health education, and community care rolled into one essential profession. From cutting-edge laser technology and handheld X-ray devices to the timeless art of building patient trust, this episode reveals the sophisticated training and genuine compassion that define modern dental hygienists.

Alan shares his journey from caring for younger siblings to serving special needs patients across rural Illinois, while Ashley explains how Sandburg's program combines rigorous academic preparation with hands-on clinical experience. Learn about national board certifications, the latest AI applications in dentistry, and why this field offers exceptional job security and meaningful work.

Whether you're a high school student exploring healthcare careers or someone curious about the skilled trades that keep our communities healthy, this conversation will change how you think about that next dental appointment—and the dedicated professionals who make oral health accessible to everyone.

In this episode of Sandburg TradingUp, host Craig Williams sits down with Kathy Wight of the Regional Office of Education to explore the transformative impact of Dual Credit programming for high school students. Kathy shares her passion for helping students earn college credit while still in high school, explaining how this opportunity not only saves time and money—but builds belief. In many ways, Dual Credit is the Swiss army knife of postsecondary preparation. For some students, it’s their first step onto a college campus. For others, it’s the proof point they need to pursue a trade, or the confidence builder that says, you’re ready for more. These courses can connect to both academic and career pathways—providing savings, clarity, and momentum along the way.

Whether you're an educator, a parent, or a student trying to figure out what's next, this conversation sheds light on how thoughtful collaboration between high schools, colleges, and regional offices can create real bridges to meaningful futures. Kathy’s clarity, conviction, and heart-centered approach remind us what’s possible when opportunity meets preparation.

What happens when childhood hours spent with LEGO bricks and racing video games collide with real-world opportunity? Brandon O'Reilly's journey from Fast and Furious fan to rising MOPAR technician proves that passion can find its path in unexpected ways. Thanks to Galesburg High School's Promise Scholarship and Carl Sandburg College's dual credit program, Brandon transformed his natural problem-solving instincts into a thriving career at YEM Automotive—earning real pay while building real skills.

Joining the conversation is Michelle Batson, whose own automotive journey began with a wrench tossed her way in a childhood driveway. Now a respected service advisor on the GM side of the same company, Michelle represents two decades of growth in an industry that rewards curiosity, grit, and genuine care for craft.

Together, they paint a vivid picture of what it means to grow in the trades—from the dual credit classroom to the professional garage bay, from first oil changes to master technician certifications. Whether you're someone considering the skilled trades or simply love stories about perseverance and finding your calling, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom about building a career with your hands, your heart, and your head fully engaged.

Today’s episode takes us into the heart of what second chances—and the people who make them possible—can really mean.

We’ll meet Tabby Heitmeier, a young woman whose early struggles in a traditional high school setting nearly derailed her aspirations—but who found her way back through the kind of personalized support that only a place like Carl Sandburg College’s Carthage Campus can offer. And joining her is Linda Thomas, the tireless campus coordinator whose quiet commitment has helped shepherd countless students back onto pathways of success.

This conversation is raw at times. It touches on systems that didn’t serve Tabby as they should have—but it’s also filled with resilience, mentorship, and the practical hope that comes from having a clear path forward.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to help someone trade up from a place of uncertainty to one of purpose, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Sandburg's Trading Up, host Craig Williams sits down with Draven Leady, a recent Carl Sandburg College graduate who’s charted an inspiring course through the college’s automotive and welding programs. Draven’s story is one of resilience—navigating learning differences, family moves, and unexpected detours to emerge as a standout young tradesman at Heat and Control, a Galesburg-based manufacturer of food processing equipment.

Joining him is Russ Craig, Draven’s supervisor and a driving force behind Heat and Control’s local talent pipeline. Russ shares why he’s passionate about mentoring students like Draven and how partnerships with Sandburg are transforming workforce development into something more meaningful.

Whether you’re an educator, employer, or just someone who believes in the power of second chances and hands-on learning, this conversation will leave you inspired.

In this episode of Sandburg’s Trading Up, Craig Williams sits down with Margaret Segerston and Becky Wade of Regional Office of Education 33 to explore how the Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System—better known as ICAPS—is transforming lives across Western Illinois.

Through a robust partnership with Carl Sandburg College, ROE 33 is helping adult learners earn their high school diplomas, master English, and pursue stackable credentials in career fields like healthcare, technology, and automotive service—all while navigating real-world responsibilities like parenting, work, and transportation challenges.

Margaret and Becky share heartfelt success stories, including that of a woman in her 50s who not only earned her diploma but also stepped boldly onto the path to becoming a kindergarten teacher. Along the way, they spotlight unsung heroes in the classroom, explain how funding partners like WIOA and the Galesburg Community Foundation help bridge financial gaps, and reflect on the dignity that comes from meaningful work.

This episode is an inspiring look at what’s possible when education meets people exactly where they are—and reminds us all that with the right support, anyone can begin again.

When it comes to helping students find their way, Rhonda Nelson and Lauren Eurales don’t just advise — they invest. In this deeply human episode of Trading Up, host Craig Williams talks with two Carl Sandburg College professionals whose work transcends titles and touches lives. From adult learners re-entering the classroom to teens unsure of what comes next, Rhonda and Lauren meet students where they are, providing not just guidance, but unwavering belief in what’s possible.

You’ll hear about the transformative power of wraparound services, the emotional nuance of supporting students with complex backstories, and why Carl Sandburg College continues to be a quiet force for good in west-central Illinois. Whether you're in education, parenting a teenager, or reflecting on your own educational journey, this episode offers hope, honesty, and a reminder that sometimes all a person needs is someone who truly sees them.

Subscribe to Trading Up and meet the people doing the work that matters most.

There's something magical that happens when the right person shows up at exactly the right moment in someone's educational journey. Today, I'm joined by two remarkable women who make that magic happen every single day. Gabriella Hurtado serves as Director of Recruitment at Sandburg, overseeing the Welcome Center team that guides students from that first curious question all the way through enrollment. And Emily Collins, our Recruitment Coordinator for Career & Technical Education and Health Professions, focuses on those hands-on programs that get people working in welding shops, auto bays, and healthcare clinics across our region.