In a rapidly changing and highly competitive educational landscape, how can schools take their learning to the next level? Today’s guest, Nuno Fernandes , shares how American Public University System delivers affordable, high-quality education through a digital model. As the nation’s number one educator of U.S. military members and veterans, APUS serves learners in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, and their digital delivery allows personalized education for all, no matter where they are...
Aug 13, 2025•28 min•Ep. 89
What if every math lesson could help students discover a new career? Dr. Joseph Goins , CEO of Pathway2Careers , wants to bridge the gap between academic subjects and career opportunities to answer the age-old question, “When will I ever use this?” He tells host Jason Altmire how his organization works to embed labor market data into daily lessons, helping students see the relevance of what they’re learning. Goins believes that tools like his can become part of a larger shift in public education...
Jul 30, 2025•25 min•Ep. 88
For decades, the “90/10 Rule” has limited the share of revenue that for-profit colleges can receive from federal student aid to 90%. But National Defense Committee Executive Director Bob Carey , tells host Jason Altmire that this rule has had unintended and harmful consequences for veterans. Carey explains how this policy treats veterans’ earned education benefits like government handouts, restricts their access to career-focused programs, and undermines their freedom to choose the education tha...
Jul 16, 2025•27 min•Ep. 87
With an estimated shortage of 70,000 registered nurses nationwide, how can nursing schools help close the gap? Dr. Karen Cox , president of Chamberlain University , joins host Jason Altmire to break down the root causes of the nursing crisis and the bold steps her institution is taking to solve it. In recent years, the increased difficulty of direct care nursing work has made it harder than ever before to work as a nurse, resulting in a 30% turnover rate for nurses in their first year on the job...
Jul 02, 2025•25 min•Ep. 86
For decades, the U.S. has prioritized the four-year degree path, but millions of workers thrive through alternative routes. In this episode, Kyle Hayes , Senior Director of Public Policy at the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), joins host Jason Altmire to discuss how one bipartisan proposal could fundamentally change workforce preparation. The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act would allow families to use 529 Savings Plans to fund short-term credentials, career traini...
Jun 18, 2025•24 min•Ep. 85
To Chef Robert Irvine , the star of “Restaurant: Impossible” and author of the book “Overcoming Impossible,” career schools aren’t just another way to acquire an education: they’re the foundation of America. Irvine tells host Jason Altmire that his experience in the military and as an entrepreneur has shown him that industry-focused schools not only outperform traditional schools, but are on the cutting edge of training workers of the future. Irvine emphasizes the importance of teaching emerging...
Jun 04, 2025•48 min•Ep. 84
The idea that a four-year degree is the only path to success is becoming increasingly outdated. Dr. Michelle Van Noy , Associate Research Professor and Director of the Education and Employment Research Center (EERC) at Rutgers University , joins host Jason Altmire to explore the expanding world of alternative education pathways. From non-credit programs and short-term credentials to community college career training, Dr. Van Noy discusses how student decision-making is shaped by geography, indus...
May 21, 2025•25 min•Ep. 83
How can career colleges break through the noise and reach students who are truly ready to succeed? Wharton marketing professor Dr. Cait Lamberton joins host Jason Altmire to explore how strategic messaging, authentic influencer engagement, and attention to the true wants and needs of students can reshape education marketing. Drawing on her work with the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, Dr. Lamberton offers insights into what really motivates prospective learners—and how schools can bette...
May 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 82
As students increasingly move away from the traditional college experience, many are seeking more flexible, affordable alternatives. Mega-universities, large-scale institutions offering accessible, cost-effective education, are rising to meet this demand. Dr. Bryan Penprase , Vice President for Sponsored Research and External Academic Relations at Soka University of America , joins host Jason Altmire to explore how these institutions are reshaping higher education. They discuss how mega-universi...
Apr 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 81
Is a college degree the only path to success, or are skills the real key to unlocking career opportunities? Lydia Logan , IBM VP of Global Education and Workforce Development, joins host Jason Altmire to discuss the growing shift toward skills-based hiring and the rising importance of AI proficiency. They explore how individuals can future-proof their careers, the power of alternative credentials, and what this transformation means for employers and educators alike. To learn more about Career Ed...
Apr 09, 2025•23 min•Ep. 80
In the U.S., 87% of congressional races are effectively decided in the primaries, locking in results long before voters head to the polls for the general election. This system encourages partisan politics and makes it harder for moderate candidates to succeed. Nick Troiano , the Executive Director of Unite America , joins host Jason Altmire to explore the structural flaws of the primary system and the reforms that could change the game. From ranked-choice voting to top-four primaries, they discu...
Mar 26, 2025•25 min•Ep. 79
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 tr...
Mar 12, 2025•25 min•Ep. 78
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 fundi...
Feb 19, 2025•24 min•Ep. 77
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, cre...
Feb 05, 2025•25 min•Ep. 76
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 ...
Jan 22, 2025•23 min•Ep. 75
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 p...
Jan 08, 2025•28 min•Ep. 74
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 neutral...
Dec 18, 2024•24 min•Ep. 73
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. Sponsored by LeadSquared. Mo...
Dec 04, 2024•23 min•Ep. 72
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 ...
Nov 20, 2024•24 min•Ep. 71
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 b...
Nov 06, 2024•23 min•Ep. 70
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...
Oct 16, 2024•24 min•Ep. 69
Biden administration officials at the Department of Education are engaging in a pattern of unfair regulatory scrutiny of for-profit institutions without applying the same scrutiny to other sectors, Michael Brickman tells host Jason Altmire. Michael is an adjunct fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and education policy director and senior fellow at the Cicero Institute with extensive experience in higher education. A former senior advisor to the U.S. Undersecretary of Education under Pres...
Oct 02, 2024•26 min•Ep. 68
What if the key to effective leadership, communication and fostering good culture is as simple as just being nice? It may be, according to author and business owner Winn Claybaugh . He’s the founder, co-owner, and dean of Paul Mitchell Schools, a group with more than 100 cosmetology or barbering schools throughout the United States. He tells host Jason Almire that his widely-acclaimed self-help book, “ Be Nice (Or Else!),” still resonates more than 20 years and a pandemic later. Winn tells Jason...
Sep 18, 2024•26 min•Ep. 67
With college football season upon us, Jason Altmire is joined by Chris Childers , sports radio host on SiriusXM’s College Sports Radio , to discuss the seismic changes that have rocked the landscape of college sports in recent years. From the game-changing Supreme Court ruling in 2021 to the implications of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, the evolving transfer policies, and the ongoing debate over paying college athletes, Jason and Chris discuss it all. They also explore the growing role ...
Sep 04, 2024•30 min•Ep. 66
Roughly 250,000 student loan borrowers were affected by more than 1,100 school closings between 2010 and 2020, according to data from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Higher Ed Dive senior reporter Ben Unglesbee shares insights from his reporting on the topic, shedding light on the factors that contribute to abrupt closures, the difficulties in anticipating financial crises, and the complexities of mergers as a potential lifeline for struggling schools with host Jason Altmire . The two...
Aug 21, 2024•25 min•Ep. 65
America’s technology sector is facing an estimated shortage of 1 million to 1.5 million workers. That’s according to Jennifer Carlson , the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Washington Technology Industry Association Workforce Institute and Apprenti . Jennifer discusses the critical factors contributing to the shortage, including the industry's heavy reliance on college degrees, with host Jason Altmire . Jennifer explains Apprenti’s innovative apprenticeship model designed to break the tr...
Aug 07, 2024•23 min•Ep. 64
With over 50 years of experience, Dr. Bill Coplin shares his journey from questioning the traditional liberal arts model to pioneering a practical, skill-based approach with host Jason Altmire . Dr. Coplin says the current higher education system fails to serve students, who often view a college degree as something that should serve a direct purpose. He underscores the necessity of aligning coursework with students' interests, promoting experiential education, and emphasizing the need for intern...
Jul 24, 2024•22 min•Ep. 63
In an ever-changing job market, it’s more important than ever to learn skills that employers need now and in the future. Host Jason Altmire learns more as he chats with Tim Taylor , cofounder and president of America Succeeds . The conversation delves into what Tim dubs as ‘durable skills’ – the skills that revolve around how employees use what they know. This can involve critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, among others. Tim says these skills are key to the second ru...
Jul 10, 2024•24 min•Ep. 62
Former Vice President Mike Pence offered remarks at the 2024 Career Education Convention and sat down with CECU’s CEO J ason Altmire for a live podcast recording with an audience of hundreds of career college leaders. They discussed their time in Congress together, representing opposite sides of the aisle, as well as the Vice President’s views on higher education and the vital role played by proprietary career schools. Sponsored by LeadSquared. Most enrollment platforms just aren’t built for the...
Jun 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 61
Learn about the intersection of education research and the labor market with host Jason Altmire as he chats with Jeff Strohl , Director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW). They explore the significance of certificates and certifications, the critical role employers play in workforce development, and the challenges of aligning educational programs with labor market demands. The discussion also covers CEW’s annual ranking of colleges and universities. Strohl e...
Jun 05, 2024•29 min•Ep. 60
