Career Education Report

Closing America’s skills gap isn’t just about opportunity awareness—it’s about breaking the stigma around career education. Skilled Careers Coalition advisory board member Mark Hedstrom joins host Jason Altmire to explain what it takes to inspire young people to explore careers outside the traditional four-year degree. From authentic storytelling to meeting students where they are on TikTok and Instagram, Hedstrom shares h...

Amidst a constantly shifting legal and regulatory environment, Melanie Storey, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), joins host Jason Altmire to discuss how her association is helping nearly 3,000 institutions navigate student aid challenges. From FAFSA rollout struggles to Department of Education staff cuts, Storey explains why sound implementation and transparency...

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how higher education institutions attract, enroll, and support students, bringing exciting opportunities and new challenges. Career education leaders Dana Hutton and Stephen Arthur join Jason Altmire to discuss their new best practices guide in which they explore how AI can simplify enrollment, reduce barriers, and create better outcomes for students. They discuss how these tools can he...

As America faces a critical shortage of skilled workers, StrataTech Education Group is stepping up to provide students with the innovative training and technology they need to succeed, regardless of their background. President and CEO, Mary Kelly, joins host Jason Altmire to share how StrataTech’s trade schools are opening doors to opportunity through cutting edge-programs, including virtual reality welding simulations wit...

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...

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 t...

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-f...

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, re...

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 famili...

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 wor...

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...

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...

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 ins...

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 transformati...

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 chan...

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 discu...

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 c...

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 Ed...

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...