Career Education Report

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...

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-pr...

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 a...

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 regulatio...

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 f...

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.

Wild...

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 an...

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...

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!),” s...

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 athle...

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 p...

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 e...

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' interes...

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 ...