Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Talent

Nearly 9 in 10 Americans that currently do not have a degree believe that earning an academic credential is valuable.  And yet, there is waning confidence in higher education across the country, as many people ask if they will get a return on their investment.  In this episode, we visit Lupita Trujillo, a mother of three, who shares how these decisions sounded in her household.  We also review the latest Gallup-Lumina Foundation reports about perceptions of higher education with Dr. Courtney Brown. REPORTS: The State of Higher Education 2025 - https://www.gallup.com/analytics/644939/state-of-higher-education.aspx U.S. Confidence in Higher Education - https://news.gallup.com/poll/646880/confidence-higher-education-closely-divided.aspx 2025 Aspen Prize Winner - https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/press-releases/southwest-wisconsin-technical-college-named-winner-1-million-2025-aspen-prize

This live session, taped at SXSW 2025, explores the interplay between higher education and artificial intelligence, delving into how academic institutions are responding to the proliferation of AI in the workplace and economy. Leaders from academia, economic development, and industry discuss how universities and colleges are advancing research and equipping students with the skills to lead in an AI-powered future. From addressing social inequities to preparing cities for the economy of the future, the conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI when nurtured within higher education, and the tradeoffs that must be made in an education system wired for the past. Guests Alisa Miller, Chief AI Officer, Board Director and Co-founder, Pluralytics, Aletheia Marketing and Media; Board Chair, Lumina Foundation John McDonald, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Tulsa Innovation Labs Julie Schell, Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Technology and Director of the Office of Academic Technology, University of Texas at Austin

In this special edition, we have a conversation on how to drive economic growth, strengthen civic life, and equip individuals to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Experts from workforce, higher education and philanthropy will dive into how learning after high school cultivates a skilled workforce, fosters innovation, and improves quality of life for American communities.  This show was recorded live from the podcast lounge at SXSW. 

Community colleges play a critical role in America, but many struggle to tell their own story. This episode dives into how schools are using SEO, branding, and mobile-friendly marketing to reshape perceptions and connect with their communities. Guests from Iowa Lakes, Great Falls, and marketing firm TrendyMinds share insights on innovative strategies—including how a mascot helped one college rebrand. Listen in to hear how community colleges are changing the way they communicate. Show Links: The Social Media InstituteIowa Lakes “Get To It” CampaignMo the River Otter Steal These Strategies by Mary Laphen Pope

In a word, the 2024 FAFSA season was rough. Released late, riddled with errors, and issues with processing led to a chaotic college enrollment season for schools and families. With the 2025 FAFSA now released, we took some time to catch up with James Kvaal, Under Secretary of Education to learn how they went about fixing the form.  We also talked with Sam Aleinikoff and Dr. Corey Sheffield of College AIM, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, that participated in a pilot group to test the 2025 form.   Show Links: College AIM - https://collegeaim.org/Ron Lieber's Piece about 2025 FAFSA - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/23/your-money/fafsa-financial-aid-college.html?unlocked_article_code=1.gk4.yk3g.8fYt7EJK8hb-&smid=url-share

Colleges and universities are facing a demographic shift now dubbed the “enrollment cliff.”  Concerns over a decline in the number of traditional age students has led some institutions to rethink admissions processes. Lumina Foundation's Melanie Heath joins Rathi Sudhakara from the Washington Student Achievement Council and Jonathan Gagliardi from Northern Arizona University to discuss innovative new practices and policies.   Lessons from the Great Admissions Redesign: https://www.luminafoundation.org/news-and-views/the-great-admissions-redesign-three-things-we-learned-when-we-asked-the-nation-to-redo-college-admissions/

States across the country have proposed or enacted legislation that hampers or eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on college campuses.  These efforts range from removing diversity statements from job posting to outright elimination of student support services.  Erin Gretzinger and Maggie Hicks from the Chronicle of Higher Education gives us a national overview and Veronica Selzler from Hattaway Communications talks about a new toolkit designed to help bridge the communications gap.  The Chronicle's Tracker - https://www.chronicle.com/article/tracking-higher-eds-dismantling-of-dei Communicating about Racial Equity - https://www.luminafoundation.org/talking-about-racial-equity-and-racial-justice/racial-equity-framework/ Making Opportunity Real: A framework to communicate about racial equity - https://www.luminafoundation.org/resource/making-opportunity-real-a-framework-for-communicating-about-racial-equity/

Recently released data on Lumina's Stronger Nation tool shows that the national education attainment rate has reached 54.3 percent. The country has increased in education attainment by 16 percentage points since 2008.  Dr. Courtney Brown and Dr. Chris Mullin of Lumina Foundation share the stories, insights, and considerations under these banner numbers.

There is a staffing crisis in healthcare - a crisis that is so bad, that some are calling it a national emergency. To meet today's and tomorrow's labor demand, leaders need to provide clear and supported career pathways to adults already in the workforce.  In this episode, Dr. Jill Buban of EdAssist joins us to talk about their work developing new career pathways, and describes what it takes to make a talent-focused partnership work.  Dory Manner of Yale New Haven Health and Gerard Camacho of Atrium Advocate Health discuss the important steps healthcare employers need to take to attract, develop, and retain talent in critical areas.  

A new report from NASPA and Uwill sheds light on the growing need and urgency to provide mental health services on college campuses.  In this episode, we discuss the findings from this national survey, discuss a state-wide initiative in Texas to improve mental health and wellbeing, and hear from two campus-based practitioners.   Guests include:  David Arnold, NASPA Michael London, Uwill Jenny Achilles, Trellis Foundation Leilani Lamb, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute Dr. Nina Enriquez, University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley Allexa Zwinck, Panhandle Community Partnership Show Notes: NASPA's and Uwill's College Mental Report Trellis Foundation's Mental Health and Wellbeing Cohort

Listen in as state and federal policy experts weigh in on the major themes from 2022 and expectations for 2023.  Julie Peller from Higher Learning Advocates walks through the major movements at the federal level, and Paola Santana from Lumina Foundation discusses state-level priorities for the upcoming year.  Catch up with state leaders from Arkansas, California, Kentucky, and Michigan as they reflect on key ideas from a late 2022 state policy retreat.   Guests include: Julie Peller, Higher Learning Advocates Paola Santana, Lumina Foundation Aaron Thompson, President, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Lande Ajose, Vice President & Senior Fellow, Public Policy Institute of California Maria Markham, Director, Arkansas Division of Higher Education Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network Show Notes: Higher Learning Advocates Widen the Path Campaign Lumina's Stronger Nation Report

Mainstream media and industry news shapes, reinforces, and redresses commonly held narratives - those underlying beliefs and attitudes that drive human behavior - about higher education and the workforce.  Dr. Rita Parhad and Emily Keane from Protagonist discuss the major narratives and counter narratives that exist in America today, what drives them, and the implications these narratives have on individual and institutional behavior.  Show Links: Economic Opportunity and Social Mobility Landscape Report

Institutions and non-profits across the country are providing new kinds of services and redesigning policies and practices to support more adults in higher education. In part 2, we talk with Malik Brown and Sena Owereko from Graduate Philadelphia, and from Dr. Ed Mills and Kaley Martin at Sacramento State University about how they are changing outcomes for adult learners.

Millions of adults in the US have some college credit but never finished their degree. The path back into school a second time is much harder to navigate.  We begin a two-part series by talking with adult students and their coaches to learn about what it takes to return to school.  Listen as Juquilla Henry, her coach April Mesa, and Jamar Izzard share their stories of returning to higher education.  Show Links: Veering Off-Track: ‘Some college, no degree' numbers spike to 39 million Learn more about FutureMakers Navigator support in southwest Florida.

A new study conducted by Gallup and Lumina Foundation found that three-fourths of students in bachelor's programs and two-thirds of adults seeking associate degrees have considered taking a break from college due to emotional stress. Dr. Zainab Okolo of Lumina discusses the growing mental health crisis across the country and explores how it is having a great impact on adults and students of color. Dr. Jo Blondin, president of Clark State College, discusses how they are supporting students, staff, and faculty through a culture of care.  Show Links: Pandemic Exacerbates Mental Health Issues for Black Students - Diverse Education 14-year-old earns associates degree from Clark State College Gallup and Lumina Foundation Report Get Help Today

Aligning the work of state agencies, colleges, universities, community organizations, and philanthropy towards common goals takes trust, a neutral intermediary, and a focus on what is best for students.  State-level networks across the country are leading efforts to make their state's education and workforce systems better.  Ryan Fewins-Bliss of the Michigan College Access Network, Chandra Scott of Alabama Possible, and Laura Winter of the Missouri College and Career Attainment Network discuss the ways their networks build trust, advance postsecondary policy and practice, and improve equitable outcomes for students in their home states.

States across the country are re-examining higher education laws, policies, and regulations to better serve the needs of Today's Students.  Scott Jenkins, Lumina Foundation's strategy director for state policy, talks about Lumina's state policy agenda, the flaws with current state funding for higher education, and how he and his colleagues are supporting policymakers around the country.  Commissioner Carlos Santiago of the Massachuettes Department of Higher Education shares how his agency designed and implemented an Equity Agenda - a multi-pronged approach to addressing racial equity in higher education.  Santiago gives specific examples of policies that have been updated after a state-wide “equity audit” and shares what he has learned about higher education leadership over his 30+ year career.

Join us as we wrap up the major higher ed news from 2021 with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of the Washington Post, Elissa Nadworny of NPR, and Katherine Wheatle of Lumina Foundation.  Together, we talk about the important and sometimes strange stories inside higher education, and consider themes to watch for in 2022. 

Lumina's Fall 2021 issue of Focus Magazine, titled Native Excellence, relied on an experienced team of Native American journalists and photographers.  Suzette Brewer and Hondo Louis join us to talk about their process, reporting during the pandemic, and about the importance of Native American representation in journalism.

Marking our 30-episode anniversary, we visit the issue of campus safety and policing. Last year, the murder of George Floyd forced communities, campuses included, to examine how policing helps and harms the communities it intends to serve. We speak with Charles H. F. Davis, III, Nadine Jones, Wisdom Cole, Marlon Lynch, and Jael Kerandi to learn about how communities are working together to address campus safety. Lumina Strategy Officer, Katherine Wheatle, joins as co-host. Resources discussed during the show: Racist Roots of Campus Policing by Dr. Eddie R. Cole's Washington Post Op-Ed NAACP Toolkit Michigan State University Reorganization of Policing

Nearly 1 in 4 college students today have children or care for dependents. Colleges and universities are often not set up to support parenting students. Nicole Lynn Lewis of Generation Hope, and Buffy Tanner and Janet Hubbard of Shasta College join us to talk about what is being done to support parenting students.  To learn more about student parents, check out the following resources: Who are Today's Students?  Read the 2020 Hope Center Report, surveying the views of more than 23,000 parenting students.  Check out “Pregnant Girl”, Nicole Lynn Lewis' memoir.  Learn more about Shasta College's award winning ACE program. Enter the lives of parenting students through Rachel Bujalski's photojournalism work.

Short-term credential programs are rapidly expanding around the country, and the trend is likely to continue through new federal and state investments in workforce development. Yet concerns about racial and gender inequity, and concerns about program and credential quality surround this growing postsecondary option. We talk with experts, policymakers, and practitioners on today's show to understand the current landscape of short-term credential programs and the key issues that need to be addressed while these programs expand. Guests include: Kermit Kaleba, Strategy Director at Lumina Foundation; Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA); Jesse O'Connell, Strategy Director at Lumina Foundation; Randy Stamper, Assistant Vice Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System; and, Dr. Monique Ositelu, Senior Policy Analyst at New America and Founder/Data Strategist at Itàn.   To learn more, read Kermit's recent post about state-wide programs and check out Dr. Ositelu's report on the Landscape of Short-Term Credentials.

Stark differences by race and ethnicity in student borrowing trends are well known, but real progress depends on setting up a different conversation. Dr. Amanda Tachine and Amanda Martinez offer insights on how we can better understand the experiences of Native and Latino student loan borrowers. Co-host Dr. Katherine Wheatle dives deep into truths v. tropes of borrowers of color. Learn more by visiting here. 

Innovation is a buzz word we can't get away from.  But with so much “innovation” happening in higher education, how do we know what is truly unique and impactful?  Professor Youngbok Hong, journalist Paul Fain, and president Dr. David Wilson share their ideas on how institutions can use what they have to make what they need. [00:01:54] Professor Youngbok Hong [00:25:15] Paul Fain [00:47:57] Dr David Wilson

“I think it’s fantastic that we are seeing equity creep into conversations about what higher education policy should look like. But, I’m really concerned that I’m already seeing it creep on out,” Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Jesse O’Connell, and Amanda DeLaRosa offer their optimism and concerns about higher education in 2021.

The GI Bill provides education, housing and other supports to veterans, but not everyone benefits equally.  On this Veterans Day show we talk with veterans, historians, and advocates focused on improving education opportunities for those who have served. Hear from Joe and Joey Cyrus, a father and son duo that served in the US military and used their benefits to earn higher education while balancing work, raising a family, and separating from the armed forces.  Dr. Eddie R. Cole, associate professor at UCLA and author of The Campus Color Line discusses the historic exclusion of Black veterans from GI Bill benefits.  Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success, also joins us to talk about modern issues faced by veterans and the role federal policymakers can play in improving education outcomes.

Authors Jeff Selingo, Melissa Korn, and Jennifer Levitz join Dakota and expert commentator Andre Phillips in a discussion about what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s illegal in college admissions. This episode aired live on August 18, 2020.

To understand the impact of COVID-19 on communities across the nation, we talk with three guests responsible for responding to student needs and preparing for recovery.  Guests include: Cathy Longstreet, a high school counselor from Hastings, Mich.; Chancellor Juan Salgado who leads the City Colleges of Chicago; and Dr. Harrison Keller, the Commissioner for Higher Education in Texas.

Education in the United States uses time as a measurement for learning. My guests talk about changing this paradigm to value knowledge, skills, and abilities over how long it takes to learn. Dr. Charla Long of the Competency-Based Education Network, Natalie Schwartz of Education Dive, and Dr. Zainab Okolo of Lumina Foundation discuss the current state of competency-based education.

37 million adults in the United States have some college credit but have yet to earn a degree.  The first step in re-engaging these adults is to listen and learn from them. On today’s show, I am joined by Johnathan Williams and Charletta Thomas, two people who returned to school to complete their degree.

College affordability, education for justice-impacted populations, the continued growth of mega-universities and the closure of small institutions are some of the issues likely to dominate education policy and generate headlines in 2020.  Jesse O’Connell, strategy director for federal policy at Lumina Foundation, shares his six higher ed predictions for 2020.  

For over half a century, the SAT has been used by colleges and universities in admissions decisions. A lawsuit filed in December 2019 against the University of California system challenges this long held practice, calling the use of SAT scores in admission decisions illegal, discriminatory, and unconstitutional. On today’s show, we are joined by Elissa Nadworny, reporter and editor for NPR’s Education team who has been following the lawsuit. We are also joined by Dr. Elaine Allensworth from the UChicago Consortium on School Research, who recently wrote a paper showing a student’s grades are four times more predictive of college success than standardized exam scores. 

Chambers of commerce can be a champion in education and business, and a growing subset of the roughly 4,000 chambers across the United States are doing just that.  Today we talk with David Rattray of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Paola Santana at Lumina Foundation about the growing movement of chamber-led education initiatives.  On segment two of the show, our recurring guest Jesse O’Connell joins us to review the most recent Democratic Presidential Debate.

Three new reports highlight what’s going well and what we need to fix to meet tomorrow’s education and workforce needs.  Joe Parilla from the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program discusses how economic development organizations can catalyze education and workforce training programs around the country.  Julie Ajinkya and Leanne Davis from the Institute for Higher Education Policy share insights on four partnerships boosting college enrollment and completion rates for youth and adults in rural communities.  Finally, Margaret Cahalan and Laura Perna, authors of the latest Equity Indicators report, discuss how Pell funding has not kept up with demand.

Service members leave the military with substantial training and education, but very little of that knowledge and experience counts in higher education.  Our guests today include Navy veterans who shared their experiences and advice in navigating higher education, and leaders of organizations focused on improving outcomes for service members and veterans across the country.  Guests: Lauren Runco, Lumina Foundation; Tanya Ang, Veterans for Education Success; Brandon Nivens, US Navy Veteran; Michele Poitier, US Navy Veteran; John Sullivan, US Navy Veteran.

Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, believes that community-based education providers are critical to America’s success.  Morial shares his thoughts on how greater attention and investment in community-based programs can address structural racism and produce the talent America needs.  Also joining this episode is Dr. Jasmine Haywood, who shares lessons from the field on operationalizing equity.

Lumina Foundation’s President and CEO Jamie Merisotis returns from sabbatical with fresh ideas and reflections about America’s future.  We talk about what he learned while abroad, what climate change can teach us about talent development, and whether we are talking about the right issues in the 2020 election.

Pop culture permeates our lives—whether it’s music blaring from car windows, billboards we see or watching Netflix in the evening. Professors can use the information their students are exposed to as a way to meet students where they are and make learning relevant. I’m joined by Dr. Katherine Wheatle, Lumina’s strategy officer for finance and federal policy, and Bridget Yuhas, director of student affairs assessment and planning at Butler University. Bridget studies the use of pop culture in higher education and helps extend Katherine’s episode 3 segment “Pop Ed”. Liz Dozier, founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond, also joins us to talk about their new guidebook called “Why Am I Always Being Researched.”  The guidebook gives practical advice for community organizations, researchers and funders to try to create a level playing field for non-profits, researchers and funders.

On the job training is a billion-dollar industry, yet many employer-based training programs fail to deliver results.  This episode features employers that have designed effective programs that serve the individual, the company, and society.  We begin with Jon Kaplan, former Chief Learning Officer of Discover Financial, who describes national trends of employer supported learning.   Rob Lauber, Senior Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at McDonald’s Corporation, shares that McDonald’s wants to be a person’s “best, first job”, and discusses their Archway’s to Opportunity program designed to propel employee’s success.  Linda Carpenter runs Cigna’s Education Reimbursement Program, which does much more than reimburse employees for tuition.  Throughout the show, Lumina’s own Haley Gloverjoins the conversation, bringing resources, ROI studies, and her professional insight into the world of employer support learning.

37 percent of today’s college students are 25 or older.  Nearly two thirds of college students work. Half of today’s students are on their own financially with many supporting family members and children of their own. Helping today’s students requires a different kind of college experience then what we see in movies; one that supports more than academic needs.  We feature two successful programs working to provide comprehensive support to community college students. Nadine Browne, Director of Accelerated Study in Associate Programs, or ASAP, at Bronx Community College talks about her experience implementing the successful program in New York.  Paige Ponder and Veronica Herrero also join us to share preliminary results from the Chicago-based One Million Degrees program.

In this second part of our series, we explore college closures from the perspective of those in the industry. Laura De Veau talks about her recent blog and experience closing Mt. Ida college.  Jamienne Studley, president of WSCUC, discusses her role as an accreditor and how their role must shift to better support their members. And Brad Kelsheimer, Vice President and CFO of Lumina Foundation, explains how the business model of higher education is broken, and describes three drivers of college closures.

Hundreds of colleges have closed or consolidated in recent years, including public and private, nonprofit and for-profit schools across the country.  These closures impact students, faculty, staff, communities, and our nation, especially when poorly managed.  In part one of our two-part series, we explore how one college closure left Unique Johnson with debt and no prospects of continuing her education where she left off.  Scott Jaschik, editor at Inside Higher Ed, discusses the reasons many colleges are facing closure and what we might expect from the future.  Finally, Senator J.D. Ford of Indiana discusses his ideas for how Indiana can support students impacted by college closures.  Also, if you have been impacted by a college closure, we want to hear from you.  Take a short video of yourself telling your story and send it to dpawlicki@luminafoundation.org.

Our guests Scott Jenkins and Jesse O’Connell give a coast-to-coast roundup on politics and postsecondary policy.  Join us as we discuss which federal and state leaders to keep an eye on, how political party shifts may impact legislation and regulation, and what to expect from the 2020 election.  Scott Jenkins is Strategy Director for State Policy at Lumina Foundation. Jesse O’Connell is Strategy Director for Federal Policy at Lumina Foundation.

As of 2016, the Latino population in the United States has reached nearly 58 million people.  Latinos now account for 18% of the population and are the second-largest racial or ethnic group in the United States. We have dedicated today’s show to talk about those colleges and universities that are serving Hispanic students.  Known as Hispanic Serving Institutions, we explore what they are, how they are working, and what more they can be doing to live up to their mission. Our first guest today is Beatriz Ceja-Williams, Division Director at the U.S. Department of Education, who leads the Department’s Division focused on Hispanic Serving Institutions.  We are also joined by Dr. Gina Garcia, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, who studies equity and diversity within higher education. Finally, Deborah Santiago, co-founder, and CEO of Excelencia in Education, joins us to discuss her organization’s efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education.

The United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world with more than 2 million Americans incarcerated at any point in time.   Each year, our prison system releases nearly 600,000 individuals back to their families and communities. Our guests today are focused on ensuring that all those impacted by incarceration – the individual, family, community, and America broadly – have the support and opportunities inside and outside of prison to lead a successful life.   We begin with Dr. Danette Howard and Haley Glover from Lumina Foundation who provide a national perspective on this work and describe Lumina’s emerging efforts to better serve those impacted by incarceration. Michael Mendoza from the Anti-Recidivism Coalition joins us to talk about his efforts in California before we conclude with Syrita Steib-Martin from Operation Restoration in New Orleans who is providing direct support to women and girls impacted by incarceration and leading “Ban the Box” initiatives around the United States.   

Across the country, leaders in education are working to make college accessible and affordable—not only for traditional students but for adults who want to go back to school to complete the degrees that in many cases they started years ago. Join us as we talk with Dr. Shanna Jackson, president of Nashville State Community College, Dr. Rachelle Sharpe, deputy director of the Washington Student Achievement Council, and Ben Cannon, executive director of the Oregon Higher Education Commission, about their plans to support adults’ postsecondary plans.

For many, the speed of change in academia is too slow, and the process too exclusionary.  Students themselves are often left out of these important conversations - that is until they insert themselves through organizing and advocacy to make sure their voices are heard. Our guests today are no strangers to inserting student voice into important policy and practice decisions. Through their efforts, they are making sure students are heard and accounted for in education reform. Join us as Lauren Schandevel talks about her student-led activism to better support low-income students at the University of Michigan, followed by a conversation with Rachel Fleischer, the executive director of Young Invincibles, who leads national campaigns to elevate student voice in important policy decisions.   Our episode closes with a new segment called Pop Ed, where we explore the growing and eccentric overlap between higher education and pop culture with Lumina’s own Dr. Katherine Wheatle.

Over 30 million working-age adults lack a high school diploma. There are few employment opportunities in today’s economy for these Americans as most jobs require some kind of education or training after high school, there are even fewer pathways for adults who were failed by the K-12 system to earn their high school diploma, let alone a postsecondary credential. The Goodwill Excel Centers are changing that for thousands of adults each year, giving people a chance to earn a high school diploma, college credit, and/or an industry-recognized credential. Betsy Delgado, Vice President of Mission and Education at Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana, and Nyla Wills, a recent alum of the Excel Center, discuss the program and the impact it’s having on people’s lives. Later in the show Dr. Chauncy Lennon, Lumina’s new vice president for the future of learning and work, discusses his new role at Lumina and explores emerging trends in the future of work.

There are 1,200 majority-black places in the United States.  Each community has economic, social, and political strength, yet lacks investments commensurate with its assets. Dr. Andre Perry, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, explains that it is not talent the prevents black communities from thriving; It’s inequity.