Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

Latest Episodes:

Rerun: The Role of Higher Ed in the American Dream Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

New York Times columnist and author David Leonhardt discusses his new book, “Ours Was The Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream." In his conversation with Michael and Jeff, they talk about the impact of the high-school movement on the U.S. economy last century, what a similar higher ed movement might look like in this century, and why the value of the college is being questioned. The episode is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ascendium Education Group.

Rerun: Leveraging Apprenticeship to Bolster the Rural Talent Pipeline Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

In too many rural areas, workers lack access to affordable training pathways to high-quality jobs. Jeff and Michael sit down with Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Chancellor of Reach University, to learn about how Reach is addressing this challenge with an apprenticeship approach to teacher education. In the first of this two-part conversation, they discuss the theory and practice that informed Reach’s founding and the college’s innovative enrollment, training, and funding models. Michael considers how Reach’s clear focus helps keep their costs low, and Jeff discusses the importance of career-connected learning. The episode is sponsored by Ascendium Education Group.

Links

Ascendium Education Group

Key Moments

(0:00) - Intro

(2:45) - Innovative higher education model

(4:57) - Rural teacher shortages and innovative solutions

(8:28) - The importance of experience in education

(11:54) - Alternative university model for teacher certification

(17:57) - Education and career development

(23:38) - Innovative teacher education model for rural areas

Rerun: The Future of Online Ed Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

Jeff and Michael are joined by the CEOs of Academic Partnerships, Fernando Bleichmar, and Coursera, Jeff Maggioncalda, to talk about the future of online learning, including a new study on ROI, the role of degrees vs. credentials in the job market, and what AI will mean for online ed. This episode is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ascendium Education Group.

Key Moments

00:00 - Intro

04:58 - ROI of Online Programs at Universities

10:45 - Online Education and Pricing with Coursera and Academic Partners

16:04 - Future of Higher Education Partnerships

21:01 - Online learning, Certifications, and Their Value in the Job Market

26:27 - The Impact of AI on Higher Education.

33:17 - Higher Education Innovation And Online Learning

36:42 - Disruptive Innovation In Higher Education With A Focus On Pricing

40:29 - Higher Ed Partnerships And Their Impact On The Future Of Online Education

47:09 - Education and Government Regulation

Links We Mentioned

Academic Partnerships Report on ROI

Season 7 Wrap Up Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

In this season 7 wrap-up episode of Future U., Jeff and Michael go to a rapid-fire format and break down six topics in higher education: recent enrollment trends, the state of online education and OPMs, the ongoing FAFSA issues, campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, the increasing focus on value in higher education, and recent developments in compensating college athletes. This episode is made possible with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Gates Foundation.

Season 8 Planning Survey

https://bit.ly/3Xtcfd0

Relevant Links

The Great Misalignment

Key Moments

(00:00) Enrollment Challenges and the Future of Higher Education
(07:06) The Growth of Online Education and Challenges in the OPM Market
(09:23) The Long-Term Impact of FAFSA on Enrollment and Financial Aid
(10:48) Campus Protests: A Continuing Issue in Higher Education
(13:07) Blending High School and College: Creating Value in Education
(16:02) The NCAA Settlement and the Future of College Athletics

The Competency-Based Approach to Validating Learning in Higher Ed Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

Learning is at the heart of higher ed’s purpose, but how many institutions have a strong sense of the skills and knowledge students are gaining? On this episode, Michael and Jeff welcome two innovators helping colleges to better validate student learning through competency-based education (CBE): Amber Garrison Duncan of the Competency Based Education Network and Kelle Parsons of the American Institutes of Research. They discuss the benefits that this learning and assessment system accrues to students and institutions, the how and why of syncing skills certification with employer needs, and the institutions leading the way on implementation. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group.

Season 8 Planning Survey

https://bit.ly/3Xtcfd0

Relevant Links

On Prior Learning Assessment/Credit for Prior Learning:

CAEL: The PLA Boost

AIR Informing Improved Recognition of Military Learning

CBE & Skills Based Practices Brief:

AIR Same Idea, Different Evolution: Skills-Based Practices and CBE

Other CBE & Skills Based Practices Research

AIR Measuring Skills at Work: Lessons from the Field

AIR Postsecondary CBE Program Model Mapping Tool

AIR 2020 National Survey of Postsecondary CBE

Key Moments

(00:00) Introduction: The Value and Challenges of Higher Education

(06:14) Defining Competency-Based Education and the Role of Assessment

(11:17) Recognizing Prior Learning and the Benefits of CBE

(27:02) Institutions and Organizations Leading the Way in CBE

On the Board: The Role of Trustees in Higher Ed Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

Boards of Trustees are the principal governing bodies of higher ed institutions, but they can also be the furthest from their day-to-day operations. So how can colleges best leverage their leadership? To tackle this question, Michael and Jeff welcome Chris Romer and Jane Scaccetti, trustees from the boards of Colorado Mountain College and Temple University, respectively. They discuss the Board’s role in improving the value proposition of higher ed, engaging communities, representing stakeholders, and handling crises. They also discuss what boards need to do all of this most effectively. This episode is made with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Survey

https://bit.ly/3Xtcfd0

Chapters

0:00 - Intro
4:00 - Path to Becoming a Trustee
6:25 - Perspective of Trustees on the Value of Higher Ed
11:16 - Strategic Planning and Informed Support for Trustees
18:00 - The Complexities of Higher Education Governance

Links We Mention

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

When College is About the Job May 21, 2024

Show notes

There has been an exodus from higher ed - that much is understood. But what's causing it and what can we do to ensure students are still accessing pathways to opportunity? In this episode, Jeff and Michael grapple with this question with the help of Terrell Dunn whose recent research, done in partnership with HCM Strategists and Edge Research, addresses this very topic. They discuss the increasing focus on job outcomes revealed in her findings and consider the role of colleges in supporting - or even ensuring - employment for their graduates. The conversation touches on the importance of providing students with exposure to diverse career paths and the potential benefits and challenges of integrating work experiences into the college curriculum. This episode is made with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Survey

https://bit.ly/3Xtcfd0

Key Moments

00:00 The Decline in College Enrollment

03:13 The Importance of Job Guarantee and Economic Security

05:13 The Value of Job Training and Professional Certificates

15:19 The Need for Colleges to Explain Their Value and Support Students

Links

HCM Strategists

Gates Foundation

Measuring the True Value of Community Colleges May 07, 2024

Show notes

Jeff and Michael examine the complex world of community colleges and challenge traditional notions of success. Drawing from recent research by Strada Education Foundation, they explore the multifaceted roles these institutions play in students' lives and the importance of looking beyond degree completion rates to assess their true value. With insights from Strada’s Senior Vice President, Dave Clayton, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the value of community colleges and their vital role in empowering students personally and economically in the 21st century. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Season 8 Planning Survey

https://bit.ly/3Xtcfd0

Key Moments

00:00 Intro

02:44 Motivations for Enrolling in Community Colleges

04:42 The Role of Employers in Assessing Community Colleges

07:00 Measuring Success Beyond Getting a Better Job

10:21 Challenges in Fulfilling Career Motivations

19:14 Measuring Value Based on Students' Goals and Outcomes

21:08 The Need for a True Unit Record System in Higher Education

Fighting for Free Speech on Campus Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

In this thought-provoking episode of Future U., we sit down with Greg Lukianoff, president and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and co-author of the bestselling book "The Coddling of the American Mind," as well as the new book, "The Canceling of the American Mind." Lukianoff shares his insights on the state of free speech on college campuses and examines the rise of cancel culture, the debate over the limits of free expression, and the potential double standards in how universities approach these issues. He argues that certain campus trends, such as "safetyism" and the suppression of viewpoint diversity, may be harming student mental health and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of open inquiry, intellectual diversity, and the ability to challenge prevailing orthodoxies as essential components of a thriving university education. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Key Moments
(0:00) - Intro
(3:53) - Free speech issues in higher education, particularly anti-Semitism and double standards
(8:30) - Free speech and academic freedom in higher education
(14:21) - Limitations of free speech on campus viewpoint diversity, and campus violence
(17:41) - Mental Health and Technology
(24:17) - Free Speech Challenges in Higher Ed
(30:39) - Free speech impacts admissions

The Wild West of Dual Enrollment: Its Growth, Benefits, and Drawbacks Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Jeff and Michael dive into the complex world of dual enrollment, examining its rapid growth, potential benefits, and emerging challenges. They speak with John Fink, a senior research associate at the Community College Research Center, to understand the various dual enrollment arrangements, the students they serve, and the outcomes they achieve. The conversation also explores the financial incentives for districts and colleges, the concerns around course quality and rigor, and the implications for high school and college experiences. This episode is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ascendium Education Group.

Key Moments

(0:00) - Intro
(4:02) - Dual enrollment programs and their benefits
(12:48) - Dual enrollment sustainability and transferability of credits
(16:51) - Dual enrollment programs and their effectiveness in higher education
(21:44) - Improving dual enrollment programs for underrepresented students
(27:34) - Dual enrollment courses and their impact on college readiness
(33:21) - Dual enrollment courses' rigor and value
(37:50) - Dual enrollment courses and their impact on higher education