An Educated Guest
Wiley - Todd Zipper
Subscribe
An Educated Guest, a podcast that brings together great minds in higher ed to delve deeper into the innovations and trends guiding the future of education, hosted by the EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, Todd Zipper.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Jun 27, 2023
S2 E12 | Closing the Opportunity Divide - with Gerald Chertavian
How do you build skills and cause proven, sustained wage gains for young adults in the US? Just ask Gerald Chertavian, founder and CEO of the youth workforce development non-profit, Year Up.
Tune into this episode of An Educated Guest and join Gerald and host Todd Zipper, Executive Vice President and GM at Wiley, to learn how Year Up is closing the Opportunity Divide, returning $2.46 to society for every $1 invested in the organization, and teaching employers how to implement inclusive, skills-based hiring.
Key Takeaways:
Year Up’s leadership in operationalizing emergent talent at scale by combining workforce and youth development
How the organization has caused the largest proven sustained wage gains for young adults in the US
How Year Up provides high support and high expectations through its multi-modality, three-stage program
Why social capital and building higher socio-economic connections are critical to talent career success
Year Up’s virtuous, ecosystem approach of bringing young adults and employers together through skills-based hiring
Guest Bio
Gerald Chertavian is dedicated to closing the Opportunity Divide that exists in our nation. Determined to make his vision a reality, Gerald combined his entrepreneurial skills and his passion for working with young adults to found Year Up in 2000.
Gerald’s commitment to working with young adults spans more than 25 years. In 1999, he sold his technology company, Conduit Communications, and left his career on Wall Street to help low-income, at-risk youth. A year later, in 2000, Year Up was born.
Gerald holds a B.A. in Economics from Bowdoin College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He’s also a New York Times best-selling author of his book published in 2012 called A Year Up.
playlist_add
May 9, 2023
S2 E11 | Serving Equitable Learning for Life - with Michelle Marks
What does it mean to be an equity-serving institution? And how can universities actually serve learners for life?
Michelle Marks, Chancellor of the University of Colorado, Denver (CU Denver), sheds light on these topics in the quest to redefine the public, urban research institution. On this episode of An Educated Guest, hosted by Todd Zipper, EVP and GM at Wiley, Todd and Michelle explore CU Denver’s ambitious strategic goals to equitably serve a diverse population of students for life.
Key Takeaways:
How CU Denver is redefining the public urban research institution
The impact of CU Denver partnering with Apple and K-12 to teach tech skills early
How the university’s Smart Cities living laboratory can improve Coloradans’ quality of life
How CU Denver’s work as an “age-friendly university” is creating a new, non-traditional learner demographic
Guest Bio
Michelle Marks is the Chancellor of the University of Colorado, Denver, as well as a tenured professor. She is well-known for developing innovative programs that help students succeed, attracting new student populations, facilitating research opportunities, and driving new revenue growth.
Previously, Michelle served as vice president for academic innovation and new ventures at George Mason University. In this role, she focused on leading strategic partnerships to deliver online programming at scale and support adult degree completion.
Michelle holds a BS in psychology from James Madison University and an MA and PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from George Mason University.
playlist_add
Apr 11, 2023
S2 E10 | Student Centricity from CBE to ChatGPT - with Dr. Gregory Fowler
To value student centricity is easy. But to prove these values are actualized in student outcomes bears asking, “How do we really know we do what we say we do?”
This is one among many spirited insights from guest Dr. Gregory Fowler, President of the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), in this episode of An Educated Guest. Dr. Fowler and host Todd Zipper, Executive Vice President and GM at Wiley, discuss a wide range of topics in career-connected education, such as the true implications of student centricity, how to meaningfully surface skills through lifelong learning, and the broader implications of AI and ChatGPT.
Key Takeaways:
What led UMGC to become the number one college serving transfer students
How the university is experimenting with a “metaversity” to help learners develop skills
The importance of learners’ dispositions beyond knowledge and skills
How successful student outcomes hinge on validating and communicating skills
Guest Bio
Dr. Gregory Fowler is the President of the University of Maryland Global Campus, the largest public online university in the US, with courses offered online and in more than 20 countries and territories worldwide. Gregory is a nationally recognized scholar and leader in developing innovative learning models and experiences for adult and non-traditional learner populations.
Prior to UMGC, he served on the leadership teams of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Global Campus and Western Governor’s University. At SNHU, he led efforts to develop competency-based online and hybrid programs that respond to the rapidly changing demands of the workforce and global communities, including disadvantaged students in Los Angeles, refugees in Africa and the Middle East, and learners in Mexico and Columbia.
In addition to his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Morehouse College, George Mason University, and SUNY–Buffalo, Gregory holds an MBA from Western Governors University and completed programs at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and Business School.
playlist_add
Mar 14, 2023
S2 E9 | Skill-Building for a New Economy — with Josh Bersin
Power skills. Capability academies. Learning in the flow of work. Cutting-edge concepts will redefine how higher ed and corporations innovate learning. And one HR guru is leading the charge: Josh Bersin.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, Executive Vice President and GM at Wiley, welcomes Josh Bersin, founder and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company. Todd and Josh explore new frontiers in skill- and capability-building that higher ed institutions and employers need to future-proof themselves.
Key Takeaways:
Why all businesses have a skills gap and how the evolution of business is making it worse
Why “power skills” are the most essential and in-demand yet hardest to teach
Why educators and business leaders should be developing capabilities, not just skills
How apprenticeships and ‘hire-train-deploy’ models create long-term value
Guest Bio
Josh Bersin is the Founder and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company, a global leader in research, advisory services, and professional development for HR teams around the world. He is known as an analyst, author, educator, and thought leader focusing on the global talent market and the challenges and trends impacting business workforces around the world.
Recently, he launched the Josh Bersin Academy. In his role as dean, Josh guides program offerings, interacts with members, and shares relevant research and insights to help HR and talent professionals stay current on the trends and practices needed to drive success in the modern world of work.
Josh has a BS in engineering from Cornell University, an MS in engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
playlist_add
Feb 14, 2023
S2 E8 | Disrupting the Elite Degree — with Greg Shove
Greg Shove made it his mission to provide learners with the value of an elite business degree at a fraction of the cost. But how did this big idea become a reality?
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Greg Shove, CEO of Section4. They discuss how Greg and founder, Scott Galloway, are making elite business education more relevant, accessible, and affordable to all.
Key takeaways:
How Section4 brought key features of in-person learning online at scale
How the company aims to disrupt the business school market through its 80-10-1 model
Why Section4 vets students “on the way out,” not on the way in
The benefit of “live learning” from today’s top business leaders
Guest Bio
Greg Shove is the CEO of Section4, a new business school designed to help curious, ambitious thinkers excel in the tech economy. He believes that business education needs to be reinvented. That’s why Section4 offers affordable and accessible all-access membership plans for online courses featuring cohort-based learning, a mix of lesson videos with live lectures, and TA office hours.
Prior to Section4, Greg founded five companies resulting in three exits, two of which were over $100M (2Market to AOL, SocialChorus to Sumeru Equity Partners). He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Stanford Graduate School of Business.
playlist_add
Jan 10, 2023
S2 E7 | Funding Equitable Student Success — with Patrick Methvin
How can higher ed ensure everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life? That’s precisely the question The Gates Foundation seeks to answer through its US Program in Postsecondary Success.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Patrick Methvin, Director of Postsecondary Success at The Gates Foundation. Todd and Patrick discuss the role of philanthropy in higher ed and how the postsecondary sector can help fulfill the promise of economic mobility for all, regardless of race, gender, or family income.
Key Takeaways:
The Gates Foundation’s roots in funding education
The importance of higher ed advancing socioeconomic mobility
How their education funding stacks from K-12 to postsecondary to the workforce
Postsecondary funding areas the Gates Foundation targets
How the Foundation seeks to close attainment gaps
Guest Bio
Patrick Methvin is the Director of Postsecondary Success at The Gates Foundation. He oversees work designed to significantly increase the number of Americans achieving post-high school credentials and eliminate educational attainment disparities by race and income.
Previously, Patrick served as a principal in the Boston Consulting Group’s Social Impact and Consumer Goods Practice Areas. In this role, he supported higher ed institutions in managing operating model changes required by their rapidly changing funding environments.
Patrick holds an MBA from the Wharton School, a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of North Carolina.
playlist_add
Dec 13, 2022
S2 E6 | Empowering Career Choice – with Tammy Thieman
“The next step is not your last.” That’s why Amazon is focused on creating new paths to career success with the Career Choice program.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Tammy Thieman, Global Program Director of Amazon Career Choice. Todd and Tammy explore how Amazon is providing a workplace where employees can advance their careers through access to “industry-busting” education providers and skills training.
Key Takeaways:
How Amazon Career Choice created a 45% enrollment increase in the first six months of 2022
How Career Choice helps employees be good consumers of their education and land opportunities wherever their careers take them
Why they rigorously vet education providers in their network
How Career Choice is part of Amazon’s greater education pledge of $1.2 billion by 2025
Why the program will continue measuring results relentlessly and share learns widely
Guest Bio
Tammy Thieman is the Global Program Director of Amazon Career Choice. Currently available in 14 countries with over 80,000 participants, Career Choice is Amazon’s education program focused on career advancement and skills training for hourly employees with the goal of helping move them into higher-paying, in-demand jobs.
In her time at Amazon, Tammy has focused on upskilling initiatives such as supporting veteran hiring in tech and launching Amazon’s first Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program.
Tammy began her career as an active-duty Army officer and recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army Reserve where she was the Pacific Northwest leader for Command and General Staff College. She currently lives in Las Vegas with her husband and two children.
playlist_add
Nov 15, 2022
S2 E5 | Innovating Through Failure – with Dr. Bridget Burns
Higher ed was never designed around students. But Dr. Bridget Burns is determined to disrupt that.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Dr. Bridget Burns, Founder and CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA). Together, they explore how empathy, design thinking, accessible data, trusting each other to fail, and the UIA’s six policy areas have innovated scalable solutions for student success.
Key Takeaways:
• Why tools like predictive analytics and proactive advising are fundamental to diagnosing students’ problems and providing immediate support
• How chatbots can resolve students’ issues and help staff be more effective
• Why career services need to become part of every classroom experience
• How $1000 grants have ensured students graduate on time
• How creating the social safety to fail is key to innovation
Guest Bio
Dr. Bridget Burns is the founder and CEO of University Innovation Alliance, a multi-campus laboratory for student success innovation that helps university leaders implement scalable solutions to increase the number and diversity of college graduates.
In 2020, Bridget was recognized by Diverse Issues as one of "35 Leading Women in Higher Education" and named one of the “16 Most Innovative People in Higher Education” by Washington Monthly magazine. In addition, her work has been highlighted in national outlets like The New York Times, Fast Company, and 60 Minutes. She was also featured in the documentary “Unlikely."
Bridget received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and master’s degree in Public Policy from Oregon State University and her Doctorate in Higher Education, Leadership & Policy from Vanderbilt University.
playlist_add
Oct 11, 2022
S2 E4 | Traversing the Education-Workforce Continuum – with Rick Torres
Imagine a future where learners can instantly verify their skills, credentials, and employment. Thanks to the National Student Clearinghouse, this future is already becoming a reality.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Rick Torres, President and CEO of the National Student Clearinghouse. They discuss topics such as the “K-20 to workforce continuum”, the top factors accelerating enrollment declines, and how a “point of no return” now requires higher ed to pivot for good.
Key Takeaways:
How the Clearinghouse is evolving paper transcripts into a digital credentials wallet
How the credentials ecosystem is becoming less of a “wild west”
Why employers have been upskilling talent in-house and how higher ed institutions can help
Understanding recent enrollment declines via the community college sector
Why universities, states, and federal policy makers must work in tandem to track education and job outcomes
Guest Bio
Rick Torres joined the National Student Clearinghouse as President and CEO in 2008. Under his leadership, the Clearinghouse has provided access-driven educational reporting, data exchange, verification, and research services to help learners, institutions, and organizations maximize human potential across the “K-20 to workforce continuum.”
Rick currently serves as a board member of the John Tyler Community College Foundation and Achieving the Dream. He is also a founding member of the Groningen Declaration Network Group, a multinational group of leaders dedicated to developing a trusted international data exchange ecosystem. Rick holds an MBA in international finance from Georgetown University and undergraduate degrees in both marketing and management from Manhattan College.
playlist_add
Sep 13, 2022
S2 E3 | “Are We the Problem?” – with Dr. Tim Renick
“Are we the problem?” This simple question would lead Dr. Tim Renick to leverage big data at scale and profoundly improve Georgia State University (GSU) students’ outcomes.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Dr. Tim Renick, founding Executive Director of Georgia State University’s National Institute of Student Success (NISS). They explore how personalized approaches to data and technology have revolutionized student success, created equitable career outcomes for historically under-resourced learners, and increased revenue at GSU.
Key Takeaways:
• How GSU dramatically improved outcomes for low-income students and students of color
• How proactive chat technology helped reduce GSU’s summer melt by over 30%
• The unique strategies GSU uses to help students connect education and career
• How Tim founded NISS using a systematic, data-informed, and technology-enhanced approach
• The four service areas NISS offers to help universities boost student success
Guest Bio
Dr. Tim Renick is the founding Executive Director of Georgia State University’s new National Institute for Student Success. Immediately before his transition, he served as Professor of Religious Studies and Senior Vice President for Student Success at GSU. Under his leadership, the university has produced one of the fastest-growing graduation rates in the nation and has eliminated achievement gaps based on students’ race, ethnicity, and income levels.
Tim has testified before the U.S. Senate on strategies that help university students succeed and has been invited to speak at the White House twice. In addition, his work has been covered by national news media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, and CNN. He is also the principal investigator for a $9 million U.S. Department of Education grant to study the impact of predictive-analytics-based advisement on 10,000 low-income and first-generation students. Tim graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth College and holds master’s and doctor’s degrees in religion from Princeton University.
playlist_add
Aug 30, 2022
S2 E2 | From Search to Certificates – with Steven Butschi
Google’s search bar gives power to the everyday learner. But now, Google is working to develop lifelong learners too.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Steven Butschi, Director of Education at Google Cloud. Todd and Steven discuss Google’s approach, partnerships, and advancements in the world of higher ed and careers.
Key Takeaways:
How Google is investing in an ecosystem of lifelong learning, from in-house certificates to traditional degree programs with partner universities
How new employer-recognized certificate programs compare to typical MOOC courses
Why a machine-learning approach, predictive analytics, and user search experience can improve the educational process
How Google is personalizing higher education with AI, from advancing DE&I to improving financial aid support
Guest Bio
Steven Butschi is the Director of Education at Google Cloud. In his role, he works wit…
playlist_add
Aug 16, 2022
S2 E1 | Boosting Employability with Competency-Based Education – with Marni Baker Stein
Western Governors University (WGU) is breaking the mold of traditional education. Discover how taking a student-centered approach can shape the future of higher ed and skills-based hiring practices.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Marni Baker Stein, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Western Governors University to discuss some of their top innovations.
Key Takeaways:
The impact of personalizing education around individual learners’ needs
How competency-based education translates into surfacing skills within the workplace
How WGU was inspired by health care to pioneer the Community of Care, a 360-degree case management model
How WGU is democratizing access to skills-based hiring and empowering learners with a skills-based achievement wallet through the Open Skills Network
WGU’s sophisticated approach to learner outcomes data and how they hope to advance competency-based education in the f…
playlist_add
Jun 21, 2022
S1 E27 | Now Trending in Higher Ed – with Richard Garrett
How has higher ed trended this year? Just ask Richard Garrett. With nearly 25 years of experience in higher ed research, consulting, and policy, he has his finger on the pulse of postsecondary education’s current trends and future trajectory.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Richard Garrett, Chief Research Officer of Eduventures to review his predictions for higher ed in 2022.
Key Takeaways:
How developments in alternative credentials and online learning at elite universities can shape the future of higher ed
The background of the “gainful” employment rule and how it could evolve and impact non-profits and consumers
The issue of student debt cancellation and how we can expect it to play out
How approaching peak bachelor’s degrees can pave the way for options that better serve learners
How new, state-led learning initiatives can localize the online learning experience
Guest Bio
Richard…
playlist_add
Jun 7, 2022
S1 E26 | The Higher Ed Beat – with Paul Fain
Higher ed must serve the many, not the few. That’s why journalist, Paul Fain, covers outcome-focused, career-connected education for all.
In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes independent journalist, Paul Fain. Todd and Paul dive into some of the timeliest topics in higher ed, from big tech’s investments in credentials to the future of an equity-driven Carnegie classification system.
Key Takeaways:
How we can make non-degrees, alternative credentials, and apprenticeships more career-connected at scale for all
How employers can do more for their employees in terms of career mobility, diversity, equity, and inclusion
The motivations and challenges of recent big tech investments in non-degree credentials
Why community colleges have been struggling despite being a pathway to affordable learning
The impact of including social mobility and DE&I in the Carnegie Ranking System…
playlist_add
May 24, 2022
S1 E25 | Expanding Accessibility to Career Oriented and Skill Based Learning – with Pierre Dubuc
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Pierre Dubuc, Co-founder & CEO of OpenClassrooms. Todd and Pierre discuss making higher ed more accessible with resources like OpenClassrooms, an online education platform that trains learners, places them in the workforce, and provides job-ready talent to employers.
Topics Discussed:
How OpenClassrooms plans to bridge the gap between higher ed and career by offering skills-based and practical curriculum
The benefits of connecting learners with mentors and career coaches
The opportunity for digital apprenticeships to solve the growing skills gap
How upskilling and reskilling relate to workforce development and the future of work
Guest Bio:
Pierre Dubuc has been working on creating the education of tomorrow for the past 20 years, designing his first-ever online course in 1999, at age 11. In 2016, Pierre appeared among Forbes “30 under 30” for social entrepreneurship. Now, he is on a mission: to m…
playlist_add
May 10, 2022
S1 E24 | Exploring the Economics of Higher Ed – with Richard Vedder
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Richard Vedder, Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Ohio University. In this episode, Todd and Richard discuss the current affordability crisis in higher ed, the idea of free college, and alternative ways for students to finance their education.
Topics Discussed:
Why college enrollments have declined in the past decade
How the rise of student loans in the 1970s led to massive tuition increases and student debt
Why prestigious universities continue to grow
The impact of the free college movement
The benefits of implementing a college exit exam for graduates
Guest Bio
Richard Vedder is a Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Ohio University and Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute. He is well known for his work as an economic historian with a focus on the economics of higher ed. Previously, he served on the Spellings Commission on the Future of Higher Education, ran t…
playlist_add
Apr 26, 2022
S1 E23 | Developing Solutions that Connect Learning and Earning – with Sean Gallagher
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Sean Gallagher, Founder and Executive Director of Northeastern University’s Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy, and Executive Professor of Educational Policy. Todd and Sean discuss the changing higher ed landscape, including MOOCs, alternative credentials, and the skills gap.
Topics Discussed:
• How innovations are evolving the higher ed model during a transitional period
• Why the value chain of higher ed has gone from vertically integrated to a horizontal model
• Why employers are creating their own credentials and training programs and how they can partner with universities in the future
• How a shift in employers’ requirements for applicants can cause universities to change their content
Guest Bio:
Sean Gallagher is the Founder and Executive Director of Northeastern University’s Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy, and Executive…
playlist_add
Apr 12, 2022
S1 E22 | Closing the Racial Gap in Tech with Alternative Education – with Reuben Ogbonna
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Reuben Ogbonna, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Marcy Lab School. Todd and Reuben discuss alternative education and how it can help underrepresented high school students find tech opportunities without financial burden.
Topics Discussed:
The Marcy Lab School’s journey to becoming an impactful alternative education pathway
The role technology plays in correcting challenges in society
Why excellent pedagogy and 1:1 feedback prepares students for career success
The profound impact of equipping Black and Brown students with language and learning that validates their lived experiences
How to nurture and scale an ecosystem for alternative education
Guest Bio
Reuben Ogbonna is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Marcy Lab School, an alternative education opportunity for underrepresented and underserved high school graduates that focuses on launching financially rewarding and purpo…
playlist_add
Mar 29, 2022
S1 E21 | Integrating Career Services into the College Experience – with Christine Cruzvergara
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Christine Cruzvergara, Chief Education Strategy Officer at Handshake. Todd and Christine discuss how higher ed can better integrate career services into the college student experience. Additionally, they expand on career readiness outcomes, the ways colleges can apply metrics to define student success, and the great resignation.
Topics Discussed:
How Handshake works with students, universities, and employers to help young professionals jump start their careers
Why the democratization of hiring practices leads to a more diverse candidate pool
The industries and roles that are seeing high growth rates
The ways higher ed can acknowledge the new learner and shift to accommodate these students
The three main skills students need to be career ready
Guest Bio:
Christine Cruzvergara is the Chief Education Strategy Officer at Handshake, a company focused on connecting college students with employ…
playlist_add
Mar 15, 2022
S1 E20 | Embracing Second Chances: How Education Impacts Re-entry – with Ken Oliver & John Koufos
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Ken Oliver, Executive Director at Checkr.org and John Koufos, Executive Director at Taking Action for Good Foundation. Todd, Ken, and John dive into what works and what doesn’t for the justice involved community and how we can increase access to outcomes-driven education.
Topics Discussed:
Reimagining the re-entry experience for formerly incarcerated individuals through investments in housing, education, and job-readiness
The importance of transforming the prison system from one that punishes to one that reforms
How second chance hiring in corporate America can provide meaningful job opportunities
The barriers to online education in the prison system and solutions for change
How society can help restore a sense of belonging for formerly incarcerated individuals
Guest Bios
Ken Oliver
Ken Oliver has over 28 years of direct experience with the criminal justice system, leading and representing the j…
playlist_add
Mar 1, 2022
S1 E19 | Healthcare Career Paths for the Modern Adult Learner – with Eric Bing
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Eric Bing, Chancellor & CEO of The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP). Todd and Eric discuss CHCP’s stackable credentials model, the benefits of short-term, hands-on training, and program outcomes.
Topics Discussed:
The need for flexible reskilling and upskilling opportunities in healthcare
Why traditional colleges were not built for adult learners with busy lives
Why CHCP focuses on job placement over graduation
The results CHCP alumni are seeing upon program completion, including an average salary increase of $15,000
Guest Bio
Eric Bing is the Chancellor & CEO of The College of Health Care Professions. He is known for his work in post-secondary education, healthcare human capital, and workforce training. Eric leads award-winning teams in the development and implementation of post-secondary education, providing opportunities for first generation students and individu…
playlist_add
Feb 15, 2022
S1 E18 | Turning Learners into Explorers with Virtual Reality – with Lisa Flesher
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Lisa Flesher, Chief of Realm 4, Project Acceleration at Arizona State University (ASU). Todd and Lisa discuss the new Dreamscape Learn Pod, the Center for Education Through Exploration, and the amazing results ASU is seeing with high-quality virtual reality experiences.
Topics Discussed:
The five teaching and learning realms at ASU and how they support innovation
The opportunity for virtual spaces to turn students into explorers
How Hollywood and higher ed came together to create fully immersive edutainment
The ways virtual reality can serve as a compliment to face-to-face learning
How ASU’s corporate partnerships resulted in better retention rates for businesses
Guest Bio
Lisa Flesher is the Chief of Realm 4, Project Acceleration at Arizona State University. She guides unique, technology-enhanced projects…
playlist_add
Feb 1, 2022
S1 E17 | Building Pathways to Better Wages for All – with Dr. Angela Jackson
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Dr. Angela Jackson, Managing Partner at New Profit. Todd and Angela discuss how New Profit is bringing the principles of venture capital into private sector philanthropy and how we can modernize the education to career system.
Topics Discussed:
Why students need access to good coaching so they can succeed in the corporate world
Why we should invest in proximate leaders who have lived the problems we need to fix
How the Future of Work Grand Challenge encourages innovators to solve current workforce challenges
The importance of outcomes-based reporting for universities and MOOCs
Guest Bio
Dr. Angela Jackson is the Managing Partner at New Profit, a Boston-based Venture Fund, where she manages a $50M investment portfolio spanning education and workforce tech. She is passionate about modernizing the public education to career system and advancing academic and professional opportunities for women, pe…
playlist_add
Jan 11, 2022
S1 E16 | Taking a "No-Fear of Failure" Approach to Innovation – with Michael Sorrell
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College. Todd and Michael discuss the unique ideas that revived Paul Quinn College and why it was important to transform the school into a work college.
Topics Discussed:
The need for higher ed to advocate for students in underserved communities
The innovations and successes of Paul Quinn College, including reducing student debt from $40,000 to $12,000
Why we should take an open-minded and no-fear of failure approach to drive innovation
How to build a brand through strategic partnerships
Guest Bio
Michael Sorrell is the longest serving President in the 148-year history of Paul Quinn College and is one of the most decorated college presidents in America. Under his leadership, Paul Quinn has become a national movement for its efforts to remake higher educatio…
playlist_add
Dec 7, 2021
S1 E15 | Designing Education Toward the Future of Work – with Kathleen deLaski
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Kathleen deLaski, Founder and CEO of Education Design Lab. Todd and Kathleen discuss building new education pathways that better serve students.
Topics Discussed:
• The emergence of “the new majority learner”
• The biggest challenges of a skills-based economy
• The reason why only 17% of community college learners working towards a four-year degree attain it
• The benefits of the micropathway approach
• How the COVID-19 pandemic helped providers understand and meet the changing needs of learners
Guest Bio
Kathleen deLaski is the Founder and CEO of Education Design Lab, a non-profit that designs, tests, and implements unique higher education models that address the rapidly changing economy and emerging technology opportunities. She is a social entrepreneur who launched or co-launched four non-profits over the last two decades, all centered on improving the quality of educa…
playlist_add
Nov 23, 2021
S1 E14 | Improving Mental Health in Higher Ed – with Michael London
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Michael London, CEO of Uwill, a technology-based platform that connects students with experienced mental health professionals.
Todd and Michael discuss Uwill’s mission and how higher ed can continue to expand its mental health access for students in need.
Topics Discussed:
• How Uwill compliments campus-based resources to provide increased access to students requiring more flexibility
• The need for universities to understand and address the high percentage of students who are struggling and not seeking help
• The importance of providing mental health support as a central service
Guest Bio
Michael London is the CEO of Uwill and has over 20 years of experience in EdTech. In 2013, Michael founded Examity, the world leader in learning validation and online proctoring. Over a five-year period, the company grew to more than 1,000 employees and $30 million in revenue. Previously, he was the…
playlist_add
Nov 9, 2021
S1 E13 | Post-Pandemic Online Learning: A New Digital Revolution – with Bob Ubell
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Bob Ubell, Vice Dean Emeritus of Online Learning at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering & Senior Advisor to Stevens Institute of Technology. Todd and Bob discuss the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on online learning and the future of digital education.
Topics Discussed:
• The shift in attitude, from pre-pandemic to now, on the efficiency of online learning
• How online, digital education will be crucial for universities long-term
• How online learning is shifting from a faculty-centered learning model to an active learning model
• The need for university leadership to devote the same energy to online programs as their on-campus programs
Guest Bio
Bob Ubell is Vice Dean Emeritus of Online Learning at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering and Senior Advisor to Stevens Institute of Technology. Considered an expert of digital education, he consults for universities and edtech…
playlist_add
Oct 26, 2021
S1 E12 | Affordable, Flexible, Outcome-based: A New Approach to Student Loans – with Tess Michaels
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Tess Michaels, Founder and CEO of Stride Funding. As student debt rises, borrowers are looking for other ways to fund their higher education. Todd and Tess discuss the details of outcome-based funding options and what it means for borrowers.
Topics Discussed:
• The benefits of outcome-based funding options and how they rely on future cash flows and the ability to repay once employed
• How Stride is offering more than funding options; including academic, career, and mental health support to drive retention and positive outcomes for students
• Why the cost and value of education requires alignment across learners, education providers, employers, and finance providers
Guest Bio
Tess Michaels is the Founder and CEO of Stride Funding, an alternate way to pay for higher education through outcome-based funding options such as income-share agreements and deferred tuition…
playlist_add
Oct 12, 2021
S1 E11 | Redefining the University Experience – with Ben Nelson
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Ben Nelson, Founder and CEO of the Minerva Project and Minerva University. Todd and Ben discuss how Minerva is evolving higher ed and preparing students for a fulfilling, lifelong career. By offering challenging curriculum, global experiences, and top-notch career development, Minerva’s goal is to inform better leaders, smarter innovators, and more informed global citizens.
Topics Discussed:
• Why Minerva University is a reformer, not a disrupter
• How to leverage social and experiential learning to provide the best outcomes for students
• How courses and curriculum can build off each other to deeply engage learners
• The importance of teaching transferable and practical knowledge
• The future of learning and artificial intelligence
• Why higher ed needs to focus more on education and engagement, not certification
Guest Bio
Ben Nelson is the Founder and CEO of the Minerva Project and M…
playlist_add
Sep 28, 2021
S1 E10 | Solving for the Top Challenges Facing Higher Ed – with Ted Mitchell
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE). Todd and Ted discuss what ACE is currently working on and how are they helping colleges and universities through innovation. Plus, Ted shares his thoughts on how higher education will evolve under the Biden administration.
Topics Discussed
• What to expect from the Biden Administration regarding affordability and accountability
• How the pandemic negatively impacted enrollment rates for adult learners
• The current student loan debt crisis and potential solutions to solve it
• The effect digital credentialing will have on higher ed
• How institutions can leverage investments from the big MOOC and platform players to bring down costs and drive better outcomes for students
Guest Bio
Ted Mitchell is the President of ACE, the coordinating body for higher education institutions in the United States. ACE’s work encompas…
playlist_add
Sep 13, 2021
S1 E9 | Disrupting the Culinary Model: Taking Vocational Education Online – with Tracy Lorenz
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Tracy Lorenz, CEO & President of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Todd and Tracy discuss the benefits of online culinary and pastry arts classes. The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is the only accredited institution in the United States to offer fully online diploma and degree programs with hands-on industry externships.
Topics Discussed:
• How Auguste Escoffier disrupted the culinary model and proved that effective vocational education can be delivered online
• Ways to create a 1:1 learning environment online, which is often cited by students as a reason for selecting the program at Auguste Escoffier
• The current demand for chefs and the desire for credentials in the restaurant industry
• How to take advantage of the scale of online education to provide affordable training
Guest Bio
Tracy Lorenz has more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher ed, including bo…
playlist_add
Aug 31, 2021
S1 E8 | Overcoming the Affordability and Employability Crisis in Higher Ed – with Ryan Craig
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Ryan Craig, Managing Director of Achieve Partners. Todd and Ryan discuss the crisis of affordability and employability in higher ed, along with higher ed's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and academic integrity.
Topics Discussed:
• The combination of student loan debt, lack of degree completion, and underemployment are a warning sign that higher ed isn’t working as it should
• How a shift in the labor market impacts the ability for many to get good first jobs
• The importance of teaching the skills that employers are looking for and funding innovative new models that are not “education up”, but “employer down”
• How the Talent as a Service model creates a faster and cheaper pathway to employment
• The benefits of an immersive, practical experience paired with online learning
Guest Bio
Ryan Craig is the Managing Director of Achieve Partners. He is a prolific writer, known for hi…
playlist_add
Aug 17, 2021
S1 E7 | High Quality, Low Cost: Impact of a MOOC-based degree program – with Zvi Galil
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Zvi Galil, creator of the Online Master of Computer Science at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Computing. Todd and Zvi discuss the launch of this program in 2014, which is regarded as the first affordable, fully online MOOC-based master’s degree in the United States. Zvi disputes the premises that we should be afraid of online, and that in-person teaching is superior.
Topics Discussed:
• The impact of the first MOOC-based degree at Georgia Tech, and how it opened-up a larger, global market
• Opportunities for universities to deliver online degrees at a fraction of the cost and to a larger student population
• The expansion of high-quality and low-cost MOOC-based degrees into the undergraduate realm
• How success was driven through the board of trustees, critical faculty, and an investment from a corporation
Guest Bio
Zvi Galil is the creator of the Online Master of Com…
playlist_add
Aug 3, 2021
S1 E6 | Community College Bachelor Degrees: Increasing Access & Affordability – with Angela Kersenbrock
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Angela Kersenbrock, President, Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA). Todd and Angela discuss the importance of community colleges offering baccalaureate degrees and how the CCBA supports this mission.
Topics Discussed:
• The dynamic and critical relationship between higher ed and industry, and the communities that they serve
• How the CCBA is supporting institutions and associations with efforts to increase the number of states allowing community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees
• The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on those without baccalaureate degrees, and how legislators, industries, and communities are responding to this impact
• The concept of family-sustaining careers and innovations on the horizon for community college baccalaureates
Guest Bio
Angela Kersenbrock is currently the president of the Community College Baccalaureate Association. An accomplished…
playlist_add
Jul 20, 2021
S1 E5 | Lights! Camera! Engage! – with Dan Avida
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Dan Avida, CEO and Co-founder of Engageli. Todd and Dan discuss how the pandemic highlighted the need for more engaging online learning.
Topics Discussed:
• The need for engaging synchronous tools in online education and ways to improve asynchronous learning
• The shortcomings of traditional teleconferencing tools like Google Meet, Slack, and Teams
• Ways to improve engagement and collaboration between instructors and students to help drive quality outcomes at scale
• How to address inclusivity, equity, and diversity through platform design and functionality
• The future of the personalized learning journey, machine learning, use of data, dashboards, and AI
Guest Bio
Dan Avida has been working in technology companies as an executive and/or board member for over three decades. Several of these companies have scaled from a small founding team to over $100M in revenues and valuations of over…
playlist_add
Jul 6, 2021
S1 E4 | Opening Access to Higher Education Through Tuition-Free Degrees – with Shai Reshef
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Shai Reshef, President of University of the People. Todd and Shai discuss how University of the People provides tuition-free online education to qualified individuals regardless of geographic, financial, or societal constraints.
Topics Discussed:
• Maximizing open-source technology and resources to increase access to affordable, quality education across the globe
• Disrupting the industry with a low cost, tuition-free model powered by the support of 25,000 volunteers
• Leveraging peer-to-peer learning and instructor supervision to achieve scale while maintaining course quality and a 14:1 learner to instructor ratio
• Ensuring learner success through a unique admissions model and individual support throughout the learner’s journey
• Collaborating with global universities to provide increased access and pathways to higher education
Guest Bio
Shai Reshef is the President of University of…
playlist_add
Jun 22, 2021
S1 E3 | Meeting Workforce Demands Through Apprenticeships – with Scott Ralls
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Dr. Scott Ralls, President of Wake Technical Community College. Todd and Scott discuss the importance of apprenticeships and how they benefit both students and employers.
Topics Discussed:
• The reason community colleges are America’s opportunity colleges
• The ways the Biden Administration could impact funding for community colleges
• Why apprenticeships are considered the gold standard of workplace learning
• How the WakeWorks Apprenticeship Program provides individuals with on-the-job training while also working towards a college degree
• How education impacts economic mobility
Guest Bio
Dr. Scott Ralls became the fourth President of Wake Technical Community College in April 2019. Before coming to Wake Tech, he served as President of Northern Virginia Community College from 2015-2019, President of the NC Community College System from 2008-2015, and President of Craven Community College…
playlist_add
Jun 15, 2021
S1 E2 | Breaking Down Barriers Through Verified Digital Records – with Manoj Kutty
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Manoj Kutty, CEO and Founder of GreenLight Credentials. Todd and Manoj discuss how GreenLight is putting the student first and setting them up for future success through the secure storage and sharing of lifelong verified credentials.
Topics Discussed:
• The growing need for verifiable digital records of lifelong learning
• How blockchain technology can secure student records
• The appetite for a common language when evaluating credentials versus degrees
• An employer’s role in the accelerating trend of verified digital credentials
• COVID-19’s impact on the adoption of this technology
Guest Bio
Manoj Kutty is the Founder/CEO of GreenLight Credentials and a leader in ed tech for the past 28 years. He founded LoudCloud Systems in 2010, a competency-based learning platform with clients in North America, Australia, and India. In 2016, LoudCloud was sold to Barnes and Noble Education. Kutt…
playlist_add
Jun 8, 2021
S1 E1 | Re-imagining Affordability & Accessibility in Higher Ed – with Paul LeBlanc
Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Paul LeBlanc, President of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). They discuss how SNHU reimagined affordability and accessibility to drive quality outcomes for more learners.
Topics Discussed:
• Implementing systems and processes that work specifically for the online learner
• Rethinking the delivery of programs to be more experiential and project-based
• Using competency-based education to deliver learning in equitable ways
• Building a learning ecosystem that accommodates true lifelong learning
• Creating short, affordable, skills-based offerings applicable to in-demand jobs
Guest Bio
Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc is President of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Since 2003, under Paul’s leadership, SNHU has grown from 2,800 students to over 170,000 learners and is the largest nonprofit provider of online higher education in the country. Forbes Magazine has listed LeBlanc as one of i…
playlist_add