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Career Education Colleges and Universities ​

Career Education Report

In an increasingly polarized and misinformed world, the ability to think critically and debate thoughtfully is more important than ever. Aidan Kestigian, Vice President of ThinkerAnalytix, shares how college students can sharpen these essential debating skills without creating a combative environment. She encourages the use of tools like argument mapping – a powerful teaching method that allows a group to visualize their arguments in a way that allows students to discuss the topic more neutrally. Join host Jason Altmire to see how people can argue better and how to deal with misinformation in a debate.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

How Students Can Transform Arguments Into Understanding

As 2025 ushers in a new presidential administration and potential shifts in higher education policy, host Jason Altmire sits down with Jon Fansmith, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and National Engagement with the American Council on Education. Together, they unpack the challenges of representing a diverse and sometimes conflicting range of interests in the higher ed community. Fansmith also offers thought-provoking insights on how data-driven accountability standards—focused on program success over institutional type—can pave the way for a fairer and more impactful higher education system.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

What’s Next for Higher Education in 2025?

Darnell Epps, Founder and CEO of Thurgood Industries, joins host Jason Altmire to share his remarkable journey from growing up in Brooklyn’s housing projects to graduating from both Yale Law School and Lincoln Tech. Together, they explore how job-focused education can bridge the skills gap, connect workers to in-demand careers, and uplift communities. Epps also reflects on the policy barriers that prevent greater access to career schools and discusses his mission to create workforce solutions through Thurgood Industries.

The Power of Career Education

As more students seek flexible and affordable education options, short-term Pell is emerging as a vital tool for creating equitable access to high-quality programs designed to meet evolving workforce needs. Kevin Stump, Vice President of Impact at the Education Design Lab, joins host Jason Altmire to share insights on this bipartisan initiative and its potential for transforming higher education. He also breaks down the Education Design Lab’s micro-pathways and explains why these stackable, credit-bearing credentials are key to lifelong learning and upward mobility. 

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Unlocking Opportunity for the “New Majority Learner”

With 25% of bachelor’s degrees and a staggering 43% of master’s degrees showing negative return on investment (ROI), too many students are taking on student debt that outweighs the earning potential of their degree. Dr. Preston Cooper, a senior fellow at AEI, joins host Jason Altmire to break down his research on ROI in higher education. They discuss how tuition costs, low completion rates, and poor labor market outcomes create a ROI crisis in higher ed — and why taxpayers are unknowingly funding failing programs.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Is Every Degree Worth the Investment?

Higher education accreditation influences everything from institutional reputation to student opportunities, yet there are concerns that it has become more about bureaucracy than educational quality. In this episode, Christopher Bjornstad, executive director of A3STEP, joins host, Jason Altmire, to share his vision for a new accreditor that prioritizes student outcomes over excessive institutional governance. He also discusses how accreditors could better serve career education and skilled trades programs, which are often overlooked by traditional models. 

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Does Accreditation Need a Fresh Start?

In the U.S., 87% of congressional races are effectively decided in the primaries, locking in results long before voters head to the polls for the general election. This system encourages partisan politics and makes it harder for moderate candidates to succeed. Nick Troiano, the Executive Director of Unite America, joins host Jason Altmire to explore the structural flaws of the primary system and the reforms that could change the game. From ranked-choice voting to top-four primaries, they discuss how key changes could reduce polarization and create a political landscape that rewards moderation.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Are Primaries Fueling Political Polarization?

Is a college degree the only path to success, or are skills the real key to unlocking career opportunities? Lydia Logan, IBM VP of Global Education and Workforce Development, joins host Jason Altmire to discuss the growing shift toward skills-based hiring and the rising importance of AI proficiency. They explore how individuals can future-proof their careers, the power of alternative credentials, and what this transformation means for employers and educators alike. 

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

How the Skills-Based Revolution Is Changing the Way We Work

As students increasingly move away from the traditional college experience, many are seeking more flexible, affordable alternatives. Mega-universities, large-scale institutions offering accessible, cost-effective education, are rising to meet this demand. Dr. Bryan Penprase, Vice President for Sponsored Research and External Academic Relations at Soka University of America, joins host Jason Altmire to explore how these institutions are reshaping higher education. They discuss how mega-universities are redefining access, quality, and value for today’s learners—and what traditional colleges can learn from their rapid growth and innovation.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

How Mega-Universities are Changing the Game

How can career colleges break through the noise and reach students who are truly ready to succeed? Wharton marketing professor Dr. Cait Lamberton joins host Jason Altmire to explore how strategic messaging, authentic influencer engagement, and attention to the true wants and needs of students can reshape education marketing. Drawing on her work with the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, Dr. Lamberton offers insights into what really motivates prospective learners—and how schools can better connect with the right students, regardless of their competing priorities. Discover how smart, student-centered marketing can drive both enrollment and meaningful outcomes.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Reaching the Right Student: Modern Marketing That Works

Proficiency in AI will be crucial for students entering the job market. Higher education institutions
must integrate AI into academic settings to better prepare students for the workforce. Guest Dr.
Van Davis shares his research with host Jason Altmire. Dr. Davis explains how colleges are
using AI, as well as the benefits and challenges of incorporating AI.

Dr. Van Davis is the Chief Strategy Officer for WCET – the WICHE Cooperative for Educational
Technologies, an organization focused on digital learning in higher education. He’s the co-
author of a report on the use of artificial intelligence in higher education.

To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

How AI Can Transform Higher Education

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