Global Career Tech Education Podcast: Hosted by Sylvester Chisom

Sylvester Chisom

The #1 Career Tech Education Podcast! We want to wrap a blanket of good will and support around the career tech education community. We interview rockstar career and tech education directors, teachers, & innovators to uncover best practices and insights. We also highlight industry professionals to offer a real world perspective that will lead to preparing career tech education students for success in the global marketplace.

  1. Student Enterprise as a Pathway to Economic Opportunity - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 79

    4D AGO

    Student Enterprise as a Pathway to Economic Opportunity - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 79

    Student Enterprise as a Pathway to Economic Opportunity - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 79 As part of the Women in CTE Series, Samantha Lurie Carroll joins the Global CTE Podcast to share how student enterprise is expanding economic opportunity through one of the nation’s most powerful real-world learning models. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Show Me The World Project, she has helped grow a classroom idea into a multi-city program where students earn workforce credentials, college credit, and global learning experiences while running real businesses. This conversation explores how entrepreneurship, community partnerships, and international travel are helping students in St. Louis and Kansas City build the skills, confidence, and networks they need to shape their futures. Topics Covered: -Student enterprise builds economic opportunity-Real-world learning beyond classroom walls-Workforce credentials and college credit pathways-Global travel expands student career vision-Community partnerships strengthen CTE ecosystems Samantha Lurie Carroll Bio Samantha Lurie Carroll is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Show Me The World Project, a nationally recognized real-world learning model expanding economic opportunity for students through entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and global education experiences. She began her career as a Special Education teacher and Dean of Students at Vashon High School in St. Louis, where she was named Special Education Teacher of the Year in 2015, and later served as Managing Director of Alumni Network Leadership at Teach For America Metro Atlanta, supporting educators driving innovation across school systems. Under her leadership, Show Me The World Project has grown from a classroom-based initiative into a multi-city nonprofit serving students across St. Louis and Kansas City, with continued national expansion underway. Students in the program earn workforce credentials endorsed by regional employers, receive college credit, operate student enterprises, and participate in international learning experiences in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Belize that expand their global perspective and career readiness. Samantha’s work has helped position Show Me The World Project as one of the nation’s most powerful examples of experiential learning connected to economic mobility, with support from leading partners including the Kauffman Foundation. Learn more about Show Me The World Project Here: showmetheworldproject.org

    50 min
  2. Builiding CTE Systems That Actually Work-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.78 w/Dr. Narineh Makijan

    MAR 24

    Builiding CTE Systems That Actually Work-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.78 w/Dr. Narineh Makijan

    Builiding CTE Systems That Actually Work-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.78 w/Dr. Narineh Makijan In Episode 78 of the Global CTE Podcast, part of our 2026 Women in CTE Series, Dr. Narineh Makijan shares how regions can move beyond aligning disconnected systems and begin designing workforce ecosystems that create real opportunity for learners. Drawing from her leadership across the Los Angeles Regional Consortium and her work advancing human-centered AI in counseling, she offers a practical framework for building stronger connections between education, employers, and communities. This conversation challenges leaders to rethink CTE not as a collection of programs, but as essential economic infrastructure for the future of work. Topics Covered: -Designing regional workforce ecosystems -CTE as economic infrastructure -Human-centered AI in counseling -Radical asset mapping for pathways -Employer partnerships beyond advisory boards Special Guest: Dr. Narineh Makijan BIO: Dr. Narineh Makijan is Assistant Vice President and Chair of the Los Angeles Regional Consortium at Pasadena City College, where she leads workforce and economic development strategy across 19 community colleges in Los Angeles County—one of the largest regional systems in the nation. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in counseling, Career & Technical Education, and pathway development, her work focuses on building coordinated education-to-workforce ecosystems that expand access and strengthen economic mobility for students. She also serves as faculty at the USC Rossier School of Education and is the author of Beyond the Algorithm: Human-Centered AI, advancing a vision for student support systems that integrate technology while keeping the human experience at the center of learning and opportunity. Learn More About LARC: https://losangelesrc.org/

    46 min
  3. Preparing Students for an AI-Driven World-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 77

    MAR 12

    Preparing Students for an AI-Driven World-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 77

    Preparing Students for an AI-Driven World-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 77 In this episode of the Global CTE Podcast, Sylvester Chisom welcomes Rachael Mann, Executive Director of NCLA and author of Pack Your Bags for an AI-Driven Future, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping education and the future of work. As part of the 2026 Women in CTE Series, Rachael shares insights on agentic AI, emerging tools educators should explore, and how schools must rethink assignments and learning experiences in an AI-driven world. The conversation challenges education leaders to rethink what skills belong in the “moving truck” as we prepare students for a rapidly changing future. Topics Covered: -Preparing for an AI-driven world -AI tools every educator should explore -What schools must leave behind -Agentic AI and education Rachael Mann Bio: Rachael is the Executive Director of NCLA, a nationally recognized keynote speaker, and a leading voice on artificial intelligence, CTE, and the changing future of work. She’s the author of six books, including Pack Your Bags for an AI-Driven Future, and has developed AI courses and micro-credentials for both higher education and K–12 educators. With over 25 years in education leadership and recognition as a two-time Top 30 Global Guru, Rachael continues to push the field to think bigger about what future readiness truly means.

    46 min
  4. Big Doctor, Little Doctor: Building the Next Generation of Physicians - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 76 w/Dr. Laveil Allen

    FEB 27

    Big Doctor, Little Doctor: Building the Next Generation of Physicians - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 76 w/Dr. Laveil Allen

    Big Doctor, Little Doctor: Building the Next Generation of Physicians - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 76 w/Dr. Laveil Allen In Episode 76, Dr. Laveil Allen, Executive Medical Director and practicing radiologist, shares his journey into medicine and what it really takes to thrive as a physician today. We discuss delayed gratification, test-taking discipline, AI in radiology, the physician shortage, and why exposure to the full healthcare ecosystem matters for students. This conversation challenges us to reframe CTE as preparation not just for jobs in healthcare, but for leadership at the highest levels of the profession. Topics Covered: • Delayed Gratification Wins • Exposure Shapes Career Pathways • Inside the Physician Pipeline • Radiology and the AI Future • Preparing Students for Healthcare Leadership Special Guest: Dr. Laveil Allen Bio: Dr. Laveil Allen is an Executive Medical Director and practicing radiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he is dually appointed in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Radiology & Radiological Sciences. A native of Nashville, he earned his undergraduate degree from Tennessee State University and his medical degree with honors from Meharry Medical College. He completed his transitional intern year at Harvard Medical School, his residency at Tulane University Hospital, and later earned his Master of Management in Health Care from the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management.Dr. Allen serves on the Board of Trustees at Meharry Medical College and is Chairman of the Tennessee State University Foundation, where he helps steward the institution’s endowment and expand educational opportunity for future generations. He is deeply committed to mentorship, representation in medicine, and building stronger pathways for the next generation of physicians.

    1h 4m
  5. Cleared for Takeoff: Aviation Careers Through CTE - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 75 w/James Tigner

    FEB 20

    Cleared for Takeoff: Aviation Careers Through CTE - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 75 w/James Tigner

    Cleared for Takeoff: Aviation Careers Through CTE - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 75 w/James Tigner In Episode 75 of the Global CTE Podcast, host Sylvester Chisom sits down with James Tigner, Director of Aviation for the Center for Aviation and Technology at Hosanna House, to explore how aviation is creating real pathways to high-skill, high-wage careers. As part of the 2026 Black in CTE Series celebrating both CTE Month and Black History Month, this episode highlights representation, workforce alignment, and industry-recognized credentials like the FAA Part 107 drone certification. From early exposure to a bold vision for generational wealth through aviation, this conversation challenges how we think about opportunity in Career and Technical Education. Topics Covered: -Aviation beyond pilot careers -FAA drone certification pathway -High-wage career opportunities -Early exposure drives access -Generational wealth through CTE James Tigner Bio:James Tigner is the Director of Aviation at Hosanna House, where he leads the Center for Aviation and Technology Training and is building real pathways into one of the nation’s most in-demand industries. With more than 30 years of experience across technology, telecommunications, advertising, and finance, James brings business strategy and entrepreneurial vision to expanding aviation workforce opportunities for young people.Today, he’s focused on connecting students to high-skill, high-wage careers in aviation and proving that opportunity can take flight in every community. Learn More About The Center For Aviation & Technology at Hosanna House

    40 min
  6. Experience Is The Credential: What Industry Really Expects From Early Career Talent - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 74

    FEB 11

    Experience Is The Credential: What Industry Really Expects From Early Career Talent - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 74

    Experience Is The Credential: What Industry Really Expects From Early Career Talent - Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep 74 In the first installment of the 2026 Black in CTE podcast series, Sylvester sits down with Dr. Nzingha Williams to explore why experience, rather than credentials alone, is what truly prepares students for today’s workforce. Drawing from her work leading emerging talent initiatives at Wells Fargo, Nzingha breaks down what industry actually expects from early career talent, from communication and professionalism to adaptability and real world practice. This conversation challenges educators, employers, and systems leaders to rethink career readiness and put experiential learning at the center. Topics Covered: -Preparing students for finance careers -Experience over credentials in hiring -What industry expects from talent -Communication and professionalism fundamentals -Experiential learning as career preparation Dr. Nzingha Williams Bio: Today’s guest is Dr. Nzingha Williams, an educator and talent development leader whose work bridges Career and Technical Education, higher education, and corporate talent. She serves as a Lead Talent and Performance Management Consultant at Wells Fargo, where she leads emerging talent initiatives, including the Sophomore Experience, recognized as one of the top 100 internship programs in the country. Dr. Williams is also the writer behind Rootivate, a Substack focused on experiential learning, skills-first hiring, and equity in career development. This is her second time on the Global CTE Podcast, and she is a featured guest in our second annual Black in CTE podcast series. Today’s conversation explores how education, work, and opportunity connect—and what it takes to design pathways that actually prepare students for real careers and real lives. Learn more about : Wells Fargo Sophmore ExperienceDr. Nzingha Williams Rootivate Substack

    43 min
  7. Language Is an Economic Asset-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep. 73 w/Michael Herrera

    JAN 27

    Language Is an Economic Asset-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep. 73 w/Michael Herrera

    Language Is an Economic Asset-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep. 73 w/Michael Herrera Episode Description In Episode 73 of the Global CTE Podcast, host Sylvester Chisom sits down with Michael Herrera, Ed.D., Executive Director of Upper Bucks County Technical School, for a deep conversation on how Career and Technical Education can drive real economic mobility. Together, they explore why alignment, not intention, is often the missing ingredient in education systems and how language becomes an economic asset when it is credentialed and trusted by employers. This episode reframes CTE as modern infrastructure designed to turn interest into impact, skills into wages, and education into dignity and opportunity. Topics Covered -Alignment Drives Economic Mobility -One Talent Pipeline, Not Three -Closing the Interest to Impact Gap -Language as an Economic Asset -CTE as Modern Civil Rights Infrastructure Michael Herrera Bio: Michael Herrera, Ed.D. is a senior education and workforce systems leader with more than two decades of experience working at the intersection of policy, practice, and economic mobility. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Upper Bucks County Technical School, where he leads a multi-district public CTE system focused on outcomes, accountability, and employer trust.Michael’s work centers on designing career-connected systems that translate education into real economic opportunity, including aligning technical skills, language, and work-based learning into a single talent pipeline. He is a national board member of the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) and a leading voice on treating language as an economic asset when it is credentialed and trusted by employers. Episode Chapters 00:00 Why this conversation matters right now 02:10 Michael Herrera’s path to systems leadership 04:16 Alignment drives economic mobility 06:05 The Interest to Impact gap 07:45 Measuring outcomes that matter 09:20 Starting career-connected learning earlier 10:48 Celebrating first jobs like signing day 12:22 Making CTE visible in the community 14:08 Students solving real-world problems 15:44 From trainees to contributors 18:58 Language as an economic asset 20:03 Credentialing language and employer trust 21:45 Language, safety, and real consequences 23:31 Breaking down silos between language and CTE 31:27 Why alignment beats hope 40:31 The future of CTE and economic dignity

    43 min
  8. When CTE Works: Turning Talent Into Opportunity Global CTE Podcast Ep 72 w/Darlene Gibson

    JAN 8

    When CTE Works: Turning Talent Into Opportunity Global CTE Podcast Ep 72 w/Darlene Gibson

    When CTE Works: Turning Talent Into Opportunity Global CTE Podcast Ep 72 w/Darlene GibsonIn Episode 72 of the Global CTE Podcast and the first episode of 2026, Sylvester sits down with his mother, Darlene Gibson, to explore what Career and Technical Education looks like when it truly works. From discovering her calling at age 12 to building a 40 plus year career in cosmetology, entrepreneurship, and education, Darlene shares how skill, confidence, and relationships create lasting opportunity. This conversation reframes cosmetology as a powerful pathway to economic mobility, leadership, and legacy.Top 5 Topics Covered:-Early career clarity and discovering purpose through skill-Cosmetology as a legitimate, high-value CTE pathway-Confidence, resilience, and overcoming physical and societal barriers-Entrepreneurship, professionalism, and building social capital-The future of the cosmetology industry, technology, and AIDarlene Gibson Bio:Darlene Gibson is a trailblazing entrepreneur and educator with over 40 years of experience in the cosmetology and beauty industry. She is the founder of Professional Touch Salon in St. Louis and Show Me The Beauty, an online education platform empowering aspiring beauty professionals around the world. In addition to her businesses, Darlene travels globally as a Backstage Show Manager and Creative Artist for Farouk Systems, helping produce some of the most prestigious hair shows in the industry. Driven by excellence, professionalism, and a commitment to empowering others through skill, Darlene continues to shape the future of beauty, education, and entrepreneurship.

    1h 2m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The #1 Career Tech Education Podcast! We want to wrap a blanket of good will and support around the career tech education community. We interview rockstar career and tech education directors, teachers, & innovators to uncover best practices and insights. We also highlight industry professionals to offer a real world perspective that will lead to preparing career tech education students for success in the global marketplace.

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