signals in higher ed

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signals in higher ed cuts through the noise to surface what’s actually working across admissions, enrollment, student success, and institutional strategy—told by the leaders building what’s next. Each episode turns real-world challenges into clear, actionable takeaways you can apply on your campus today. Expect candid conversations on innovation, policy, and the data behind better decisions. Host: Darin Francis—CEO & Managing Partner at Harbinger Lane Consulting and former host of DisruptED.

  1. 2D AGO

    AI, Workforce Alignment, and the New Blueprint for Career-Connected Learning Ecosystems

    Workforce shortages, shifting federal and state policy, and rising skepticism about the return on investment of a traditional four-year degree have pushed career-connected learning to the forefront of education reform. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment is expected to increase by nearly 4.7 million jobs between 2022 and 2032, with millions of additional openings each year due to retirements and workers changing occupations. At the same time, many students graduate without clear pathways into stable careers, while employers struggle to build reliable talent pipelines. The stakes are economic, social, and generational. So how do we connect young people to meaningful careers in a way that is scalable, equitable, and aligned with real workforce demand? On this episode of Signals in Higher Ed, host Darin Francis sits down with Devyn Maguire, Chief Executive Officer of Runwayz, to explore what it takes to build a next-generation ecosystem for career connections. The conversation spans K–12 education, employer partnerships, community colleges, and the technology infrastructure required to connect students ages 15 to 25 with real-world opportunities. Together, they examine how Runwayz is piloting a platform designed to connect students, schools, and employers in a scalable career-connected learning ecosystem—closing the gap between talent supply and workforce demand. The conversation delves into... Why workforce shortages and policy shifts are accelerating the need for career-connected learning beyond the traditional college-only pathway. How Runwayz is building a three-sided marketplace connecting students, schools, and employers through localized ecosystem pilots. What it takes to make career exploration engaging and relevant for students—and why user experience and employer trust are critical to long-term success. Devyn Maguire is the Chief Executive Officer of Runwayz and a Principal at Graham Cracker Innovations, where she specializes in strategic partnerships, go-to-market execution, and AI-driven growth initiatives within the education sector. With more than a decade of experience spanning K–12 classrooms, edtech startups, and enterprise customer success leadership at Packback, she has built and scaled partnerships that drive revenue growth, product adoption, and measurable institutional impact. Her expertise sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, workforce innovation, and education strategy, helping organizations align emerging technologies with sustainable business and learner outcomes. Article written by MarketScale.

    42 min

  2. FEB 16

    Flood the Zone: University of Virginia’s New Strategy to Scale Experiential Learning for Every Student

    Experiential learning is having a bit of a reckoning moment in higher ed. For years, the default answer was “get an internship” or “do a co-op”—as if every student can pause life, relocate for a summer, and take on a high-stakes role that’s supposed to define their future. But students’ realities have changed: many are balancing work, family responsibilities, athletics, or financial constraints, while internship competition keeps getting tougher and opportunities are getting harder to secure. The result is a growing sense that if we don’t redesign experiential learning to be more flexible and more equitable, we’re going to keep rewarding the students who already have the most access—and leaving everyone else behind. So how can universities deliver meaningful, equitable, and scalable experiential learning without forcing students to bet everything on a single, high-stakes internship? Welcome to Signals in Higher Ed. In the latest episode, host Darin Francis sits down with Dr. Kemi Jona, Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation at the University of Virginia, to explore the university’s emerging “flood the zone” strategy—an approach designed to give students many low-risk, flexible opportunities to explore careers, build skills, and gain confidence long before a capstone or internship moment. Together, they unpack how experiential learning can be reimagined across curricular and co-curricular contexts, why early exploration matters as much as advanced application, and how digital platforms and student-led infrastructure can unlock scale at even the largest R1 institutions. Top insights from the talk… How “flooding the zone” with diverse, low-risk experiential opportunities reduces inequity and improves student decision-making.Why student clubs, career academies, and asynchronous projects may be the hidden infrastructure for scaling experiential learning.How experiential learning doubles as “authentic assessment” in an era of AI, offering outcomes that are both employer-valued and AI-resistant.Dr. Kemi Jona is a higher education innovation leader with more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of learning sciences, digital education, and workforce strategy. As Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation at the University of Virginia, and previously a senior leader at Northeastern University, he has driven large-scale digital transformation, built enterprise learning partnerships with organizations like Google, IBM, and GE, and launched new lifelong learning and talent pathways. A former faculty member at Carnegie Mellon and Northwestern, Dr. Jona has led over $40M in funded research and is widely recognized for applying learning science to scalable, equitable, and industry-aligned education models.

    50 min

  3. FEB 9

    Scaling Experiential Learning at Slippery Rock University with Dr. John Rindy

    Regional public universities are being asked to do more with fewer students, fewer dollars, and less margin for error—making student persistence, timely graduation, and career outcomes central institutional concerns. Under mounting enrollment pressure and a shifting labor market, experiential learning has moved from a “nice to have” to a strategic imperative. Research consistently shows that students who participate in work-based or applied learning are more likely to persist and graduate, and institutions are increasingly being asked to prove that these experiences are intentional, equitable, and scalable. Against a backdrop of demographic decline in the Northeast and Midwest, the stakes are clear: connecting learning to careers is no longer optional—it’s central to institutional sustainability. So how can a tuition-driven public university design experiential learning that reaches students early, supports retention, and aligns academic and enrollment goals without overwhelming faculty or staff? That question is at the heart of this episode of Signals in Higher Ed, hosted by Darin Francis. Darin is joined by Dr. John Rindy of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, who shares how the institution has built a data-informed, relationship-driven model to scale experiential and work-based learning as a core student success strategy. The episode explores how organizational structure, early intervention, and a clear “why” can turn experiential learning into a lever for persistence and graduation. The main topics of conversation… Early college work-based learning as a retention strategy: How Slippery Rock uses paid, non-credit experiential learning in the first and second years to build context, motivation, and momentum toward 60 credits—a milestone associated with a 94%+ graduation rate.A three-function student success model: Why the Center for Career & Academic Progress integrates student-facing services, internal consulting, and applied research to move retention and completion metrics.From “buy-in” to enrollment: Dr. Rindy’s philosophy on leadership, faculty partnership, and why sustainable change depends on enrolling people in ideas rather than selling them.Dr. John Rindy is a senior higher education leader with deep expertise in student retention, career education, and data-informed persistence strategy, currently serving as Assistant Vice President for the Center for Career & Academic Progress at Slippery Rock University. He has led campus-wide transformations that produced record-setting first-year retention (86%+), scaled work-based and experiential learning, and integrated predictive analytics, internal consulting, and applied research to drive student success and career outcomes. With prior experience as a CEO/COO in healthcare, a dean, a long-serving faculty member, and a career education innovator, Rindy brings a rare blend of executive leadership, academic partnership, and operational execution across education and industry.

    1h 5m

  4. FEB 2

    Work-Based Learning & Career Coaching with Strada Education: Closing the Gap Between Education and Opportunity

    As higher education faces mounting pressure to demonstrate clear career outcomes, institutions are rethinking how learning connects to work and the role of career coaching in that process. Employers continue to report skills gaps, students are questioning the return on investment of a degree, and states are demanding stronger alignment between postsecondary education and workforce needs. Research shows that students who participate in paid internships and other structured work-based learning experiences are more likely to secure employment and earn higher wages—yet access to these opportunities remains uneven. So how can colleges and universities scale work-based learning and career coaching in ways that are equitable, sustainable, and truly impactful for students? That question is at the heart of this episode of Signals in Higher Ed, hosted by Darin Francis. Francis is joined by Dr. Melissa Leavitt and Kevin Grubb of the Strada Education Foundation in a conversation about how career guidance and work-based learning can work together to transform the student experience. Drawing on research, policy insights, and on-the-ground institutional partnerships, the discussion examines what it takes to move from isolated programs to systemic change. Top insights from the talk… How career coaching and work-based learning reinforce one another to improve student access, decision-making, and outcomes.Why paid, high-quality work-based learning experiences are critical for equity and long-term earnings.The role of states, systems, and employer partnerships in scaling career-connected education.Dr. Melissa Leavitt is the Vice President of Postsecondary Education at the Strada Education Foundation and a seasoned social impact leader known for applying systems-level strategy to improve education-to-career outcomes. Her career spans higher education, philanthropy, and research, with deep expertise in program development, labor-market and postsecondary research, grantmaking, and cross-sector collaboration, including leading multi-year strategies and multi-million-dollar initiatives. A prolific researcher and communicator, she has authored major national reports, delivered dozens of executive-level presentations, and built research-driven thought leadership that influences policy, institutional practice, and workforce alignment. Kevin Grubb is the Vice President of Work-Based Learning at the Strada Education Foundation and a nationally recognized leader in career development, institutional change, and employer partnership strategy. Formerly the inaugural Chief Career Officer at Villanova University, he designed and scaled innovative career pathways and employer engagement models that have shaped national conversations on workforce readiness and student outcomes. A Professional Certified Coach and longtime consultant, Grubb brings deep expertise in executive coaching, organizational change, and equity-centered work-based learning systems that expand access to high-quality career opportunities for all learners.

    57 min

  5. JAN 26

    Experiential Learning: A Cure for the Medical Worker Shortage with Jason Aubrey of Skilltrade

    Healthcare systems across the U.S. are facing a persistent and worsening medical worker shortage, particularly in allied health roles that keep hospitals, clinics, and surgery centers running. Rural access gaps, rising tuition costs, and skepticism about the ROI of traditional degrees are colliding with urgent employer demand. At the same time, momentum is building around short-term credentials, hybrid training models, and the anticipated expansion of Workforce Pell—creating a rare window for higher education and employers to rethink how talent is trained and deployed. Could experiential, hybrid learning, built in close partnership with employers, address today’s healthcare vacancies while also creating clear pathways into nursing and other advanced careers? That question is at the heart of the latest episode of Signals in Higher Ed, hosted by Darin Francis. In this episode, Francis is joined by Jason Aubrey, founder and CEO of Skilltrade, as they explore how experiential learning models can directly address the medical worker shortage while reshaping higher education’s role in workforce development. Together, they unpack how Skilltrade blends immersive online curriculum with in-person, hands-on labs delivered through partnerships with colleges, healthcare employers, and workforce agencies—creating faster, more affordable pathways into high-demand healthcare careers. What you’ll learn… Why awareness, accessibility, and ROI are the real bottlenecksAubrey explains that many healthcare roles—like sterile processing or medical assisting—are “hidden gem” careers, offering strong wages and advancement potential but suffering from low awareness and limited access through traditional degree programs. How hybrid, experiential learning improves outcomesSkilltrade combines virtual simulations, AI-driven patient interactions, and real clinical lab experiences, ensuring learners build confidence and competence before ever stepping into a job. The power of three-sided partnershipsBy aligning higher education institutions, employers, and workforce agencies, Skilltrade helps unlock public and philanthropic funding, reduce student debt, and give employers a reliable pipeline of trained talent. Jason Aubrey is a workforce development and edtech leader with a proven track record of scaling tech-enabled education and healthcare businesses, driving organizational change, and building employer-aligned talent pipelines. He previously led MedCerts to a successful acquisition by Stride, Inc., served as CEO of ClearGage, and has held leadership roles across product, sales, and go-to-market strategy in global education and technology companies. A University of Michigan graduate, Aubrey is also a repeat founder, investor, advisor, and board member, known for bridging higher education, employers, and workforce systems through innovative, outcomes-driven training models.

    40 min

  6. JAN 19

    A One-Year College Alternative: How Pega6 Is Preparing to Train AI-First, Job-Ready Talent

    The traditional four-year college model is facing growing pressure as rising tuition, shifting labor market demands, and new technological realities expose gaps between education and employment outcomes. Confidence in the traditional college pathway is eroding among parents, students, and employers as rising costs and persistent skills gaps collide with the reality that many new graduates require significant on-the-job ramp-up before becoming fully productive. At the same time, artificial intelligence is accelerating change in the workforce, raising the stakes for postsecondary pathways that fail to adapt quickly. What would higher education look like if it were designed explicitly for an AI-driven labor market—and if graduates entered the workforce fully job-ready from day one? It’s a question reshaping the future of postsecondary education—and one that Darin Francis tackles with Jeremy Smith, co-founder and CEO of Pega6, on the latest episode of signals in higher ed. Together, they explore Pega6’s one-year, $15,000 “career accelerator” model, why it breaks so sharply from the university tradition, and how it aims to produce AI-first, entry-plus employees for roles like software development and product management. Top insights from the talk… Why employers consistently experience a one-year productivity gap with college graduates—and how Pega6 is designed to eliminate it.How a 100% experiential, lecture-free curriculum mirrors the first year of real employment rather than the classroom.Why AI fluency is treated as a foundational skill, not an add-on, in preparing graduates for long-term career relevance.Jeremy Smith is a multi-exit startup executive with more than two decades of experience scaling fintech, insurtech, and technology-enabled businesses, including leadership roles at SecondMarket (acquired by NASDAQ), RiskGenius (acquired by Bold Penguin), and LODAS Markets. He has served as COO, CFO, president, and chief strategy officer, leading corporate strategy, product development, M&A, and organizational scale across high-growth companies. Smith is currently co-founder and CEO of Pega6, where he is applying his employer-side hiring and scaling experience to build a new, AI-first alternative to traditional higher education.

    47 min

  7. JAN 12

    Career-Connected Continuing Ed: How Upright Education Helps Colleges Upskill Adult Learners in Digital Skills

    Higher education is undergoing a quiet shift. While undergraduate enrollments remain in long-term decline, continuing education has emerged as one of the sector’s fastest-growing segments, expanding at more than 11% annually. At the same time, rapid advances in AI, data, and cybersecurity are reshaping nearly every job category, forcing institutions to rethink how quickly and effectively they can respond to workforce needs. The stakes are high: federal policy shifts like Workforce Pell now tie funding eligibility to completion and placement outcomes, raising the bar for short-term workforce and continuing education programs. What does it actually take for colleges and universities to deliver career-connected learning that keeps pace with the labor market—without overextending already stretched continuing education teams? Welcome to signals in higher ed. In the latest episode, host Darin Francis sits down with Benny Boas, founder and CEO of Upright Education, to explore how colleges can rapidly launch market-ready digital skills programs for adult learners. Together, they unpack Upright’s role as an extension of institutional workforce and continuing education divisions, the realities of local labor markets, and why upskilling—not reskilling—is now driving the majority of adult learner demand. Key highlights from the conversation… How Upright helps colleges bring AI, data, and cybersecurity programs to market quickly without building curriculum from scratch.Why local labor market dynamics—and access to workforce funding—matter more than institutional size in continuing education success.How learner outcomes are evolving beyond job placement to include upskilling, retention, and long-term career resilience.Benny Boas is the founder and CEO of Upright Education, a workforce training platform that partners with colleges to deliver outcomes-focused programs in high-demand digital skills, helping thousands of adults prepare for the future of work. He previously founded Burlington Code Academy, one of the early U.S. coding bootcamps, which achieved industry-leading job placement rates and was acquired in 2022. Benny’s background also includes UX/UI design and digital innovation roles at The Bloc and McCann Worldgroup, where he helped launch and scale technology-driven products and talent programs.

    55 min

  8. JAN 5

    From 30 to 1,500 Students: Scaling Mass Experiential Learning with How to Change the World

    Higher education is at a crossroads. Institutions are being asked to do more with less—serve more students, prepare them for a rapidly changing, AI-shaped workforce, and prove the real-world value of a degree—all at the same time. Employers consistently note that while graduates are technically capable, many struggle to apply what they’ve learned to complex, real-world challenges, echoing a core insight from learning science: people learn best by doing, when experiences are intentionally designed with clear goals and meaningful support. So how can universities provide meaningful, real-world learning experiences not just for a select few—but for hundreds or even thousands of students at once? That question sits at the heart of this episode of signals in higher ed, hosted by Darin Francis, featuring Jason Blackstock, founder and CEO of How to Change the World. During the conversation, Francis and Blackstock explore how mass experiential learning emerged from an ambitious mandate at University College London—and how it has since evolved into a scalable model used across institutions, disciplines, and even countries. Together, they examine what it really takes to move from small, boutique experiential programs to large-scale, inclusive learning environments that get better—not worse—as participation grows. Top insights from the chat… Why scale changes everything: Moving from 30 to 1,500 students isn’t just a quantitative shift—it fundamentally alters how peer learning, coaching, and mentorship can be designed.The building blocks of mass experiential learning: Peer-to-peer learning, near-peer coaching, real-world mentors, and challenge-based frameworks that motivate both students and experts.Experiential learning beyond the curriculum: How co-curricular, extracurricular, and lifelong learning models can complement credit-bearing courses and expand access.Jason Blackstock is a social entrepreneur, scientist, and educator whose career spans quantum physics research, Silicon Valley technology development, sustainability and innovation policy, and higher education leadership. He has held senior academic and advisory roles at institutions including University College London, Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and the University of Waterloo, authored 100+ academic and policy publications, and holds more than a dozen technology patents. He is the founder and CEO of How to Change the World, co-founder of We Make Change, and a trusted advisor to global initiatives in climate, data systems, and innovation, including the Carbon XPRIZE and Creative Destruction Lab.

    57 min
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signals in higher ed cuts through the noise to surface what’s actually working across admissions, enrollment, student success, and institutional strategy—told by the leaders building what’s next. Each episode turns real-world challenges into clear, actionable takeaways you can apply on your campus today. Expect candid conversations on innovation, policy, and the data behind better decisions. Host: Darin Francis—CEO & Managing Partner at Harbinger Lane Consulting and former host of DisruptED.

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  • Creator
    🎥
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    signals in higher ed