Advertise on podcast: All In: Student Pathways Forward

In this episode, host Marc Goldberg interviews former Harper College and Zurich apprentice Chrissy Krutz Walters, Harper College president Dr. Avis Proctor, and Sirena Arnaout, Business Execution Lead for the Office of Apprenticeships at Zurich. Chrissy describes the transformative impact of her apprenticeship with Zurich and Harper College. As a working professional, she enrolled in the program to shift careers into the insurance industry offering financial stability, benefits, and career advancement opportunities. Chrissy elaborates on how the apprenticeship program design and the supports offered by both organizations have shaped her career path, and shares valuable recommendations for employers and community colleges looking to build their own apprenticeship partnerships models. Dr. Proctor reflects on Chrissy's interview and outlines how Harper College has scaled apprenticeships to 24 programs in multiple industry sectors, working with more than 80 employers, including Zurich. She highlights the importance of institutionalizing apprenticeships across the college as a core academic and workforce strategy - committing resources to the work, integrating student services to meet apprentices' unique needs, and securing buy-in from executive leadership, faculty, and staff. Sirena offers insights from Zurich's employer perspective, explaining how apprenticeships serve as a key recruitment and retention strategy. She elaborates on how the company provides various supports to apprentices, their Zurich mentors, and corresponding supervisors and details the robust partnership with Harper College. Sirena also emphasizes the infrastructure Zurich has developed for apprenticeships with different tools and resources, which could help other companies and college partners build and scale similar apprenticeship programs. This season of the podcast comes to you through the support of Ascendium Education.

In this episode, host Marc Goldberg interviews two dedicated apprentices with the Machinists Institute — Tristen Herbig and Kristin Mayer — along with Shana Peschek, Machinists Institute's founding Executive Director and current Training & Apprenticeships Director with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union (IAM), and Hien Kieu, Executive Director at Partner in Employment (PIE), a community-based organizational partner to Machinists Institute. Tristen and Kristin share their apprenticeship experiences with the Machinists Institute at their respective employers, MSHS Pacific Power Group in the Puget Sound area and Koontz Machine and Welding in Coos Bay, Oregon. They offer insights on how organizations can support and scale apprenticeship programs, and reflect on how this education and training experience has shaped their careers and lives. Shana builds on the conversation with Tristen and Kristin and elaborates on the Machinists Institute apprenticeship model, which includes critical support services for learners such as childcare to help ensure participants can address different needs to be able to complete their apprenticeship program. She emphasizes the important role of community partnerships in MI's scaling efforts with employers, community colleges, and community-based organizations like Partner in Employment. Hien describes how Partner in Employment offers pathways to good jobs for immigrant and refugee populations in the Seattle/Tacoma area, including a dynamic pre-apprenticeship program with Machinists Institute that has prepared many clients for registered apprenticeships and machining-related employment opportunities across the region. She shares valuable recommendations on effective partnerships and how to center learners in this collaborative work. This season of the podcast comes to you through the support of Ascendium Education.

Season 5 of the podcast is focused on apprenticeships - the original “earn-and-learn” model with proven outcomes that integrates work experience with related instruction, a stepped paycheck and a job from day one that can expand access to quality jobs and careers and provide a broader pool of skilled talent for employers. While apprenticeships are a long standing effective workforce training model, over the past number of years there have been numerous efforts to develop and scale apprenticeships programs, particularly in non-traditional or new industries. In this introductory episode for season 5, host Marc Goldberg interviews two national leaders actively advancing the growth and scaling of apprenticeships across the country. The first conversation is with John Colborn the Executive Director of Apprenticeships for America, a national organization that brings together various stakeholders to expand apprenticeships and advance related policy and programming efforts. The second conversation is with Dr. Brittany Corde, Senior Program Officer at Ascendium Education, a philanthropic organization whose grantmaking expands postsecondary and workforce opportunities for learners from low income backgrounds. Both interviews really set the stage on the topic of apprenticeships for the podcast season which will feature interviews with current and past apprentices from innovative programs across the country in upcoming episodes along with executives from key apprenticeship organizations including program sponsors, intermediaries, related training entities, employers and other apprenticeship advocates and champions. John and Brittany both describe how their organizations are supporting the advancement of apprenticeships in traditional and nontraditional industries as a workforce solution, elaborate on the value proposition of apprenticeships, highlight different current funding streams that are supporting apprenticeship expansion efforts, including Ascendium Education, and how they both see this work evolving in the next few years. Both guests discuss the importance of telling the story of apprenticeships with hard data and the transformative impact on individuals, families, employers and communities overall. The conversations are very informative and really ground the theme of apprenticeships for the year ahead on the podcast.  This season of the podcast comes to you through the support of Ascendium Education.

In this Season 4 finale, host Marc Goldberg brings together three passionate adult education advocates and champions who know adult ed from the inside out — as former students, faculty, and staff. The panel includes Bakr Alkarawi, a past Mt. Hood Community College student and recent Portland State University graduate, Lynne Hamblin, a graduate and former adult education staff member at Rogue Community College and current student at Oregon State University, and Erin Vobornik, the executive director for the National Association For the Transformation of Adult Education and past initiatives director at COABE.  The panel discussion is rich and wide-ranging. Bakr and Lynne — both Season 1 All In podcast guests — return with inspiring updates on where their education and career paths have taken them a few years later. Erin sheds light on the staggering scale of need for adult education across the country, populations with limited access to quality jobs without adult education coursework, resources and supports, and clear educational pathways. Together, the three panelists offer candid recommendations to higher education leaders, workforce professionals, policymakers and students — making a compelling case for stronger investment in and commitment to adult education. Above all, they emphasized that adult education students themselves must be active voices, with their expertise honored, at the heart of every decision, policy, program, and partnership that affects them. This was a fantastic way to culminate the All In podcast season that concentrated on amplifying the voices of current and past community college students who accessed adult education courses, resources, and support along their higher education journey.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

In this episode, All In podcast host Marc Goldberg interviews past ESOL student and current Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) employee Tea Demetrashvili, president of Quinsigamond Community College, Dr. Luis G Pedraja, Jeff Moineau, Process and Estimating Manager at WireFab Inc., an employer partner to the college, and Andre Green, the Executive Director at SkillWorks, a funder collaborative in Boston, Massachusetts that brings together philanthropy, government, community organizations and employers to improve workforce development across the state. Tea describes how her experience taking ESOL classes in the Adult Community Learning Center at QCC helped her personally and professionally as a newcomer to the community. She elaborates on the care and support provided by faculty and staff and the services offered for students, which she is now able to reciprocate working in the ACLC department supporting other students.  Dr. Pedraja and Jeff both reflect on Tea’s interview and discuss the critical role that multilingual learners and workers play in the Worcester region to address workforce talent needs from different perspectives - as a college president and a business leader. Dr. Pedraja further discusses the college’s development of a strategic action plan for multilingual learners and why it has been a priority. Jeff highlights the company’s valuable partnership with QCC who provides workplace ESOL courses for WireFab multilingual workers.  Andre offers insights at the state level describing how immigrants and refugees can broaden the talent pool of skilled workers but need additional English language coursework. He shares how a broad coalition of organizations across Massachusetts were effectively able to advocate for legislation to increase state funding for vocational ESOL courses as an innovative workforce strategy.

In this episode, host Marc Goldberg interviews Candra Adolphson, a parenting student from Southwestern Oregon Community College, Dr. Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, at Southwestern Oregon Community College and Amber Angel, Program Officer, at ECMC Foundation.  Candra shares more about her college journey which began taking adult education courses working towards her GED before enrolling in the nursing program. She describes how valuable the student supports, coaching and financial assistance were through the STEP and TRIO programs, and as a Ford Scholar with the The Ford Family Foundation.  Dr. Mageehon reflects on Candra’s interview and elaborates on how the college has been focusing enrollment, retention, completion and workforce strategies on adult learners in the college’s district and what that looks like in a rural setting.  Amber talks about ECMC Foundation’s investments in Parenting Student Success and shares her own personal experience as a parenting student and how that shapes the work she leads.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Chemeketa Community College Prison Education and Community Reentry past student Cameron Hayes, Chemeketa Community College president Dr. Jessica Howard, and Dr. Lucretia Murphy, Vice President for the Center for Justice & Economic Advancement at Jobs for the Future. Cameron describes his experience accessing community college coursework through the Prison Education program at Chemeketa Community College after enrolling in a similar program at Blue Mountain Community Colleges where he prepared for and passed his GED. He elaborates on the transformative impact of postsecondary education opportunities behind the walls for him and many other adults in custody.  Dr. Howard reflects on Cameron’s interview and highlights the college’s work focused on serving adult returning learners through various academic pathways including important starting and access points via adult education, prison education and workforce training programs.  Dr. Murphy shares insights on the various ways the Center for Justice & Economic Advancement promotes opportunities towards fair chance employment for justice-impacted individuals. She elaborates on the Fair Chance to Advance State Action Network, which Oregon was one of four states selected to be in the inaugural cohort.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) Machine Tool Technology program graduate and past NC3 Linn-Benton National Signing Day participant, Kolton Wolfe, Linn-Benton Community College president Dr Lisa Avery, and then both Roger Tadajewski, the Executive Director of NC3, the National Coalition of Certification Centers, and Sama Shagaga in Partnerships and Government Relations from NW Natural - both strong partner organization to the college. Kolton describes his entry into Linn-Benton Community College via the NC3 National Signing Day annual event where he and other new students were celebrated for choosing an LBCC Career Technical Education path for the future through the Machine Tool Technology program. Kolton elaborates on the tremendous support he received from his high school, Sweet Home High School, along with Linn-Benton Community College, as part of National Signing Day -- registering for college classes and in his case receiving a significant college scholarship from NW Natural.  Dr. Avery reflects on Kolton’s interview and highlights the importance of both comprehensive student supports offered to students and clear and accelerated pathways to good jobs and careers through workforce, CTE and transfer programs.  Roger and Sama both share more about their organizations’ partnerships with Linn-Benton Community College for NC3 National Signing Day and the overall power of strong college and industry partnerships needed to create a skilled current and future workforce in key industry sectors.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

This special All In episode is part II of a mini series following the National Council for Workforce Education’s annual conference in Norfolk, Virginia in fall 2025. It includes engaging interviews with three charismatic higher education and workforce executive leaders from the Hampton Roads region: Dr. Marcia Conston, the president of Tidewater Community College, Dr. Porter Brannon, the president of Virginia Peninsula Community College and Dr. Latitia McCane, the Director of Education for The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding/HII. Dr. Conston, Dr. Brannon and Dr. McCane each share reflections from the NCWE 2025 annual conference plenary student panel discussion that included learners from each of their institutions recorded and published in the last All In podcast episode. These executives also offer their perspectives and insights on what it means to meet the moment for workforce education, the theme of the NCWE conference, such as developing nimble and responsive programs in collaboration with regional employers and other partners that create economic prosperity in the region. Lastly, Dr. Conston, Dr. Brannon and Dr. McCane all describe the power and importance of listening to students each highlighting examples of programmatic and policy improvements made at their respective institutions as a result of student input.

This special All In episode was recorded live at the National Council for Workforce Education’s annual conference in Norfolk, Virginia in October 2025 and features a dynamic community college student panel that set the stage for this gathering of college workforce leaders and those from partner organizations from around the country. Three standout students—Jasmine Canty of Tidewater Community College, April Langhorne of Virginia Peninsula Community College, and Evan Hernandez of the Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding—share their perspectives, insights and recommendations on important topics such as: stackable credentials, student financial supports, work-based learning, effective advising, flexible scheduling, and the value of recognizing prior learning. The student panel concludes with questions and answers from the conference attendees. The episode follows with a short conversation with NCWE Executive Director Kate Kinder, who reflects on key themes from the conference, and discusses how NCWE elevates student voices alongside those of practitioners—and why that focus is essential in their collaborative work with colleges and partners nationwide.

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Clatsop Community College graduate Emily Bates, Clatsop Community College president, Jarrod Hogue, and the Director, Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD) at the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), Donna Lewelling. Emily shares more about her experience as a returning student at the college including her active involvement in student government helping build community for other students while developing valuable leadership skills.  President Hogue reflects on Emily’s interview and elaborates on the critical role the college plays in a rural community supporting workforce and economic development and the value and benefit of strong employer partnerships in that work. Director Lewelling discusses how Adult Basic Skills programs across Oregon community colleges ensure better access to pathways leading to good jobs and careers for more Oregonians through innovative career pathway programs like Integrated Education and Training (IET) and holistic student supports.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Rogue Community College (RCC) and Southern Oregon University (SOU) graduate Jahna Thompson, Rogue Community College president, Dr. Randy Weber and Director, Postsecondary Success at The Ford Family Foundation, Denise Callahan.  Jahna emphasizes the value of strong faculty mentorship and advising from her student experience at both Rogue Community College and SOU with a unique lens of having taught in her field of study at both institutions as a faculty/professor over the past year. She elaborates on her academic journey that began taking GED prep classes at RCC and after completing her Bachelor's and Master's degrees, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Immunology & Infectious Disease at Washington State University. President Weber reflects on Jahna’s interview and describes specific college efforts through responsive programming, student supports and community partnerships that have helped increase enrollment and improve retention and completion outcomes for students, including those who enter the college taking adult education courses.  Denise highlights the Foundation’s impactful postsecondary education work across Oregon,  particularly in rural communities, through Foundation investments, scholarships and research. She describes how the Foundation's work supporting over 1000 postsecondary education students annually across Oregon through scholarships helps inform the organization's policy and research work and shares more on the recently released Oregon by the Numbers report by the Foundation that offers a detailed profile for each of Oregon’s 36 counties.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

In this episode host Marc Goldberg interviews Clackamas Community College (CCC) parenting student Kaytlen Thomas, Clackamas Community College president, Dr. Tim Cook and Trellis Strategies Senior Policy Strategist, Carrie Welton.  Kaytlen describes how impactful her first experience was at CCC enrolling in the GED prep program, how it shifted her perception of what the future may hold, and led her to take leadership in student government at the college advocating to address student basic needs.  President Cook reflects on Kaytlen's interview and shares more on the ROCCS initiative he is undertaking this summer - Running for Oregon Community College Students (ROCCS) - a 1500 mile run over 50 days across the state of Oregon visiting all 17 community colleges to raise awareness about challenges student face in meeting basic needs. Carrie talks about her national and state policy work supporting postsecondary education access and completion by leveraging and integrating public benefit programs. She provides more information on the Trellis Strategies Student Financial Wellness Survey, a free resource to higher ed institutions that allows them to benchmark key student financial wellness indicators to drive institutional change, strengthen student enrollment efforts and improve student satisfaction.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

This intro episode sets the stage for season 4 of the All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast which will feature students who began their college journeys enrolling in adult education courses that propelled them to pursue further education and career pathways at their respective colleges.  The All In host Marc Goldberg moderates a panel discussion with three innovative workforce development and adult education college leaders who have led impactful student-centered programs and partnerships at their institutions, across their states and at the national level – Dan Belyea, Chief Workforce Development Officer, Maine Community College System and Alfond Center, Laurie Kierstead-Joseph, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Adult Basic Education for College & Career, at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona, and Sheridan Nixon, Associate Vice Provost, Career Connected Learning, School of Workforce Education, at Dallas College.  The panelists all share insights on effective Adult Ed models that have created pathways to careers with economic mobility through workforce education at their institutions. They offer their perspectives on the value and importance of Adult Education within their communities and at their colleges and highlight strategies in how they have centered student voices to shape better programs, policies and partnerships. This engaging and inspiring conversation is the perfect way to kick off the new season of the All In podcast.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network.

The Season 3 finale of the All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast features an engaging panel discussion with three inspiring students and graduates enrolled in or having completed high quality credential programs from different community and technical colleges: Lucy Briseno, a current student at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon; Monique Sallis, a current student at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota, and an apprentice with Aon; and Cha Zong Yang, a graduate of Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wisconsin. Throughout the conversation, these students share their experiences participating in innovative, high-quality credential programs at their colleges that have helped shape their career pathways. They highlight the resources, supports, and services from their respective colleges and employers that have made an impact on their progress and success. From knowledgeable, dedicated, and accessible faculty to work-based learning opportunities to available financial assistance and strong career services, the panelists offer a firsthand perspective on what makes a difference for today’s learners. The students also provide thoughtful recommendations for college leaders, policymakers, employers and other students based on their own experiences. Their insights offer a compelling call to action for strengthening pathways that connect education, employment, and lifelong success. These three remarkable individuals previously shared their community/technical college stories and insights this past fall at national and Oregon state conferences as part of plenary student panel discussions. Cha Zong spoke at the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers  (NCATC) conference in September about short-term industry recognized, advanced technology programs and unique student supports such as the Metallica Scholars Initiative.  Monique joined the student panel at the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) conference in October in Minneapolis on transformative workforce education programs, including apprenticeships, that offer pathways from college into careers.  Lastly, Lucy offered her perspective during the student panel at the Oregon Pathways to Opportunity statewide summit in October on the critical topic of student basic needs insecurity and elaborated on different resources and supports that can help address common student realities. The podcast conversation was an opportunity to explore these topics in more detail and culminate this season featuring students in quality credential programs.  The All In: Student Pathways Forward podcast is a part of Oregon’s participation in the National Skills Coalition SkillSPAN network and supported by the Lumina Foundation.