Podcast
signals in higher ed
Hosted by 🎥 · EN
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.
23episodes
Episodes
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Scaling Experiential Learning at Slippery Rock University with Dr. John Rindy
Feb 901:05:15Tap to summarizeRegional 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.
Transcribe →Work-Based Learning & Career Coaching with Strada Education: Closing the Gap Between Education and Opportunity
Feb 200:57:17Tap to summarizeAs 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.
Transcribe →Experiential Learning: A Cure for the Medical Worker Shortage with Jason Aubrey of Skilltrade
Jan 2600:39:35Tap to summarizeHealthcare 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.
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