Podcast
Work Trends RU
Hosted by Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers University · EN
With research-backed insights, "Work Trends RU" covers a variety of issues, including the modern workforce, economic challenges, how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of work, and the ways public policies and private initiatives are responding to the needs of workers, job seekers, and employers. Join Dr. Carl Van Horn and other experts from the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey for engaging interviews, real-world stories, and data-driven insights that will give you a better understanding of the evolving worlds of work, education, social policy, and financial security.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode #11, Steve Reynolds, President and CEO, Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey
Apr 700:26:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Work Trends RU, host Dr. Carl Van Horn speaks with Steve Reynolds, president and CEO of Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey, about the biggest challenges facing independent colleges today, including the changing perception of the value of a four-year degree, student mental health, and how colleges are preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. Mr. Reynolds also discusses how institutions are responding to demographic changes, financial pressures, and the need to better connect education to career outcomes.ResourcesIndependent Colleges and Universities of New JerseyNew Jersey Higher Education Mental Health Summit 2026Second Annual New Jersey Higher Education Mental Health Summit Offers New Concepts and Resources for Campus Staff
Transcribe →Episode #10, Jimmy Green, Research Project Manager, Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, and Jackie Burke, Executive Director, New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools
Feb 1900:23:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Work Trends RU, Laurie Harrington is joined by Jimmy Green, Research Project Manager at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, and Jackie Burke, Executive Director of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, to discuss the role career and technical education (CTE) plays in shaping students’ pathways from high school to college and careers. The conversation highlights new research on participation trends, demographic patterns, and levels of student engagement, along with an overview of New Jersey’s county-based vocational-technical school model, expanding programs in high-demand fields, and the importance of employer partnerships and work-based learning in preparing students for long-term career success.ResourceNew Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schoolshttps://careertechnj.org/
Transcribe →Episode #9, Beth Simone Noveck, Chief AI Strategist, State of New Jersey
Dec 1600:27:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Work Trends RU, host Dr. Carl Van Horn sits down with Dr. Beth Simone Noveck, New Jersey’s Chief AI Strategist and former head of the New Jersey Office of Innovation. Together, they explore how technology, data, and responsible AI are reshaping government services to be faster, fairer, and more accessible. From modernizing unemployment and business systems to training thousands of public workers in responsible use of AI, Dr. Noveck explains what it takes to transform government and why empowering people, not replacing them, is the key to lasting progress.Resources:New Jersey Office of InnovationBusiness.NJ.govInnovateUS
Transcribe →Episode #8, Aaron Fichtner, President, New Jersey Council of County Colleges
Nov 1800:20:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Work Trends RU, host Dr. Carl Van Horn talks with Dr. Aaron Fichtner, President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, about the role New Jersey’s 18 community colleges play in expanding access to higher education, developing a skilled workforce, and meeting the evolving needs of students, employers, and local communities. Dr. Fichtner also shares insights on the Council’s Opportunity Agenda, which focuses on expanding dual enrollment, supporting adult learners, improving student success, and aligning education with the demands of a changing economy.
Transcribe →Episode #7: James Moore, Principal, KPMG
Oct 1400:25:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Work Trends RU, Dr. Carl Van Horn is joined by James Moore, Principal at KPMG and a veteran leader in workforce development at the local, state, and federal levels. Mr. Moore shares reflections from his career and discusses the need to modernize workforce and unemployment systems, the critical role of frontline staff, gaps in training for workforce professionals, and how AI and technology can improve services for job seekers.
Transcribe →Episode #6: Kevin Dehmer, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Education
Sep 900:35:14Tap to summarizeJoin Dr. Carl Van Horn as he hosts a special "Back to School" episode of Work Trends RU, featuring New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. In their conversation, Commissioner Dehmer discusses the major challenges, innovations, and achievements in New Jersey’s public education system; the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; major investments in early literacy and preschool; and the efforts to support teachers, modernize curriculum standards, and manage technology in schools. The Commissioner also shares how lessons from his first job influence his leadership today.
Transcribe →Episode #5: Rachel Korberg, Executive Director & Co-Founder, the Families and Workers Fund
Jul 3100:26:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Work Trends RU, host Carl Van Horn speaks with Rachel Korberg, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Families and Workers Fund. They discussthe Families and Workers Fund’s mission and accomplishments, as well as innovative strategies to improve economic mobility and job quality for workers. Ms. Korberg highlights programs like PowerCorpsPHL, which combines wraparound services with job training for youth in Philadelphia; RxKids, a Michigan-based initiative that provides financial assistance to pregnant women to fight infant poverty; and Better Builder®, a program seeking to improve working conditions in the construction industry in Texas. She also discusses what makes a good job and the value of employer partnerships.Resource Links:The Families & Workers FundPowerCorpsPHLGood Jobs Champion GroupRxKidsGood Jobs InstituteBetter Builder®
Transcribe →Episode #4: Jane Oates, Senior Policy Advisor, WorkingNation
Jul 800:28:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Work Trends RU, Dr. Carl Van Horn interviews Jane Oates, Senior Policy Advisor at WorkingNation. They discuss WorkingNation’s mission, objectives, and accomplishments; the power of digital storytelling; the challenges of getting research into the hands of those who need it most; the value of providing career navigation advice to students; and the importance of students using their own personal technology in the classroom. Additionally, Ms. Oates reflects on the lessons she learned from her first job.Visit WorkingNation’s website to learn more about the organization’s work.Resources:Dental Health Aide Therapists - Alaska's Solution for America's Dental Care CrisisThe Right Fit: Century College Serves the Orthotics and Prosthetics IndustryFinal Report on the New Start Career NetworkVideo Interview with New Start Career Network Job Seeker Member, JoeTown Hall on Mid-Career Job Seekers and Workers
Transcribe →Episode #3: Todd Greene, Vice President, Urban Institute; Executive Director, WorkRise
Jun 1800:26:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Work Trends RU, Dr. Carl Van Horn hosts Todd Greene, Vice President of Work, Education, and Labor Division, and Executive Director of WorkRise at the Urban Institute. Together they discuss WorkRise’s mission and accomplishments, strategies for improving economic mobility for low-wage workers, and impactful initiatives, such as AI in the workforce, the Workforce Almanac, and the importance of making data accessible to policymakers. Mr. Greene also reflects on the lessons he learned from his first job that shaped his vision of fair and dignified work today.For more information on WorkRise and some of the initiatives discussed in this episode, visit WorkRise, Urban Institute,The Workforce Almanac, The Project on Workforce, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and Workplace Justice Lab@RU.
Transcribe →Episode #2: Tammy Murphy, First Lady of New Jersey
May 26, 202500:20:41Tap to summarizeJoin host Dr. Carl Van Horn as he welcomes New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy to Work Trends RU. In this conversation, the First Lady discusses her leadership in maternal and infant health in New Jersey, the impacts of the Nurture NJ and Family Connects NJ initiatives, and how New Jersey is addressing healthcare inequalities, expanding prenatal services, and strengthening community engagement, along with previewing the upcoming maternal health and innovation center in Trenton.
Transcribe →