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A bi-weekly podcast focused on pulling back the curtain on the American higher education system and breaking down the people, the policies and the politics. The podcast host, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, is a known innovator and leader in higher education. The podcast will not pull any punches as it delves into tough questions about the culture, politics and policies of our higher education system.
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Send us a text Republican political consultant Mike Madrid joins host Eloy Ortiz-Oakley to examine the seismic shifts occurring in American democracy through the unique lens of Latino voter behavior. As co-founder of the Lincoln Project and author of "The Latino Century," Madrid brings data-driven insights that challenge conventional wisdom about minority voting patterns. The conversation delves deep into how Latino voters—now America's largest minority voting bloc—are transforming the politi...
Send us a text The pursuit of higher education has always been seen as a pathway to success, but how effectively are colleges serving low and moderate-income students? In this episode, we engage with Michael Itzkowitz to unveil the California Mobility Index, a new tool that examines how various institutions rank in terms of creating genuine opportunities for their students. The Mobility Index serves not merely to illuminate which colleges offer the best return on investment but to challenge t...
Send us a text What if the challenges plaguing the edtech sector are actually opportunities in disguise? Join us as we welcome Phil Hill, the publisher of the On EdTech newsletter, who offers a wealth of insights into the complexities of the education technology landscape. Together, we tackle the financial struggles of major players like 2U and Anthology while uncovering the potential for stabilization and growth. Phil also sheds light on the groundbreaking role of generative AI in education,...
Send us a text Ever wondered how immersive, real-world learning can redefine higher education? Join us as we engage with Brandon Busteed, the innovative CEO of BrandEd, as he unravels the transformative power of work-based learning, especially during disruptive times like the Trump years ahead. Brandon shares his unique vision for BrandEd since his 2024 appointment, highlighting partnerships with prestigious brands such as The New York Times, Sotheby's, Manchester City and Vogue. These collab...
Send us a text This episode delves into the transformative changes in higher education under the Biden Administration, featuring insights from Undersecretary of Education James Kvaal. Key topics include student loan forgiveness achievements, the simplification of FAFSA, and the future of education amidst emerging technologies and political challenges. • Highlights the significant accomplishments in student loan forgiveness • Discusses the ongoing modernization of FAFSA • Provides...
Send us a text The future of higher education faces uncertainty as 2025 approaches, emphasizing the need for innovation, inclusivity, and economic mobility. The episode discusses the critical role of artificial intelligence, the challenges rejective institutions will face, and the ongoing fight for equity. • Reflection on 2024 achievements and past guests • Challenges and opportunities for higher education in 2025 • The role of AI in transforming learning experiences • Econ...
Send us a text Unlock the key to higher education's future as we dissect the post-2024 election landscape with me, Eloy Ortiz-Oakley, on the Rant Podcast. This episode promises to unravel the pressing demand for transparency and career alignment within the education sector, highlighting the vital shifts needed to match academic offerings with the economic ambitions of today's students. We'll explore the electorate's clear message: economic mobility and opportunity are paramount, and education...
Send us a text Discover the transformative journey of Alliant International University with insights from Andy Vaughn, its President and CEO, as he unveils the institution's strategic focus on professional practice degrees in mental health, nursing, and teaching, all designed for state licensure. Andy shares the university’s storied legacy of inclusivity and social justice, along with its evolution into a top provider of licensed clinical psychologists in the U.S. Since 2015, Alliant has hone...
Send us a text What if the future of higher education doesn't lie in reinventing the wheel, but in reimagining who the wheel serves? Join me for an insightful conversation with Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, president of Empire State University, where we tackle this compelling question head-on. As a trailblazer in the SUNY system, Dr. Vollendorf shares how Empire State is setting new standards for online education, creating a flexible and inclusive learning environment for students aged 15 to 80. We sh...
Send us a text Can higher education be the key to economic mobility for low and moderate-income learners in California? In our latest episode, we welcome back Michael Itzkowitz from the HEA Group to delve into this pressing question. Uncover the surprising findings of his latest report with the College Futures Foundation, "California Programs that Pay: Measuring Return on Investment Across Majors and Credentials." Discover how an impressive 88% of college programs in California allow students...
Send us a text Discover a groundbreaking approach to teacher education as Dr. Mallory Palish, former chancellor of REACH University and CEO of Craft Education, unveils her innovative solutions to the pressing challenges in academia. This episode promises to enlighten listeners on how REACH University’s apprenticeship model is bridging the gap between higher education and the teacher labor market. Learn how this model enables future educators to earn their degrees through a combination of even...
Send us a text Hollywood film producer Scott Budnick, known for blockbusters like the Hangover Trilogy and Just Mercy, shares his journey from making hits to transforming lives through prison reform. What triggered a successful Hollywood producer to dedicate his life to mentoring incarcerated youth? Scott reveals the heart-wrenching encounters that steered him down this path and how his collaborations, including introducing Kim Kardashian to prison reform, have amplified his impact. Educatio...
Send us a text What if setbacks could actually fuel your success? This week on The Rant Podcast, we kick off season three with the extraordinary Tim Storey, a global thought leader and life strategist known for his transformative impact. We unravel the complexities of the mental health crisis in higher education and provide valuable insights for college students navigating obstacles. Tim underscores the significance of community and partnership, warning against the pitfalls of isolation. Plus...
Send us a text What does it take to lead a university through two decades of transformative change? Join us as Paul LeBlanc, the former president of Southern New Hampshire University, unpacks his remarkable 21-year tenure. Recorded at the ASU GSV Summit in San Diego, Paul opens up about his decision to step down, the growth of SNHU under his leadership, and his vision for the future. You'll learn why timing and leaving an institution in a robust position are crucial for any leader considering...
Send us a text What if the future of higher education is already here, driven by cutting-edge technology and strategic innovation? In this episode, we sit down with Laura Ipsen, CEO of Ellucian, live from the bustling ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego. Laura provides a front-row seat to the pivotal conversations reshaping higher education. From the integration of AI to enhance learning outcomes and streamline administrative tasks to the importance of digital transformation, community interaction, a...
Send us a text Prepare to unlock the future of higher education as we sit down with Dr. Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, at the 14th ASU+GSV Summit. Discover how pioneering technologies, especially artificial intelligence, are revolutionizing the learning landscape. With two decades at the helm of ASU, Dr. Crow shares his insights on democratizing education and using tech to expand classroom boundaries. Whether you're an educator, student, or tech enthusiast, this conversa...
Send us a text Get behind the data and value of higher education as I engage in a focused conversation with Michael Itzkowitz of the HEA Group. Together, we dissect the College Futures Foundation commissioned "Golden Opportunities" report, delving into the intricacies of California's higher education investments and what they mean for students from low-to-moderate-income economic backgrounds. You'll emerge from this episode with a nuanced understanding of how data is revolutionizing both the ...
Send us a text Unlock the full potential within the millions of Americans who have stepped away from higher education. Join the conversation with Tara Crews, the CEO of ReUp Education, as we dissect the multifaceted hurdles that keep 41 million working learners from completing their degrees. This episode isn't just about understanding the barriers; it's about forging pathways to reengagement and success. We're peeling back the layers of financial strain, time poverty, and the longing fo...
Send us a text Unlock the potential of online education as Fernando Bleichmar, CEO of Academic Partnerships, joins us to reveal how his company is helping regional universities reach more learners through online programs. This episode promises a deep exploration into how AP is broadening access to affordable, career-centric programs, especially in vital sectors like nursing and education. We dissect the online program management (OPM) industry and its pivotal role in supporting regional unive...
Send us a text Prepare to navigate the latest currents in workforce development as I, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, team up with Matt Gandal of Education Strategy Group to dissect the monumental federal funding flow reshaping education and job training. The CHIPS Act and the Infrastructure Act are more than economic boosters; they are the architects of a skilled workforce for future jobs. We'll discuss the vital role played by states in harnessing these funds, with a spotlight on the innovative strategi...
Send us a text Listen to this episode to unlock the future of education and workforce development with me, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, as we explore a groundbreaking bipartisan initiative that could transform the Pell Grant program. This isn't just another policy discussion; it's a glimpse into an educational revolution where short-term credentials are poised to redefine our approach to upskilling and reskilling America's workforce. I'll guide you through the complexities and potential of this legisla...
Send us a text Summary: Embark on a captivating journey with esteemed guest Ajita Talwalkar Menon, the trailblazing President and CEO of Calbright College, as she shares her inspiring educational odyssey on this episode of our podcast. Ajita's personal story as a student organizer and her influential role within the Obama administration make her insights on equity and innovation in higher education truly riveting. Join us as we discuss Calbright College's remarkable growth, the seismic shift...
Send us a text Prepare to have your assumptions about standardized testing turned on their head as Eloy Ortiz Oakley digs into the heart of the SAT debate with insights from Jon Boeckenstedt and Akil Bello. This riveting discussion slices through the veil of media advocacy for high-stakes exams, revealing potential biases and the untold stories behind the statistics. As we pick apart a recent New York Times piece by David Leonhardt, the episode raises questions about the College Board's influ...
Send us a text Embark on a transformative journey with the 12th Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, as we traverse his remarkable path from the classrooms of Connecticut to the summit of educational policy. Our conversation uncovers the tidal waves of change he's championed, including the revamp of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the battle against the for-profit education sector's predatory tactics. With over $136 billion in student debt erased, a new dawn has arrived...
Send us a text In this episode I reflect on our recent topics and guests and thank our audience for continuing to tune in. I also announce our new, founding sponsors, Arizona State University, ReUp, OpenClassrooms and Ellucian. We are proud to partner with these sponsors and their support will ensure that we continue to cover important topics and find great guests. Finally, I talk about what our audience can expect in the coming episodes. www.4leggedmedia.com
Send us a text In this episode I dive into the state of black learners in America and the very troubling trends in their enrollment and completion that undermine our nations economic strength. I talk with two great leaders who are working to improve the how higher education leaders and policymakers value and support black learners and create greater economic value through a great post-secondary experience. Zakiya Ellis Smith is the Principal at EducationCounsel and Michael Sorrell is the Pres...
Send us a text In this episode, I talk with Phil Hill, Ed Tech market watcher and writer of the Phil on Ed Tech newsletter. We discuss Short-Term Pell and get into the OPM industry. Will 2U survive? Tune in to hear Phil's take on the finances of the OPM giant, 2U. We also discuss the growth of online enrollments in community colleges and what advice he would give the Under Secretary of Education.
Send us a text In this episode, I talk with Rachel Fishman, acting Director of Higher Education at New America. I ask Rachel about the bipartisan House proposal to create a short-term Pell program and discuss her concerns about the proposal. We also discuss the latest New American survey, Varying Degrees, about the changing perceptions of Americans regarding the value of a higher education.
Send us a text In this episode, I talk with Michael Hansen, CEO of Cengage. Michael and I talk about the transformation of Cengage, a well known global higher education publishing company. Michael has been leading the transformation Cengage from a traditional publisher to a digital publisher and a provider of workforce skills and training. We discuss his push into the skills marketplace and he gives me his take on how AI will impact his industry.
Send us a text In this episode I talk with Paul Fain, higher education journalist and writer for The Job. We talk about the rapid rise in conversations in workforce training & higher education circles about the move toward a skills first framework. Paul discusses what he is seeing as skills and technology take hold in the policy and practice space. He also discusses what he thinks about the impact of AI on the post-secondary education marketplace.
Send us a text In this episode, I present an interview I did as part of a video series for College Futures Foundation, my employer. I interviewed Ben Chida, Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary & Senior Advisor for Cradle to Career in governor Gavin Newsom's administration. Ben and I talk about Governor Newsom's executive order calling for a new California Masterplan for Career Education. Ben describes this effort and why this is a priority for the governor. For more information about the...
Send us a text In this episode, I talk with Scott Pulsipher, president of Western Governors University (WGU). We talk about the history of WGU, the growth of enrollments and the evolution of the teaching and learning model. I discuss with Scott how the WGU team thinks about serving working learners and the importance of their Competency-Based Education model. Scott also describes recent efforts in Congress to codify CBE and the impact of AI on its model.
Send us a text In this episode, I talk with Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO at Coursera. Coursera is one of the pioneers of the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) movement and is now a publicly traded company valued at more than $2 billion. I talk with Jeff about the history of the company, who it is serving and how he and his team are incorporating GAI into their course offerings. Coursera is reaching working learners all over the world and is a key education provider that employers turn to for their ...
Send us a text In this episode, I talk with Maria Flynn, President & CEO at Jobs For the Future (JFF). Maria and I discuss JFF's focus on good jobs, innovation and a skills-based hiring framework. We discuss the rapidly changing workforce and the importance of centering equity in the innovations that are impacting workers.
Send us a text In this episode, I give my take on the recent White House & US Department of Education convening to highlight their recent report, "Strategies for Increasing Diversity & Opportunity in Higher Education." This convening came on the heels of the SCOTUS ruling on race-conscious admissions. I give my Rant on two key points brought up by Gene Black, Chancellor of UCLA, and Anne Kress, President of Northern Virginia Community College. Chancellor Block highlighted ...
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with the U.S.Department of Education Under Secretary of Education, James Kvaal. We discuss a number of wide raging topics including the recent Supreme Court rulings on race-conscious admission and student loan debt forgiveness. Under Secretary Kvaal discusses his goals for the latest rounds of rule making, how his team balances innovation and regulation and his thoughts on whether Congress will ever pass a Higher Education Reauthorization Act.
Send us a text In this episode, I welcome our listeners to Season 2 of The Rant. I describe the successes of Season 1, and preview what is in store for Season 2. In the second part of this episode I offer my first Rant of the Season 2. I get into the recent FIRE lawsuit filed against the California Community College's Chancellor's Office over the recently adopted Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility regulations.
Send us a text In this episode I close out Season 1 of The Rant. I end Season 1 with a conversation from one of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai. I recently visited with Margaret Sanchez, Interim Chancellor of Kauai Community College. From time to time I visit with community college leaders from throughout the country. We talk about the amazing work they do in communities as they serve the top 100% of learners. Given the recent disastrous news coming out of the Island of Maui, I thought that...
Send us a text In this episode I talk with Mike Pierce, Executive Director of the Student Borrower Protection Center. We discuss the recent SCOTUS ruling on the Biden Administrations Student Loan Forgiveness plan. We breakdown the politics of the ruling as well as the Biden Administrations latest plan for student loan relief. Mike gives listeners great background on the student loan crisis as well as resources that borrowers can turn to in order to better understand how to get their loans can...
Send us a text In this episode, I talk with Teresa Watanabe, Staff Writer for the Los Angeles Times who covers the University of California Board of Regents, and Jess Bravin, Supreme Court Correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and a former student regent on the University of California Board of Regents. We discuss the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious admissions. We will break down the politics of the decision and the impact on learners and institutions.
Send us a text In this episode, I give my take on the recent ASU+Summit in San Diego. I talk about who was at the Summit, but more importantly, Rant about who was not at the Summit.
Send us a text In this episode I give my initial impressions on the recent SCOTUS decisions regarding race conscious admissions and student loan debt forgiveness. I set my sights on the responsibility of college and university leaders and what they can do to truly support low-income learners and learners of color. My Rant digs in to some of the hypocrisy that followed the SCOTUS decisions and some thoughts on how to move forward.
Send us a text This is the fourth in a series of episodes where I interview interesting innovators that I ran into at the recent ASU + GSV Summit. In this episode I talk with Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner at GSV Ventures and Co-founder of the ASU+GSV Summit. Deborah shares her experiences in ed tech, how her team partnered with ASU, her personal journey and she highlights the work happening with the ASU+GSV Summit in 2024 and beyond.
Send us a text This is the third in a series of episodes where I interview interesting innovators that I ran into at the recent ASU + GSV Summit. In this episode I talk with Manny Smith, Founder and CEO of Edvisorly. Manny shares his experiences in higher education, his personal journey and he highlights the work happening at EdVisorly, and online platform for helping students transfer and succeed.
Send us a text This is the second in a series of episodes where I interview interesting innovators that I ran into at the recent ASU + GSV Summit. In this episode I talk with Pierre Dubuc, Co-Founder and CEO of OpenClassrooms. Pierre shares his experiences in higher education, his personal journey from France to the US and he highlights the work happening at OpenClassrooms, and online post-secondary education and apprenticeship platform.
Send us a text This is the first in a series of episodes where I interview interesting innovators that I ran into at the recent ASU + GSV Summit. In this episode I talk with Christine Cruzvergara, Chief Education strategy Officer at Handshake. Christine shares her experiences in higher education and highlights the work happening at Handshake to connect more students and recent grads to their next employment opportunity.
Send us a text This episode wraps up the series of episodes regarding the April 2023 Department of Education proposed changes to the definition of a Third-Party Servicer and changes to the Dear Colleague Letter addressing bundled services and revenue share agreements. This is also My RANT on the OPM industry
Send us a text This podcast is an interview with Michael Horn, author, consultant and former co-director of the Clayton Christensen Institute. We discuss the recent Department of Education proposed changes to the definition of a Third-Party Servicer and new restrictions on revenue share agreements. Michael highlights the challenges to innovation that the Department's language might create and he gives his insights on how regulators could better balance innovation with consumer protections whe...
Send us a text In this episode I interview Clare McCann, Higher Education Policy Fellow at Arnold Ventures. Clare and I discuss the challenges in crafting Federal higher education policy and the need to create clearer guardrails to rein in the kinds predatory practices that concern policy makers about the OPM industry.
Send us a text In this episode I discuss the recent class action lawsuit brought by the graduate students of USC's masters in social work online program which was outsourced to the well known OPM, 2U. This lawsuit highlights the predatory recruitment and marketing practices that the US Department of Education is attempting to rein in.
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