Nicknamed “The Assassin” for her ability to bring down an entire company with her words, short seller Fahmi Quadir is renowned across the global financial markets. Driven by her trademark ruthlessness and meticulous research, she seeks to uncover wrongdoing by large companies she believes have engaged in criminality, fraud, and predatory business practices. The founder of Safkhet Capital, Fahmi has taken down giants across the financial world and has been profiled in multiple documentaries. Now, she’s turning her attention to the for-profit education sector, which is the focus of this interview with CECU’s Jason Altmire.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Stackable credentials can broaden access to both postsecondary education and professional training, but what exactly are they, and why are they important? Host Jason Altmire talks to Lindsay Daugherty, a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, about the value of stackable credentials. They discuss which fields offer the greatest opportunities for increased earnings through stackable credentials. Lindsay discusses steps states like Ohio and Colorado are taking to support colleges in developing these credential pipelines. Colleges play a crucial role in facilitating stackable credentials, and Lindsay explains key actions they can undertake to support the process.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

In this episode, host Jason Altmire discusses Georgia's pressing manufacturing workforce shortage with Stephanie Scearce, Director of Workforce Development at the Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM). The discussion unveils the challenges faced by manufacturers in the wake of unprecedented growth, particularly the surge in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.Stephanie sheds light on GAM's proactive strategies to address immediate labor shortages while laying the groundwork for long-term workforce sustainability. Discover the challenges and opportunities in reshaping perceptions, engaging K-12 students, fostering a skilled workforce, and facilitating postsecondary partnerships to address Georgia's workforce needs.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Host Jason Altmire speaks with Edson Barton, the CEO of YouScience, an organization focused on bridging the gap between education systems and career opportunities. YouScience uses a unique approach to help students connect to future careers by understanding their natural aptitudes and aligning them with educational pathways. Edson discusses how the organization collaborates with postsecondary institutions to enhance student recruitment and retention. He also highlights how the roughly 16,000 employers within the YouScience system, ranging from Fortune 500 Companies to mom-and-pop local businesses, connect with students to meet workforce demands.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Host Jason Altmire and Cheryl Oldham, Vice President of Education Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, explore the critical issue of workforce shortages in America through the Chamber’s America Works Initiative. They explore the role of education, including career schools, in addressing the skills gap and the evolving perceptions of alternative pathways. Cheryl emphasizes employer involvement in shaping the talent pipeline, particularly through their Talent Pipeline Management initiative. She also touches on the impact of childcare issues on women's workforce participation and the ongoing efforts to create a more supportive and flexible childcare system.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

In this episode, Jason Altmire speaks to Trace Urdan, Managing Director at Tyton Partners, who brings a wealth of experience in private equity research within the education sector. The conversation delves into the challenges facing higher education, including school closures and consolidations, the rising costs of college, and insight into online program management.  Trace tells Jason about the trends he’s noticing in higher education, particularly how changing student demographics are affecting the finances of traditional institutions. He pushes back on the assumption that private equity is nefarious and causes bad outcomes in higher education. To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

We need skilled workers to rebuild America, but for many, the barrier of education costs standsin the way. Host Jason Altmire speaks with Jennifer Maher, the executive director of theTechForce Foundation, about their commitment to helping individuals find career educationopportunities. They also discuss how individuals can apply for scholarships and grants, howschools can become involved, and other valuable resources.The TechForce Foundation will award $2.3 million in scholarships and grants this year. Mahertalks about the importance of this funding to enable workers facing financial hardship to pursuewhat she calls America’s “new collar” careers.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

Proficiency in AI will be crucial for students entering the job market. Higher education institutionsmust integrate AI into academic settings to better prepare students for the workforce. Guest Dr.Van Davis shares his research with host Jason Altmire. Dr. Davis explains how colleges areusing AI, as well as the benefits and challenges of incorporating AI.Dr. Van Davis is the Chief Strategy Officer for WCET – the WICHE Cooperative for EducationalTechnologies, an organization focused on digital learning in higher education. He’s the co-author of a report on the use of artificial intelligence in higher education.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

It is no surprise that higher education is a complex enterprise, and within it, private and nonprofit colleges and universities face unique challenges. In this episode, Dr. Jason Altmire speaks with Dr. Barbara Mistick about working toward equity and navigating complicated regulatory, funding, and policy issues in higher education.Dr. Mistick is the President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). Dr. Mistick leads an association with a diverse membership of over a thousand private, nonprofit colleges and universities across the United States. From major research universities to liberal arts colleges, historically black colleges, and more, Barbara understands the challenges and opportunities facing higher education policymakers and administrators.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

An increasing number of Americans are losing confidence in the value of higher education. In this episode, Dr. Jason Altmire speaks with economist Dr. Beth Akers about the value of a college degree, the ramifications of student loan forgiveness policies, and the role of data in higher education accountability.Dr. Akers is a Senior Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, with a focus on the economics of higher education. The conversation further explores the politics of student loan, forgiveness in addition to delving into Dr. Akers’ book Making College Pay: An Economist Explains How to Make a Smart Bet on Higher Education.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.