Todays Students, Tomorrows Talent

In March 2026, Lumina Foundation announced the From Campus to Career initiative—an effort to scale career-connected high-impact practices and strengthen workforce outcomes for students.  In this deep dive episode, we talk with experts and practitioners to better understand what makes a practice high-impact, the factors that lead to institutional change, and the importance of authentically engaging faculty in the design and implementation of HIPs.

Reflecting on 2025, this show brings back key conversations that are sure to carry over into 2026. This episode revisits a conversation about American prosperity and Lumina's new goal focused on credentials of value, a discussion about higher education's role in shaping artificial intelligence, and a review of three states working to redesign admissions systems.  

Hear insights from a nationwide movement. The live podcast includes real stories from the field illuminating how change happens—and where it’s heading.

This summer, the National Student Clearinghouse issued a new report with mixed news.  While many states have made progress in re-enrolling people who have some college credit but have yet to earn their credential, the total population of US adults in this group has grown.  Now, over 43 million Americans have some college credit but stopped out before they could complete their first credential.  Lumina’s Dr. Chris Mullin and Dr. Wendy Sedlak talk through the report and discusses what states and institutions are doing to reverse the trend.  Sallie Glickman, Managing of the Burning Glass Institute shares new work that uses big data to predict the likelihood that someone will re-enroll and complete.  

Twenty-four states allow community and technical colleges to issue bachelors degrees. Proponents argue that these programs are tightly aligned to workforce needs, more affordable, and meet the needs of people who live far or otherwise can’t attend a university. Critics are concerned about the quality of education, financing these programs, and competing for enrollment with nearby universities. Guests Dr. Debra Bragg, Jim Reed, and Sunaina Virendra talk through these issue and discuss recent efforts to launch new community college baccalaureate programs.

Discover how higher education serves as a catalyst for climate solutions and societal progress in this live taping of Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Talent podcast from the 2025 SXSW Podcast Lounge. Leaders in academia, policy, and environmental advocacy will unpack the role learning beyond high school plays in driving innovation, creating climate resilient economies, and preparing the next generation of changemakers. From cutting-edge research to community engagement initiatives, this show explores how higher education leverages resources to tackle climate challenges, advances equity, and builds a more sustainable future. Gain insights into transformative projects and actionable strategies that demonstrate the societal impact of aligning education with environmental stewardship. Guests:  Tessa LeSage, Chief Impact Officer, Collaboratory Alex McBride, Senior Program Officer, Waverly Street Foundation

Nearly 9 in 10 Americans that currently do not have a degree believe that earning an academic credential is valuable.  And yet, there is waning confidence in higher education across the country, as many people ask if they will get a return on their investment.  In this episode, we visit Lupita Trujillo, a mother of three, who shares how these decisions sounded in her household.  We also review the latest Gallup-Lumina Foundation reports about perceptions of higher education with Dr. Courtney Brown. REPORTS: The State of Higher Education 2025 - https://www.gallup.com/analytics/644939/state-of-higher-education.aspx U.S. Confidence in Higher Education - https://news.gallup.com/poll/646880/confidence-higher-education-closely-divided.aspx 2025 Aspen Prize Winner - https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/press-releases/southwest-wisconsin-technical-college-named-winner-1-million-2025-aspen-prize

This live session, taped at SXSW 2025, explores the interplay between higher education and artificial intelligence, delving into how academic institutions are responding to the proliferation of AI in the workplace and economy. Leaders from academia, economic development, and industry discuss how universities and colleges are advancing research and equipping students with the skills to lead in an AI-powered future. From addressing social inequities to preparing cities for the economy of the future, the conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI when nurtured within higher education, and the tradeoffs that must be made in an education system wired for the past. Guests Alisa Miller, Chief AI Officer, Board Director and Co-founder, Pluralytics, Aletheia Marketing and Media; Board Chair, Lumina Foundation John McDonald, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Tulsa Innovation Labs Julie Schell, Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Technology and Director of the Office of Academic Technology, University of Te

In this special edition, we have a conversation on how to drive economic growth, strengthen civic life, and equip individuals to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Experts from workforce, higher education and philanthropy will dive into how learning after high school cultivates a skilled workforce, fosters innovation, and improves quality of life for American communities.  This show was recorded live from the podcast lounge at SXSW. 

Community colleges play a critical role in America, but many struggle to tell their own story. This episode dives into how schools are using SEO, branding, and mobile-friendly marketing to reshape perceptions and connect with their communities. Guests from Iowa Lakes, Great Falls, and marketing firm TrendyMinds share insights on innovative strategies—including how a mascot helped one college rebrand. Listen in to hear how community colleges are changing the way they communicate. Show Links: The Social Media InstituteIowa Lakes “Get To It” CampaignMo the River Otter Steal These Strategies by Mary Laphen Pope

In a word, the 2024 FAFSA season was rough. Released late, riddled with errors, and issues with processing led to a chaotic college enrollment season for schools and families. With the 2025 FAFSA now released, we took some time to catch up with James Kvall, Under Secretary of Education to learn how they went about fixing the form.  We also talked with Sam Aleinikoff and Dr. Corey Sheffield of College AIM, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, that participated in a pilot group to test the 2025 form.   Show Links: College AIM - https://collegeaim.org/Ron Lieber’s Piece about 2025 FAFSA - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/23/your-money/fafsa-financial-aid-college.html?unlocked_article_code=1.gk4.yk3g.8fYt7EJK8hb-&smid=url-share

Colleges and universities are facing a demographic shift now dubbed the “enrollment cliff.”  Concerns over a decline in the number of traditional age students has led some institutions to rethink admissions processes. Lumina Foundation’s Melanie Heath joins Rathi Sudhakara from the Washington Student Achievement Council and Jonathan Gagliardi from Northern Arizona University to discuss innovative new practices and policies.   Lessons from the Great Admissions Redesign: https://www.luminafoundation.org/news-and-views/the-great-admissions-redesign-three-things-we-learned-when-we-asked-the-nation-to-redo-college-admissions/

States across the country have proposed or enacted legislation that hampers or eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on college campuses.  These efforts range from removing diversity statements from job posting to outright elimination of student support services.  Erin Gretzinger and Maggie Hicks from the Chronicle of Higher Education gives us a national overview and Veronica Selzler from Hattaway Communications talks about a new toolkit designed to help bridge the communications gap.  The Chronicle’s Tracker - https://www.chronicle.com/article/tracking-higher-eds-dismantling-of-dei Communicating about Racial Equity - https://www.luminafoundation.org/talking-about-racial-equity-and-racial-justice/racial-equity-framework/ Making Opportunity Real: A framework to communicate about racial equity - https://www.luminafoundation.org/resource/making-opportunity-real-a-framework-for-communicating-about-racial-equity/

Recently released data on Lumina’s Stronger Nation tool shows that the national education attainment rate has reached 54.3 percent. The country has increased in education attainment by 16 percentage points since 2008.  Dr. Courtney Brown and Dr. Chris Mullin of Lumina Foundation share the stories, insights, and considerations under these banner numbers.

There is a staffing crisis in healthcare - a crisis that is so bad, that some are calling it a national emergency. To meet today’s and tomorrow’s labor demand, leaders need to provide clear and supported career pathways to adults already in the workforce.  In this episode, Dr. Jill Buban of EdAssist joins us to talk about their work developing new career pathways, and describes what it takes to make a talent-focused partnership work.  Dory Manner of Yale New Haven Health and Gerard Camacho of Atrium Advocate Health discuss the important steps healthcare employers need to take to attract, develop, and retain talent in critical areas.  

A new report from NASPA and Uwill sheds light on the growing need and urgency to provide mental health services on college campuses.  In this episode, we discuss the findings from this national survey, discuss a state-wide initiative in Texas to improve mental health and wellbeing, and hear from two campus-based practitioners.   Guests include:  David Arnold, NASPA Michael London, Uwill Jenny Achilles, Trellis Foundation Leilani Lamb, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute Dr. Nina Enriquez, University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley Allexa Zwinck, Panhandle Community Partnership Show Notes: NASPA’s and Uwill’s College Mental Report Trellis Foundation’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Cohort

Listen in as state and federal policy experts weigh in on the major themes from 2022 and expectations for 2023.  Julie Peller from Higher Learning Advocates walks through the major movements at the federal level, and Paola Santana from Lumina Foundation discusses state-level priorities for the upcoming year.  Catch up with state leaders from Arkansas, California, Kentucky, and Michigan as they reflect on key ideas from a late 2022 state policy retreat.   Guests include: Julie Peller, Higher Learning Advocates Paola Santana, Lumina Foundation Aaron Thompson, President, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Lande Ajose, Vice President & Senior Fellow, Public Policy Institute of California Maria Markham, Director, Arkansas Division of Higher Education Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network Show Notes: Higher Learning Advocates Widen the Path Campaign Lumina’s Stronger Nation Report

Mainstream media and industry news shapes, reinforces, and redresses commonly held narratives - those underlying beliefs and attitudes that drive human behavior - about higher education and the workforce.  Dr. Rita Parhad and Emily Keane from Protagonist discuss the major narratives and counter narratives that exist in America today, what drives them, and the implications these narratives have on individual and institutional behavior.  Show Links: Economic Opportunity and Social Mobility Landscape Report

Institutions and non-profits across the country are providing new kinds of services and redesigning policies and practices to support more adults in higher education. In part 2, we talk with Malik Brown and Sena Owereko from Graduate Philadelphia, and from Dr. Ed Mills and Kaley Martin at Sacramento State University about how they are changing outcomes for adult learners.

Millions of adults in the US have some college credit but never finished their degree. The path back into school a second time is much harder to navigate.  We begin a two-part series by talking with adult students and their coaches to learn about what it takes to return to school.  Listen as Juquilla Henry, her coach April Mesa, and Jamar Izzard share their stories of returning to higher education.  Show Links: Veering Off-Track: ‘Some college, no degree’ numbers spike to 39 million Learn more about FutureMakers Navigator support in southwest Florida.