In this episode of The Signals, host Laura Glaab sits down with Dr. Marc Austin, Vice Provost and Managing Director of Montclair State University’s ambitious new initiative—Montclair Unbound. Together, they unpack what it really means to “remove barriers” in higher education, from rethinking how we deliver online learning to closing capability gaps that keep students from thriving.

Dr. Austin shares a compelling vision of AI-powered tutors that call you before a deadline, curriculum designed for “Netflix-level” anticipation, and skill transcripts that give students meaningful credentials—even if life interrupts their degree. Drawing on his experience leading transformative online programs at George Mason University and Augusta University, he reveals why onboarding and offboarding students might be the most overlooked—and most impactful—parts of higher ed.

The conversation also dives into why persistence matters more than graduation rates, how to create truly engaging online learning, and why he believes optimism is essential for education’s future.

Key Moments

04:29 Montclair State's Student Success

08:17 "Overcoming Barriers in Online Education"

12:37 "New Jersey's Educational Opportunity"

15:12 Community College Costs Hidden Expense

17:15 "Online Education Quality Perception"

22:24 Challenges and Opportunities in Micro-Credentials

26:28 "Micro Credentials as Skill Transcripts"

28:57 Student Persistence and Support Services

31:59 "Creating High Engagement in Courses"

34:56 "Organizational Coordination Challenges"

37:42 "Playbooks for Online University Success"

41:30 Demonstrating Value Beyond Degrees

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

If you’ve ever wondered whether online education can match—or even surpass—the on-campus experience, this episode will change how you think about it. Dr. Marc Austin blends hard data with real-world solutions, showing how technology, strategy, and empathy can work together to make higher ed more accessible, more engaging, and more valuable for every learner. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or lifelong learner, you’ll walk away with a renewed sense of what’s possible when universities dare to reinvent themselves.

Connect with Dr. Marc Austin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcaustin

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Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyronlearning/

Company Website: https://www.kyronlearning.com/

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In this episode of The Signals, host Laura Glaab sits down with Anzar Khaliq, Chief Learning Officer at San Francisco Bay University, to explore a bold and necessary question: What if we rebuilt higher education from the ground up?

Anzar shares how SFBU is doing just that—challenging every norm, from the credit hour to the concept of the traditional lecture. You’ll hear how the university is designing deeply personalized, experiential, and relationship-centered learning experiences that empower students not only to succeed in their careers but to grow as humans. From AI-powered teaching assistants to frameworks rooted in empathy, equity, and real-world application, this is higher ed reimagined for the 21st century.

Together, Laura and Anzar dive into what it means to serve underserved learners, how education must evolve to keep pace with industry, and why traits like tenacity, optimism, and global awareness are the new essential skills.

Key Moments

03:27 Barriers to University Success

07:12 Learner-Centric Teaching Approaches

13:13 Defining Success in Silicon Valley

14:34 "Tenacity Through Competency Metrics"

18:42 Misconceptions About Elite Institutions

22:48 "From Thought to Action"

25:12 "Challenges in Personalized Learning Evolution"

31:23 "The Netflix of AP Courses"

32:21 AI Transforms Personalized Education

36:30 Personalized Learning Challenges

39:59 Rethinking Teaching for Neurodiversity

43:03 "Commitment Beyond Spotlight"

45:15 Embrace Probabilities, Not Certainties

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

You’ll love this episode if you’ve ever questioned whether the traditional model of college still works—or ever really did. Anzar Khaliq offers a radical yet deeply thoughtful blueprint for a system that prioritizes people over prestige, outcomes over optics, and action over academic inertia. Whether you’re a student, educator, innovator, or just curious about the future of learning, this episode delivers equal parts insight, inspiration, and practical disruption.

Connect with Anzar Khaliq

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anzarkhaliq

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Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyronlearning/

Company Website: https://www.kyronlearning.com/

Enjoyed this episode?
Subscribe to The Signals Podcast and leave us a review!
Share this episode with education leaders, mentors, and anyone who believes in outcomes with heart.

In this episode of The Signals Podcast, host Laura Glaab sits down with Dr. Shannon McCarty, Vice Provost of Learning and Instruction at Calbright College—California’s groundbreaking online community college designed exclusively for adult learners. Shannon shares how Calbright is rewriting the playbook for higher education through competency-based, flexibly-paced, tuition-free programs aimed at unserved populations.

From overcoming institutional inertia to experimenting with work-based learning, project-based assessments, and student-driven design, Shannon dives into how Calbright empowers learners to upskill on their terms. You'll also hear candid reflections on challenges with funding, the tension between innovation and policy, and why Calbright believes the future of education shouldn’t require a one-size-fits-all degree.

Whether you're an educator, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this episode offers an insider’s look at how the future of workforce development is unfolding today.

Key Moments

05:17 Improving Student Completion Rates

07:41 Rejoining Workforce After Hiatus

12:37 Community College: Free But Sustainable?

14:05 Calibrate's Secret to Success?

18:55 "Educator's Passion: Innovation in EdTech"

21:10 Challenges in Implementing Competency-Based Education

23:04 Education Needs Diverse Pathways

28:57 "Learning-Focused Education Journey"

32:06 Empowering Change Through UX/UI Learning

33:00 Future of Personalized Online Learning

36:47 "Emphasizing Durable Skills"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

• You’re frustrated by how higher ed often leaves adult learners behind. Shannon offers a bold, working model for serving unserved populations—flexible, free, and built entirely around the realities of adult life.
• You want to see what learner-centered education really looks like. From human-centered design to weekly program starts, Calbright is a living case study in how to meet students where they are—and keep them moving forward.
• You're intrigued by competency-based education but unsure how it works in practice. Shannon demystifies CBE with clear examples of project-based learning, skill-based assessments, and real pathways to employment.
• You care about transforming education without waiting for traditional systems to catch up. Whether you’re building programs, shaping policy, or navigating your own learning journey, this episode will expand your sense of what’s possible.

Connect with Dr. Shannon McCarty

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonmccartyphd
Website: https://www.calbright.edu

Follow Us On

Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyronlearning/

Company Website: https://www.kyronlearning.com/

Enjoyed this episode?
Subscribe to The Signals Podcast and leave us a review!
Share this episode with education leaders, mentors, and anyone who believes in outcomes with heart.