In this episode of Signals, Laura Glabb sits down with Andrew Shean, Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster University, for a candid conversation about the state—and future—of online learning. With over 300,000 students enrolled across high school, college, and career programs, Penn Foster is quietly shaping a radically affordable, career-aligned alternative to traditional education. Shean dives into how the university keeps students debt-free, partners with major employers like Walmart and Petco, and tailors learning for adult and nontraditional students. From embedding AI literacy into the curriculum to rethinking outdated general education requirements, he shares the strategies that make Penn Foster’s model stand out in a crowded market.

Shean also unveils the LADS model, a research-backed approach to designing learner-centered, authentic, active, differentiated, and skill-based experiences—already showing double-digit gains in completion rates. Along the way, he reflects on why online learning often misses the mark, the barriers that still exist for students, and why he remains deeply optimistic about the disruptive potential of technology in education. This is a must-listen for educators, innovators, and learners who want to understand how education can be more effective, equitable, and aligned with the realities of today’s job market.

Key Moments

03:57 "Online Education's Evolving Accessibility"

06:53 Online Learning: Quality vs. Marketing

09:50 Degree Value and Career Alignment

15:39 "Critical Thinking as Education's Cornerstone"

17:30 Integrating AI in Education

20:27 Online Learning Expands Access

23:48 "Doubling Vet Tech Completion Rates"

26:57 Penn Foster's Completion Rate Growth

31:59 Optimism vs. Resistance to Change

36:13 "Overcoming Isolation in Online Learning"

37:19 Rethinking Outdated Learning Models

41:44 Under-19 Progress Challenges Explored

46:21 Open Dialogue on Education

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you care about the future of education—or if you’re navigating it yourself—this conversation will leave you inspired and informed. You’ll hear how Penn Foster is challenging the “cash cow” mentality of traditional online programs, designing with learning science at the forefront, and making education accessible without lifelong debt. Andrew Shean’s blend of data-driven insight, educator’s heart, and relentless optimism offers a rare look at what it really takes to make online learning effective, equitable, and career-relevant. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or lifelong learner, this episode will challenge your assumptions and spark new ideas about where learning is headed next.

Connect with Andrew Shean

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-shean

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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 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/

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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

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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 Signals Podcast, host Laura Glaab sits down with Dr. Mallory Dwinal Palisch, president, craft at Western Governors University to dive deep into the complex, and often overlooked challenges at the intersection of education and the workforce. Dr. Palisch breaks down how Craft is tackling the "boring" but critical problem of connecting K-12 schools, higher education, and employers through streamlined data and reporting systems, unlocking new opportunities for learners and institutions alike.

Together, Laura and Dr. Palisch explore why so many talented individuals, whether high school interns, paraprofessionals, or recent college graduates, struggle to get credit for their real-world experience, and what systemic changes are needed to build stronger career pathways. From stories of rural education and the nursing shortage to the need for apprenticeships across all careers, not just trades, this conversation brings powerful personal anecdotes and data-driven insights.

Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or just passionate about the future of learning and work, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how we develop and recognize talent. Stick around for rapid-fire questions, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on the skills and mindsets we need for a more connected, equitable future.

Key Moments

03:45 Upskilling Inefficiency and Workforce Challenges

11:14 Paid Trials for All Careers

18:09 Integrated Pathways for Teacher Development

24:24 Streamlined Medical Education Debate

30:24 "Rethinking Education for Frontline Roles"

35:03 Career Path Flexibility and Progression

40:21 Balancing Growth with Genuine Innovation

43:24 Education's Debt and Duty Crisis

45:49 Solving Problems with Personal Legacy

Why You’ll Love This Episode:
If you care about upskilling, workforce pipelines, or just building smarter career pathways, definitely give this episode a listen. The road to educational equity and workforce readiness may be messy, but as Dr. Dwinal Palisch shows, the right kinds of infrastructure can make all the difference.

Connect with Dr. Mallory Dwinal Palisch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallory-dwinal-palisch/
Website: https://www.wgu.edu/

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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?
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In this episode of The Signals Podcast, host Laura Glabb sits down with Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart and former executive director of education at the Gates Foundation to explore the evolving world of credentialing, personalized learning, and the next generation of education. From his early advocacy for digital badges and learning records to his current work shaping AI-first schools, Tom shares a behind-the-scenes look at two decades of pushing the boundaries of education reform.

Laura and Tom delve into the complexities of skill-based hiring, the limitations of degrees as signals, and the need for richer, verified learner experiences on resumes. They discuss why the future of education lies in building better signaling systems, ones that capture not only what learners know, but what they’ve done. With humor, honesty, and a healthy dose of realism, Tom reflects on what it takes to innovate in a messy, slow-moving ecosystem and why he still believes deeply in the power of new schools, new tools, and human potential.

Key Moments

05:10 "Challenges in Personalized Learning Progress"

07:58 AI Enhancing Credential Utility

11:08 Rethinking Resume Signals

14:35 Enhancing Experience Through Metadata

20:49 Emerging Industry Apprenticeship Trends

24:53 Cautious Shift to Credentialed Education

27:10 Rethinking Graduation: Skills and Experiences

30:30 Education System Innovation Reports

33:58 "Evolution of Horizon Schools"

39:13 Dynamic, Personalized Learning Paths

42:16 "AI-Driven Micro School Initiative"

43:38 Micro Schools: Quick Launch Revolution

47:23 "Collective and Individual Learning Journeys"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

• You’re tired of degrees that say little about what someone can actually do. Tom challenges the utility of traditional credentials and offers a compelling alternative vision rooted in real-world skills and verified experiences.

  
  

• You want to understand why personalized learning hasn’t scaled—yet. Gain perspective from someone who’s been championing this work since 2010 and has the receipts to prove it.

  
  

• You're curious about AI’s role in reshaping education. From dynamic content to project-based tutoring, Tom lays out how AI could finally make personalized, equitable learning a reality.

  
  

• You care about making education more meaningful and equitable. Whether you’re in K–12, higher ed, workforce development, or edtech, this conversation will reframe how you think about learner profiles and the future of opportunity.

Connect with Tom Vander Ark

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomvanderark
Website: https://www.gettingsmart.com

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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?
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Share this episode with education leaders, mentors, and anyone who believes in outcomes with heart.