In this episode Swimming Upstream, I'm your host,Tom Luna Tom Luna engages in an enlightening conversation with Gordon Jones, President of the College of Western Idaho (CWI), live from the ASU GSV Conference in San Diego. With a rich educational background spanning K-12 teaching to leadership roles at Ivy League institutions, Gordon shares his compelling journey and vision for CWI, one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the Boise region.

Gordon delves into the transformative impact of community colleges in today’s evolving educational landscape, emphasizing the urgency of making higher education both affordable and accessible. He highlights CWI’s groundbreaking new programs, such as the low-cost 4-year business degree tailored to meet the dynamic demands of Idaho’s workforce and the broader community. Together, they discuss how CWI’s forward-thinking initiatives are designed to foster public trust and drive generational change through innovation and empathy.

Listeners will be captivated by insights from the Harvard Innovation Lab and trends defying predictions about community college growth, as well as how CWI is uniquely positioning itself as a catalyst for economic and educational advancement. Whether you’re passionate about education reform or community-driven leadership, this episode offers valuable lessons for all.

Key Moments

00:00 Interview with Gordon Jones at the ASUGSV conference.

03:38 Harvard Innovation Lab: Global talent fostering cross-disciplinary ideas.

08:29 Many predictions are now respected amid education changes.

13:22 Community college growth defies trends, driven by demand.

16:26 Community colleges offer alternatives to 4-year degrees.

20:46 New Idaho business bachelor's degree approval pending.

21:53 Bachelor’s demand unmet; education ecosystem strengthens.

Connect with Gordon Jones

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-jones-4967174/

Website: https://cwi.edu/

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna welcomes Steve Bowen, Executive Director of the Hoover Education Success Initiative, to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in education policy and reform. With a rich background as a former Maine legislator, educator, and education commissioner, Bowen brings unique insights into the intersection of state leadership and education reform.

Bowen shares his journey from teaching middle and high school social studies to shaping education policy at a state level. His experience in the Maine legislature and as commissioner of education helped him understand the critical relationship between policymakers and educators in enacting meaningful reforms.

At the Hoover Institution, Bowen focuses on ensuring research informs public policy. He discusses the initiative's current projects, including a deep dive into the lessons learned over the 40 years since A Nation at Risk, and the exploration of systemic changes in education. With his role at Hoover, Bowen aims to translate rigorous academic research into actionable insights for policymakers, helping address pressing issues like COVID-19 recovery, funding models, and the evolving role of education in civic health.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the need for a shift in how education systems operate and the importance of focusing reforms on student achievement while balancing the unique needs of rural and urban communities.

Key Moments

00:00 Teacher turned legislator and education policy advisor.

04:55 Hoover excels in thorough, rigorous educational research.

08:53 Considering new governance for sustainable education reform.

09:49 Rethink educational reform beyond constant lists.

13:23 Focus on civic education, schools' role emphasized.

17:26 Effective school funding requires strategic capacity building.

21:26 Seeking new educational reform catalyst post-COVID.

24:06 Embrace continuous learning for adapting to change.

26:04 Children are 100% future; subscribe for more.

Connect with Steve Bowen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbowen207

Website: https://www.hoover.org/

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna speaks with Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education in Tennessee. The discussion centers around the state's efforts to retain local talent and prevent companies from needing to recruit out of state. Lizzette highlights the importance of creating strong pipelines for local employment to ensure Tennessee's economic success.

Lizzette also shares her excitement about the ongoing educational reforms in Tennessee, emphasizing the long-term impact that will be seen in the next 20 years. The episode wraps up on a lighter note as Lizzette reveals a fun fact about Tennessee: the famous Moon Pie was founded in Chattanooga, adding a bit of local flavor to the conversation.

Listeners are left with a strong sense of Lizzette's passion for her work and a glimpse into Tennessee's efforts to build a brighter future for its students and workforce.

Key Moments

00:00 Inspired to work for Governor Bill Lee.

05:10 Governor Lee focuses on long-term educational impact.

07:51 The Achievement indicator had been student proficiency.

12:03 The Team worked hard, ensuring schools' performance data.

15:16 Improving literacy and math: Adjusting policies needed.

17:53 Refocus education on academics for student success.

21:11 Tennessee invested $500M in career technical education.

Connect with Lizzette Reynolds

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

Website: https://www.tn.gov/education/