Rethinking Higher Ed

&gt;&gt; Aislynn: It's so hard to feel successful in a world where you need a degree for anything. &gt;&gt; Ruby: All my friends are college ready and I'm not. &gt;&gt; Eric: I still don't really know what College Ready really means. &gt;&gt; Aislynn: It's expensive, it's hard to find any information. &gt;&gt; Eric: The whole idea of if you don't go to a top school, you're not as good, it really got to me. &gt;&gt; Ruby: What if I don't get into college? What if I'm stuck? [LAUGH]. Hi, my name is Ruby Savala. &gt;&gt; Aislynn: My name is Asylum Faith. &gt;&gt; Eric: Aloha, my name is Eric Polmichaee G, the value of education is something that is brought up constantly. &gt;&gt; Ruby: So that's why we're gonna be traveling in an RV. &gt;&gt; Aislynn: Across the country. &gt;&gt; Eric: Talking to people about just that. We wanna learn about their educational path. &gt;&gt; Ruby: Their process into higher education. &gt;&gt; Aislynn: Why they have chosen their careers and what college means to them. &gt;&gt; Speaker 4: I think there's a lot of expectations that students show up to college college ready. When are we gonna hold institutions accountable to being student ready? &gt;&gt; Eric: Being able to spend all this time on the road, getting to meet new people, seeing the amazing landmarks and just driving on the road, driving the RV is so cool. &gt;&gt; Aislynn: I want to find the best program for me, I just don't really know where to go next. &gt;&gt; Ruby: I value education so much and I fear failure. &gt;&gt; Eric: I definitely was having a little dilemma on what I really wanted my next four years to look like. The financial aspect scared me and it definitely scared my family a little bit. &gt;&gt; Speaker 5: There's a misconception that you need to have accomplished certain things at certain times, there is no one way to get to anywhere. [MUSIC] &gt;&gt; Aislynn: Getting to meet so many people who've had such unique experiences with their education, it's been really, really inspiring. &gt;&gt; Eric: I was spending too much time thinking about the future when I need to be focusing on the now. &gt;&gt; Speaker 7: My advice would be explore, be accepting toward changes, and don't fear them, you need to be adaptable. &gt;&gt; Aislynn: I think it was really, really cool to hear that the things that I wanna do are achievable and possible. &gt;&gt; Eric: Colleges need to create a space that is friendly, equitable, and a place where every single person that attends that university can thrive. And I think that that's possible, we're gonna find a way to make change in the country. [MUSIC] 

Get a glimpse of this two-episode series about all the affordable, inclusive, and equitable postsecondary pathways available to you.

Rethinking Higher Ed Trailer

where you need a degree for anything. compared to everybody else. ready and I'm not. really know what college ready really means. any information. you don't go to a top school, the students that go to a top school really got to me. a huge part of who you become. don't get into college? [LAUGH] [INAUDIBLE] my name is Ruby Savala. is Aislynn Fait. my name is Eric Pomaika'i Gee. is something that is brought up constantly. investment than it costs me financially and emotionally? going to be traveling in an RV. people about just that. their educational path. into higher education. chosen their careers and what college means to them. a lot of expectations that students show up to college institutions accountable to being student-ready? driving an RV that's the size of some of my classrooms, I get to have this opportunity to do what so many people don't. >> Eric: Awesome, okay. >> Aislynn: Wow- >> Ruby: For a month. I'm gonna be driving this. >> Ruby: Are you nervous? I feel pretty good. from high school. dilemma on what I really wanted my next four years to look like. attend a private university on the East Coast, scared me, and it definitely scared my family a little bit. with my associate's degree. a gap year right now. college next year. program for me. know where to go next. a student at community college. it was very sheltered. when it came to education, so there's a lot of pressure. much, and I fear failure. think you wanna sleep? sleep in the hallway. in the bunk bed too. >> Aislynn: My name is Aislynn Fait. liberal arts and sciences. got my degree. entire life until I turned 17. good place in my life. a lot more expectation on college because of that, the opportunity to meet people and be outside of my house. different service projects and really started a passion for me in helping others. dressing up and styling clothes. there's a lot of issues in the fashion industry. the sustainability portion of fashion marketing and I'm passionate about, which is helping others, and very interested in, and this one role that I'm not sure if really exists out there. to get any information for something so specific. that we did was with Rodney. >> Aislynn: Hi, I'm Aislynn, nice to meet you. nice to meet y'all. Roadtripper that went on a trip in this very RV. and I also went to community college. seeing how he's lived and professional career with what he's been able to do. bring back memories. I had the opportunity to travel with Roadtrip Nation. opening experience, to say the least, and the trip of a lifetime. an impoverished environment, lot that I had to kinda question beneficial for myself. get out of that environment in order to hear my own voice and Fresno Pacific University, which was a four-year university. there working and eventually couldn't afford rent. Hoag Hospital, and that brought me down to Orange County. making a lot more money, was a lot more stable. Orange Coast College, which is a community college, and got my AA in kinesiology. anesthesia tech, a lot of unconventional routes. way to let you guys know that there is no script, instructions on how to get to where you're going. on listening to what life is telling you. >> Aislynn: [LAUGH] >> Rodney: [LAUGH] Thank you. to the person who's currently contemplating college because every single person, what it is that they're trying to do specifically. you have that can contribute to this goal of learning, if it's how to be a doctor, if it's how to heal somebody? you might type in on Google, just really ask yourself, I have to get towards this goal? the money to go to school, go meet new people, different in order to broaden your perspective. the end of the day. whatever your hobby is that you can leverage into some go out there and get hands-on. community colleges kinda tend to cater more towards, certifications that you can go get real quick, yourself until you decide, okay, what's my next step? skills pay the bills. that's a great way to put it. resume, where I put life skills, that gonna get the bills paid? kinda test my sense of purpose, test my presence. I think college did a number for with any sort of information. experienced, every mistake, it was all worth it. opportunity, be present, put yourself out there, every single conversation, even if it's not curated truly want to to do, and remember skills pay bills. >> Rodney: [LAUGH] made me feel like the value of college is what the individual can do with it. successful now, and more so I see that he's happy, there's really no limits in what you can learn. his experience when he used to drive the RV. the RV and talk to him while he was navigating and at this light? make a right, a left, sorry. honest, we did get lost twice. Ruby Savala, I am 18 years old, Houston, Texas. I love to rescue animals. for our chicken coop, which is right there. a bunch of chickens, then I'm wanting to get a goat. I am a student at San Jacinto Community College. obtaining my associate's degree in criminal justice. two security license, I am also CPR certified. achievements that are pushing me in the direction of my the Investigation Discovery channel. the investigations, watching people piece together everything interesting to me, and I wanted to do more of that. livelihood, I value education so it a priority for me. have had to pay out of pocket, is putting a toll on my family. really made it important for me to get my education. later on, I would like to have my family be comfortable. bracket, where I don't get enough for FAFSA, but is such an exclusive thing. get the help you need when you desperately need it? to be talking to Will Del Pilar and Estrella Serrato. first-generation graduates, so to hear their perspective on what education means to them. There should be more representation, and sense of not only do they look like us, but similar experiences, very similar stories. graduate, and I'm also the proud founder, CEO of Cafecita media company that is designed to support first-gen students. president at EdTrust in Washington, D.C., and early childhood through higher education. coalitions of parents and students to try and ultimately change policy. are literally changing lives? that hopefully change lives. create better opportunities for that impact everyone, right? in my family to graduate from university, but it was not easy. there's a lot of Latino families that they're still of an education is. until they see the first generation graduate. generation graduate get similar to the careers that they've known of. didn't have the information, they had not been to college, so the guidance that I was lacking at that point. navigate this all by myself without really any guidance, financial aid. out the FAFSA, between a grant and a loan. work because I wanted to provide students with what I that I wasn't provided. motivation during college when you were struggling going your classes? to keep going? a doer, and knowing everything from the stories and as a young Latina, I'm like, I want better for my community. important to remind ourselves that we're doing this for the best that we can. campus, you can ask for help. mentors on campus, that's why there's counselors. factor in helping you navigate those pressures, that I really can do it. you're first generation, pride knowing that you're the first to do this? does come with pride, but it also comes with pressure. pressure on ourselves, and our own abilities and skills. should be is we should step into who we are and we bring to the table. >> Ruby: And I feel very inspired sitting here and your experience and seeing how they are similar in some sense. or not I could pay for school. somebody in my position? look at all these other avenues of financing that you have, that you don't know about. with the financial aid counselor and say this isn't enough. you provide opportunities to people who might not have had do you look back and you think that it's worth it? be where I am today, literally talking to the three of you, all the hard work that myself, my sisters, and to my academic success, my entrepreneurial success. expectations that students show up to college college-ready. are we gonna hold institutions accountable to being admitting and enrolling LGBTQ students, providing supports for LGBTQ students, right? see opportunities that are reflective of my own experience, critical for institutions to really explore and meets the needs of the students that we're enrolling. historically because we think this works for students? Wil and Estrella are today is really, really inspiring cuz it doesn't always have to fit a traditional mold. I want to know who I am, as much as Estrella knows who she is, what I wanna do and what I want to accomplish. that just doesn't stop at you have more money, it's everybody. like we're hitting the road. are actually doing this. Pomaika'i Gee, I was born and Hawaii, and I am 18 years old. growing up in such a geographically one support always. Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona. dilemma on what I really wanted my next four years to look like. attend my state university. and to take a gap year, and the gap year option. exactly what I wanted. attend a private university on the East Coast, but me and it definitely scared my family a little bit. it was never feasible. be attending the University of Hawai'i at Mnoa, I've taken that route. most in Hawai'i is going straight into the workforce, a four-year university. to do something instead of that four-year track. programs, a higher education are not really promoted at all. here today on behalf of Senator Chang's office. a lot on public policy, and a political science route, right now, studying business in college. it felt safe to me, but to be involved with education. Hawai'i after I've had some experience in the workforce, education for the better. to the University of California Riverside. who is a community college transfer student, who has in political science, and is currently pursuing their PhD. near peers, feels like talking to myself within a few years. working class Vietnamese refugees, keep food on the table, we were wealthy by any means. differences between myself and not just race, but also class, things like social capital and how to navigate things like higher education. refugee communities, and immigration enforcement. being able to do this research really is important to me, public, that these are issues that are real really awesome. tell us a little bit about your educational process as I had applied to graduate school on a whim, luckily, college experience, that I didn't have to pay for a full four-year degree. have the best grades. are getting a PhD must be really smart, but actually it's really really interested in gathering and developing knowledge. institution, I was only taking political science classes, and because then I'm able to focus on the topics and that I care about. part for you during your educational career, the application process or while you were in school? issue has always been the financial aspect. it was just, how do I get my bachelor's degree for of money possible? for most my educational career, a time where I haven't worked at least two jobs. a strong difference between community colleges and difference is the student population, right? community colleges, oftentimes you have people who already adult careers, right? you have a lot of people who are just starting to find themselves I'm interested in, or here's the skills that I'm good at. college, I think I felt more in place than I had previously. in my opinion, a general stereotype related to social and to get a college degree, a four-year degree to be successful in that field. should be more room for learning with political and is outside of getting a traditional college degree? who are some of the most successful people I know who don't have college degrees. gain that make you successful in those fields are not gained you don't learn that at college. the four-year degree is really useful for and necessary for, skills that you got to go out there and volunteer, and that you need to check off particular boxes, accomplished certain things at certain times. get to anywhere, and too tightly, I think that also closes you off from a lot you otherwise wouldn't have ecountered. interesting to hear from someone who's getting their PhD right hearing them say there's other ways that you can get education. you can learn and continue learning throughout life. I was kind of like, am I really going to school now for but for me, gave me a lot of perspective. about the importance of building skills with hands on maybe try working on things outside of my school. The Colorado National Monument. up this really windy road. I was kind of a little bit nervous about it, but up here safely. with a nice little short hike. it feels like we're in a movie. >> Aislynn: It's a little hot. here is pretty cool. a hole inside of the wall, which a spider's nesting. special interest whenever it comes to nature and wildlife, eye-opening to me. of opened my eyes to consider other options. at my opportunities. signing in, we're on the road, it is day five. time on the road is so, so, so cool. with the leaders have been incredibly illuminating. scared to lose momentum just because I'm taking a gap my family didn't get to do. elementary and middle school from continuing their education. continue learning, but it's a privilege to learn. learn, to have the support from my family to continue learning. no value to be gained from college if you don't want to learning more about people's perspectives on education it's got me pumped. meet so many people who've had such unique with their education. really inspiring. need to create a is friendly, equitable and a place where every single person can thrive. My advice would be explore. Be accepting toward changes and don't fear them. 

Meet the roadtrippers and see how "college" might be a bigger category than you initially thought.

Episode 1: Finding the Right Fit

in a big green RV and a half. with people about how higher education has shaped their systems can improve. to think about all these experiences, trip as long as this one, so for to be on my own while spending such a long time new people, it's been good. pump gas for the first time. to pump your own gas there gas there. it doesn't take three people to fill up a gas. all this time on the road, seeing the amazing landmarks, and driving the RV is so, so, so cool. interview Ted Mitchell, Council on Education. in public policy, talk to someone who has a background in this space. Schools, the superintendent of whose name in Chicago was Barack Obama. wins the election, the Secretary of Education. you like to come to Washington? [LAUGH] I'm on the plane. became the under secretary of education, and had the biggest impact that I've ever had there. was, what's the connection between education and economics. education in society? a discussion that I've carried on throughout my professional thing into a competitive race. to get a bachelor's degree or to live a good life. on one of the hottest debates of whether you really need what's the connection between a degree and skills? box that nobody really has been able to figure out. toward assessing the skills, stuff and action learning is, in many ways, the future. labeled with a degree, but you are a compilation of skills, people can access and say, yeah, that's who I want. a lot more realistic. we're not there yet. where the degree still matters. of networks and a set of social connections that are really development as a human. is that institutions are becoming much more willing to >> Ted: Dual enrollment is the fastest. >> Ruby: I did do dual credit. in criminal justice. exactly the right kind of thing. stay right here until everybody else is ready to move. it's over here and I wanna go do it, we think about diversity, who learn in different ways. opportunity for higher education to you knowledge to saying, okay, you have these Lego us help you figure out what it means together. being well-equipped and to learn something. the institutions to be able to receive that packet of learning into something where the whole is greater than the - just the Lego blocks, >> Eric: I was contemplating college and high school, and I wanted to be in the arts. few years of high school, policy and political science. But playing around with maybe a minor in education. >> Eric: But, yeah. an opportunity to step back and say, a year. this is statistically true, to those most elite institutions if you take some time off. interesting intellect. are directly affecting students having access to have the perspective that they need to really generation's education? the legislature pushes down a one-size-fits-all from the beginning. we've been talking about has been about mirroring which aren't linear, and we need to be in touch with that. though, higher education institutions. with your money and your family's hard earned money. by changing your demand profile. the highest ranked college. that has the best program for what you wanna do, want it taught, and will send you off into the workplace and the skills that you need and the work that he's doing feel very hopeful for accessible it's going to be for >> Eric: Right now, we're so divided that we're letting providing education to people, which I don't think is okay. there, and he kinda talked a little bit more about how he more voices, and I think that that's important. that my voice belongs in the education space, and the future of education back home in Hawai'i. we actually stopped at the zoo. greeted by the polar bear, literally on the glass, really cool. of the animals. to the zoos often, but I had so much fun there. >> Ruby: Seeing the shark, I thought it was awesome. things about the animals. I really loved the zoo and I really loved the aquarium. going to Jefferson City. meet the Chief of Police. going to pursue obtaining my in criminal justice. very passionate about, I want to understand what I'm going into. into this because I wanted to change. rehumanize law enforcement. Black college. from the bigger cities, best relationships with police. see how police are trained, and how they should be trained, and should be happening. here because I'm the director [LAUGH]. very seriously when I was in high school. of the bigger colleges. the military like my parents. here at Lincoln University at the time, and she's like, Lincoln University, we'll get you taken care of. University, because of my GPA and because of my ACT score, of classes first that didn't account for college credit. kinda saved my life, absolutely no idea where I would have been. with my criminal justice degree. my master's degree in criminal justice from Columbia College. I'm preparing to defend my dissertation for criminal justice. this police academy unique? of Jefferson City, the nation to have a police academy on their campus. the police academy was founded specifically to try to increase local law enforcement agencies around the area. play a big part in police reform because a lot people of color. experience in college was so because I took all of the opportunities that I could. loses its worth when people just don't really care? college in perspective and for what it really is. to go and meet other people that don't look like you, believe and get different perspectives on the world. mind in the sense of that there's just not one way to research things and go after the truth. that you may need to be able to do many different jobs. able to rise through the ranks, I'm able to be promoted, certain other jobs that other people didn't. think education plays whenever within your community? are educated, the more we know, the better we are to be able because we're not arguing about something that isn't true. spread bad information. to get your degree in or sure that it's your passion. stop, take some time, smell the roses, fun that interests you, that you like to do. have motivation, but when something is your passion, how much money you make. because this is who you are. >> Ruby: Talking to him felt like a jolt in my brain where this is what I need. out who I am and into something that I don't even know I want and if it's myself into wanting because I believed in it for so long. can be to be for yourself, guys thank you so much. My own personal truckers hat. >> Ruby: And some stickers. to interview work in the fashion industry. the sustainability portion of fashion marketing and exists out there, but I'm looking for my next steps. professor of fashion sustainability, and apparel design and is also a teacher at his school. marriage of the creative and the technical something like fashion, talking about like, what's my next step? with this degree? what that feels like. master student in Design and Merchandising, my research on and outs and garment prototyping and production. The problem solving components, the stylistic components, involving around pulling off your creation in your own mind. kind of learning how to sew in a high end fabric store. and worked in a boutique, and the stitchers, and they would tell me stories of exploitation, but then also here in the US, including here in Chicago. it was just very normal. my consciousness was raised, and the focus of my work to how do we do something more ethically? in the industry? school and got a master's degree from the University of Chicago, I was really looking at labor rights in the garment industry, more advocacy work. campaigns, so I've kinda been really trying to practice this allowed me to kind of put everything together, and the focus on sustainability and labor rights. setting out to find a career, you give yourself a gap year, or once a week to kind of really get your feelers out in stumble across something that might inspire your career. really solid, especially with taking time to figure that out. that I was looking into being is a buyer perhaps, but perspective and try and more ethical clothing. that I could do? it's a job that already exists. that sustainability is super important, and so they have that and vetting the companies that they're buying for. an important job. the job that I want exists, it felt really good. something that I would be able to blend into one position, that I can do and something that is already being done. on the jacket and it's a very, very nice jacket and a degree to really thrive in the fashion industry. differences between getting one and versus not getting one? I've definitely enjoyed my stint here at university, but just doesn't make sense. learns how to read, write do basic arithmetic, some type of competitive edge with your skill set? that actually allows you to get in the door more easily? is that a lot of apparel, technically advanced, has a lot to do with engineering. what I was talking about with specialized tools, that is access to the equipment that helps you learn those things. specialized the knowledge that you possess is, the more and be in the marketplace. that you're a teacher now, I was wondering if you've seen from whenever you were in school compared to now? need a degree in order to even get your foot into the door, a competitive industry. is changing. thinking universities are starting to shift a little bit the business side of fashion, not just the creative side, as we talked about earlier, kind of that focus on sustainable and sustainable design practices. happening 20 years ago, no one used to care and now, went for my fashion degree, the inaugural sustainable fashion practice course, and a minor in sustainability, so that's so great. connected with the initiatives that she's been able to that she's been able to do. the same kinds of changes that she has in the fashion industry. the interview with Payton. seeing the specifics of how they use fabrics and their design lab, it shows that hands-on learning and sometimes far more valuable than traditional classroom learning. Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri. surreal to think that we've been traveling for three weeks, and interview in Wheeling, Illinois. interview Lázaro Lopez, of the Illinois Board of Community Colleges. beyond to help set up these courses to help first generation of a higher education. everyone has opportunity and those opportunities is of public education. you can ask your public schools support your students. us to rethink to some extent schools they have to be relevant to their community. they have to mean something to students. what he has implemented in his school district is incredible. facilities that are at research levels in a public is unheard of. the discussion of, why don't more communities have this? are preparing their students for college by giving them here that seems so innovative right now will become the norm. students is that when they cross that stage in high school, as much what they didn't wanna do as what they did wanna do, a better decision. in the safe place that does not cost them money can explore and future could be. thoughts on how a smooth transitions should go from high school and going into either community college or be seamless transitions, so driver's seat of their future. there are a lot of barriers that are put in place and the pathway of doing nothing. a first-gen college student, that this is a possibility for me. those students see it. every student's getting a direct admin into one in each of their states that they know from the get go what it might be less expensive than you think. experience after high school, institution, a community college, a trade school, of credentialing program is essential for everyone. something beyond a high school diploma to be competitive and your journey in life has you sort of pursuing and but you end up applying it and different area that you never would have imagined. being your age is you're thinking you're choosing for for now, but know that whatever choice you make it's the right that you can always make a different one later. many things to help these people realize that higher valuable that it just doesn't stop at high school. opportunity to decide for themselves at Laz's school, and he has fought for. is talking about his career, I was helping people. education that helped me realize that I love to teach, stop at criminal justice. I can have multiple degrees, I can keep going, my education. finally made it to Chicago. to describe how it feels. the good memories because in a few days I'm gonna be back home. I just kinda laid here, thinking about everything, that some people have said. make a choice every single day to say this is my day that I'm and that I have power and control over. a choice to start, and then the next day to keep going. many people who've had such unique experiences been really, really inspiring. I've had for so long have been answered in just one month. to continue education. a lot of the leaders, I feel like I'm not really just because I'm taking a gap year right now. much time thinking about the future when I need to be but that's something that I've been working on. one thing could throw off your plan, and then it feels empty, it feels like you failed. that's the truth ultimately. would be explore. we put too much pressure on students what they're gonna do right off to bat, provides some flexibility for exploration. toward changes you need to be adaptable. one advice is, just be yourself, mess up, get dirty, it's okay. Um know when it fills? really bad at this, >> Ruby: After all the self I feel a sense of peace. my own skin now. people to help me realize that I'm doing the right thing, an alternative path. take a step back, and you can really take time to find out also where you wanna get a great education. nice to hear that from so many different people. look at what makes me happy, what am I passionate about, and see myself doing? it was really, the things that I wanna do are achievable and possible. is something that you feel you're passionate about. encourage any student who's decision about university diversity of that campus. who attend diverse learning environments benefit, but socially as well. to be student-ready. students of all races, all sexualities, that is friendly, equitable, and person that attends that university can thrive. advocacy on all levels, and I think that that's possible. make change in the country. something out there to help you access higher education. on you, look into more grants, it's going to be difficult, but they're out there. that we're going, gonna be something that people don't feel obligated to go to, going just to get a degree. want to, they want to learn, and they know that there's so things that are gonna be available for them. 

Explore more customizable and comprehensive higher ed pathways.

Episode 2: Degrees of Freedom

College is one path among many for young people to achieve their goals and make change in the world. But how do they know if it’s the right path for them?

Photo of the roadtrippers sitting in an office conducting an interview

Photo of the roadtrippers in front of a field, standing on a hill

Photo of the roadtrippers standing outside of an RV posing for a photo

Photo of the roadtrippers in a study with president of Western Colorado University, Brad Baca

Photo of the roadtrippers stepping out of the RV

Photo of Mai Nguyen Do, a doctoral candidate at University of California, Riverside

Photo of Gary Hill, VP of campus culture and police chief for Lincoln University

Photo of Jamie Hayes, owner of and designer for Production Mode

Photo of master’s candidate Payton Gonzalez poses alongside roadtrippers

Photo of Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education

Photo of Nieves Aragon, a former student at Miami-Dade College

Photo of Brad Baca, president of Western Colorado University

Photo of Brian Haynes, vice chancellor for student affairs at University of California, Riverside

Photo of the roadtrippers posing with the Roadtrip Nation crew at RTN HQ

Photo of Wil Del Pilar, senior VP for higher education at EdTrust

Explore exciting postsecondary pathways

Film poster with the text "Roadtrip Nation: Rethinking Higher Ed" 

The Route

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