Podcast

Episode 29

How Colleges and Employers Can Partner to Bridge Workforce Gaps

  • Episode Description

  • Guest Bio

  • Episode Summary

In this episode of The Hidden Gem, host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast, to discuss an innovative approach to bridging the gap between students seeking affordable education and employers struggling to fill critical workforce shortages.

Dr. Danielson shares the success of the Career Opportunity Program, a last-dollar tuition initiative funded by local employers to remove financial barriers for students while strengthening the regional talent pipeline.

Learn how her strategic approach to engaging key business leaders turned this vision into a thriving program that benefits students, employers, and the entire community.


Key Takeaways:

  • Learn how the Career Opportunity Program removes financial barriers for students through a last-dollar tuition model supported by local employers.
  • Discover the strategy behind securing industry funding by leveraging key influencers and turning a single partnership into a regional employer-driven initiative.
  • Hear why workforce development isn’t just about recruitment, but about expanding the talent pipeline to benefit both students and local businesses.
  • Find out how keeping employer partners engaged—through regular updates, student success metrics, and networking events—ensures long-term investment.
  • Understand how community colleges can scale similar models and make a compelling business case for industry-backed education programs.
  • Explore the impact the program has had so far, exceeding expectations in both student participation and retention rates.

This episode, part of the Enrollify network, is a must-listen for college leaders, workforce development professionals, and anyone looking to strengthen employer partnerships to better support students.



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The IMPACT Framework

At the heart of the podcast lies the IMPACT framework that answers a pivotal question: What is the role of marketing and communications in the success of community colleges? This framework answers it by showcasing how these domains are not peripheral but central to amplifying the success of the institution.

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