Work Trends RU

In this episode of Work Trends RU, Dr. Carl Van Horn speaks with Margo Chaly, Acting Secretary of the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, about the future of higher education in New Jersey. Together they discuss key challenges and opportunities facing colleges and universities, including enrollment trends, financial sustainability, workforce alignment, and student success. Ms. Chaly also highlights efforts to support adult learners, strengthen institutions, and ensure student

In this episode of Work Trends RU, host Dr. Carl Van Horn speaks with Steve Reynolds, president and CEO of Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey, about the biggest challenges facing independent colleges today, including the changing perception of the value of a four-year degree, student mental health, and how colleges are preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. Mr. Reynolds also discusses how institutions are responding to demographic changes, financial pressures, and the ne

In this episode of Work Trends RU, Laurie Harrington is joined by Jimmy Green, Research Project Manager at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, and Jackie Burke, Executive Director of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, to discuss the role career and technical education (CTE) plays in shaping students’ pathways from high school to college and careers. The conversation highlights new research on participation trends, demographic patterns, and levels of student

In this episode of Work Trends RU, host Dr. Carl Van Horn sits down with Dr. Beth Simone Noveck, New Jersey’s Chief AI Strategist and former head of the New Jersey Office of Innovation. Together, they explore how technology, data, and responsible AI are reshaping government services to be faster, fairer, and more accessible. From modernizing unemployment and business systems to training thousands of public workers in responsible use of AI, Dr. Noveck explains what it takes to transform governmen

In this episode of Work Trends RU, host Dr. Carl Van Horn talks with Dr. Aaron Fichtner, President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, about the role New Jersey’s 18 community colleges play in expanding access to higher education, developing a skilled workforce, and meeting the evolving needs of students, employers, and local communities. Dr. Fichtner also shares insights on the Council’s Opportunity Agenda, which focuses on expanding dual enrollment, supporting adult learners, improvi

In this episode of Work Trends RU, Dr. Carl Van Horn is joined by James Moore, Principal at KPMG and a veteran leader in workforce development at the local, state, and federal levels. Mr. Moore shares reflections from his career and discusses the need to modernize workforce and unemployment systems, the critical role of frontline staff, gaps in training for workforce professionals, and how AI and technology can improve services for job seekers.