Episodes

Dr. Glenn Whitehouse is the Associate Dean of College of Arts & Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Director of the PAGES program. Glenn earned his Philosophy degree at the New College of Florida. He worked over the summer at a tech firm and completed a research report for the company to receive grant funding. He explains how his experience as a liberal arts student offered skills that translated into an entry level job. As Liberal Arts majors, students have many choices when it...

In this episode of Talent Talk, we hear from Jason Powella on his experience as an adult learner that returned to the classroom after stopping out. Many students in his situation were only a few credits short of earning their credential but faced uncontrollable life circumstances. Jason is the Senior Special Event Planner for the Lee Health Foundation and a member of Southwest Florida’s Talent Hub Advisory Board. He has worked in the healthcare industry for 15 years and is working currently work...

In this episode of Talent Talk, we hear from Jason Powella on his experience as an adult learner that returned to the classroom after stopping out. Many students in his situation were only a few credits short of earning their credential but faced uncontrollable life circumstances. Jason is the Senior Special Event Planner for the Lee Health Foundation and a member of Southwest Florida’s Talent Hub Advisory Board. He has worked in the healthcare industry for 15 years and is working currently work...

In this episode of Talent Talk, we hear from Jason Powella on his experience as an adult learner that returned to the classroom after stopping out. Many students in his situation were only a few credits short of earning their credential but faced uncontrollable life circumstances. Jason is the Senior Special Event Planner for the Lee Health Foundation and a member of Southwest Florida’s Talent Hub Advisory Board. He has worked in the healthcare industry for 15 years and is working currently work...

Shasta College is a community college that serves the three counties of Shasta, Tehama, and Trinity in Northern California. In this episode of Talent Talk, Kate Mahar discusses the significant role the college has had on the surrounding rural community it serves. Kate is the Dean of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives and explains her role in scaling best practices for degree seeking students. As a Talent Hub, Shasta College provides a notable example of the benefits of long-standing efforts to...

Shasta College is a community college that serves the three counties of Shasta, Tehama, and Trinity in Northern California. In this episode of Talent Talk, Kate Mahar discusses the significant role the college has had on the surrounding rural community it serves. Kate is the Dean of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives and explains her role in scaling best practices for degree seeking students. As a Talent Hub, Shasta College provides a notable example of the benefits of long-standing efforts to...

Shasta College is a community college that serves the three counties of Shasta, Tehama, and Trinity in Northern California. In this episode of Talent Talk, Kate Mahar discusses the significant role the college has had on the surrounding rural community it serves. Kate is the Dean of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives and explains her role in scaling best practices for degree seeking students. As a Talent Hub, Shasta College provides a notable example of the benefits of long-standing efforts to...

Roberto Sanchez is the Director of Secondary Education in Hendry County Schools and serves a diverse school district. He was born in Mexico and immigrated with his family to the United States at the early age of two. Roberto grew up in Arcadia, FL and moved to Hendry County in 2005. He touches on how his father was the driving force in developing his work ethic and desire to gain an education as a pathway to a better life. He served as a teacher and principal during his tenure at Clewiston High ...

Roberto Sanchez is the Director of Secondary Education in Hendry County Schools and serves a diverse school district. He was born in Mexico and immigrated with his family to the United States at the early age of two. Roberto grew up in Arcadia, FL and moved to Hendry County in 2005. He touches on how his father was the driving force in developing his work ethic and desire to gain an education as a pathway to a better life. He served as a teacher and principal during his tenure at Clewiston High ...

Roberto Sanchez is the Director of Secondary Education in Hendry County Schools and serves a diverse school district. He was born in Mexico and immigrated with his family to the United States at the early age of two. Roberto grew up in Arcadia, FL and moved to Hendry County in 2005. He touches on how his father was the driving force in developing his work ethic and desire to gain an education as a pathway to a better life. He served as a teacher and principal during his tenure at Clewiston High ...

Growing up in Immokalee, home to many agricultural workers and their families, presents many challenges as students juggle life outside of the classroom. Noemi Perez is the President & CEO of the Immokalee Foundation and speaks on these circumstances. She discusses her personal journey growing up within a hard-working community that is built on trust, which inspired her to continue this work. The Immokalee Foundation is celebrating 30 years of operation and works to guide students towards academ...

Growing up in Immokalee, home to many agricultural workers and their families, presents many challenges as students juggle life outside of the classroom. Noemi Perez is the President & CEO of the Immokalee Foundation and speaks on these circumstances. She discusses her personal journey growing up within a hard-working community that is built on trust, which inspired her to continue this work. The Immokalee Foundation is celebrating 30 years of operation and works to guide students towards academ...

Growing up in Immokalee, home to many agricultural workers and their families, presents many challenges as students juggle life outside of the classroom. Noemi Perez is the President & CEO of the Immokalee Foundation and speaks on these circumstances. She discusses her personal journey growing up within a hard-working community that is built on trust, which inspired her to continue this work. The Immokalee Foundation is celebrating 30 years of operation and works to guide students towards academ...

Our guest this episode is Carlos Mendez, a first-generation college student in his third year at Florida Gulf Coast University. Carlos is a full-time student majoring in Anthropology, but he is also working full-time as a Graphic Designer. He shares with us what it is like to work full-time while attending college as well as his experience with online school and why he enjoys it. Carlos also explains the importance of employment flexibility for people who are attending school and how that has pl...

Our guest this episode is Carlos Mendez, a first-generation college student in his third year at Florida Gulf Coast University. Carlos is a full-time student majoring in Anthropology, but he is also working full-time as a Graphic Designer. He shares with us what it is like to work full-time while attending college as well as his experience with online school and why he enjoys it. Carlos also explains the importance of employment flexibility for people who are attending school and how that has pl...

Our guest this episode is Carlos Mendez, a first-generation college student in his third year at Florida Gulf Coast University. Carlos is a full-time student majoring in Anthropology, but he is also working full-time as a Graphic Designer. He shares with us what it is like to work full-time while attending college as well as his experience with online school and why he enjoys it. Carlos also explains the importance of employment flexibility for people who are attending school and how that has pl...

From New York to Florida, Susan Block has always known she has had a passion for early childhood education. Susan is our guest on this episode of Talent Talk, and she is the CEO of Early Learning Coalition here in Southwest Florida. She shares her work history and the journey that led her to her current position at the Early Learning Coalition. She explains what this organization is and goes into detail about quality childcare and what it entails. Susan also shares with us why early childhood ed...

From New York to Florida, Susan Block has always known she has had a passion for early childhood education. Susan is our guest on this episode of Talent Talk, and she is the CEO of Early Learning Coalition here in Southwest Florida. She shares her work history and the journey that led her to her current position at the Early Learning Coalition. She explains what this organization is and goes into detail about quality childcare and what it entails. Susan also shares with us why early childhood ed...

From New York to Florida, Susan Block has always known she has had a passion for early childhood education. Susan is our guest on this episode of Talent Talk, and she is the CEO of Early Learning Coalition here in Southwest Florida. She shares her work history and the journey that led her to her current position at the Early Learning Coalition. She explains what this organization is and goes into detail about quality childcare and what it entails. Susan also shares with us why early childhood ed...

In this episode of Talent Talk we hear all about career and technical education from Yolanda Flores. Yolanda currently works at Lorenzo Walker Technical College as the Administrative Director. She explains to us what exactly technical colleges are and the benefits they have for students in the Southwest Florida community, and why it is important for students to pursue a career in the technical pathways. Yolanda also shares with us some of the most popular programs at Lorenzo Walker, both in and ...

In this episode of Talent Talk we hear all about career and technical education from Yolanda Flores. Yolanda currently works at Lorenzo Walker Technical College as the Administrative Director. She explains to us what exactly technical colleges are and the benefits they have for students in the Southwest Florida community, and why it is important for students to pursue a career in the technical pathways. Yolanda also shares with us some of the most popular programs at Lorenzo Walker, both in and ...

In this episode of Talent Talk we hear all about career and technical education from Yolanda Flores. Yolanda currently works at Lorenzo Walker Technical College as the Administrative Director. She explains to us what exactly technical colleges are and the benefits they have for students in the Southwest Florida community, and why it is important for students to pursue a career in the technical pathways. Yolanda also shares with us some of the most popular programs at Lorenzo Walker, both in and ...

Our guest this episode is Jenna Rytlewski, a student success advisor at Florida Southwestern State College. Jenna tells us all about FSW and some of the programs this regionally accredited institution is currently offering. She also shares with us the journey that led her to her current career, and what her job at FSW entails, including how she helps students meet their goals and is dedicated to being a student ally. Jenna also tells us some of the most common barriers students face that her and...

Our guest this episode is Jenna Rytlewski, a student success advisor at Florida Southwestern State College. Jenna tells us all about FSW and some of the programs this regionally accredited institution is currently offering. She also shares with us the journey that led her to her current career, and what her job at FSW entails, including how she helps students meet their goals and is dedicated to being a student ally. Jenna also tells us some of the most common barriers students face that her and...