Tackling Degree Completion and Career Gaps in Michigan (ft. Danielle North, Degree Forward)

Daily Detroit

On this Monday episode of the podcast, Danielle North, founder and CEO of Degree Forward joins me.

Danielle shares her insights on the critical gaps in education and talent, emphasizing the importance of degree completion for achieving a sustainable living wage. She discusses the unique challenges faced by first-generation college students and minority groups, and how Degree Forward is addressing these issues through flexible, competency-based education programs.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The ongoing relevance of degrees for financial stability and upward mobility.
• Disparities in degree completion among different demographic groups, particularly Black and Latino students.
• The challenges faced by first-generation college students and the importance of support systems.
• Degree Forward's approach to bridging educational gaps through online, competency-based programs.
• The role of generational wealth and exposure in educational attainment.
• Degree Forward's offerings, including healthcare management, business management, and communications degrees, as well as certifications in high-demand fields.

Key Quotes:

• "A degree is still that pathway into the middle class, or what we call actually having a livable wage."
• "We have to bridge the opportunity gap and the knowledge gap for first-generation students.

Listen in to learn more about how Degree Forward is empowering individuals to complete their education and advance their careers. For more information, visit Degree Forward.