A show all about advocating for Adult Education
From GED learner to U.S. diplomat—Aminata Sy’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience and the transformative power of education. In this episode, she shares her inspiring story, from overcoming challenges as an adult learner to serving in the U.S. Foreign Service. Tune in to hear how advocacy, determination, and education shaped her path.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Adult Ed Advocast is adult education’s first podcast devoted to helping you become a stronger advocate for our field. In each episode, experts and experienced advocates will tackle a specific topic. You’ll hear about advocacy in various forms: social media outreach, forging partnerships, meeting with legislators, and much more! Develop your advocacy skills and become a champion for adult education.
Current Episode
Sara Haghighi – Pima Community College, AZ
Sara Haghighi is a passionate educator who believes in empowering students and raising their critical consciousness about social conditions—both their own and those of others. She scaffolds and encourages her students to read and judge whether the content is substantiated. Her experience as a former refugee and her passion for education have influenced her thinking and interest in social justice for culturally and linguistically diverse students. Sara holds a master’s in TESOL from California State University, Fullerton. She has taught English in a variety of educational levels and settings. She is currently serving as the coordinator of the Refugee Education Program at Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ.
Erin Vobornik– Initiatives Administrator, COABE
Erin Vobornik is the Initiatives Administrator and State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship (SAAEF) Co-Chair for COABE. She earned her master’s degree in linguistics from Northern Illinois University and began working in adult education in 2013. In 2015, Erin encouraged students to participate in letter-writing campaigns to state officials to release funding for Title II WIOA programs. In 2019, she assisted ESL students in proposing a college-wide Census 2020 information campaign which was accepted and supported by her college’s executive leadership. As SAAEF Co-Chair, Erin enjoys connecting with passionate advocates across the country who love this field as much as she does. Erin regularly reaches out to local and state stakeholders to advocate for increased funding and visibility for adult education programs in her home state of Illinois. Her favorite advocacy topics include: public policy, community mobilizing, and advocacy evaluation methods. Email Erin
Behind Every Employer Podcast
In this episode Anson and Jeff sit down with Kelly Aiken, director of workforce development and planning at UMass Memorial Health (UMMH), and Mandy Townsend, senior vice president of employer engagement at Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) in Boston, to discuss how UMMH built its workforce development function from the ground up. Leveraging their multi-employer Healthcare Training Institute and utilizing support from JVS Boston has allowed UMMH to upskill workers, strengthen career pathways, and support internationally trained professionals through credential validation, digital literacy, ESOL, citizenship interview preparation. Kelly and Mandy explore the challenges and successes of creating an accessible talent pipeline that benefits both employers and workers. Tune in for insights into innovative workforce strategies that are reshaping healthcare employment.
|
|
|
|
These employers with their partners are challenging the status quo of education and training and delivering scalable solutions. Discussions cross the intersections of adult education, digital resiliency, training innovations, immigration law, and other topics.
Anson Green – Co-host
Anson Green is a member of the Behind Every Employer advisory committee and workforce development trailblazer leading economic opportunity efforts at Tyson Foods. There he is developing career pathways and digital resiliency for Tyson’s 121,000 front-line team members. Prior to Tyson, Anson was Adult Education State Director in Texas. In 2020, he was the Coalition on Adult Basic Education Outstanding Administrator of the Year. While at the Alamo Colleges District, Anson directed a specialized training center in San Antonio’s historic Westside empowerment zone delivering bilingual and integrated education and training solutions to the local community.
Jeffrey Abramowitz, Co-host/Executive Producer
Jeffrey Abramowitz, J.D. is the Chief Executive Officer of the Petey Greene Program and past Executive Director of Justice Partnerships and Executive Director Reentry Services for JEVS Human Services and the founder and Program Director of Looking Forward Philadelphia Reentry Program. Jeff previously served on the Executive Board of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education, COABE, where he served as Secretary, and currently co-chairs the State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship Program. Jeff was appointed to the Pennsylvania Reentry Council and serves as Chairman of the Employment Committee and Co-chairs the Reentry Committee for the PA Workforce Development Board and serves as the Chair of the Philadelphia Reentry Coalition.
Jeff is a subject matter expert for the US Department of Education, is the Moderator for US Department of Education LINCS Community of Practice on Correctional & Reentry Education and works on the IET in Corrections project for OCTAE. Jeff sits on several organizational boards and centers his work in the intersection of adult education, workforce development, and justice.
Jeff is the producer and host of the award-winning weekly radio/television show “Looking Forward” on Philly Cam Radio WPPM 106.5FM and PhillyCam TV (Live Streaming; Xfinity 66/966; Fios TV 29/30; Roku; Apple TV).