Hosts Erin Vobornik and Sara Haghighi engage with leaders to tackle advocacy topics impacting learners, teachers, and administrators in the field of adult education

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
Hosted by State Advocates for Adult Education Fellows, Sara Haghighi and Erin Vobornik

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 - Elgin Community College

Erin Vobornik– Elgin Community College, IL

Erin Vobornik is an adult educator at Elgin Community College in northern Illinois. She earned her master’s degree in linguistics from Northern Illinois University. She has worked in administrative and faculty positions in various adult education programs. 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 Elgin Community College’s executive leadership. Currently, she is working to infuse advocacy skills at all levels of her ESL classes. In addition to working with students, Erin regularly reaches out to local and state stakeholders to advocate for increased funding and visibility for adult education programs.

Jeffrey Abramowitz, Executive Producer

Jeffrey Abramowitz, J.D is currently the Executive Director of Reentry Services for JEVS Human Services. Jeff is also the founder and President of Looking Forward Community Engagement Partnership, a non-profit agency that works with individuals who have barriers to gainful employment and provides staff training and development in the area of workforce development. Jeff was the founder of the National Workforce Opportunity Network, a fully integrated workforce development agency. Read bio >

Hosts Anson Green and Jeffery Abramowitz sit down with future-focused employers to discuss innovations that are advancing frontline worker talent.

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.

Current EpisodeBehindEveryEmployer.org

Hosted by Anson Green and Jeffrey Abramowitz

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 currently the Executive Director of Reentry Services for JEVS Human Services. Jeff is also the founder and President of Looking Forward Community Engagement Partnership, a non-profit agency that works with individuals who have barriers to gainful employment and provides staff training and development in the area of workforce development. Jeff was the founder of the National Workforce Opportunity Network, a fully integrated workforce development agency. Read bio >