S3E4 | The Job-First Degree: Reach University's Apprenticeship Revolution - with Joe Ross

In this illuminating episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with Joe Ross, CEO of Reach University, a pioneering non-profit college. Joe shares his compelling personal journey to education leadership and unpacks Reach University's groundbreaking model, which literally "turns jobs into degrees" to address critical talent shortages, particularly in teaching. He explains the "ABC's" of the apprenticeship degree – Affordability, being Based in the workplace from day one, and earning Credit for learning at work – fundamentally flipping the traditional education pipeline.

The conversation delves into how this innovative approach delivers traditional bachelor's degrees for as little as $75 a month (after aid), enabling students to graduate debt-free. Joe provides surprising early data showing that graduates of these work-integrated programs often outperform and have higher retention rates in their jobs. They discuss the systemic barriers holding back apprenticeship growth in the U.S., Reach's vision to scale this model nationwide for 3 million enrollments, and why this "job-first" pathway might be the future of accessible, outcome-driven higher education.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• Transforming Education for Shortages: Discover Reach University's groundbreaking model, which "turns jobs into degrees" to directly address critical talent shortages, particularly in the U.S. teaching profession.
• Debt-Free Degree Pathways: Learn how students can earn a traditional bachelor's degree for as little as $75/month (after aid), making quality higher education genuinely affordable and debt-free.
• The "ABC's" of Apprenticeship Degrees: Unpack the three core tenets of this innovative model: Affordability, being Based in the workplace from day one, and earning Academic Credit for on-the-job learning.
• Superior Outcomes from Earn-and-Learn: Hear surprising early data indicating that graduates of these work-integrated programs often perform better in jobs and have higher retention rates with employers compared to traditional graduates.
• A National Catalyst for Apprenticeship Growth: Explore Reach University's ambitious vision to scale this model nationwide, aiming for 3 million apprenticeship degree enrollments in the U.S. within a decade across various high-demand fields.

About Our Guest:

Joe Ross is the CEO of Reach University, a non-profit college dedicated to advancing the apprenticeship degree. His work focuses on creating accessible, affordable, and work-integrated pathways to high-demand careers, particularly in education and healthcare.