Flexible, Free, and Job-Ready: The Calbright College Experiment

In this episode of The Signals Podcast, host Laura Glaab sits down with Dr. Shannon McCarty, Vice Provost of Learning and Instruction at Calbright College—California’s groundbreaking online community college designed exclusively for adult learners. Shannon shares how Calbright is rewriting the playbook for higher education through competency-based, flexibly-paced, tuition-free programs aimed at unserved populations.

From overcoming institutional inertia to experimenting with work-based learning, project-based assessments, and student-driven design, Shannon dives into how Calbright empowers learners to upskill on their terms. You'll also hear candid reflections on challenges with funding, the tension between innovation and policy, and why Calbright believes the future of education shouldn’t require a one-size-fits-all degree.

Whether you're an educator, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this episode offers an insider’s look at how the future of workforce development is unfolding today.

Key Moments

05:17 Improving Student Completion Rates

07:41 Rejoining Workforce After Hiatus

12:37 Community College: Free But Sustainable?

14:05 Calibrate's Secret to Success?

18:55 "Educator's Passion: Innovation in EdTech"

21:10 Challenges in Implementing Competency-Based Education

23:04 Education Needs Diverse Pathways

28:57 "Learning-Focused Education Journey"

32:06 Empowering Change Through UX/UI Learning

33:00 Future of Personalized Online Learning

36:47 "Emphasizing Durable Skills"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

• You’re frustrated by how higher ed often leaves adult learners behind. Shannon offers a bold, working model for serving unserved populations—flexible, free, and built entirely around the realities of adult life.
• You want to see what learner-centered education really looks like. From human-centered design to weekly program starts, Calbright is a living case study in how to meet students where they are—and keep them moving forward.
• You're intrigued by competency-based education but unsure how it works in practice. Shannon demystifies CBE with clear examples of project-based learning, skill-based assessments, and real pathways to employment.
• You care about transforming education without waiting for traditional systems to catch up. Whether you’re building programs, shaping policy, or navigating your own learning journey, this episode will expand your sense of what’s possible.

Connect with Dr. Shannon McCarty

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonmccartyphd
Website: https://www.calbright.edu

Follow Us On

Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab 

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyronlearning/ 

Company Website: https://www.kyronlearning.com/ 

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