Member of the Month
Member of the Month Spotlight Interview
What is your favorite part about being a member of CAEL?
Opportunities for different kinds of engagement. You can be part of a project. You can take a course. You can network. There are different ways to belong.
In its 50-year history, what would you say is CAEL’s biggest accomplishment?
The research on the impact of Credit for Prior Learning, and particularly looking at it from different viewpoints. The PLA Boost and the Equity Paradox reports were really needed by the field. They were very timely and the focus on equity was vital.
What has changed for your institution in the past 50 years?
Metro State was founded in 1971 as a completely adult-focused institution. In the beginning, it only awarded credit through transfer, credit for prior learning and independent studies. Over time, we started offering courses and added more majors. Now, we offer over 100 majors and serve over 9000 students. Over time, we have focused more on equity. It is a major component of our strategic plan.
Metro’s legacy as a founding institutional member and its continuing membership today indicate a longstanding focus on adult learners and workers. Why is this student demographic important to Metro, and what are some examples of how you support their success?
As mentioned earlier, we are an adult learner serving institution, and have been so from the beginning. We serve Minnesotans of all ages and experiences. That includes learners in the workforce, New Americans, military veterans, and learners who are incarcerated.
How do you think the dynamics among higher ed, trainers, workforce developers, industry groups, and employers has changed (either since CAEL was founded or perhaps more recently, amid tech-driven workforce disruptions and pivots toward skills-based career advancement).
While there are still areas of competition, there is also a lot of effort to collaborate and partner. A common language is emerging, which allows better communication between the sectors. There is effort to find and develop alignments. We are all trying to move out of our silos.
What do you love most about your work?
Sara: I have a balance between working directly with students and working on larger projects and initiatives. The students keep me grounded and inspire me. With initiatives, I get to make changes that will benefit students going forward.
Mary Beth: I like the collaboration and relationship building. There Is a willingness to share and help each other out. People are trying to do better for students and for each other.
Who (or what) inspires you?
Learners inspire both of us. The situations and experiences they are in. We get to see all the knowledge and skills they have. We also see what they have had to do to persist. They have a resilience. Whether students are veterans, ABE completers, new Americans, they all have amazing stories. You can see what they are already contributing to their families and communities, as well as what the possibilities are ahead of them.
Another inspiration is everyone else who works with these students, whether on campus or in a community based organization. They are part of the team helping students meet their goals.
What is something new you recently learned (work-related or not)?
Mary Beth: I recently attended the 5th VPL Biennale, in Kilkenny, Ireland, and learned what other countries are doing with validation of learning, in particular for immigrants and refugees.
What is your biggest hope for CAEL in the future?
We have seen CAEL integrate its work with workforce, higher ed and employers. It should keep doing that! And, stay in the lead on recognition of learning. The research focus is really important in this work. We are excited to see research that builds on the PLA Boost and Equity Paradox studies.
When you aren’t working, what do you enjoy doing?
Mary Beth: Reading, walking the dog, gardening, cooking, flower arranging
Sara: Reading, cooking, hiking, kayaking
If you could assign everyone in the world one book to read, what would it be?
Books: The 100 Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity; The 60 Year Curriculum: New Models for Lifelong Learning in the Digital Economy
What are you listening to or watching? Any recommendations for podcasts, music, movies, or shows?
Podcasts: This American Life; 70 over 70, people talking about how they make the most of the time they have left.
Shows: Ted Lasso (has been out for a while, but worth seeing!)
What would you love to help other CAEL members with?
Anything about CPL, policy, procedure, building cross functional teams, building capacity and expertise. Strategies to embed CPL in everyday work of the campus.
Continuing to be flexible and creative about CPL. It is easy to get stuck in a particular way of doing CPL, but we need to keep the focus on the learner and what will best recognize their learning.
How can members connect with you?
Sara Leiste, PhD
651-793-1325
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-leiste-528a611/
X: @SaraLeiste
Mary Beth Lakin
612.358.3176
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marybethlakin/
X: @me_lakin