Kaplan

In a world increasingly driven by global communication, the importance of accurate and relevant #English language testing is paramount. But are we truly assessing what matters? Rachel Kimber, director of business operations at Kaplan Testing Services and University Placement Service, challenges us to reconsider our fundamental assumptions. In her insightful article, "What’s the Future of English Language Testing?", she delves into the diverse needs of learners, from university students to professionals across various fields. Should a math student face the same language assessment as a literature scholar? Or a hospitality professional the same as a surgeon? Kimber explores how #technology, including #AI and #VR, is paving the way for personalized, real-world assessments that reflect the true diversity of language use. Click the link below for more. https://lnkd.in/eViz8aQ7 #highereducation #highered #internationaleducation #education #collegesanduniversities

Mentorship isn't about solving problems—it's about teaching others to solve them independently. This insight from Christi Doherty, DNP, RNC-OB, CNE, CHSE, CDP comes from thirty years in healthcare where delayed decisions can have life-changing consequences. "Mentoring is not about providing answers," Christi explains. "It's about preparing that mentee to go out into the world with skill and confidence." This distinction matters in any field. The goal isn't creating dependency but building capability that works without you in the room. The approach clicked for Christi during a crisis when a new colleague froze while facing a non-breathing newborn. Instead of taking over, she worked alongside her, talking through each step. The colleague gradually "unfroze" and joined the intervention. Even the baby's father noticed, commenting that their teamwork and explanations made him less afraid. That's the ripple effect of good mentoring—it builds confidence that spreads beyond just the mentee. At Kaplan, where Christi now leads nursing and i-Human simulation content teams, this philosophy shapes how professionals learn. Her research confirms an approach that works anywhere: great mentors make themselves progressively unnecessary. "A successful relationship is one where the mentee grows beyond needing the mentorship," she notes. When former mentees approach her at conferences as peers rather than perpetual students, that's the win. As we celebrate Women's History Month, we'll share insights about mentorship from various Kaplan leaders. Christi’s lesson? In any field, the best mentorship creates self-sufficiency from day one. Learning this from nursing—where lives literally depend on it—gives us a powerful blueprint for mentors everywhere. #MentorshipMatters #WomensHistoryMonth #KaplanNursing

Internships play a crucial role in helping students shape their career paths and secure future job opportunities. A February 20 report by Handshake explores key trends among students who have completed #internships and those who haven’t, shedding light on how these experiences influence career decisions and the challenges that may prevent participation. The data highlights key factors influencing internship participation and the impact of these opportunities on #careerreadiness. Our take: Internships are a crucial test run before committing to a career—helping students build skills, earn credit, and explore future paths. But for internships to be truly valuable, companies must assign meaningful work that connects to their business, not just busywork. Investing in interns this way benefits both students and employers in the long run. Read more about the report below: https://lnkd.in/gj5XA2Mt #highereducation #highered #collegesanduniversities #workforcedevelopment

It’s been a week since we announced our historic workforce development and higher education initiative with the State of Illinois that provides universal access to test prep and workforce readiness programs to more than 200,000 eligible public university and community college students across the Land of Lincoln. The enthusiasm across campuses has been inspiring, and we’re excited to announce that eligible students have already collectively saved well over $1 million to date, alleviating the traditional cost of preparing for graduate-level admissions tests and boosting economic mobility. And enrollments are growing every day. By providing high-quality test prep at no cost, this bold private/government initiative is improving student readiness and closing the opportunity gap, allowing every student, regardless of background, to compete on an equal footing. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in supporting career development and improving employability for graduates. And when that happens, we help combat ongoing challenges like the nursing shortage, by creating a strong talent pipeline for this much in-demand essential profession. Check out the following Chicago Tribune article for more details about how this can build stronger communities and a more prepared workforce, and be a real game changer for millions of Illinois residents. https://lnkd.in/ekmkKb-D #highereducation #highered #education #workforcedevelopment #collegesanduniversities #illinois

"It took me a while to learn that certain people may have important skills not always blazingly apparent...what mattered was performance, that sometimes people might need help to develop." This observation from Katharine Graham captures 2025's Women's History Month theme: "Moving Forward Together!" As the first female Fortune 500 CEO, Graham transformed The Washington Post Company (now the Graham Holdings Company) through pivotal moments in journalism. Her momentous decision to publish the Pentagon Papers and support the Watergate investigation demonstrated unwavering journalistic integrity. Years later in a speech at Harvard Business School, Graham outlined five leadership essentials: strong values; self-confidence; courage facing failures; delegating effectively; and embracing necessary change. Her Pulitzer-winning "Personal History" chronicles her journey from reluctant publisher to media pioneer. Warren Buffett, a trusted advisor, noted: "If there's any story that should be told, it should be her story. If I was a young girl, I'd want to hear that story." Their relationship exemplified supportive mentorship, with Graham describing their meetings as "business school with Warren Buffett." For more insights, see the new documentary "Becoming Katharine Graham" and Buffett's CBS Sunday Morning interview linked below. As part of Graham Holdings, Kaplan carries this legacy forward. Throughout March, we'll spotlight women mentors at Kaplan who embody Graham's spirit—champions who educate and empower others, aligning with our mission to help individuals achieve educational and career goals. CBS interview: https://lnkd.in/eBVhJf4e #WomensHistoryMonth #MovingForwardTogether #MentorshipMatters

We’re proud to share that Kaplan has once again been Certified™ by Great Place To Work US®. This prestigious recognition reaffirms what we’ve always known—Kaplan is a place where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. "We are incredibly proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for the second consecutive year, a recognition that comes directly from our employees’ experiences. At Kaplan, we believe that fostering a positive work environment isn’t just a priority, but essential. Supporting our people drives morale, strengthens retention, and attracts top talent. This certification is a testament to the company culture we’ve built together,” said Gregory Marino, CEO, Kaplan North America. “On behalf of Kaplan’s leadership, I extend a heartfelt thank you to our thousands of employees. You are what makes Kaplan, Kaplan, and we remain committed to ensuring this is a workplace where you thrive, want to build a career, and are proud of what we do." Thank you to all our employees for making Kaplan, Kaplan! Your dedication and enthusiasm make this company a truly great place to work. build a career, and accomplish big things. https://lnkd.in/ejYFwwsV #GreatPlaceToWork #EmployerOfChoice

Access to quality test prep is more than just an academic advantage—it’s a workforce game-changer. In this thought piece, Emmanuel Nwakibu, senior counsel and director of government relations, Kaplan North America, highlights how states can leverage this emerging must-have to fill critical workforce gaps in healthcare, education, and beyond. He writes, "When students and workers can access top-quality test preparation, they improve their pass rates on licensure and certification exams, excel in graduate school entrance tests, and secure more admissions to advanced education programs. Beyond individual achievements, these outcomes provide employers with a reliable, highly skilled workforce. The increased availability of qualified professionals bolsters workforce development and positions in-state workers for enduring success.” Case in point: Illinois. We're incredibly excited about the partnership we announced this week, which is bringing free test preparation courses to all students enrolled in Illinois’ public universities. Five community colleges in the state are also included as part of a pilot program. At Kaplan, we’re proud to be part of the solution, ensuring that aspiring professionals have the support they need to succeed. When we invest in access to education, we invest in a stronger, more resilient workforce, benefiting everyone. https://lnkd.in/eAsGaZrs #highereducation #highered #education #collegesanduniversities

Caleb Mertus's journey from first-generation college student to future doctor shows how innovative partnerships can change lives. As Black History Month explores "African Americans and Labor," his story highlights Delaware State University's role in building strong healthcare talent pipelines. The son of Ghanaian and Haitian immigrants, Caleb found crucial support through DSU's partnership with Kaplan's All Access License program—a bold higher education and workforce development initiative that provides students with universal access to test prep, enhances employability, and boosts economic mobility for graduates—when facing the MCAT, the challenging 7.5-hour medical school admissions exam. "I didn't know what I was going to do to prepare," he shares. "My parents wanted to help but they've never been through this process. I was on my own." Through dedicated MCAT prep and hard work, Caleb achieved a significant score increase. Beyond high-quality test prep, the program provided mentorship that "made it light but still taught the content in a way where I absorbed so much." With his impressive academic trajectory throughout the process, Caleb is confident in his plans to become a successful physician. "My experience at an HBCU cultivated a community where people who looked like me also pursued very high goals," Caleb explains, capturing how DSU's supportive environment empowers students. Now on his way to becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon focused on rural healthcare, Caleb's path shows how thoughtful educational partnerships can transform professional opportunities. Learn more about Caleb's inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/eCZDzvN5 #BlackHistoryMonth #MedEd #MedicalEducation #HBCU #FuturePhysicians

Kaplan is excited to partner with the State of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission and State of Illinois to offer comprehensive #testpreparation and professional licensure preparation at no cost to students. More than 200,000 students across the state now have access to universal test prep powered by Kaplan’s All Access License™. The initiative will benefit all students enrolled in Illinois’ 12 public universities, plus five of the state’s community colleges through a pilot program: Joliet Junior College, Carl Sandburg College, Southwestern Illinois College, City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College, and Morton College. Students at these institutions now have free access to Kaplan’s top-quality test prep for professional licensing exams, graduate-level admissions exams, and credential exams, including comprehensive prep for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, NCLEX-RN, USMLE, Illinois state bar exam, real estate and securities exams, and more. They also have access to a suite of professional and academic skills development courses from Kaplan. “Providing free test and licensing preparation courses for students is an important measure to help remove some of the financial barriers students face in advancing their education and careers,” said ISAC Executive Director ERIC ZARNIKOW. “ISAC is pleased to partner with Kaplan to provide these services, and I highly encourage all eligible students to enroll in a relevant course this year.” Kaplan North America CEO Gregory Marino noted that this bold initiative has the potential to create lasting benefits for millions of residents across the state by addressing acute shortages in critical fields such as healthcare and education, producing more doctors, nurses, teachers, and other essential professionals. The goal is to help aspiring professionals thrive and invest in Illinois’ success by providing free access to Kaplan’s comprehensive suite of test prep and career development resources. In addition to providing an incentive for students to stay in Illinois, improving employability, and closing the opportunity gap, the initiative may ultimately help reduce shortages in the Illinois workforce, including projected shortages of more than 14,000 #nurses and more than 6,000 #doctors. Check out the press release below for more information on how this can be a true game changer for state workforces, colleges and universities, and students and the communities in which they build their careers. We can’t wait to see these students in our classrooms! https://lnkd.in/eDjXxw8m #highereducation #highered #education #collegesanduniversities #workforcedevelopment #illinois

Howard University just made history as the first HBCU to reach R1 Carnegie Classification—a milestone that shows how universities can open new doors in American professional life. As Black History Month 2025 explores "African Americans and Labor," Howard's achievement offers a powerful example of turning academic excellence into real-world opportunity. The evidence is compelling: $85 million in annual research funding, 96 new doctorates awarded, and more Black Ph.D. graduates than any other U.S. university. But the bigger story is how Howard is breaking down traditional barriers between academic achievement and professional success. "Howard's achievement of R1 status demonstrates our research capacity and reaffirms our deep commitment to tackling society's most pressing questions through cutting-edge scholarship," Howard's president Dr. Ben Vinson III told Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine this month. This vision comes to life in groundbreaking programs like the Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, deliberately structured to create new paths for diverse talent across different fields. "We need to be thoughtful about creating experiences and programs that support our students' aspirations while addressing workforce needs," explains Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh, Howard's provost, in a recent Kaplan leadership interview. This approach drives our partnership through Kaplan's All Access initiative, which removes cost barriers to graduate admissions prep, from medical school to law school applications. Howard's achievement of R1 status marks a defining moment in higher education, showing how universities can reshape America's professional landscape. Kaplan is honored to partner with Howard in expanding educational access, supporting their vision of transforming opportunities across communities nationwide. Check out Dr. Wutoh’s full interview, to learn more about Howard’s approach to creating a culture of student success. https://lnkd.in/eMMFJuX5 #BlackHistoryMonth #HowardUniversity #HigherEducation