The New York Times’ Post

Some members of our knowledge capital index think this is the wave of the future, where continuous higher education and business success meld together. For those who protest that he is not a productive citizen, he has a successful business and has been contributing as a professor and instructor throughout. What do other people think? Sound off. #continuoushighered #continuouslearning

Peter Thiel’s 100k Offer! In the wake of Peter Thiel’s bold $100,000 offer to young adults to bypass college, we’re urged to rethink the value we place on formal education versus real-world experience. My own transition from the streets of Chicago to educating law enforcement on drug cartel dynamics underscores the profound leadership and business acumen that can emerge outside traditional academic pathways. However, Thiel’s initiative sparks a thought: beyond encouraging individuals to skip college, could there be merit in challenging CEOs and companies directly? Imagine if a portion of Thiel’s funding went towards incentivizing businesses to diversify their hiring criteria, or even to educate them on valuing skills and experiences as much as degrees. Such a move could potentially revolutionize workforce development, encouraging a shift in corporate culture to recognize and value the myriad paths to expertise and leadership. This suggestion isn’t just about shifting the focus from degrees to skills; it’s about inspiring a deeper change in how companies view potential and talent. By offering financial incentives or training programs to businesses willing to hire based on diverse experiences or non-traditional paths, Thiel could catalyze a broader transformation in the job market. This could lead to more inclusive, innovative, and dynamic companies better equipped to tackle the challenges of the modern world. Let’s broaden our dialogue on talent and success. It’s time for a systemic shift in hiring practices, one that embraces the richness of diverse experiences and perspectives. By valuing the lessons learned from both life and academia, we can foster a more inclusive and resilient business landscape. #Innovation #Leadership #PeterThiel #DiversityInHiring #Entrepreneurship #NonTraditionalPaths #FutureOfWork #wsj#secondchances#Lawenforcement#Amazon#technology #business#Redemption#Felons#Kingpintoeducator https://lnkd.in/d_fYiHUQ

Earlier this year, I was proud to receive the outstanding alumni award from my high school, Francis Parker School. None of my accomplishments as a VC would have been possible without the allyship of my high school calculus teacher, Mr. Esch. Mr. Esch is a white gay man who, I believe, saw a lot of himself in me. I was just one of three Black girls in my class. We both found ourselves outside of the boxes of a school as prestigious as Francis Parker. I didn’t expect to do well in calculus and constantly doubted myself. Mr. Esch on the other hand, knew that I had a knack for math and supported me in order to make sure I was successful. I had him as a mirror, letting me know that even though I felt differently, I should trust my instincts and not give up. Without him, I don’t believe I would have ever thought a career like VC - where mathematical analysis is an important part of our work - was a fit for me. It’s not easy to thrive in a culture where society tells you that you don’t belong - whether that’s calculus class in the 90s or the startup ecosystem of 2024. To everyone out there who feels like an outsider in a world they’re eager to participate in - you’re not alone, and I’m rooting for you. Lean on your allies, don’t give up and always remember to pay that kindness shown to you forward. #allyship #empowerment #venturecapital #venturecapitalistlife

Here’s what I had to say at the #Alloy conference In my work - I’ve seen how great teachers can change schools, towns, and economies. Right now, imagine if YOU had a teacher who could call up your mayor, the chamber of commerce, lawyers, or even VC contacts when you wanted to pursue an idea. That’s what we are creating across the country. These teachers are LEADING - they’re meeting up, sharing resources, and it’s incredible to see them inspire students to solve real-world problems and chase their ambitions. We all know that the future belongs to students taking on big challenges…and with the right teacher by their side, they’re starting their own businesses before they even finish college (if they want to go!) Teachers are valuable. They hold the keys to shaping our economy in ways we never expected, and I’m committed to helping them unlock that potential. If your school doesn’t have a program like this, let’s talk. #education #innovation #teachers Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Babson College does it again! 🎉 This year, Babson leads the charts in the Wall Street Journal College Pulse rankings! Even so many years after my MBA graduation, one principle stays with me "Entrepreneurial Thought in Action" . It’s not just a motto—it's a way of life. No matter where you are or what your role is, being entrepreneurial is the future of work! 🚀 Link to the article in first comment. Cheers!

Happy Spring! College decision day is about a month or so away, and some students are still grappling with which college to attend next year. This is a high-class problem! Yet, teen indecision is understandable. For many students, deciding where to attend college feels like a make-or-break choice that will affect their future career options and earning potential. I felt the same when I was seventeen.    As a college professor and coach, I guide students to make decisions that are authentic to themselves, rather than succumbing to the pressures and opinions of their peers, social media, or family. Below are two great resources to help with decision-making. The first is a commencement speech by Adam Grant; the other is an article in #HarvardBusinessReview.  Adam Grant on Making the "Right" Decisions - UPenn Commencement Speech 2011. https://lnkd.in/eXcHFr2J "Stop Worrying About Making the Right Decision" Harvard Business Review. https://lnkd.in/eJqD_hzA Good luck to one and all, and as always #KeepCalmAndCollegeOn!

Kennedy Marsh '25, a business administration major and economics minor, knew from an early age that she wanted to study business. Now, under the mentorship of Mark Zajack, Ph.D., assistant professor of business, and with the incredible support of Lycoming's Wertz Scholars Program and Haberberger Fellowship, Marsh has had the opportunity to put her business acumen to the test on a collaborative research project. Zajack's and Marsh's research seeks to assess the extent to which the intrinsic or extrinsic nature of college student aspirations is related to various student outcomes. Read more about Marsh's experience and research here: https://lnkd.in/e6NV5aQ4

Tomorrow I head to Seattle for the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition conference, and this time I get to take several colleagues with me! To kick off much of our work with the Title III Grant we were awarded, we'll be taking time as a team to learn, grow, and get down to business with our work to support minoritized students. Looking forward to the deep learning and thoughtful conversations we'll have during and after the conference! As I've been leaning into the principal investigator responsibilities of our #DOE #TitleIII grant, I've also been trying to expand my skills in leading change. Two resources that have been incredibly helpful already are Switch by Chip and Dan Heath (thanks Josh Wymore, Ph.D. for the suggestion!) and Atomic Habits by James Clear. In Atomic Habits, Clear nails it when he says, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." We get the results we do in higher ed because of our systems, not our intents. We can all mean as well as we want and say all the "right things", but if we don't take a hard look at the systems we perpetuate, we'll always get the same results: lower persistence and retention rates of minoritized students, lower graduation rates of Black males, high levels of distrust in higher education, etc. We can't move the needle immediately, but we can start chipping away at changing our systems if we start with simple, meaningful changes our colleges can do campus-wide. Our #TitleIII grant won't change things overnight, but if we can inspire and lead others to interrogate our systems and work toward more equitable and inclusive systems, we'll be on our way to accomplishing our goals. And if you have any great resource recommendations, please send them my way!

Once more into the fray! The last time I touched anything to do with math or statistics, the year was 2002. The result was a C- and a personal oath to never have to deal with math again. But no belief can stand the test of time. Especially when it is rooted in comfort-based decisions. As I embark on this next semester in our Columbia University Human Capital Management program, the material is sure to push me outside my comfort zone. It’s about value-based discomfort. Being uncomfortable for no reason is reckless and ROI negative, but discomfort that is tied to deliberate growth or a value-aligned endstate is a worthy pursuit. I am keenly aware of my capabilities and limitations as a Talent practitioner. To be the best teammate and leader I can, it is time to enter the ring with those limitations. After all, how can I push my team members to challenge themselves in unknown territories if I am unwilling to go there myself? Grateful for this chance to grow and excited for this challenge. #bringthenoise #bringonthemath

Possibilities One of the highlights of my College reunion this year was a presentation by one of my former classmates, David J. Malan the professor of CS50, the Computer Science intro class that fills auditoriums at Harvard University (and Yale) and has played a major role in development of the digital world that we know and experience daily. He started by showing us a video of the CS50 class from 1996 when we were freshmen in college and then gave a taste of the current course, its principles, and its tools, including the incorporation of AI.  As I watched the presentation, I found myself comparing 1996 to today in my mind and it made me think of one word -- Possibilities.  The massive changes in the world of technology, in computing power, in human interactions and in human experience that we have seen since 1995 were hard to imagine back then, and, even if imagined, would have been considered unlikely or impossible.  The timing of this word, Possibilities, suddenly filling my thoughts, could not have been more perfect. In the same week of my reunion, I officially departed the company (a family office) where I have worked for the past 17 years. During that time, I have seen and done quite a lot, having served in numerous roles for the Family Office, its Private Equity Fund and its portfolio companies including as an Operating Partner, Investment Manager, M&A and fundraising specialist, CEO, CMO, Government Relations head, Board Chairman, operations expert and even Billionaire adviser. Yet, I am fascinated by the idea that there is so much more to discover. I am excited to view this new phase of my life as one defined by unlimited Possibilities. Knowing what we know about the speed and inevitability of change, I firmly believe it is the right time for me, and for all of us, to imagine and execute the unfathomable. The possibilities truly are endless. Let's go! I am currently focusing on my own portfolio of investments, supporting entrepreneurs as an advisor and mentor, and also as Chairman of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship - Caribbean of Virgin Unite. However I remain open to discussing roles, opportunities and projects where my experience, expertise and emotional intelligence can be an asset. Feel free to reach out via direct message, email or phone. #possibilities #technology #intelligence #sustainability #harvard #reunion #cs50 #boardmember #chairman #adviser