1 00:00:00,570 --> 00:00:02,780 Welcome to Digication Scholars Conversations. 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:04,433 I'm your host, Jeff Yan. 3 00:00:04,433 --> 00:00:09,799 In this episode, you will hear part one of my conversation with Lizz Colon, Director 4 00:00:09,799 --> 00:00:12,240 of Learning in Public at College Unbound. 5 00:00:12,980 --> 00:00:17,070 More links and information about today's conversation can be found on Digication's 6 00:00:17,070 --> 00:00:18,519 Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 7 00:00:19,500 --> 00:00:22,840 Full episodes of Digication Scholars Conversations can be found on 8 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:24,600 YouTube or your favorite podcast app. 9 00:00:27,730 --> 00:00:29,999 Welcome to Digication Scholars Conversations. 10 00:00:30,550 --> 00:00:31,860 I'm your host, Jeff Yan. 11 00:00:32,460 --> 00:00:38,260 My guest today is Lizz Cologne, Director of Learning in Public at College Unbound. 12 00:00:39,030 --> 00:00:39,839 Hi, Lizz. 13 00:00:39,860 --> 00:00:40,899 Hi, how are you? 14 00:00:41,980 --> 00:00:42,370 Good. 15 00:00:43,050 --> 00:00:46,689 I have been a massive fan of College Unbound for a very 16 00:00:46,689 --> 00:00:48,470 long time, since its inception. 17 00:00:48,899 --> 00:00:55,315 I have, uh, been friends with your, um, Uh, current president, Adam 18 00:00:55,325 --> 00:00:59,845 Bush, uh, for over a decade when he co founded, uh, College of God with 19 00:00:59,855 --> 00:01:04,665 Dennis Littky, uh, whom I've also admired for another decade before that. 20 00:01:05,295 --> 00:01:10,425 In fact, Adam, Adam Bush was a Digitation Scholars, um, back in 21 00:01:10,425 --> 00:01:13,025 season one, episode 25 and 26. 22 00:01:13,645 --> 00:01:16,505 So people should check them out if, um, this story, you 23 00:01:16,505 --> 00:01:18,945 know, um, resonates with you. 24 00:01:19,645 --> 00:01:25,875 Um, so Lizz, um, why don't you tell us a little bit about College Unbound, 25 00:01:25,975 --> 00:01:30,955 uh, for those who may not be aware, um, of what it is and, you know, 26 00:01:30,965 --> 00:01:32,274 how is it different from others? 27 00:01:32,565 --> 00:01:35,735 Colleges, and the fact that it's, it's a college, it's a degree 28 00:01:35,735 --> 00:01:38,175 granting college and some people don't even know about that. 29 00:01:38,785 --> 00:01:39,005 Right? 30 00:01:39,055 --> 00:01:41,615 So go ahead and tell us a little bit about College Unbound. 31 00:01:42,195 --> 00:01:45,925 So College Unbound, uh, started about 15 years ago. 32 00:01:46,344 --> 00:01:51,535 Um, in 2020, we actually got our, uh, accreditation. 33 00:01:52,065 --> 00:01:52,875 Uh, through NECHE. 34 00:01:53,435 --> 00:01:58,085 And, um, they're the consortium that, that accreditates, uh, 35 00:01:58,105 --> 00:02:00,145 all New England colleges. 36 00:02:00,505 --> 00:02:08,414 Um, and, um, we have been able to build a, um, rigorous program, 37 00:02:08,415 --> 00:02:09,814 which is a bit untraditional. 38 00:02:10,314 --> 00:02:16,825 Um, we're not like other colleges in a way that, you know, it is, here's a book. 39 00:02:17,055 --> 00:02:19,745 Read the information, take a test, and move on. 40 00:02:20,055 --> 00:02:26,525 We really have a commitment to our students who have had, um, 41 00:02:26,595 --> 00:02:30,965 a lot of, uh, educational trauma in a lot of different ways. 42 00:02:31,265 --> 00:02:37,735 Um, you know, being lack of schools or overcrowded schools, thinking about, 43 00:02:37,765 --> 00:02:43,705 um, the level of diversity, poverty, you know, all of those things that we look at. 44 00:02:44,105 --> 00:02:50,560 Um, You know, we are the, uh, the college that really serves people. 45 00:02:52,365 --> 00:02:56,075 Who are not going to do that mainstream traditional path. 46 00:02:56,945 --> 00:03:05,194 And so we, uh, have, uh, created a process to embrace the fact that as an 47 00:03:05,194 --> 00:03:11,314 adult, you can go to college, you can handle a full time, um, level of, of. 48 00:03:11,535 --> 00:03:15,615 You know, full time courses, um, you can work full time, you can raise 49 00:03:15,615 --> 00:03:19,835 your family, and believe it or not, with all of that in the mix, you can 50 00:03:19,835 --> 00:03:21,784 still have time for self care, right? 51 00:03:21,784 --> 00:03:23,224 And it is so important. 52 00:03:23,574 --> 00:03:30,685 Um, so we've been able to, uh, create and model this program into a way where we 53 00:03:30,694 --> 00:03:33,564 really care deeply about our community. 54 00:03:33,624 --> 00:03:38,064 And because we're passionate about our community, um, there are three 55 00:03:38,064 --> 00:03:40,119 ways that students can learn. 56 00:03:41,029 --> 00:03:42,760 Go through College Unbound. 57 00:03:42,769 --> 00:03:46,839 One, each student has to have a project and it's a project that they care about. 58 00:03:47,100 --> 00:03:51,700 It's a project that can be, um, can be, you know, as large 59 00:03:51,700 --> 00:03:53,740 as this 5 year scale project. 60 00:03:53,790 --> 00:03:55,879 It can be a fundraiser. 61 00:03:56,079 --> 00:04:01,235 It really could be anything that, um, can That you are passionate 62 00:04:01,235 --> 00:04:02,345 and that you care about. 63 00:04:02,615 --> 00:04:05,375 And with that beco comes community impact. 64 00:04:05,704 --> 00:04:07,805 So we do a lot of asset mapping. 65 00:04:07,805 --> 00:04:12,305 We do a lot of, um, working with the students to figure out what is your plan? 66 00:04:12,310 --> 00:04:13,295 What is your goal? 67 00:04:13,295 --> 00:04:14,584 What are your passions? 68 00:04:15,005 --> 00:04:18,005 Um, how would you impact this community? 69 00:04:18,425 --> 00:04:22,445 Uh, what are the different types of steps that you would take to be able to do this? 70 00:04:22,445 --> 00:04:25,325 Or if you were to build a business or create a nonprofit. 71 00:04:25,715 --> 00:04:29,435 Um, and these are all, uh, things that we want. 72 00:04:30,229 --> 00:04:36,590 And we get from people who are, um, coming back into college that have 73 00:04:36,590 --> 00:04:40,020 been either out for a very long time or never had the opportunity before. 74 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:46,720 Um, a couple of ways that we do this is one, um, College Unbound is, uh, 75 00:04:46,789 --> 00:04:50,679 takes, uh, Any type of credit you might have from a previous institution. 76 00:04:51,090 --> 00:04:53,120 So it could have been military credit. 77 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,340 It could have been credit through credentialing services like ACE. 78 00:04:56,700 --> 00:05:02,039 It could be, um, that you have, you know, you went to college years ago 79 00:05:02,070 --> 00:05:06,049 and that college, you know, your transfer, uh, credit will come in. 80 00:05:06,049 --> 00:05:08,339 And so people are coming in in multiple different ways. 81 00:05:08,339 --> 00:05:10,950 And so everybody starts the same type of process. 82 00:05:11,390 --> 00:05:15,610 Um, although no matter how much credit you come in with, um, you 83 00:05:15,610 --> 00:05:22,104 still have to The first semester is the only semester we kind of dictate. 84 00:05:22,484 --> 00:05:27,084 Um, and the reason for that is because we want to be able to set people up, um, 85 00:05:27,094 --> 00:05:30,824 with the right supports that everybody is starting at the same foundation. 86 00:05:31,145 --> 00:05:33,494 Even though you might come in with different credits and you might 87 00:05:33,494 --> 00:05:34,705 come in with different skills. 88 00:05:35,074 --> 00:05:39,685 Um, this really sets you up because we do things in a different way. 89 00:05:39,975 --> 00:05:47,375 It's not about just, you know, um, reading, taking a test and moving on. 90 00:05:47,395 --> 00:05:48,984 It is really sitting with. 91 00:05:49,539 --> 00:05:54,370 And learning about how we process reflective learning. 92 00:05:54,700 --> 00:05:58,830 And so because of that, you really have to sit in the mix with this. 93 00:05:58,849 --> 00:06:04,820 It's not just an easy one, two, three, um, way of doing things. 94 00:06:05,169 --> 00:06:07,020 Uh, it's a little unique. 95 00:06:07,049 --> 00:06:13,200 We have this really, um, We call it the secret sauce, uh, can't tell you exactly 96 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:18,280 what it is because I think there are a little bit of there are pieces throughout 97 00:06:18,330 --> 00:06:23,019 and sprinkled throughout the whole college to make this community, um, what 98 00:06:23,019 --> 00:06:25,170 it is, but it's a place of belonging. 99 00:06:25,669 --> 00:06:27,189 It's a place of caring. 100 00:06:27,679 --> 00:06:29,679 It's a place of learning. 101 00:06:30,305 --> 00:06:35,395 And we really embrace, um, the fact that we are all lifelong learners. 102 00:06:35,625 --> 00:06:39,285 And so this isn't something that, you know, you're just going to school for 103 00:06:39,285 --> 00:06:43,365 you move on and you never think of again, but how do you continue to learn 104 00:06:43,385 --> 00:06:51,174 throughout your lifetime as you know, and in, in a community, um, my title is, 105 00:06:51,584 --> 00:06:53,344 uh, the director of learning in public. 106 00:06:53,664 --> 00:06:56,645 And so when we think about learning in public, usually people 107 00:06:56,645 --> 00:06:58,105 don't like, Oh, what is that? 108 00:06:58,414 --> 00:07:00,064 But it's, we learn. 109 00:07:00,345 --> 00:07:01,735 Through lots of different things. 110 00:07:01,735 --> 00:07:07,425 We learn through, um, thinking about the ways that we've been able to, to 111 00:07:07,455 --> 00:07:08,915 think about our health care system. 112 00:07:09,195 --> 00:07:14,284 We learn through the ways of working with libraries and working with people. 113 00:07:14,624 --> 00:07:20,135 Um, we learn inside and outside of the classroom. 114 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:23,330 But why does it only count when it's inside the classroom? 115 00:07:23,820 --> 00:07:29,139 And so we all have these lived experiences that are very unique and there's a lot of 116 00:07:29,140 --> 00:07:30,950 value and there's a lot of worth to that. 117 00:07:30,950 --> 00:07:35,879 And I think that we don't honor people enough in those different ways to 118 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:37,769 be like, wow, you really did that. 119 00:07:37,779 --> 00:07:38,989 Like, that's amazing. 120 00:07:39,739 --> 00:07:44,889 Um, and so it's a really, um, a way for people to find. 121 00:07:45,435 --> 00:07:50,955 Their voice to people, to find the ways that they really want to be 122 00:07:51,195 --> 00:07:52,724 in community with other people. 123 00:07:53,965 --> 00:08:01,595 And, um, there's just so much that you get and that you take 124 00:08:01,595 --> 00:08:02,865 away from College Unbound. 125 00:08:03,774 --> 00:08:09,705 As a student coming in, um, I, I enrolled in College Unbound in 2019. 126 00:08:09,715 --> 00:08:12,865 And, um, I had, you know, dropped out of. 127 00:08:13,070 --> 00:08:18,060 High school in the 9th grade, got my GED, um, went to community college for 128 00:08:18,060 --> 00:08:23,030 a little while, got about 20 credits, and then for the following 25 years, 129 00:08:23,470 --> 00:08:27,899 worked as a community organizer doing all types of, um, environmental and social 130 00:08:27,899 --> 00:08:31,230 justice work, um, and public policy. 131 00:08:33,735 --> 00:08:36,655 When I came to College Unbound, my first thing was like, you 132 00:08:36,655 --> 00:08:39,975 told me I got lived experience and I could be able to use that. 133 00:08:40,335 --> 00:08:41,965 And I was able to use that. 134 00:08:41,965 --> 00:08:46,945 I was able to help, um, create a program and a structure. 135 00:08:46,955 --> 00:08:53,740 That's the program that I now oversee, um, to figure out the ways to, um, look at 136 00:08:53,740 --> 00:08:58,865 that lived experience, do a comprehensive portfolio assessment on what was learned. 137 00:08:58,865 --> 00:09:03,150 For And then be able to bestow credit to students. 138 00:09:03,570 --> 00:09:07,410 Um, it has been quite a journey for me. 139 00:09:07,770 --> 00:09:12,450 Um, I fell in love for the 1st time as an adult at College Unbound. 140 00:09:13,010 --> 00:09:17,780 Um, I didn't really ever think that education, um, was in my wheelhouse. 141 00:09:17,870 --> 00:09:20,080 It just wasn't something that I was good at. 142 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:21,689 I was a C and D student. 143 00:09:21,710 --> 00:09:22,680 I barely passed. 144 00:09:23,380 --> 00:09:25,380 Um, I really struggled in school. 145 00:09:25,790 --> 00:09:30,065 And The first time I came to College Unbound and I got an A, I was like, Oh 146 00:09:30,065 --> 00:09:31,865 my gosh, I can do college level work. 147 00:09:31,865 --> 00:09:33,525 And I was like, surprised myself. 148 00:09:33,965 --> 00:09:38,095 Um, and then I realized, no, this is something I can do. 149 00:09:38,705 --> 00:09:42,414 It was, I think the learning pieces and the way that we're able to 150 00:09:42,414 --> 00:09:47,085 model and the way that we're able to engage in the community, which 151 00:09:47,095 --> 00:09:50,745 really helped me foster my learning. 152 00:09:51,965 --> 00:09:55,625 Because there was a reason I wanted to learn and there was something behind it. 153 00:09:55,625 --> 00:10:00,695 It wasn't this arbitrary, you know, go do a portfolio on elephants. 154 00:10:00,695 --> 00:10:03,165 And what if I don't like elephants and why do I have to do it? 155 00:10:03,165 --> 00:10:05,234 I'm not going to get a good grade, you know? 156 00:10:05,495 --> 00:10:11,904 Um, but because it's really based on your values and what you think 157 00:10:11,904 --> 00:10:16,745 and what you want and the students in the driver's seat, um, it's 158 00:10:16,745 --> 00:10:18,035 been an unbelievable journey. 159 00:10:19,105 --> 00:10:19,375 Hey. 160 00:10:19,899 --> 00:10:24,989 I think you're being very modest, by the way, I, I know a little bit 161 00:10:25,019 --> 00:10:27,420 about your journey, so I'm going to, we're going to dig deeper. 162 00:10:27,469 --> 00:10:28,699 Okay, you can do that. 163 00:10:29,350 --> 00:10:34,270 Right, but I also want to just really quickly comment on a couple of things. 164 00:10:34,379 --> 00:10:41,969 Um, I, I think it's important to acknowledge that, The, the, the sort 165 00:10:41,969 --> 00:10:50,770 of, you know, expected paths that people have for children going from K 12 school 166 00:10:50,775 --> 00:10:56,270 and then to college, spend a few years in college, and then they go and get a 167 00:10:56,275 --> 00:11:01,280 job, maybe go even get graduate degrees, you know, and then get a job and then, 168 00:11:01,890 --> 00:11:07,160 um, and then, uh, and then, uh, build a family and then at some point retire. 169 00:11:07,975 --> 00:11:12,785 This kind of, you know, picket fence, you know, sort of dreamy, sort of, 170 00:11:12,824 --> 00:11:18,745 um, you know, paths, they exist for some people, but I think it 171 00:11:18,745 --> 00:11:20,545 doesn't exist for millions of people. 172 00:11:20,825 --> 00:11:24,284 I don't think that people realize like, Oh, that's just the minority 173 00:11:24,435 --> 00:11:25,885 that, that it doesn't work. 174 00:11:26,584 --> 00:11:27,195 That's not true. 175 00:11:27,665 --> 00:11:32,455 If we, I mean, even if it is true, minority. 176 00:11:32,815 --> 00:11:35,305 And for millions and millions, there are still millions 177 00:11:35,305 --> 00:11:36,885 and millions of them, right? 178 00:11:36,945 --> 00:11:41,165 So it's a very large number of people that it doesn't, and it has 179 00:11:41,165 --> 00:11:42,525 to do with a little bit of that. 180 00:11:42,525 --> 00:11:47,425 What you were saying, look, I don't see a reason building a 181 00:11:47,425 --> 00:11:49,875 portfolio on elephants, right? 182 00:11:49,904 --> 00:11:55,004 Or to, to read a book about something that you just didn't feel the 183 00:11:55,004 --> 00:11:58,265 connection for, especially when. 184 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:03,570 Your life priorities have other things going, maybe someone's sick in the family, 185 00:12:03,690 --> 00:12:08,320 maybe you are responsible for taking care of your children while, while being there. 186 00:12:09,010 --> 00:12:16,279 And if in comparison, you know, I get to spend time with my children or 187 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:19,560 I can go to this class, except that this class is making me do things that 188 00:12:19,560 --> 00:12:21,159 I'm not all that passionate about. 189 00:12:21,930 --> 00:12:23,920 Man, that's hard day in and day out. 190 00:12:24,250 --> 00:12:28,260 How could they spend years doing that and complete that degree, right? 191 00:12:29,410 --> 00:12:36,490 I think we look at, you know, not in any way to not community colleges, but it 192 00:12:36,699 --> 00:12:39,350 just, the way that they're structured. 193 00:12:39,815 --> 00:12:44,495 Um, you know, when, when you go and you, you apply to go to any school, 194 00:12:44,955 --> 00:12:49,085 there's certain times, there's certain classes, there's the maximum class 195 00:12:49,094 --> 00:12:53,435 size, there's, you know, you have these other things that come into play. 196 00:12:53,674 --> 00:12:58,124 And if you're a working parent, right, whether you're a single parent or not, 197 00:12:58,575 --> 00:13:04,565 um, If you're a parent or you're working 40 hours and your kids are in school and 198 00:13:04,565 --> 00:13:09,455 plus you're in school, there needs to be a way to be able to find that balance. 199 00:13:09,855 --> 00:13:14,095 And for a lot of colleges, because it really is catered to 200 00:13:14,095 --> 00:13:17,185 those 18 to 25 year olds, right? 201 00:13:17,194 --> 00:13:20,415 Who couldn't work at night and do these things, right? 202 00:13:20,415 --> 00:13:22,805 When you've got a family and you've got little ones that 203 00:13:22,805 --> 00:13:24,215 just doesn't always work out. 204 00:13:24,535 --> 00:13:27,015 Um, especially if you're a single parent household. 205 00:13:27,455 --> 00:13:28,419 And yeah. 206 00:13:29,060 --> 00:13:29,890 It's a trade off. 207 00:13:29,940 --> 00:13:34,530 It's, you know, do I work to put food on my table or can I possibly take a class? 208 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:37,340 Like, and I don't really have the time to invest in that. 209 00:13:37,790 --> 00:13:42,459 And so I think College Unbound is unique in the way that we only 210 00:13:42,469 --> 00:13:48,429 have to, um, we only ask students to show up in person once a week. 211 00:13:48,900 --> 00:13:55,670 For 3 hours, and during that time of those 3 hours, we also build 212 00:13:55,670 --> 00:13:59,280 our community by breaking bread together and having a communal meal. 213 00:13:59,920 --> 00:14:00,250 Right? 214 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:09,469 We offer child care, um, on site so that, uh, students can either come with their 215 00:14:09,469 --> 00:14:12,249 cohort on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays. 216 00:14:12,579 --> 00:14:16,719 But even if you're a Tuesday student, you can come to school on Wednesday 217 00:14:16,980 --> 00:14:20,120 and have your child in child care while you're doing homework. 218 00:14:21,190 --> 00:14:21,750 You know what I mean? 219 00:14:21,750 --> 00:14:23,480 In another area of the building. 220 00:14:23,490 --> 00:14:28,170 So, like, there's still that availability because if you've got kids and you've got 221 00:14:28,180 --> 00:14:30,700 homework to do, it's not always that easy. 222 00:14:31,070 --> 00:14:37,399 Um, the way that we also structured it in regards to the child care portion is 223 00:14:37,420 --> 00:14:43,255 that, um, The students who are coming who are kids, they get their homework done and 224 00:14:43,255 --> 00:14:44,795 that's the first thing they have to do. 225 00:14:44,795 --> 00:14:49,844 And so there's homework help, um, so that parents are not necessarily 226 00:14:49,844 --> 00:14:53,454 spending the time on that night because they have their own classes to do. 227 00:14:53,745 --> 00:15:00,235 And it really is nice to see the mix of generations that come into the building. 228 00:15:00,980 --> 00:15:05,020 Um, we've got husbands and wives that are coming to school together. 229 00:15:05,260 --> 00:15:07,700 We've got partners, we've got best friends. 230 00:15:07,790 --> 00:15:14,080 We have, um, a, uh, a mother, a daughter and a granddaughter 231 00:15:14,419 --> 00:15:16,390 all attending class together. 232 00:15:16,390 --> 00:15:18,729 And it really is. 233 00:15:18,739 --> 00:15:21,729 So it's not just, it's first and second generation. 234 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:25,330 Um, sometimes third gen that we're seeing. 235 00:15:26,010 --> 00:15:30,020 And it's a great model for the kids to even come into the school building and 236 00:15:30,020 --> 00:15:34,739 say, all right, mom or dad has got to go to class and you're going to go to class 237 00:15:34,739 --> 00:15:37,709 and you're going to do this and you're going to have some fun stuff and arts and 238 00:15:37,709 --> 00:15:39,310 crafts and whatever after your homework. 239 00:15:39,679 --> 00:15:42,019 And by the way, we're also going to provide your meal. 240 00:15:42,905 --> 00:15:47,545 So people are not just driving from, you know, their job to pick up their 241 00:15:47,545 --> 00:15:49,655 kid, to get some fast food, right? 242 00:15:49,655 --> 00:15:53,785 We also make sure that we have healthy meals for people and it's great. 243 00:15:53,805 --> 00:15:56,964 Like I will go in and I'll, there's students that come in the 244 00:15:56,964 --> 00:16:00,004 building and they're like, Oh, you know, the traffic was horrible. 245 00:16:00,004 --> 00:16:01,484 And I'm like, sit down. 246 00:16:01,494 --> 00:16:02,294 What do you want? 247 00:16:02,295 --> 00:16:03,405 I'll grab you a plate. 248 00:16:03,405 --> 00:16:04,855 Let me bring you some water. 249 00:16:05,210 --> 00:16:08,540 And students will look at me and be like, seriously, you're doing this? 250 00:16:08,540 --> 00:16:09,510 And I'm like, why not? 251 00:16:09,510 --> 00:16:10,530 I'm already here. 252 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:16,620 Um, but it's a way just to even, to appreciate them for 253 00:16:16,630 --> 00:16:17,890 making the effort to come. 254 00:16:18,410 --> 00:16:21,779 And then those other days of the week, while they're not in, they're not in 255 00:16:21,779 --> 00:16:26,670 that cohort class, all the other classes they take are on Zoom so that there is 256 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:32,170 flexibility around, um, being able, like I said, to be able to work, to be able to 257 00:16:32,170 --> 00:16:35,480 maintain a family, to be able to maintain. 258 00:16:35,830 --> 00:16:37,010 Your self care, right? 259 00:16:37,010 --> 00:16:39,880 You don't want to just run out of time and say, I have no time for me 260 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:42,199 because all I can do is work and study. 261 00:16:43,770 --> 00:16:48,249 And this, I think is also, by the way, what an amazing thing to have a brand 262 00:16:48,249 --> 00:16:54,569 new college where you can invent these new ways of just, I mean, think about 263 00:16:54,569 --> 00:16:56,970 this ending the finances part, right? 264 00:16:57,435 --> 00:16:59,975 Like some people might go, well, what does it cost? 265 00:16:59,975 --> 00:17:03,795 A hundred K a year to attend a school where you provide feed free childcare? 266 00:17:03,815 --> 00:17:08,095 No, but because it's two days, you are able to limit it in those three hours. 267 00:17:08,095 --> 00:17:10,224 You're able to do that and provide them with food. 268 00:17:10,625 --> 00:17:11,315 And guess what? 269 00:17:11,515 --> 00:17:16,644 You also, they're not spending money on a gym and on, you know, the swimming 270 00:17:16,644 --> 00:17:21,424 pool, the, the, the, you know, the other extravagant things that, you 271 00:17:21,425 --> 00:17:24,174 know, some college campuses have, right. 272 00:17:24,264 --> 00:17:27,095 Um, and you are able to balance that out with. 273 00:17:27,639 --> 00:17:30,970 You know, on things that really are going to serve this 274 00:17:30,990 --> 00:17:32,510 population of students better. 275 00:17:33,149 --> 00:17:37,950 And, you know, also students every eight weeks, um, there's an exhibition. 276 00:17:38,230 --> 00:17:42,689 So students have to show their work, uh, and they have to talk about, um, and 277 00:17:42,700 --> 00:17:44,790 there's different ways that we model that. 278 00:17:44,799 --> 00:17:48,850 And we have assignments, uh, so that people can have their exhibitions. 279 00:17:49,050 --> 00:17:51,950 But how great is it to be able to present and then have your 280 00:17:51,950 --> 00:17:54,090 kid give you feedback, right? 281 00:17:54,334 --> 00:17:57,914 Or you bring in your family or your friends or your coworkers so 282 00:17:57,914 --> 00:17:59,534 they can see what you're doing. 283 00:17:59,945 --> 00:18:03,445 Um, and they can see like, yeah, just cause I'm in school. 284 00:18:03,445 --> 00:18:07,695 I'm not just sitting in a classroom, like listening to, you know, blah, blah, blah. 285 00:18:07,945 --> 00:18:10,995 Like this is really hands on education. 286 00:18:11,500 --> 00:18:14,140 Um, and because of that, it feels different. 287 00:18:14,590 --> 00:18:17,200 It feels like a place that you want to come to. 288 00:18:17,780 --> 00:18:18,070 Right. 289 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:23,319 And, um, it's, it's, you know, going down that path of having, I think, 290 00:18:24,050 --> 00:18:28,810 thinking about the ways that we have, Like, a lot of adults have 291 00:18:28,810 --> 00:18:30,770 been traumatized in education, right? 292 00:18:30,770 --> 00:18:34,810 They're scared of that red pen in the way that we just say, 293 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:36,290 oh, this isn't good enough. 294 00:18:36,610 --> 00:18:38,229 Um, but that's not it. 295 00:18:38,230 --> 00:18:42,210 And I think College Unbound is very unique in the fact that because we're 296 00:18:42,210 --> 00:18:47,710 not Um, extremely traditional and we haven't been institutionaLizzed 297 00:18:47,730 --> 00:18:49,670 with 100 year history, right? 298 00:18:49,670 --> 00:18:54,619 We can come in and we can say what works for us and what's happening in real 299 00:18:54,619 --> 00:18:59,660 life right now and how we can, how can we structure and make these adjustments 300 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:01,739 so we don't end up like that place. 301 00:19:02,294 --> 00:19:02,675 Right? 302 00:19:02,875 --> 00:19:08,114 Because we, we, we want people to, um, feel like they have, they 303 00:19:08,114 --> 00:19:12,044 have control and that they are at the, the center of attention. 304 00:19:12,344 --> 00:19:15,814 Um, and I think one of the ways that we also do that is because we 305 00:19:15,814 --> 00:19:17,455 also have one bachelor's degree. 306 00:19:17,865 --> 00:19:21,445 And so that one bachelor's degree, which is in organizational 307 00:19:21,445 --> 00:19:22,675 leadership and change. 308 00:19:24,235 --> 00:19:24,814 Um. 309 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:27,030 Is a great way to go. 310 00:19:28,659 --> 00:19:34,249 One, you're not on a specific track where you have to stay in this lane. 311 00:19:34,529 --> 00:19:36,580 Organizational leadership and change. 312 00:19:37,480 --> 00:19:41,699 It can ebb and flow and it's in management and it's, you know, 313 00:19:41,699 --> 00:19:43,269 you can use it for for profit. 314 00:19:43,270 --> 00:19:44,899 You could use it in a nonprofit. 315 00:19:44,909 --> 00:19:48,389 You could use it as, you know, a startup as an entrepreneurship. 316 00:19:48,700 --> 00:19:52,790 There are so many ways and, and the degree is so versatile. 317 00:19:53,555 --> 00:20:00,385 That you have opportunity to be able to say, this is where I can think I can fit 318 00:20:00,385 --> 00:20:06,995 in, in this type of field, and you're not being held to a very like linear standard 319 00:20:07,014 --> 00:20:09,495 of, you can only do this in this track. 320 00:20:12,105 --> 00:20:17,544 I, I said before that we need to dig into some of what you've done as 321 00:20:17,544 --> 00:20:22,074 well, because it's an, an amazingly impressive work that you've done and. 322 00:20:22,689 --> 00:20:29,499 And for some, and I want people to hear this probably also because for someone 323 00:20:29,499 --> 00:20:37,989 as brilliant as you are, Lizz, you had, like you said, education trauma in such 324 00:20:37,989 --> 00:20:46,139 that 29 years after you attended school, you get an A and you surprise yourself. 325 00:20:47,070 --> 00:20:51,409 But if we look at your 29 years of that career, which we're going to 326 00:20:51,419 --> 00:20:54,979 go into, right, I think everyone's going to be like, she's impressive. 327 00:20:55,939 --> 00:20:56,699 How could she? 328 00:20:57,110 --> 00:20:59,149 Be scared of not getting an A. 329 00:20:59,340 --> 00:21:03,520 She's clearly an A material, right? 330 00:21:03,590 --> 00:21:09,419 But I think we forget that students, when they are young, when they 331 00:21:09,419 --> 00:21:14,329 go through schools, these grades, these feedback that they get, it 332 00:21:14,330 --> 00:21:16,080 matters to these little brains. 333 00:21:16,430 --> 00:21:17,239 They have nothing. 334 00:21:17,814 --> 00:21:22,264 They have no way to defend themselves, but by saying negative things to 335 00:21:22,264 --> 00:21:27,764 themselves, to think that they are less than capable, right? 336 00:21:27,774 --> 00:21:32,054 Because someone said so, and it could, it's so easy to give 337 00:21:32,054 --> 00:21:36,904 someone a C and a D, like you said, I'm a C and a D student, right? 338 00:21:36,924 --> 00:21:41,325 It's so easy for them to fall into that and then think less of themselves. 339 00:21:42,425 --> 00:21:45,085 And that education trauma is real. 340 00:21:45,154 --> 00:21:46,114 And I think that it's. 341 00:21:46,795 --> 00:21:48,175 It's the kind of things that 342 00:21:50,275 --> 00:21:56,855 most college, you know, have admissions, you know, and it's It 343 00:21:56,925 --> 00:22:02,515 further perpetuate that feeling and that idea that you don't belong. 344 00:22:02,565 --> 00:22:07,064 So when you said that we do these projects and it's based on belonging 345 00:22:07,075 --> 00:22:11,555 and care, purpose and mission gets built and confidence get built. 346 00:22:12,064 --> 00:22:12,524 Guess what? 347 00:22:12,535 --> 00:22:15,935 People are more successful and it, you'd wonder why, right? 348 00:22:15,965 --> 00:22:19,764 You wonder why these people are like, like you are saying, I found my place. 349 00:22:20,475 --> 00:22:22,054 Well, no kidding, right? 350 00:22:22,425 --> 00:22:27,635 Because you were traumatized, you were young and you had no way to fight it. 351 00:22:28,134 --> 00:22:29,915 You had to do it, right? 352 00:22:30,324 --> 00:22:34,684 You were just told and you didn't have a way to defend yourself and 353 00:22:34,684 --> 00:22:36,085 you didn't fit into that mold. 354 00:22:36,085 --> 00:22:41,845 And, and, uh, and so I think it's, it's really, I mean, it's, it's an 355 00:22:42,225 --> 00:22:45,345 incredibly amazing message, not only for people who are interested in 356 00:22:45,345 --> 00:22:48,735 college and back, but if you're in a, if you're listening, you are in a. 357 00:22:49,209 --> 00:22:53,010 K 12 school, you're in a college, a more traditional college. 358 00:22:53,310 --> 00:22:58,979 Think about these things, you know, and how we continue that system with our 359 00:22:58,980 --> 00:23:00,319 students and what that means for them. 360 00:23:01,270 --> 00:23:08,229 As a, as a student, I mean, you know, my, my glass ceiling was, I 361 00:23:08,229 --> 00:23:10,119 want to get my bachelor's degree. 362 00:23:10,620 --> 00:23:11,860 That was all I wanted. 363 00:23:11,940 --> 00:23:14,990 I was like, if I'm going to get my bachelor's degree, I've done all these 364 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,379 things in my life and that's all I want. 365 00:23:17,870 --> 00:23:24,510 And then I got really close to graduation at College Unbound 366 00:23:24,949 --> 00:23:29,780 and I was in my capstone class and I was like, but what do I do? 367 00:23:29,780 --> 00:23:30,680 I don't want to leave. 368 00:23:31,580 --> 00:23:32,980 How do I, how do I stay? 369 00:23:32,990 --> 00:23:34,850 Like, can I take some more classes? 370 00:23:35,060 --> 00:23:39,029 I know I'm supposed to graduate, but I had this sense of like, 371 00:23:39,570 --> 00:23:41,680 if I walk away, Now what? 372 00:23:42,490 --> 00:23:46,620 And, and that was kind of scary because all of a sudden I went from. 373 00:23:47,389 --> 00:23:52,580 You know, just kind of working, but then I went into this being of community 374 00:23:52,610 --> 00:23:57,699 that was very much of belonging and I was like, I don't, I like these people. 375 00:23:57,709 --> 00:23:58,629 These are my people. 376 00:23:58,639 --> 00:24:01,519 I want to stay and I didn't want to graduate. 377 00:24:01,549 --> 00:24:05,309 And I was scared to graduate because I was like, what happens next? 378 00:24:05,309 --> 00:24:06,024 Now what? 379 00:24:06,754 --> 00:24:09,324 Um, and so two things happened. 380 00:24:09,675 --> 00:24:13,784 Um, one, I fell in love with education for the first time 381 00:24:13,784 --> 00:24:15,875 in my life during this process. 382 00:24:16,264 --> 00:24:22,025 And so I decided that I had enough confidence and I enrolled 383 00:24:22,025 --> 00:24:23,554 in Roger Williams University. 384 00:24:23,575 --> 00:24:30,655 And I went to, um, took me another 15 months, but I got my master's 385 00:24:30,655 --> 00:24:32,675 degree in community development. 386 00:24:33,304 --> 00:24:39,080 And, um, It was a great experience and you know, I ended up with a 4. 387 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:44,179 0 and it was something that I've never, that I had never had. 388 00:24:44,179 --> 00:24:46,020 I mean, that would happen when I was in college. 389 00:24:46,020 --> 00:24:49,520 I'm in my mid 40s at this point, right? 390 00:24:49,570 --> 00:24:51,619 Going, I got an A for the first time. 391 00:24:51,620 --> 00:24:51,990 What? 392 00:24:52,555 --> 00:24:55,555 You think I could actually handle a master's degree program? 393 00:24:55,605 --> 00:24:56,435 I don't know. 394 00:24:57,215 --> 00:24:57,935 And I did it. 395 00:24:57,935 --> 00:24:59,685 And I was like, wow, I did it. 396 00:24:59,685 --> 00:25:00,485 And I rocked it. 397 00:25:00,545 --> 00:25:05,575 And it was really, really cool to have that feeling of like, it 398 00:25:05,584 --> 00:25:08,384 wasn't just me that couldn't learn. 399 00:25:08,650 --> 00:25:11,800 Like there was something else in those pieces. 400 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:18,100 And instead of, um, blaming myself, it was like, well, now I understand why 401 00:25:18,100 --> 00:25:22,759 education is, is like, you need to be invested in it and you need to want it. 402 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:29,925 Um, And if you didn't have those happy stories or you're able to kind of get 403 00:25:29,925 --> 00:25:33,665 over that hump and be like, I did a good job on this particular thing. 404 00:25:33,665 --> 00:25:35,775 And it's always, you didn't do good enough. 405 00:25:35,805 --> 00:25:36,805 You should have get a C. 406 00:25:36,815 --> 00:25:38,155 Why aren't you getting A's? 407 00:25:38,515 --> 00:25:41,594 Um, there's always, you know, red pen all over my paper 408 00:25:41,594 --> 00:25:42,985 because I didn't do this right. 409 00:25:42,985 --> 00:25:45,695 And I didn't meet your specifications as a teacher. 410 00:25:46,095 --> 00:25:52,185 Um, and, and that really was, I think, had. 411 00:25:54,005 --> 00:25:59,495 My issues with my lack of confidence for years, that's how it was downplayed. 412 00:25:59,925 --> 00:26:03,985 Um, and it was like, even working in a nonprofit, you know, I remember 413 00:26:03,985 --> 00:26:06,845 my executive director going, Oh, well, maybe you should take a writing 414 00:26:06,845 --> 00:26:08,914 course and maybe you should do this. 415 00:26:08,914 --> 00:26:11,384 And I'm like, eh, no, I'm just me. 416 00:26:12,894 --> 00:26:19,755 Um, So Lizz, tell us a little bit after you had, had a, 20 417 00:26:19,755 --> 00:26:22,015 credits from a community college. 418 00:26:22,815 --> 00:26:27,285 You, um, was it around that time where you started to venture out to 419 00:26:27,295 --> 00:26:32,315 do other things and, and, um, tell us about that because I, I think that's 420 00:26:32,325 --> 00:26:34,025 an amazing story, what you then. 421 00:26:35,274 --> 00:26:35,754 Yeah. 422 00:26:35,845 --> 00:26:40,475 So, um, I came to College Unbound and it was my third weekend. 423 00:26:40,855 --> 00:26:42,905 And I was, 424 00:26:45,235 --> 00:26:48,515 you know, told upon, you know, doing the recruitment process and 425 00:26:48,515 --> 00:26:51,624 coming in that, you know, you can get up to, you know, a bunch of 426 00:26:51,624 --> 00:26:53,595 credits for your lived experience. 427 00:26:54,074 --> 00:26:59,525 And so I brought in a, WB Mason box and had it filled with some stuff and 428 00:26:59,935 --> 00:27:04,485 brought it to the provost and put it on her desk and said, You said I could 429 00:27:04,485 --> 00:27:06,414 get learned experience from stuff. 430 00:27:06,414 --> 00:27:08,054 This is some of the stuff I've done. 431 00:27:08,414 --> 00:27:11,324 Um, I worked for the center for disease control. 432 00:27:11,675 --> 00:27:14,634 Um, I was on the scientific board of counselors. 433 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:21,040 I had, you know, done some work on Sesame Street and was able to, um, be an advisor 434 00:27:21,050 --> 00:27:26,120 on one of the segments for their content, um, for lead poisoning prevention. 435 00:27:26,590 --> 00:27:30,110 I, you know, had traveled all over the US. 436 00:27:30,170 --> 00:27:34,370 I was key, a keynote speaker at, at many, many conferences. 437 00:27:34,850 --> 00:27:39,139 Um, you know, I, I had just done a lot of types. 438 00:27:40,155 --> 00:27:44,025 This is Lizz before, this is Lizz before Lizz went to college, 439 00:27:45,255 --> 00:27:46,775 did all of this without college. 440 00:27:46,975 --> 00:27:49,665 I was a lobbyist for about 5 years. 441 00:27:49,954 --> 00:27:54,554 Um, I worked on a significant housing legislation, um, in 442 00:27:54,555 --> 00:27:55,655 the state of Rhode Island. 443 00:27:56,175 --> 00:28:02,675 Um, I was able to work with, uh, the EPA on their renovation 444 00:28:02,675 --> 00:28:04,055 and remodeling program. 445 00:28:04,445 --> 00:28:08,600 Um, I was a, uh, an industrial hygienist for the Rhode Island Department of 446 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:13,460 Health, uh, where I used to, to do lead inspections and raid on the asbestos. 447 00:28:13,879 --> 00:28:16,990 Um, there were a lot of different things that I've done in my life. 448 00:28:16,990 --> 00:28:18,979 And you thought you were going to get an A. 449 00:28:19,120 --> 00:28:20,014 You go to your first home. 450 00:28:20,014 --> 00:28:21,610 But I had never gotten an A. 451 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:24,260 I had written grants. 452 00:28:24,700 --> 00:28:30,510 Um, you know, I've, I've worked, uh, on boards, um, you know, through, 453 00:28:30,630 --> 00:28:34,070 through, you know, uh, different types of boards and committees and 454 00:28:34,070 --> 00:28:38,940 commissions and you name it for, for years during my 29 year career. 455 00:28:38,940 --> 00:28:44,889 And, um, yet I was extremely intimidated and paranoid. 456 00:28:45,014 --> 00:28:50,015 To go to school as an adult and at the same time as I enrolled as an adult, 457 00:28:50,255 --> 00:28:56,935 one of my sons, um, you know, was, was, uh, also entering college, you know, 458 00:28:56,935 --> 00:29:02,305 but, you know, he was 17, 18 at the time and, uh, very different college. 459 00:29:02,314 --> 00:29:06,074 You know, he lived on campus and he, you know, he did that whole 460 00:29:06,074 --> 00:29:10,405 college dorm thing and here I am going, I'm in my mid forties. 461 00:29:10,445 --> 00:29:12,215 I'm going to my first day of class. 462 00:29:12,675 --> 00:29:14,325 I don't know what to expect. 463 00:29:15,650 --> 00:29:17,420 I don't know if I can even pull this off. 464 00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:19,580 Like, am I really doing the right thing? 465 00:29:19,990 --> 00:29:24,639 Um, and so it was also really interesting because during that time, 466 00:29:24,659 --> 00:29:26,450 um, it was also during the pandemic. 467 00:29:26,450 --> 00:29:32,030 And so I got to see, like, these nuances of, like, college and traditional 468 00:29:32,030 --> 00:29:34,090 life through my son's experiences. 469 00:29:34,449 --> 00:29:43,510 And at the same time, I was all in You know, um, full, you know, course load, 470 00:29:43,560 --> 00:29:50,310 uh, and trying to do probably a lot more than I should, um, But it was so new to 471 00:29:50,310 --> 00:29:52,790 me and I just, I couldn't get enough. 472 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:58,080 Um, and then, so when I graduated college on balance, um, I didn't want to leave. 473 00:29:58,370 --> 00:30:02,300 And so one of the things I did was ask, I was like, can I, can I get hired? 474 00:30:02,300 --> 00:30:03,200 Can I work for you? 475 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:06,639 Like, I am totally transformed. 476 00:30:06,660 --> 00:30:10,790 This, this school changed the trajectory of my life. 477 00:30:11,290 --> 00:30:12,840 It literally did that. 478 00:30:13,220 --> 00:30:13,790 Um, 479 00:30:15,825 --> 00:30:17,505 And so what, what are the next steps? 480 00:30:17,535 --> 00:30:18,825 How do I stay connected? 481 00:30:19,125 --> 00:30:23,805 And so I became, um, a teacher's assistant and an alumni mentor, and I 482 00:30:23,805 --> 00:30:26,205 started helping out in other cohorts. 483 00:30:26,535 --> 00:30:31,195 And, uh, then I started working as, uh, an recruit recruitment associate 484 00:30:31,195 --> 00:30:34,004 because I totally believed in the program and it worked for me. 485 00:30:34,005 --> 00:30:37,395 I wanted everybody to have the great experiences that I had. 486 00:30:37,940 --> 00:30:40,770 Um, and so it was an easy thing to do. 487 00:30:40,820 --> 00:30:44,930 It felt like an easy, I didn't have to sell my, like sell something to somebody. 488 00:30:44,930 --> 00:30:45,370 You're right. 489 00:30:45,570 --> 00:30:50,089 I just had to tell them like, and share the journey of education 490 00:30:50,089 --> 00:30:51,490 and what you could get out of it. 491 00:30:51,950 --> 00:30:57,690 Um, and that was a really big deal for me, uh, in that role. 492 00:30:58,085 --> 00:31:01,385 Because I wanted everybody to have the great experience that I had. 493 00:31:01,935 --> 00:31:06,974 And, uh, once I was able to do that, and then I, um, after that got my 494 00:31:06,975 --> 00:31:13,904 master's degree, then I moved, uh, I kind of moved up, uh, the provost who I 495 00:31:13,914 --> 00:31:19,475 had brought my big box to, um, in that initial three weeks, uh, was leaving and 496 00:31:19,485 --> 00:31:22,155 I was asked to take over her position. 497 00:31:22,635 --> 00:31:25,785 And so that's how I became the director of learning in public. 498 00:31:26,185 --> 00:31:33,040 Um, Knowing that for the last four years that we have operated, um, for 499 00:31:33,050 --> 00:31:39,440 learning in public, which is, um, Our version of CPL, so credit for prior 500 00:31:39,440 --> 00:31:44,729 learning or, or, um, prior learning assessments are done throughout, you 501 00:31:44,729 --> 00:31:46,450 know, institutions all over the U. 502 00:31:46,450 --> 00:31:46,770 S. 503 00:31:47,210 --> 00:31:52,329 Um, but we decided not to use those names because it's not just what 504 00:31:52,329 --> 00:31:54,229 you've done prior and it's not just. 505 00:31:54,665 --> 00:31:59,615 The things, um, that you've done in your past, but it's also what 506 00:31:59,615 --> 00:32:02,325 are you doing now and what are you looking to do in the future? 507 00:32:02,725 --> 00:32:05,475 And that's why we have come up with the name of Learning in 508 00:32:05,475 --> 00:32:07,155 Public, because it really is. 509 00:32:07,574 --> 00:32:08,885 Right, you can learn anywhere. 510 00:32:08,895 --> 00:32:10,124 You can learn through your home. 511 00:32:10,785 --> 00:32:12,664 You can learn online, right? 512 00:32:12,765 --> 00:32:14,224 You can learn in school. 513 00:32:14,224 --> 00:32:16,615 You can learn at the doctor's office. 514 00:32:17,195 --> 00:32:18,695 You can learn in the library. 515 00:32:20,175 --> 00:32:22,735 Here's a preview of what's coming up next in part two of 516 00:32:22,735 --> 00:32:24,345 my conversation with Lizz Colon. 517 00:32:24,345 --> 00:32:26,950 Learn Director of Learning in Public at College of Bell.