About this event
Why Choose One? Master Both.
The old debate is over. You no longer have to choose between the hands-on mastery of a trade and the strategic advantage of a college degree.
Welcome to Apprenticeships with a Degree, an exclusive webinar dedicated to the "best of both worlds" pathway. We are bridging the gap between vocational training and higher education to create a new standard for the modern workforce.
The Degree + The Apprenticeship
In this session, we pull back the curtain on a revolutionary model where students earn a university degree concurrently while completing a professional apprenticeship. This isn't just theory—it’s a high-impact strategy to minimize student debt and maximize immediate employability.
What we’ll cover:
- The Mechanics of Credit: How Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) turns on-the-job hours into academic milestones.
- The Power Pipeline: How strategic partnerships between universities and employers are reshaping the hiring landscape.
- Debt-Free Success: Breaking down the financial blueprint of the "Earn while you Learn" model.
- Future-Proofing Careers: Why dual-pathway graduates are becoming the most sought-after candidates in the market.
Hosted by
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Team member
Sadé Garcia Senior Program Manager @ OpenClassroomsT
Sadé Garcia is a Senior Program Manager at OpenClassrooms, leading partnerships with colleges and enterprise employers across the U.S. She focuses on scaling apprenticeship programs, strengthening employer engagement, and aligning training with workforce needs.
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External speaker
Luke BrittonE
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External speaker
Zac Waddell Director of Accreditation & Partnerships @ Open ClassroomsE
Zachary (Zak) Waddell is a higher education strategist dedicated to building workforce education that works. As a recognized expert on accreditation and apprenticeship, Zak has developed a global, systemic view of higher education, leading major initiatives for two prominent EdTech ventures. He is notably the architect behind the first accredited, proprietary institution in the U.S. authorized to award Registered Apprenticeship Degrees. He holds a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Humanities from The University of Dallas.
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External speaker
Chris Motz Chief Partnerships Officer, Global Workforce Solutions @ UMGCE
Chris Motz is UMGC’s chief partnerships officer, leading outreach and engagement with strategic corporate and academic partners to drive growth and innovation for learners and the workforce. He joined UMGC in 2020 as vice president of academic outreach, where he developed initiatives and pathways to address skills gaps for adult learners. Before UMGC, Motz spent 22 years in leadership roles, including serving as academic dean and president of Hagerstown Business College and Kaplan College, and area president for Kaplan University’s Maryland campuses. Motz holds a BA in religion and an MDiv from Huntington College, an MA in student personnel administration from Ball State University, and a JD from Purdue Global Law School. He is also a graduate of the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.
OpenClassrooms
OpenClassrooms is an online education platform for vocational training, providing courses in IT, technology, entrepreneurship, and digital skills.
