DisruptED in the D: Educational Outtakes with Jason Aubrey and Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich (Ep. 2)
With student debt approaching $2 trillion, education leaders Jason Aubrey and Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich join Ron Stefanski to debate whether traditional degrees still deliver meaningful skills and ROI in today's economy. The conversation explores how institutions must evolve to meet shifting employer expectations and workforce demands. Alternative credentials, skills-based learning, and the future of higher education are central themes.
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Key takeaways
U.S. student debt has reached approximately $2 trillion, raising serious questions about the value of traditional degree pathways.
Employers increasingly prioritize demonstrable skills over credentials, challenging colleges and universities to rethink curriculum design.
Alternative credentialing and competency-based education models are emerging as viable complements or replacements to conventional degrees.
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Education is at a crossroads. With student debt standing at about $2 trillion and industries evolving at an unprecedented pace, the traditional education system is struggling to keep up. The question is no longer just about degrees but about skills, adaptability, and education's ROI. Can the current system deliver the outcomes society needs at the cost it demands? If not, what must change?
Welcome to the second episode of this two-part series on DisruptED. In this episode, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, the President of SkillsWave, and Jason Aubrey, the CEO of Skilltrade, to dissect the forces disrupting education. From the role of lifelong learning to the impact of AI, this conversation explores how the future of education must evolve to remain relevant.
The main topics of conversation…
- Education ROI isn't just financial. While cost and economic impact are crucial, education must also provide critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and lifelong learning pathways.
- Skills-based training is reshaping learning. Alternative education models, from micro-credentials to AI-driven tutoring, are allowing individuals to upskill quickly without accumulating massive debt.
- The liberal arts are still essential. In a rapidly changing job market, skills like logic, adaptability, and structured thinking—often found in liberal arts disciplines—are proving to be invaluable assets for employers.
Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich is an EdTech and workforce development leader specializing in AI-powered learning models and digital education strategy. As the President of SkillsWave, she leverages her experience from executive roles at Pearson, D2L, and Louisiana State University to drive corporate upskilling and enrollment growth. With a deep focus on skills-based hiring and employer-sponsored education programs, she continues to innovate in the rapidly evolving landscape of workforce training and education technology.
Jason Aubrey is a seasoned workforce development and EdTech executive, currently serving as the CEO of Skilltrade, where he focuses on upskilling solutions for healthcare and allied health industries. He previously led MedCerts to a successful acquisition by Stride, Inc. and served as the CEO of ClearGage, driving innovation in healthcare financing. With a background in scaling tech-enabled businesses globally, he co-founded and grew LectureTools, an active learning technology company. He has a proven track record in corporate strategy, private equity leadership, and skills-based workforce transformation.
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