How do we make college more accessible, relevant, and future-ready—without sacrificing quality? In Part 1 of this two-part series, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with Dr. Vernon Smith, a trailblazer in higher education innovation, to explore the origins and growth of dual enrollment, the value of early college credit, and the bold decisions that transformed Rio Salado College into a national model for access and impact.
From AI-driven language learning to pioneering distance education in the 1990s, Dr. Smith shares a sweeping look at his journey through academia—and why true innovation always begins with mission-driven thinking and courageous partnerships.
Show Notes:
1. Podcast on Dual Enrollment with Dr. EJ Anderson: “The Best Kept Secret in High Schools”
2. To learn more about the American Classroom podcast, please visit AmericanClassroom.Show.
3. To learn more about or take a tour of the great schools mentioned in this episode, visit Heritage Academy or Paul Revere Academy.
In this episode, we sit down with artist and educator Ben Sowards to explore what it means to grow into the kind of creator only you can become. As a designer for the U.S. Mint, Sowards has created coins and medals for the Bush, Reagan, and Trump families, and his...
What if economics class could teach students how to live with purpose—not just how markets work? In this episode of American Classroom, Kerry Montano from the University of Arizona introduces a groundbreaking dual enrollment course that’s transforming how high school...
What does it really mean to be a gifted learner—and how can schools support students who think differently? In this episode of American Classroom, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with Dr. Janelle Emory, founder of the Gifted and Talented program at...