Incorporating Learner Voice – Hearing from The Experts of Their Experience

June 6, 2023

IMportant insights from the 2023 Learner Voice Symposium

At The Attainment Network, we envision innovative education-to-workforce systems that develop a diverse and talented workforce. We believe in supporting learners and preparing them for future jobs, so they are able to meet economic demands and sustain thriving communities. 

Prioritizing and sustaining focus on the learner’s experiences is a critical component of the work needed to erase persistent and pervasive equity gaps, expand opportunities for learners, and meet the economic demands for a highly skilled and educated workforce system of the future.    

Our second annual symposium brought together an audience of educators, employers, and policymakers to hear directly from Colorado learners what they seek in career-connected pathways and how they define success. 

The Symposium elevated insights from learners’ diverse experiences and backgrounds and provided actionable measures to improve and expand pathways for all learners. 


Non-Traditional learners and pathway at New legacy Charter school

New Legacy Charter School (NLCS) enrolls and supports pregnant and parenting learners as well as their children in a unique two-generation setting. In addition to providing education for learners, New Legacy is rated in the top 5% of early learning centers in Colorado. High school learners at NLCS graduate at twice the rate of the national average for teen parents.

The panel of learners spoke about their experiences as learners and moms. All of the learner panelists have big dreams for their careers and personal lives, fueled by the individualized and supportive programming of NLCS. Learners have options to engage in concurrent enrollment and career exploration while at NLCS. 

  • Two of the largest challenges and concerns faced by learners are transportation and childcare. While in school NLCS learners have access to the early learning center for their children and -transportation is available as needed. 
  • Learners shared how valuable it is to have advisors and mentors; people to help them navigate different educational and workplace settings. Additionally, connecting with others who share similar life experiences has been supportive and motivating for the learners. 
  • Learning basic skills (i.e. essential or durable skills) like managing household finances, your credit rating or preparing a resume and cover letter are an important part of their high school education. Simple lessons make a big difference. 
  • Learners desire early connections with college advisors to create relationships to support transition to postsecondary. 
  • Parenting learners have big dreams for themselves and a deep desire to support their kids and make their families proud! 
  • Internships are a critical way to find out what you want to do without being lumbered with student loan debt: “I don’t think I would have figured out I wanted to be an ultra-sound tech, without actually getting to EXPERIENCE the field.” 


At the Center: Evolutions of Educational & Professional Success by Ednium: The Alumni Collective

Ednium: The Alumni Collective hosted a panel of four alumni that discussed their experiences navigating through a school system whose definition of success was sometimes at a mismatch with their life outcomes. Despite this, they shared what made their unique experiences meaningful and how they were able to navigate these complex systems to achieve educational and professional success. 

  • Mentorship is important and valuable; some mentors reflected that they didn’t have similar supports along their journey and were vulnerable enough to admit that they really needed them. Regardless, it was important for them to be a mentor to future generations. 
  • The spaces that value you as a person, and make you feel comfortable the way you are, are the ones that drive the most success.   
  • Following the High School – College – Job path doesn’t exactly work as employers are often looking for work experience even for entry-level hires. 
  • From the learner perspective: Even if we didn’t go to high school, college, or have certain types of jobs, we still have VALUE. 
  • Success = generational wealth = happiness = prosperity 


WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS FOR RURAL LEARNERS WITH SAN LUIS VALLEY BOYS & Girls Club

San Luis Valley Boys & Girls Club hosted a panel with participants of a work-based learning program discussing the challenges and accomplishments while being in the program. B&GC/SLV provides candidates with meaningful career-focused learning experiences in a variety of fields. Program Directors connect learners with employers that are active in their fields throughout the San Luis Valley. 

  • The program helped improve essential/durable skills such as confidence, communication, work skills, and time management 
  • Learners recommend a stronger social media presence (e.g. TikTok) and texting to reach learners and help them understand the opportunities of work-based learning programs – meet the learners where they are! 
  • Create more activities in neighborhoods and communities to expose more learners to the program. 
  • Creating opportunities for learners to engage and expand networks and connect with other learners across the state would be exciting! 

THE APPRENTICESHIP JOURNEY WITH EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC) shared details of apprenticeships and held a panel discussion with students about their experiences along their apprenticeship journeys. EGTC offers career and technical programs in health, skilled trades, information technology, service industries and business with partners across Colorado. 

  • High schoolers often aren’t presented apprenticeships as an option. Sharing the benefits of learning on the job, getting paid and low-no debt makes apprenticeships an attractive option. Include more types of hands-on learning in High School curriculum.   
  • Community support and mentorship in the program is an important aspect of its success, helping the learners overcome any obstacles and thrive in their role. 
  • The quality-of-life impact of apprenticeship programs can be huge, as well as the potential for improved confidence and creating an interest in learning where learners directly apply what they learn in the classroom to their job. 


IMMIGRANT & DACA / UNDOCUMENT LEARNER EXPERIENCE WITH MSU DENVER

Learners from MSU Denver’s Immigrant Services Program shared their experiences navigating their education-to-career pathways. Having connections with others in the immigrant community as well as those with an understanding/awareness of relevant resources was a common theme of positive support. Some of the largest barriers to success for these learners included challenges related to limited access to resources, targeted information, financial aid, and particularly work-based learning opportunities based on their immigration status. Learners emphasized that it is not enough to just provide support in navigating the current system, but the system actually needs to change to meet their needs. As one student put it, “our ‘out of the ordinary’ stories are far too common to be perceived as exceptions to the rule.” 

  • Importance of relationships with advisors, faculty, and with other students to garner trust, connect to resources, and build a supportive community. 
  • Staff/faculty should do everything they can to be informed when working with DACA/Undocumented students. They need to educate themselves so they can provide information to learners about Financial Assistance, college & career processes, and what career opportunities can look like with various immigration statuses. 
  • Hands on/work-based learning opportunities need to be varied and creative. How students can and want to show up varies depending on their immigration status. 
  • Connecting to others in immigrant community is essential for learning how others have navigated similar challenges and what resources they’ve utilized. 


THE IMPAct of cash assistant for learners in workrise programs with ceemi

Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative (CEEMI) created a program called Cash for Coloradans and Evidence for Equitable Upskilling. CEEMI is partnering with 3 organizations – Center for Employment Opportunities, CrossPurpose and ActivateWork – to pilot programs offering cash assistance to learners participating in upskilling opportunities and to conduct research into the impact of such programs on learner success. 

 

  • Cash assistance helps replace income when changing field, paying for a postsecondary pathway like a bootcamp or simply keeping a roof over your head. 
  • Alleviates the stress of financial uncertainty when you are trying to make a change. 
  • Don’t make assumptions; People who really need cash assistance to support their education and work goals will use it wisely. 
  • Creates a chance for someone to pivot and switch careers. 

youth participatory action research (ypar) IS NOT A CHECKBOX: tHE NEXUS OF METHOD AND ETHOS WITH yAASPA

The organization Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism (YAASPA) recognizes the challenges youth face in navigating their academic, career, and civic development in the social sciences and public service careers in Colorado. YAASPA works to cultivate youth to be civically engaged in community and career by building the self-efficacy of youth. This session focused on Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) as a key approach to center learners and their experiences in the development of career pathways.   

  • YAASPA highlights that many of the decisions related to career pathways (e.g. which career pathways to develop and how) have been made from a top-down perspective, based on labor market demands in STEM, business, health, and other high demand fields. Consequently, there have been few endeavors to cultivate self-efficacy for youth who desire to pursue a social justice career and/or pursue degrees and careers in the social sciences. As Dr. Trinidad discussed during the symposium, “If we were listening to our young people, we would have more humanizing education spaces.”   
  • YAASPA tactically puts youth in positions of power as a means to cultivate agency and empowerment. The organization challenges us to “trust young people and their own creative genius.”   
  • Centering youth expertise in youth participatory action research (YPAR) provides the authority to youth “to call out the adults in their lives” and “take back power in their spaces.” 

AUTHENTIC YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN CAREER PATHWAYS HOSTED BY COLORADO BEHAVIORak health administration & youthmove co

Youth MOVE National is a youth-driven, chapter-based organization dedicated to uniting the voices of youth nationwide. Youth Move asserts that youth are the leaders of today, not tomorrow; all youth should be equal partners in the process of change; and that youth can motivate others through their voices of experience. 

The YouthMove team talked about authentic youth engagement. When engaging youth, avoid tokenism and decoration to prevent burnout and hopelessness. Instead, create a more inclusive, empowering environment that continually addresses power dynamics. 

  • Cultivate environments where youth may more readily share their creativity, honesty and guidance 
  • Create inclusive environments where the youth feel a sense of belonging. Ensure the engagement is culturally responsive. 
  • Honor the understanding and expertise youth bring to your organization. 
  • Ask young people what they want out of their time with your organization or relationships with you. Be transparent and provide clarity. 
  • Maintain a strengths-based approach – seeing everyone’s superpower and honoring youth’s expertise and lived experience. 
  • Youth need a multitude of models such as: teach, do with, cheer on, for youth to lead in spaces. 


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Leading with Purpose: Five Reflections from My First Five Months as CEO

By Rana Tarkenton • September 2, 2025
Five months after stepping into the CEO role at The Attainment Network, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons that have mattered most – not the ones I expected, but the ones I’ve experienced. Leading through uncertainty, shaping vision, and building trust require more than strategy. They demand presence, honesty, and the courage to stay grounded in who you are. As CEO of an intermediary organization driving cross-sector systems change – connecting K–12 education, higher education, and workforce partners – my leadership must balance diverse perspectives, shifting priorities, and complex stakeholder dynamics across the education-to-workforce ecosystem. These five lessons are shaping how I lead today. I offer them not as a formula, but as a reflection, in case you, too, are navigating change, building something new, or wondering if you’re doing it “right.” Lesson 1: You Still Get to Be You – Whew! I didn’t know exactly how my leadership style might need to change as CEO, but I expected the role would call for some significant adjustments. I imagined myself drawing harder lines, becoming more serious, focusing on tasks I didn’t necessarily enjoy, or stepping away from the work I love: the creative, connective parts of leading that have always energized me and my teams. I imagined I’d need to keep more distance to manage the pressure and pace. But that image didn’t bring me joy or satisfaction. After some reflection, I chose a different approach. Instead of accepting a preconceived and superficial notion of leadership, I decided to be different – to invite more people in, leading authentically with humility and humor. I found that it softens the ground and opens up connections. One of my favorite ways of leaning into this approach has been to host a no-work-talk-allowed gathering at my house for women leaders across our education-to-workforce ecosystem (The Creative Crew), where we share our creative sides – hobbies, art, and passions – over wine. The first gathering was joyful and surprisingly deep. In this role as the leader of an intermediary, I’ve learned that authentic connection is foundational to our success. It’s how we build trusted partnerships that span education and workforce systems, and it allows us to have an impact through influence rather than power. On several occasions, I’ve reached out to others in the ecosystem with whom there have been perceived or real barriers to partnership in the past. I said: Let’s start again and see what we can do together. These have been some of the most valuable and productive conversations I’ve had. It doesn’t always reshape the relationship, but it sets a tone for what’s possible and signals the type of leader that I want to be – one who is brave enough to initiate a potentially uncomfortable conversation in the hope of shaping a stronger partnership. I don’t expect instant results from a single exchange, but I'll keep trying. I truly believe that if I leave the door open, I’ll build trust that will, over time, make progress possible. Lesson 2: Titles Grant Access, but Trust Builds Influence Having “CEO” in my title has undeniably changed how some people see me. My ideas are received differently, and my calendar fills more quickly. In our field, the title may open doors to funders and partners, but lasting influence depends on credibility, follow-through, and authentic relationships – especially when working across sectors with different goals, needs, and motivations. If you don’t bring people along, nothing changes. I’ve learned to slow down, share more, and co-create the path forward with the people I want to move with. When we open up space for listening and collaboration, we build the trust that motivates people to show up and support the vision. I’ve seen this in action in our partnerships across the state. I try not to leave a meeting without asking, in some form, “What can I do for you?” Lesson 3: Decision-Making Requires Clarity – and Flexibility As I stepped into the role, very quickly we had to decide where to place our big bets in an uncertain ecosystem where anything could happen – or nothing at all. With input from the team, signals on the horizon, and a mix of educated guesses and calculated risks, we got clear on our strategic priorities. At the same time, we held onto a vision expansive enough to shift and pivot as new opportunities emerged. But clarity alone wasn’t enough. Even after aligning around our direction, it requires ongoing collaboration, dialogue, and patience to bring it to life. Staying open to feedback, listening closely to our partners, and creating space for iteration is helping to ensure our decisions will lead to the impact we are seeking. Lesson 4: You Can’t Skip the Inner Work I’m unlearning manufactured urgency, self-doubt, and the belief that I always have to be “on.” Clear thinking and creative ideas need calm moments, reflection, and time to process out loud with others. I’ve stopped sitting back in rooms out of worry that my ideas aren’t polished enough, because my leadership and our work deserve a seat at the table. That shift didn’t come from the strategic plan – it came from a somewhat uncomfortable self-awareness that it was necessary. Recently, I invited feedback from a longtime partner, even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear it. But I knew they were looking out for our best interests. If I hadn’t created space for that feedback in a moment of openness and reflective confidence, we would have missed an opportunity to move important work forward. Lesson 5: Communication Is Culture One of the smallest but most meaningful practices has been my weekly CEO updates to the team. These weekly emails help keep communication open, make space for feedback, and support shared ownership across the team. The updates are just one of several ways I’m striving to live our values. I believe each action – whether it’s changing team members’ titles to better reflect their roles, inviting the whole team into fundraising conversations, and being transparent about our direction – reinforces a simple truth: culture isn’t just what we say, it’s what we practice. I also now reserve time every Friday to process and follow up. I used to rush to respond in the small gaps between meetings during the week, but slowing down has made the work better. I’ve found that if something isn’t time-sensitive, it’s often more productive to let it breathe a bit before responding. I call it “percolating.” Open communication is especially critical in our intermediary role, where shared ownership and transparency keep diverse teams aligned and engaged. These practices ensure I don’t miss opportunities that simply need space to surface – like program improvement ideas, new partnerships, and funding leads. And since we’re a fully remote team, this kind of intentional communication matters even more internally. I’m proud that our team is close-knit and well-coordinated, even though we’re spread across the state. We bring diversity of thought and experience to our work, and by keeping lines of communication open and transparent, we’re ready for the hard days and able to make the most of the good ones. There’s still much I don’t know, and I’m really okay with that – maybe even grateful. These first five months have reminded me that leadership isn’t about conforming to a fixed idea of what a leader “should” be, following a strict playbook, or adopting someone else’s style. Instead, it’s about showing up authentically, inviting others in, and creating the conditions for people and partnerships to thrive in the space I’m shaping. Making the internal transition from COO to CEO has given me a unique perspective on continuity and growth – on honoring what’s been built while steering toward what’s next. Leadership, I’m learning, is something I define for myself every day by meeting the moment. It’s a process, a practice, and a path of becoming more fully who I am. And I’m grateful for every step of the journey.

Across Colorado and off to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta: We’re on the Move in September

September 2, 2025
The Attainment Network team is joining partners statewide and nationally to advance student success, community collaboration, and bold pathways to economic mobility and opportunity. Here’s where you can find us in September: 🗓️ September 11–12 🔹 Pathways to Success: Celebrating a Decade of Impact – Washington, D.C. Michelle will join education and workforce leaders to celebrate a decade of JPMorganChase investments driving innovation in career-connected pathways. 🔹 Colorado HSI Summit – Glenwood Springs Katherine will travel to Colorado Mountain College, joining education leaders and students from across the state to advance equity, connection, and student success at Colorado’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions. 🗓️ September 16–18 🔹 StriveTogether Cradle to Career Conference – Atlanta, GA Rana and Michelle are excited to join Rocky Mountain Partnership and leaders from across the country to explore strategies that put every learner on a path to economic mobility. 🔹 Chronicle Festival – Online Libby and Michelle are tapping into to this virtual event to learn about the challenges facing higher education and explore the innovations shaping the future. 🗓️ September 18 🔹 Aurora Public Schools Foundation Relentless Gala – Aurora Stefan will attend the 13th annual gala at the Gaylord Rockies Resort, celebrating APS students and raising funds to expand opportunities for learners. 🔹 San Luis Valley Harvest Connections – Alamosa Ashley will connect with employers, workforce partners, and community organizations to strengthen relationships, share opportunities, and support learners and earners in the Valley.  🗓️ September 25 🔹 The Attainment Network’s Case Study on the San Luis Valley Career Connected Pathways Partnership – Virtual Explore how rural communities are coming together to meet employer needs and expand opportunities for learners and earners in healthcare careers. Register Here for the latest session in The Attainment Network’s Professional Learning Series. 🔹 Young Invincibles Student Voice Coalition Kickoff – Virtual Michelle and Katherine will join the new members of the YI Student Voice Coalition to prepare for the 2026 legislative session and discuss opportunities for student-led advocacy at the state and federal levels. And a sneak peek at October... 🗓️ October 2 🔹 L/Earner Voice Symposium – Virtual Join learners, earners, educators, employers, and policymakers as we work to reimagine career advising systems that meet the needs of Colorado’s future workforce. Register today for this free online event.

Progress Update: Building Colorado’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System

August 28, 2025
More than 100 stakeholders from across Colorado joined The Attainment Network on August 27 for our State of the Data meeting. The meeting was the third session in our series highlighting the progress being made to build Colorado’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System – a dynamic, agile, and usable resource designed to help learners, families, educators, program managers, and policymakers make informed decisions about education and training. We are especially grateful to our colleagues at the Office of Information Technology – Dr. Heather MacGillivary, manager of the SLDS, and Brandi Wildfang, chief communications officer – for sharing updates on both the development of the system and the communications strategy to promote awareness and use. We also appreciate the participation of CEI and Colorado Succeeds, our partners in the Better Data for Better Decisions Coalition. Key Milestones Completed Legal framework established to ensure privacy, security, and appropriate use—while allowing the system to evolve with new data elements and use cases. Technical vendor selected after a rigorous process. Key staff leadership hired, and additional positions posted for a data engineer and data analyst . Phase I use cases , co-constructed with the advisory group, formally approved.