Mike Palmer catches up with Ruth Bauer, President of Inside Track, amidst the sun and high-stakes energy of San Diego for the ASU+GSV conference. Ruth shares her transition from a first-generation college student and mall-employed English major to an e-learning "OG" (like Mike) to leading a powerhouse in student success at Inside Track. The conversation dives into the "secret sauce" of Inside Track: a potent mix of technology and deep human connection. Ruth explains how coaching supports the entire student journey, from first-time enrollment to the critical "some college, no degree" population. With more than 40 million Americans in that category, the stakes for economic mobility never felt higher. They tackle the AI elephant in the room with a grounded perspective. While AI handles midnight brainstorming and routine "nudges," humans remain the essential partners for navigating the mountains of the student experience. Ruth argues that coaching doesn't just get a student through a semester—it teaches them to coach themselves through a shifting, tumultuous job market 🌊. The episode wraps with a look at student parents and the generational impact of quality childcare and flexible scheduling. Ruth and Mike trade thoughts on the "60-year curriculum" and why critical thinking remains the ultimate durable skill in an era of rapid automation. It is a refreshing, optimistic take on how education can still deliver on the promise of social mobility 🤖. Subscribe to Trending in Ed to never miss an episode like this one. Want to record pods at a conference? Contact Mike to learn more. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to San Diego and ASU+GSV 01:00 Ruth’s journey from English major to President 03:15 The mission and "secret sauce" of Inside Track 04:00 Re-enrolling the 40 million Americans with no degree 07:00 The evolution of coaching and academic advising 08:30 AI as a complementary tool for student success 11:00 The "invisible infrastructure" of community colleges 13:30 Helping Gen Z convert internships into careers 16:30 Why critical thinking beats specific job training 18:30 Supporting student parents for generational change 20:30 Final thoughts on hope and innovation in education

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