Teaches:

Redefining the Goal of Education

About me

As a first-generation college student, Dr. Fleming was told that education counts. Supported by the cultural belief that the more education you get, the more money you make, he pursued not one, not two, but 5 degrees. Overeducated and underemployed, he found himself drowning in student loan debt. It was his industry credential that lifted him out of working poverty and changed the trajectory of his life. In this masterclass, Dr. Fleming validates that education does count but is insufficient all on its own. Learn about the power of industry credentials in providing all students a competitive advantage after graduation.

About Me

masterclass HIGHLIGHTS

Reframes Education Around the Question “What’s Next?”
Fleming challenges institutions to ensure every student graduates with clarity, direction, and purpose—not just a diploma.

Exposes the Disconnect Between Degrees and Employability
With powerful personal storytelling and data, Kevin unpacks how traditional degree paths can lead to overeducation, underemployment, and career confusion.

Introduces the Five R’s for Future-Ready Students
Beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic, students need Relevance and Reality—a direct connection between classroom learning and the real-world labor market.

Flips the Traditional College Decision Paradigm
Advocates for reverse-engineering educational paths: start with the desired career, then align the major and institution accordingly.

Presents a Bold Call for Relevance-Driven Curriculum Design
Through real data and compelling insights, Fleming urges educators to prioritize personalized, skill-aligned learning that prepares students not just for graduation—but for life.

MASTERCLASS TRAILER

Services

Program

Education Transformation

Education Transformation is a future-focused program designed to equip educators and administrators with the frameworks, strategies, and tools to reimagine learning for the modern world. This masterclass suite explores how to move beyond traditional models by integrating continuous improvement practices, aligning learning environments with real-world relevance, and fostering cultures of innovation. Participants will examine the power of industry credentials, the impact of messaging to families and prospective students, and the importance of bold design in learning spaces. By spotlighting forward-thinking approaches like Big Picture Learning and Opportunity On-Ramps, this program empowers institutions to lead systemic change and prepare students for a rapidly evolving workforce.

Discover Education Transformation

BEN CHIDA

Reengineering the Conveyor Belt Model

Getting to Know Kevin

1

What sparked your interest in marketing and recruitment?

I suppose it really started back as a student when I was the Vice President of Recruitment for my college fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. I received excellent training from our national headquarters staff on fundamental recruitment strategies, messaging, handling potential objections, and authentic communication. (And yes, we were the largest on campus).

2

What missteps would you caution others to avoid when working in career readiness?

We love to overcomplicate things in education with acronyms and terminology. Don’t assume the person seeing your marketing pieces understands the same vernacular that

we use. Ask a student,
your neighbor, and your grandmother to review some of your marketing pieces for simplicity and clarity.

3

Can you tell a story about your first engagement with marketing and recruitment?

I can’t recall my first experience...but I think I’ve been doing some sort of marketing, selling, recruitment, or advertising my entire life. I never had an allowance, so I would constantly negotiate with my parents and try to convince them to buy me something or to take my brother and I somewhere. As a Boy Scout, we would sell mistletoe and popcorn as a holiday fundraiser (I know, not as popular as Girl Scout cookies) and I’d recruit my friends to join our Troop. As a member of the high school marching band (insert band camp joke here) we would sell all sorts of things to raise money for travel competitions such as Sees candy, wrapping paper, coupon books, punch cards... you name it. I recall even going door-to- door to local businesses and selling ads for high school club T-shirts. Looking back, each experience was a building block that honed my approach and confidence.