Higher education stands at a pivotal moment. Across the U.S., colleges and universities face rising costs, shifting demographics, and an urgent demand to align with the workforce needs of the modern economy. Yet, institutional change often moves at a glacial pace—leaving students underprepared, employers underserved, and entire industries facing critical talent shortages.
For me, this challenge has been both personal and professional.
Early in my career, I held senior leadership roles within organizations focused on expanding access to higher education, notably as Senior Vice President at the Institute for Professional Development (IPD). There, I worked alongside universities to create programs for nontraditional learners. It was rewarding work, but over time, I saw the systemic barriers firsthand. Too many institutions were constrained by outdated models. They lacked the operational scale, innovation, and capital to pivot quickly—particularly in high-demand fields like healthcare.
It was clear the market needed a new approach.
In 2011, I founded Synergis Education with a mission to fill that gap. Our vision was to become a trusted partner to universities, bringing not just enrollment solutions, but full-scale academic program development, smart capital, operational infrastructure, and workforce alignment.
We began with healthcare, where the stakes were highest.
The nursing shortage in the U.S. was accelerating, yet universities struggled to launch or scale programs quickly enough to meet demand. Working closely with university partners, our team designed and implemented an industry-leading Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) program—creating accelerated, high-quality pathways for students to enter the nursing profession.
That initial vision evolved into a national platform. Over the next decade, Synergis:
Partnered with 10 universities to launch DEMSN and additional pre- and post-licensure nursing programs
Helped produce more than 5,000 new nurses, many achieving outstanding NCLEX pass rates and retention outcomes
Developed EDVANTAGE™, a proprietary analytics platform providing real-time visibility into enrollment, marketing, and financial performance
Raised significant Series A and B capital from global investors, including University Ventures, Bertelsmann, UTIMCO, and Mitsui USA
Built a distinguished Board of Directors, ensuring strategic oversight, governance, and alignment with long-term goals
By 2016, we achieved profitability—a milestone reached through disciplined execution, operational efficiency, and relentless focus on partner outcomes. From there, the momentum only accelerated.
Over the following years, Synergis amassed industry recognition, deepened its client base, and positioned itself as a leader in workforce-aligned education. By 2022, with scale firmly established and market conditions favorable, we moved toward a strategic sale—ensuring our university partners and students would continue to benefit from innovation and operational excellence.
But the journey wasn’t without challenges.
Transforming higher education requires more than ideas—it takes persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge entrenched systems. I learned three enduring principles that continue to guide my work:
Innovation: True innovation in higher education must go beyond technology or course redesign. It requires reimagining how institutions collaborate with industry, how programs align to workforce needs, and how access barriers are removed for learners. At Synergis, we focused on creating pathways that addressed the critical nursing shortage, but the model applies across sectors. Innovative partnerships, supported by real-time data, smart capital, and a workforce-first mindset, are essential to keeping higher education relevant and impactful.
Governance: Strong governance structures are the foundation for successful partnerships and sustainable growth. Whether building Synergis’ Board of Directors or working alongside university leadership teams, I saw firsthand that governance provides the accountability, strategic alignment, and long-term vision necessary to drive results. Educational partnerships cannot operate effectively without clear oversight, shared objectives, and disciplined decision-making.
Resilience: The path to transformation is rarely linear. It demands resilience—from leaders, organizations, and systems. Throughout my career, including my time in the U.S. Army, I’ve learned that persistence and adaptability are just as critical as vision. At Synergis, there were hurdles: regulatory complexities, market resistance, operational challenges. But resilience—staying focused on outcomes, adjusting strategy, and pushing forward—turned challenges into catalysts for innovation and growth.
These lessons reflect a theme that has run throughout my life and career—from my early years growing up in Detroit, to serving in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Sergeant, to building and scaling companies. My forthcoming book, Push-Push-Push, Never Quit, explores that journey, highlighting how resilience, vision, and unwavering focus can overcome even the most entrenched obstacles.
Today, through Next Phase Education, I work with organizations across healthcare, higher education, and workforce development to help them scale smarter, innovate faster, and deliver measurable outcomes. The same principles apply, regardless of sector:
Solutions must address real workforce needs, with clear pathways to employment
Innovation must be backed by operational rigor and data-informed decision making
Governance and strategic partnerships must be prioritized from day one
Mission alignment cannot be compromised—it’s the foundation for lasting impact
The future of higher education—and the future of workforce development—depends on bold leadership, strategic collaboration, and a willingness to rethink outdated models. I remain committed to advancing that mission, helping organizations navigate complexity and drive meaningful change at scale.
The next chapter for higher education will be written by those willing to challenge convention, embrace innovation, and lead with both vision and discipline. I’m proud to have been part of that story—and I’m eager to help shape what comes next.
