This month’s episode explores the growing role of micro-credentials in higher education—how they differ from traditional degrees and noting that higher education institutions are still determining appropriate scope and implementation. We examine how micro-credentials can address enrollment challenges and workforce needs, particularly in rapidly evolving fields like technology and healthcare and identify challenges include quality control, academic rigor, transcript integration, and alignment with traditional Carnegie units.
Our guest, Dr. Steve Baule is a faculty member at Winona State University (WSU), where he teaches in the Leadership Education Department. Prior to joining WSU, Baule spent 28 years in K-12 school systems in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, and two years teaching in the University of Wisconsin System. For the 13 years prior to moving to the university level, Baule served as a public -school superintendent. He has written 10 books on a variety of educational and historical topics and has served on the editorial boards for two journals. Baule earned an advanced diversity and equity certificate while in the UW system. He holds a doctorate in instructional technology from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University Chicago.
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