About This Episode
In this episode of Edu Unlocked, host Ashish Fernando speaks with Dr. Mark Milliron, President & CEO of national university, about reimagining higher education for today’s “Anders”—students balancing careers, caregiving, military service, and more.
Dr. Milliron shares NU’s mission of building flexible, student-first models of learning, why empathy and design thinking matter in education, and how the Anders Campaign is breaking barriers with scholarships, research, and support.
Key Takeaways:
1. The rise of non-traditional learners in higher ed
2. Why flexible, empathetic design is critical to student success
3. NU’s unique four-week model and “Anders” philosophy
4. Scaling impact without losing mission & student focus
5. The $30M Anders Campaign to support students with scholarships & emergency aid
Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or lifelong learner, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about access, equity, and the future of higher education.
Host & Guest
Dr. Mark Milliron
GuestPresident, National University
Dr. Mark David Milliron is an award-winning leader, author, speaker, and consultant with extensive experience in higher education, K-12 systems, and workforce development. He currently serves as President of National University (NU), one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the United States, renowned for its 50+ year legacy of serving nontraditional, working, and military students.
Under Dr. Milliron’s leadership, NU has advanced innovative programs that prepare students for impactful careers in education, healthcare, business, cybersecurity, engineering, law, and criminal justice through its diverse offerings of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Beyond degree programs, NU’s initiatives, including NU Academies for K-12 educators and Workforce and Community Education (WCE) programs for employers, annually support tens of thousands of teachers and community leaders while impacting millions of students nationally and internationally.
A recognized thought leader in education, Dr. Milliron also serves on the boards of numerous organizations shaping the future of learning, including the Trellis Foundation, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and the President's Forum. His work as a consultant and speaker spans universities, community colleges, foundations, corporations, associations, and government agencies across the U.S. and worldwide.
Key Achievements:
1. President of National University, advancing education for nontraditional and military students.
2. Oversees programs serving tens of thousands of educators and community leaders annually.
3. Expanded NU’s impact across K-12, workforce, and higher education initiatives.
4. Serves on multiple boards shaping policy and practice in higher education.
5. Recognized author, speaker, and consultant in education innovation.
6. Led NU in preparing students for careers across diverse sectors, including healthcare, business, and law.
7. Advocates globally for equitable access to quality education and workforce development.
Ashish Fernando
HostFounder & CEO, EDMO
Ashish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives
Show Notes
- 1 0:00 Introduction of the Anders Campaign
- 2 1:00 Ashish Fernando introduces Dr. Mark Milliron, highlighting his leadership at National University and his visionary approach to inclusive education.
- 3 2:28 Definition of Anders
- 4 4:49 The Design Challenge in Higher Ed
- 5 7:02 Demographic Shift in Students
- 6 11:17 National University as an Opportunity College
- 7 23:48 Three Pillars of Value-Rich Education
Key Quotes
"To serve students, you have to see students. And to serve all students, you have to see all students."
"It’s not about a better-than conversation; it’s about a better-with conversation."
Resources
Supercharge Your University CRM