Pathmakers: Stories of College, Career, & Everything in Between

Pathmakers Episode 2: Career Clusters Part 1 - Future-Proofing Student Success

In Part 1 of this two-part special, we explore the massive shift occurring in Career and Technical Education (CTE), both nationally and within Maryland. Host Chuck Wallace is joined by Dan Hinderliter from Advanced CTE, along with MSDE leaders Marquita Friday, Scott Nichols, and Sally Irwin, to discuss why the 2002 "iPod era" framework is being retired in favor of a modern, interdisciplinary approach. The group breaks down the move from rigid academic silos to dynamic "cluster groupings" that reflect the reality of the modern workforce. Listeners will learn why Maryland is streamlining over 80 programs down to 48 high-quality pathways, how "backwards mapping" from industry credentials ensures relevance, and why shifting from strict curriculum to flexible standards empowers local school systems. This episode lays the foundation for understanding how Maryland is ensuring every student graduates with a competitive advantage. HOST: Chuck Wallace, Coordinator of Career Technical Student Organizations, MSDE GUESTS: Dan Hinderliter, Associate Director, State Policy at Advance CTE  Marquita Friday, Director of School Support, MSDE  Sally Irwin, Coordinator of School Support, MSDE  Scott Nichols, Coordinator of School Support, MSDE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Podcast Intro and Welcome  01:27 Updating the National Framework  04:20 Breaking Down Career Silos  05:30 Cross-Cutting Career Clusters  08:40 Maryland’s 14 Clusters  09:58 Aligning to Industry Needs  11:32 Industry Recognized Credentials  14:06 Local Advisory Committees  16:39 Streamlining to 48 Programs  20:55 National Perspective on Maryland  22:20 Closing

The Blueprint for Career Success in Maryland

In the inaugural episode of Pathmakers: Stories of College, Career, and Everything in Between, Maryland State Department of Education’s Assistant State Superintendent Richard Kincaid and Chief Growth Officer at Bluekit, Dr. Rick Fernandez explore the critical transformation of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Maryland. They address the historical "disconnect" between traditional academic core subjects and career pathways, revealing how the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is creating a single, connected set of opportunities for all students. By shifting from silos to a systems approach, educators can move beyond rigid scheduling to focus on student growth and agency. Listeners will learn how Maryland is positioning itself as a leader in the skills-based economy by aligning classroom standards with the real-time demands of industry. The conversation highlights the "gold standard" of registered apprenticeships and the importance of early career identity starting in kindergarten. By removing structural barriers, such as scheduling constraints and the "college-only" mindset, Maryland is ensuring that every student has an equitable path to a family-sustaining career. HOST: Chuck Wallace, MSDE Coordinator GUESTS: Richard Kincaid, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of College and Career Pathways, MSDE Dr. Rick Fernandez, Chief Growth Officer, BlueKit TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Podcast Intro and Welcome 02:29 Defining the Change in Maryland 05:04 The Blueprint and Critical Reform 08:37 System Alignment and Innovation 14:20 AI Implementation and Critical Thinking 18:10 Re-centering the Educator’s North Star 22:58 Reframing College as a Pathway 27:30 Industry ROI and Value Propositions 32:53 Career Identity and Mentorship 36:47 Cross-cutting Sectors and Strategic Partnerships 41:59 Retiring Myths: CTE is Academic 43:29 Equity Guardrails: All Means All 46:52 Empowering Teachers through Externships

Pathmakers: Stories of College, Career, & Everything in Between Coming Soon!

Our first episode goes live on Thursday April 30th!