Learners today want more than convenience. They expect experiences tailored to their lives, goals and timelines. To stay relevant, institutions must embrace flexible strategies, smart tech and strong industry partnerships. In this interview, Enrique Infanzon, Dean of Continuing Educating at Miami Dade College, discusses creating seamless and personalized learner experiences and using technology to remove enrollment friction.
The EvoLLLution (Evo): How can continuing education programs evolve to reduce friction in the enrollment process for nontraditional students like adult learners and working professionals?
Enrique Infanzon (EI): I hope most continuing ed units have already figured this out because it’s where we offer the most value. At Miami Dade, we’ve long prioritized a seamless, student-centered onboarding experience. We use a platform that enables that, but even with the right tools we constantly ask ourselves how we can do it better. Whether through design, outreach or support, the key is creating a highly personalized journey. That’s the future of education. When students can easily transition between continuing education courses and credit pathways, that’s when real impact happens.
Evo: In what ways can CE divisions better leverage technology to deliver a seamless and compelling learner experience?
EI: The future of education is individualized, transparent and on demand. When someone needs to build a skill, they should be able to find the right program, register instantly and start learning—without hurdles. As we tap into emerging technologies like AI, we can personalize that journey even more, from discovery to skill acquisition. We’re in a talent economy, and the more we use tech to meet learners where they are the closer we get to creating that Uber-like experience for education.
Evo: How do you align CE program offerings with regional workforce needs to ensure not just access but a more career-aligned impact for your students?
EI: At Miami Dade College, we believe that aligning programs with workforce needs starts by bringing industry to the table from day one. Every program we create begins with direct input from employers, ensuring that what we build is relevant and immediately applicable. Our role in continuing education is to help learners move from point B to point C, whether that means getting a promotion, landing a better job or entering a new field altogether. That journey is only effective when we codevelop programs with those who are doing the hiring.
A recent example is our telecommunications and fiber optics technician program, built in collaboration with MasTec—one of the largest telecom companies in the nation. Together, we broke down the necessary competencies and designed curricula and lab environments that replicate real-world job sites. We’ve used this model across other industries as well. In aviation, we worked with local employers to develop a mechanic pipeline that meets FAA standards and emphasizes both technical and soft skills. These programs ensure learners transition seamlessly from classroom to career.
We’ve also responded quickly to shifting workforce demands. During the pandemic, for example, we scaled our certified nursing assistant program by 47% to address urgent healthcare needs—again, with partners guiding curriculum design to ensure graduates were job-ready. The key is listening first and building with purpose. When industry sits at the table, we create programs that not only meet today’s labor market needs but also set learners up for long-term success.
Evo: What are some common challenges that institutions face when working with employers, and what advice would you give to overcome them?
EI: When working with employers, it often comes down to return on investment. Institutions need to show up consistently, ready to listen and respond. That means being nimble—able to build talent pipelines quickly and deliver quality training that aligns with evolving industry needs. Whether it’s upskilling staff or preparing new hires, being a reliable, fast-moving solution partner is key.
At Miami Dade College, we’ve seen success through strong regional collaboration. Institutions, local government and employers are united around a shared goal: developing talent. Continuing education divisions are uniquely positioned to accelerate that pipeline, supporting immediate workforce needs while creating clear, flexible pathways toward degrees. By blurring the line between credit and noncredit, we give learners the ability to get on and off their educational journey without losing momentum.
Some employers, especially small businesses, may not have the resources to train staff alone. That’s where institutions can step in to help secure funding and support. It all starts with being open, present and committed to solving real problems. At Miami Dade, that’s a mindset that not only continuing ed embraces but the entire college.
Evo: What strategies have proven most effective for increasing learner engagement in CE programs?
EI: Engaging adult learners isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially in a place like Miami where students come from every walk of life. What we’ve found is that building a sense of community is key. Learners need to feel like they’re part of something meaningful and receive support from both peers and faculty who understand their needs. That connection—beyond the subject matter—is what keeps them engaged.
Curricula also play a critical role. Adult learners want hands-on, active experiences, not traditional lecture-then-lab formats. When we designed our construction trade programs, we reimagined the space entirely. Instead of separate classrooms and labs, everything happens in a single workspace. And the faculty? They need the right training and mindset to teach adult learners effectively. Just as important is giving learners clarity. They need to know exactly when they start, when they finish, how much it’ll cost and what they’ll walk away with.
The real value comes when learners can see their entire journey—how a short program can evolve into a long-term path. Take our iOS Swift developer program, for example. Students can finish that and jump straight into the workforce or pursue a certificate, associate degree or more. When learners can clearly see where they’re headed, how to get there and how education fits into their lives, that’s when engagement really takes off.
Evo: How do you measure success beyond the enrollment numbers?
EI: Measuring success beyond enrollment is one of the toughest challenges we face. Of course, we track key performance indicators—how many students complete a program, how many get jobs or promotions and what kind of revenue or ROI we’re seeing—but the data only tells part of the story.
For me, real success is more personal and long-term. It’s when a learner who came through one of our programs—maybe years ago—decides they need to learn something new or upskill, and their first thought is, “I should go back to Miami Dade College.” That sense of trust and connection we built during their first experience is what tells me we did our job right.
It’s hard to measure loyalty in metrics, but that’s what I value most. Did we help the student meet their goal? Did they enjoy the experience? And was it meaningful enough that they’d come back, not just as a student but maybe even as an employer looking to train their team? If the answer’s yes, that’s success.
Evo: Is there anything you’d like to add?
EI: I’ve been in continuing education for a long time, and I’m still just as excited about its future as I was when I started. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. As education shifts toward more personalized, skills-based learning, CE divisions are uniquely positioned to lead the way. Our structure allows us to be flexible, fast and responsive to how learners want to consume information.
The future of work is all about microcredentials, industry certifications and upskilling—and CE is already offering those things. Whether it’s an on-ramp to college, a fast path to a job or a chance to reskill later in life, continuing ed meets learners where they are. CE is at the heart of lifelong learning. From that first moment of curiosity to the final stretch of someone’s career, we’re positioned to support every step. And that makes the future of CE not just promising but powerful.
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