Media & Talks

Watch Michael discuss career-connected learning, CTE, multilingual talent, credentials, workforce partnerships, and education-to-career systems.

For speaking invitations, workshops, panels, podcasts or policy discussions, explore Michael’s speaking topics or use the contact form to connect.

• Back

SPEAKING, KEYNOTES & WORKSHOPS

Every engagement is designed to move audiences from ideas to practical systems, measurable outcomes, and stronger connections between education and opportunity.Using his Discover. Validate. Connect. framework, Michael helps organizations recognize students’ strengths, validate those abilities through credentials and demonstrated skills, and connect every learner with careers, employers, postsecondary education and economic opportunity.

• INVITE MICHAEL

IDEAL AUDIENCESMichael works with organizations seeking practical strategies for making career-connected learning available to every student.CTE AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLSStrengthen career pathways, industry credentials, employer partnerships, work-based learning and measurable student outcomes.COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLSBring career-connected learning into academic programs, counseling, extracurricular experiences and schoolwide planning—not only traditional CTE classrooms.LANGUAGE AND MULTILINGUAL ORGANIZATIONSRecognize language ability as a workforce asset and connect multilingual learners with credentials, careers and employers.WORKFORCE, GOVERNMENT AND EMPLOYER PARTNERSCreate stronger connections among education, industry, postsecondary institutions and regional economic priorities.

SIGNATURE SPEAKING PROGRAMS

Discover. Validate. Connect.Building Career-Connected Learning Systems for Every StudentA practical framework for identifying student strengths, validating those abilities through credentials and demonstrated skills, and connecting students with employers, postsecondary education and economic opportunity.Career-Connected Learning Beyond the CTE ClassroomA Practical Model for Comprehensive SchoolsA schoolwide approach to connecting academics, counseling, career exploration, employer engagement and postsecondary pathways so career-connected learning reaches every student.Language as a Workforce AssetTurning Multilingual Ability into Portable Career EvidenceA framework for identifying students’ language abilities, validating them through recognized credentials, and connecting multilingual talent with careers, employers, and economic opportunity.From Programs to SystemsLeading CTE and Career-Connected Learning for Economic MobilityA leadership-focused presentation about transforming individual initiatives

ADDITIONAL SPEAKING & POLICY TOPICS

From Interest to Impact: Closing the Career Pathways GapMoving students from career awareness to measurable outcomes by aligning career identity, coursework, credentials and work-based learning with workforce demand.Measuring ROI in CTEDemonstrating value through credential attainment, student outcomes, employer participation and responsible use of resources.Governance and Funding Models That Strengthen Regional CTE SystemsUsing board governance, cross-district collaboration and sustainable funding to expand high-quality career pathways while maintaining accountability.Building Employer-Driven Talent PipelinesMoving beyond traditional advisory boards toward meaningful employer participation in curriculum, credentials, work-based learning and talent development.

• INVITE MICHAEL

• Back

INVITE MICHAEL

For speaking invitations, policy discussions, partnerships, or media inquiries, please use the form below or connect with Dr. Herrera on LinkedIn.

Thank you

Thank you for reaching out. We've received your message, and Michael will respond within two business days. For time-sensitive matters, please connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

• Okay