Welcome to my newsletter with a focus on (re)defining education, eliminating the skills gap, and equipping learners to pursue their purpose on purpose.

There is often a point in our careers when we look back to our beginnings, where we started, how far we have come, and where our journey is headed in the future.  There is a certain point in our careers where we start to ask ourselves meaningful questions, like "Am I happy?," "What is my purpose?," and "Am I fulfilling it where I currently stand?”

Those questions have taken me on a discovery rollercoaster. And while I have been able to answer those questions for myself over the past two years, with each answer, I observed a widening gap between myself and my everyday duties as a Vice President at Norco College. You see, I have been in higher education for 23 years. It is expected that we advance from faculty to Associate Dean, to Dean, to VP, and then to a President.  I always had a goal to bring through each position the strength of change I wanted to see in our institutions. I thought to myself that if I wanted things to progress, I should strive to wield the organizational power to steer the ship in the “right” direction. So, I climbed…just as I was expected to do.  What I realized, though, is that I successfully got myself promoted away from what I loved the most.    

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed leading governance, grants, institutional effectiveness and marketing for Norco College as a Vice President.  I worked tirelessly to improve our metrics, systems, and processes.  And we were successful.  Our college evolved and transformed in many ways.  I’m told I was doing a pretty good job as a VP too.  But then I took a step back and carefully read (and read again) the mission I had previously identified for myself:

“I am committed to (re)defining education; eliminating the skills gap; helping students secure a competitive advantage, and equipping learners to identify and pursue their purpose on purpose.”

I was experiencing a misalignment. I felt a career dissonance.  Have you ever felt that before?  It’s unsettling.  

But I found pockets of complete fulfillment.  For example, this past August, I traveled to speak in Pennsylvania, Idaho, Washington, and California. I felt most alive helping regions and hundreds of institutions redefine the goal for their work.  I observed and reflected.  I was my best self as I spoke, wrote, mentored, advised, co-created, and encouraged others.  To be clear, it wasn’t the applause or the delayed flights that I enjoyed.  But it was the ability to serve my friends and colleagues under the CTE umbrella.  I felt most congruent with my purpose, my passions, and my ‘Why’ when I was dedicating my time and talents towards CTE and career-connected learning. 

A friend recently asked me, “Where can you make the most impact?”  That’s when I knew a change was necessary. 

I am excited to be returning to what I love most.  

I am energized to dedicate all my work again to our field, from which I have learned so much.

I am grateful to be true to my mission.

I am thankful to stand where I can make the broadest impact possible. 

I am honored to begin service to the learners and institutions of Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles Regional Consortium supports 19 community colleges, 88 cities, 10+ Million residents, over 500,000 students, and the 17th largest economy in the world. As the new Chief Innovation & Engagement Officer for the Los Angeles Regional Consortium, this new position shall afford me the opportunity to work with several motivated CTE units and progressive districts who are truly mission-aligned.  The needs are deep.  The challenges are real.  But the opportunities are limitless.   

I recently resigned as a college Vice President to achieve a better alignment for myself, my career, and my soul.  I will be refocusing on CTE, employer engagement, work-based learning, apprenticeships, and equipping learners to find their purpose, on purpose. 

I am returning to my Why.  

I am choosing happiness. 

I am manifesting my purpose.  

Onward, Together!

KEVIN J FLEMING, Ph.D.

Chief Innovation & Engagement Officer, Los Angeles Regional Consortium 

Founder & CEO, Catapult

Author of (Re)Defining the Goal