LinkedIn Top Voices in Education: The 10 creators to follow

The 2022 LinkedIn Top Voices in Education highlights 10 thought leaders covering how the world of learning is being revolutionized.

America’s educational system is “at a unique moment in history.” That’s the judgment of Michelle Marks , chancellor of the University of Colorado, Denver. Teaching systems built for industrial-era norms now need to stretch, regroup, and perhaps even give way to new approaches that make sense for our global, digital future, she maintains.?

With the pandemic having revolutionized how students learn, there’s a lot to say about new technologies that can enhance the learning process and make it more accessible . Sorting out hype from reality is crucial . So, too, are initiatives that improve the affordability and accessibility of education for the long-run.

Today, LinkedIn News is publishing the 2022 edition of our annual list of Top Voices in Education. This collection highlights 10 thought leaders covering everything you need to know about the shifting norms and new opportunities across the industry. Their expertise ranges from digital tools that can make lesson plans more engaging to new ways of leveraging data in the interests of better assessing careers and skills. Each of these creators provides insights on how the latest innovations help learning move forward.?

In this list, you’ll meet everyone from top-tier academic leaders to blunt-speaking authors and bold ed-tech upstarts. Check out and follow the creators that speak to your interests; that way you’ll stay updated on their latest insights via your LinkedIn feed.

This Top Voices list joins a family of features highlighting creators in areas ranging from mental health to technology and innovation . All Top Voices lists are editorially curated by the LinkedIn News team and highlight the creators to follow who are writing and sharing about today’s important workplace, career and industry topics. You can find more about how we compiled the list and who is eligible to be a Top Voice at the bottom of this article.

Check out this year’s #LinkedInTopVoices in Education — and follow them to stay plugged into the conversation.

Honorees are listed in alphabetical order. Reporting by Josh M. Carney George Anders and Joseph Gobran .

What he talks about: “Today’s students are thinking about their education and career pathways in a totally different way,” Agarwal says as he outlines why institutions must transform to meet demands for more flexible and workforce-aligned education . As an executive for a digital education services provider and founder of a non-profit focused on the next generation of online learning, he emphasizes how essential human skills such as leadership, communication and emotional intelligence are vital in a hybrid world and why it's crucial to build learning programs that are inclusive of all educational backgrounds . Agarwal takes the long view on the future of education to highlight how every career path is unique and strategizes ways to deliver better outcomes for learners.

?? See more of Anant Agarwal’s content

What she talks about: As the dean of USC’s communication and journalism school, Bay shows how data can improve the way educators guide students along their academic journey. She highlights how a new data infrastructure initiative aims to better assess industry needs, emerging careers and in-demand skills that could “drive transformative change.” Bay also reflects on ways that society can ethically reap the benefits of big data as she connects with educators about strategies for effectively supporting students .

?? See more of Willow Bay’s content

What he talks about: Erdberg, who founded a K-12 virtual teacher staffing company, calls attention to school staffing shortages and how they can create disparities among students. He digs into the achievement gaps that result from inequitable access to learning and how teachers can take advantage of new technologies that make virtual learning a more exciting opportunity for students. Erdberg is sparking conversations about how teachers can communicate their value amid unprecedented change, while inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

?? See more of Evan Erdberg’s content

What she talks about: “Educators are overwhelmed with the number of new products and strategies they adopted to support teaching and learning during a pandemic,” Garcia says , and she polls her followers on how to help teachers better understand these new edtech tools. As a product manager for an education and behavioral health platform, she sparks discussions about the role of research in edtech products and how to successfully adopt new technologies inside the classroom. Garcia shares career resources for teachers and facilitates an empowering dialogue among educators.

?? See more of Kim Garcia’s content

What she talks about: James focuses on how to expand opportunities that diversify talent pipelines and close gender gaps . The Dean of The Wharton School, who calls herself an “accidental academic,” shows how to empower the next generation of leaders and level the playing field in the workplace through a holistic approach to learning . James breaks down how to educate future leaders who are more purpose-driven and the responsibility that business educators have to foster an open dialogue.

?? See more of Erika James’ content

What she talks about: Kaulberg sees herself as the glue connecting various teams in areas such as learning science, analytics and product development. As schools demand more robust efficacy data for their edtech tools, she says a more mindful approach to design will be vital. Through a variety of experiences in the edtech field and now as the product manager for a learning software company, she’s able to demystify misconceptions about what motivates students to learn and highlights the need to personalize new tools to drive more engagement. Kaulberg sparks conversations among teachers on topics such as new technologies’ value in responding to school staffing shortages and ways to reverse the impact of COVID on student development.

?? See more of Ankita Kaulberg’s content

What she talks about: Marks emphasizes ways that public research universities level the playing field . She also highlights what goes into the development of a campus vision as a new chancellor – and focuses on how to increase access to higher education through programs such as Pell grants and investing in pipelines for Hispanic and indigenous communities . Other posts address ways to strengthen the representation of first-generation students and why it's vital to invest in the social aspects of campuses and students’ mental health, especially in the aftermath of COVID .

?? See more of Michelle Marks’ content

What she talks about: Pumariega shows what it takes to lead and innovate as the president of the largest public college in the U.S. She’s intentional in her support for the next generation of tech leaders and highlights the opportunity to connect students with the rapid growth of Miami’s tech sector . Pumariega focuses on how to grow local talent pipelines and build partnerships with industry leaders that open new pathways for students outside the classroom.?

?? See more of Madeline Pumariega’s content

What she talks about: As a product designer, Quan explores the possibilities at the intersection of UX design and education. Through her “UX of EdTech” podcast , she shows how different design disciplines can work together to create a better experience for digital learners and break down the biggest challenges across the edtech community. Quan sparks informative conversations about how to advance learning and prioritize digital accessibility.

?? See more of Alice Quan’s content

What he talks about: Higher education must become more flexible to respond to changes in the market brought on by COVID , Selingo says, and he covers how the industry can innovate to build a more sustainable future . The strategic adviser and author uses his newsletter to focus on what’s next for higher education, where he explores a range of emerging themes from public-private partnerships to the biggest risks that institutions face. Selingo confronts difficult questions about how to measure the value of higher ed as he digs into nuanced conversations about equitable outcomes for students and the prospects of loan forgiveness .

?? See more of Jeff Selingo’s content

How we compile the list

Top Voices is a series of lists that have been editorially curated by the LinkedIn News team, with the goal of highlighting creators to follow who are covering the chosen segments and/or topics. To compile each list, editors consider each individual’s content on LinkedIn. Specifically: Are they covering the topic at hand on a regular basis? Are their contributions insightful, conversational and timely? Have they built up and engaged with their communities? Do they seek to give and get help vs. being self-promotional? We aim to highlight a diverse set of voices, so that the list reflects the world we live and work in today.?

Who is eligible

Any LinkedIn member who shares content and drives professional conversations on the platform is eligible to be a Top Voice, with the exception of LinkedIn and Microsoft employees, members who have violated LinkedIn’s User Agreement, including our Professional Community Policies, or individuals currently running in an election for an executive, legislative or judicial position.

Top Voices may include individuals who are a part of the LinkedIn Influencer (invite-only) or the Creator Accelerator (application-based) programs. However, being a part of either does not automatically boost a member’s chance of being a Top Voice, nor is it a requirement or prerequisite for success on the platform.

Interested in building your audience on LinkedIn??

New voices emerge every year — and there’s nothing stopping you from turning your own ideas into powerful conversations. Try creating a post to share your expertise or thoughts on the latest trending news, and you may be surprised at the community you find. If you’re struggling with where to start, follow our LinkedIn for Creators page for content inspiration, tips, news, education and more. And if you’d like to recommend someone for a future Top Voices list, let us know in the comments (just be sure to tag them and let us know why you love following them). We’re always looking for new individuals to highlight.

Who would you recommend for a future LinkedIn Top Voices list? Let us know in the comments section below by tagging them and sharing why you enjoy following them.