Changing Lives with the KFC Foundation

 

Vicki Green, CEO of the GED Testing Service, and Debbie Rollins, Program Director for the KFC Foundation, delve into the potential of non-traditional education routes during a recent episode of “Education UnplugGED.” The conversation emphasizes the life-changing impact of obtaining a GED, particularly for individuals whose education was disrupted by unexpected life challenges.

  • Championing Non-Traditional Education and Celebrating Success: Both Green and Rollins argue that earning a GED should not carry a stigma, instead championing it as a path to a rewarding future. They spotlight the KFC Foundation’s initiative, which motivates their learners by rewarding each passed test and celebrating GED graduations. This approach hopes to inspire the staff towards lifelong learning, with scholarships also offered to those wishing to pursue further education.
  • GED Learners: Resilience and Potential: The duo encourages employers to recognize the potential in GED earners, emphasizing the resilience these individuals show in the face of adversity. Exemplified by the success stories at the KFC Foundation, they argued that achieving a GED often leads to future professional growth and even the pursuit of higher education.
  • A Call-to-Action to Embrace Non-Traditional Education: Concluding on a hopeful note, they urge employers to support non-traditional education pathways, fostering a culture of learners who feel valued and inspired. The conversation underscores the importance of investing in adult education, where every learner’s success has the power to impact future generations positively.

 

Recent Episodes

Hospitals across the country are feeling the strain—too many open roles, not enough trained professionals, and a growing gap between what students learn and what the job actually demands on day one. Training is getting more expensive, timelines are stretching, and healthcare leaders are being forced to rethink how new clinicians enter the field….

Experiential learning has shifted from a differentiator to an expectation in higher education, especially as employers place more value on job-ready graduates who can adapt quickly to changing workplace demands. At the same time, AI is reshaping entry-level work, making durable skills like judgment, communication, and adaptability more important than routine task execution. In that…

As consumer brands navigate a post-pandemic world shaped by digital saturation and rising loneliness, the most successful companies are rediscovering something analog: human connection. A 2025 World Health Organization report found that 1 in 6 people globally are affected by loneliness, highlighting a growing public health challenge tied to weaker social bonds and reduced…