Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesEducation Technology

Creating an Adult Education Program for the 40 Million Adults without a High School Diploma

Life is full of challenges. Often, it can take a while to learn how to overcome and succeed in the challenges presented to us. For Dr. Howard Liebman, CEO of Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE) and Kari Greenfield, VP – Academic Partnerships, accomplishments coincide with a high GSD index – get stuff done. DisruptED…

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Education Technology teams put it to work with Executive Thought Leadership.

Share

Get featured

Want MarketScale to feature Education Technology?

Book a 15-minute demo and we'll map your Education Technology expertise to the content buyers are searching for.

Book a demo

Life is full of challenges. Often, it can take a while to learn how to overcome and succeed in the challenges presented to us. For Dr. Howard Liebman, CEO of Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE) and Kari Greenfield, VP – Academic Partnerships, accomplishments coincide with a high GSD index – get stuff done. DisruptED hosts Ron Stefanski and Dr. Caesar Mickens invited Dr. Liebman and Greenfield to share how their mindsets help them overcome stifled progress along the education spectrum.

“I think, you know, passion is important because if you’re going to try mindsets and you’re going to change schemas of thinking you really have to be passionate about what you’re trying to do,” stated Dr. Liebman.

Disruption along the traditional education system can be extremely positive. For Dr. Liebman and Greenfield, this meant building a program that helps to re-engage adults back into the educational system to complete their high school diploma.

Dr. Liebman noted, “There’s 40 million adults in the country who don’t have a high school diploma. If we’re going to reengage that we’ve got to take a very tactical and strategic approach to how we’re going to do that moving forward.”

To do this, SHCOE designs their program around mitigating the traditional flight stimula presented in students’ brains, “We want to eliminate that stimula in the brain to activate the flight [response],” Dr. Liebman said, and to do this, “Our students declare a major upon point of enrollment.” In addition to taking just their major over the first four months, SHCOE also provides a relatable academic coach to help students re-engage.

Greenfield noted that many SHCOE students lead busy lives, “Our average age student is mid-30s, 70% are women…63% of our students are parents…these are busy individuals…”

Through SHCOE, students are able to learn occupational skills and obtain their GED to provide a better life for themselves and their families.

The City of Dayton has a New Vision to Make Education Equitable

Making Workforce Training Available to Communities that Need it Most

Your experts belong here

Every story in MarketScale Education Technology starts with a company putting its implementation leads, instructional designers, and district partners on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.

Get your team featuredSee how it works15 minutes, straight to a calendar.

Follow Education Technology Insights

Get new expert content in your inbox.

Education Technology: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Education Technology buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Education Technology expert. Your company is full of them.

This article was produced through MarketScale. The same platform turns your implementation leads, instructional designers, and district partners into the articles, video, and social content Education Technology buyers are searching for. Create a free workspace and see it with your own people. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Education Technology Insights

Work Generated Learning with Andrew Salmon of Intangled Learning

Work Generated Learning with Andrew Salmon of Intangled Learning

Andrew Salmon of Intangled Learning explores how learning can be generated through work experience. This approach integrates practical workplace skills with educational growth. Technologies in education are evolving to support this type of learning environment.

  • 01Workplaces can serve as a powerful arena for learning new skills.
  • 02Education technology is advancing to better integrate on-the-job learning with formal education.
  • 03Integrating learning with work helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Aug 7, 2026

DisruptED in the D: How Michigan Central is Changing the Landscape of Detroit with Beth Kmetz-Armitage

DisruptED in the D: How Michigan Central is Changing the Landscape of Detroit with Beth Kmetz-Armitage

The article discusses how Michigan Central is transforming the landscape of Detroit, with insights from Beth Kmetz-Armitage. The project aims to revitalize the area through innovative education-technology initiatives. Ron Stefanski covers the impact of these changes on the local community.

  • 01Michigan Central is revitalizing Detroit.
  • 02Education-technology plays a key role in the transformation.
  • 03Beth Kmetz-Armitage shares insights on the project.

Jul 15, 2026

Higher Ed's Seed Round: How Universities Decide Which Programs to Build

Higher Ed's Seed Round: How Universities Decide Which Programs to Build

The decision-making process for universities when choosing which online programs to develop and fund involves strategic considerations. These decisions are influenced by factors such as demand, resources, and institutional goals. Administrators need to weigh these elements to ensure successful and sustainable online education offerings.

  • 01Universities consider demand and resources in online program planning.
  • 02Institutional goals influence the choice of programs to fund.
  • 03Strategic decision-making is crucial for successful online education.

Jun 30, 2026

Explore More Education Technology Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Education Technology.

Browse Education Technology Hub

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Education Technology and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512