Rewriting Education’s Playbook
From Peace Corps service in Ghana to revolutionizing skills-based education, Christi Harter champions unconventional paths to success—meeting learners exactly where they are
Today’s education landscape is quickly evolving, and Christi Harter stands as a beacon of change. A champion for lifelong learning and career-connected education, Christi has dedicated her career to helping individuals overcome obstacles and find pathways to success. From her humble beginnings in South Dakota to her groundbreaking work in workforce development, she has always been driven by a desire to make education more accessible, equitable, and impactful. During our discussion, Christi shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her worldview and how she is using her position to light the way for others.
Rooted in Humility and Hard Work
Christi's journey began in the small town of Colome, South Dakota, where simplicity and hard work were the cornerstones of life. The community and family values she grew up with instilled a deep sense of resilience and independence.
“The simplicity and understanding of how you need to work and how you connect with people has really made a huge impact on my life.”
In fact, her early experiences are so firmly rooted in humility and hard work that she has had to work to overcome her reluctance in asking for, and accepting, help. As she explains, “My dad was very clear that we didn’t take anything from anybody, and I’ve actually had to grow through that because it’s not taking from somebody when people want to help you with your career or be a mentor or connect you with somebody else. I’ve had a really hard time learning how to ask for help, first of all, and then accept help, second of all.”
The Power of Diverse Experiences
A transformative chapter in Christi’s life was her time in the Peace Corps. Her service in Ghana opened her eyes to a world of cultural diversity and gender inequality, shaping her commitment to creating opportunities for marginalized communities. She found herself the minority in a village of 3,000 people, noting the significance in the gender differences. As a result, it helped her understand and appreciate the opportunities available to us in the U.S., and has been the impetus for what she has wanted to accomplish through her work and career.
Leading with Kindness and Compassion
In her early teaching years, Christi focused on strict structure, but she soon learned that fostering personal connections with students was key to their success. Her epiphany led to a new approach, where kindness and empathy became her guiding principles in education.
“I thought everything had to be so regimented. One of my principals (during an evaluation) said, Christi, you have such a beautiful smile. Why didn’t you smile during the class very much? And I replied that I’m afraid I’m going to lose them if I make jokes or if I’m not strict enough. And she explained to me, the component of what’s going to help them be connected is you being connected with them. My goal now is to lead with being personable, kind, and understanding.”
Engaging with Blended Learning and Technology
Christi discovered the power of technology to more deeply engage students who struggled with traditional “sit and get” teaching methods, witnessing how positively they responded to hands-on learning experiences, which sparked her passion for educational technology. She advocates for blended learning, which combines online resources with in-class instruction, making education more accessible and personalized.
“My students were learning how to use sine, cosine and tangent on a computer-based game, and these two boys that really disliked my class when I was teaching in the traditional mode did not want to leave the classroom, they were having so much fun learning using that technology.”
Bridging Education and Industry
In her current role, Christi is at the forefront of the skills-based hiring movement, working to create more equitable hiring practices and recognize the skills people gain through various experiences. She is championing career-connected learning programs, working to create partnerships between educational institutions and industry, and developing programs that align with workforce needs and provide students with practical skills. By collaborating with local employers and using workforce data, she’s helping students and workers alike gain certifications and stackable credentials to advance in their careers.
Equitable Hiring
One of Christi’s most ambitious projects is bridging the gap between skills-based education and equitable hiring. She’s working with refugee organizations and businesses to ensure that individuals, regardless of background, have access to the credentials they need to succeed.
“We’re building partnerships with refugee-serving organizations to better employ immigrant populations ... It’s all about giving people the opportunity to have a better life.”
You can learn more about Christi’s work and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Christi Harter’s commitment to lifelong learning and dedication to creating more accessible, practical educational pathways are lighting the way for a more equitable and skilled workforce of the future. Her story underscores the power of education to transform lives and her work continues to inspire those she touches, from students to industry leaders.
