Builiding CTE Systems That Actually Work-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.78 w/Dr. Narineh Makijan

Builiding CTE Systems That Actually Work-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.78 w/Dr. Narineh Makijan

Audio:

In Episode 78 of the Global CTE Podcast, part of our 2026 Women in CTE Series, Dr. Narineh Makijan shares how regions can move beyond aligning disconnected systems and begin designing workforce ecosystems that create real opportunity for learners. Drawing from her leadership across the Los Angeles Regional Consortium and her work advancing human-centered AI in counseling, she offers a practical framework for building stronger connections between education, employers, and communities. This conversation challenges leaders to rethink CTE not as a collection of programs, but as essential economic infrastructure for the future of work.

Topics Covered:

-Designing regional workforce ecosystems

-CTE as economic infrastructure

-Human-centered AI in counseling

-Radical asset mapping for pathways

-Employer partnerships beyond advisory boards

Dr. Narineh Makijan Bio:

Dr. Narineh Makijan is Assistant Vice President and Chair of the Los Angeles Regional Consortium at Pasadena City College, where she leads workforce and economic development strategy across 19 community colleges in Los Angeles County—one of the largest regional systems in the nation. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in counseling, Career & Technical Education, and pathway development, her work focuses on building coordinated education-to-workforce ecosystems that expand access and strengthen economic mobility for students. She also serves as faculty at the USC Rossier School of Education and is the author of Beyond the Algorithm: Human-Centered AI, advancing a vision for student support systems that integrate technology while keeping the human experience at the center of learning and opportunity.

Learn More About LARC: https://losangelesrc.org/

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This episode is part of our special Women in CTE: Power, Pathways & the Future of Work series in recognition of Women’s History Month. Throughout the month, we’ll feature conversations with leaders who are helping shape the future of Career & Technical Education through innovation, leadership, and bold ideas. Stay tuned for the rest of the episodes as we continue highlighting the women driving impact across the CTE landscape.

-Sylvester Chisom