Episode 2: Creating Learning Pathways for Young Adults

Guest Bio

Dr. Dale Marsden recently served as superintendent of the San Bernardino City Unified School
District (SBCUSD), California’s 10th largest urban public school district, which serves a diverse student
population of 73 percent Latino and 14 percent African-American, in an area with a 91 percent poverty
rate. The District serves over 50,000 students, 8,000 staff in 73 schools across a 98-square-mile radius.

During Dr. Marsden’s tenure, the SBCUSD team experienced a historic increase in graduation rates from
66.8% to 93.6% (surpassing county, state, and national graduation rates), doubled the number of students
eligible to attend 4-year universities, and increased from 5 to 53 high-growth, high-demand pathway
experiences, ensuring equity and access for all students to high-wage careers in local and world industries.

Dr. Marsden is a veteran of the United States Air Force and has nearly 30 years of experience in public
education. He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, San Bernardino in Liberal
Studies with a minor in mathematics, a master’s degree in Educational Administration, and a doctorate of
education in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Pepperdine University, where he
was named the 2016 Superintendent of the Year. In 2018, he was named a National Leader to Learn From
by Education Week. Dr. Marsden currently supports the San Bernardino County Superintendent of
Schools, a host of state-wide and regional education reform and work-based learning initiatives, and is
founder/CEO of Tomorrow’s Talent ©, a company focused on Bridging young adults (16-24) to
work-based learning experiences: Local Talent, Local Employers, Local Economy.

Recap & Takeaways

• [00:38] Dr. Dale’s background in education
• [03:46] Community partnerships and providing pathways in education to internships in fields students are interested in
• [10:19] Cybersecurity apprenticeship in the San Bernadino City Unified Royal Valley High School
• [15:25] Communities and communication systems that encourage learner success
• [19:04] Paying interns and apprentices, and effects of community engagement programs
• [26:05] Reversing a toxic culture slowly and building trust
• [31:55] Addressing questions, comments, concerns, and kudos
• [34:47] The After-Action Review
• [38:43] Engaging and informing the community and using social media to get your message out there
• [41:42] Leading a start-up and what the experience spend like
• [44:22] A vision for the future where students are rewarded for good work and enter a workplace
• [46:53] Giving young people a place to release their ideas