Rethinking Higher Ed.
Join us at the Gates Foundation Discovery Center for an inspiring evening to celebrate and discuss the recent release of Roadtrip Nation’s documentary Rethinking Higher Ed. This powerful, two-part film, supported by a grant co-funded by the Postsecondary Success and Education Pathways teams within the US Program at the Gates Foundation, follows the journeys of young adults navigating education and career pathways—offering a compelling look at how postsecondary education can unlock opportunities and transform lives.
Event Highlights:
- Live panel featuring the Roadtrippers themselves
- Q&A with Gates Foundation staff, grantees, and local professionals
- Screening of exclusive clips from the film
- Connect with foundation partners and grantees working to expand educational access and success
- Enjoy food and refreshments
Don’t miss this chance to hear real stories, ask thoughtful questions, and explore what it means to make college “worth it.”
Images and video courtesy of Roadtrip Nation.
Event schedule
4:30 – 5:15 p.m. Reception
5:15 – 6:15 p.m. Panel Discussion and Q&A
6:15 – 6:30 p.m. Closing reception
Meet our Speakers
Aislynn Fait (she/her)
Aislynn comes from Pennsauken, NJ. Homeschooled until 17, she faced challenges adapting to college but received her Associates degree as the Valedictorian of her class. Although concerned about the financial aspects of college, she’s open to new experiences and opportunities to learn. She’s passionate about helping her community, having run a Food pantry, Blood drives, and local volunteering projects. She is now a student at FIT in New York, where she plans to continue her educational journey.
Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee (he/him)
Eric, from Waikōloa, Hawaiʻi, is a high school graduate passionate about social issues and education reform. He serves as a youth commissioner for both the county and state of Hawaiʻi. Eric runs daily and enjoys relaxing on the beach. He’s inspired by leaders who aim to make a social impact for as many people as possible. Now, he’s hoping to broaden his understanding of equity, justice, and public policy to better serve his community.
Moderator: Jamey Rorison, Ph.D., Senior Program Officer on the Postsecondary Success team at the Gates Foundation
Rorison leads efforts to advance a field-driven movement to increase equitable postsecondary value at the Gate Foundation. He led the development and operation of the Postsecondary Value Commission, a first-of-its-kind initiative that brought together 30 diverse higher education, workforce, civil rights, research, and federal and state policy leaders to propose a definition of postsecondary value, develop a way to measure that value, and urge action to improve value and make it more equitable.