Thought Leadership
Thought Leadership
January 20, 2026
Not finding what you’re looking for?
Higher education institutions are navigating a pivotal era defined by the need for increasing career readiness standards and a workforce that demands specialized expertise. As we continue to speak with partners and students, it’s clear that providing resources, support, and mentorship are more vital than ever. But how can institutions achieve this at scale?
Through stories showcasing partners’ experiences with Kaplan’s All Access License, we’ve seen the program emerge as more than just a resource—it’s become a catalyst for institutional transformation and individual triumph. Looking back at the impactful conversations of the past year, we see a clear roadmap for success as these top five stories of 2025 illustrate how we are collectively bridging the gap between potential and professional reality.
Our most read story from 2025 is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that access to quality educational resources can have on individual lives. Meet Caleb. After getting into Delaware State University (DSU), he knew he wanted to pursue a career in cardiothoracic surgery—but as a first-generation college student, he faced challenges finding the preparation needed to get there.
Thanks to the partnership between DSU and Kaplan, Caleb received free access to his MCAT® prep—a critical step toward medical school—which led him to a 26-point increase in his score from diagnostic to test day. And it was all made possible by the All Access License.
“Prior to hearing about Delaware State University offering Kaplan’s All Access License, I didn’t know what I was going to do to prepare for the MCAT. It’s a daunting test. My parents wanted to help and they were supportive but they’ve never been through this process either. I was on my own and a comprehensive course was not in the cards for me.”
— Caleb M., Student & All Access License Participant
Describing his experience with the course, Caleb emphasizes the impact of his instructor: “The first day of my Kaplan course blew away a lot of my fears. My teacher was amazing...he made it light but still taught the content in a way where I absorbed so much.” The course not only helped him master the content but also provided him with the strategies and confidence needed to tackle the exam.
Our second most read article from 2025 echoes Caleb’s experiences but is shared from the viewpoint of the leaders on the front lines of student support. Delaware State University’s (DSU) Dr. Shonda Poe, Executive Director for the Office of Undergraduate Research, Experiential Learning, and Honors (URELAH), explored the critical role guidance plays in preparing first-generation college students.
Dr. Poe offers, “If you’ve never heard, ‘You can become a doctor’ then how do you do that if no one is around to explain that process? This is where it’s so important to attend college where we will teach and prepare you and show you it is possible. We’ll give you hope to say, ‘I can become a medical physician. I can become an attorney. But I need the tools to know how to get there.’”
Meeting the needs of students where they are was a key theme for our partners in 2025. And in our top third story of the year, Dr. Jorge Villegas, Associate Dean and Professor of Marketing at the University of Illinois Springfield delved into how they are applying this approach of personalized service and translating it into preparing students for the job market.
“Students are realizing that getting their first job out of college is not going to be that easy this year in particular. The fact that they can learn a bit more before they graduate [with Kaplan’s All Access License]…will give them a leg up compared to other students that are out in the marketplace.”
— Dr. Jorge Villegas, Associate Dean and Professor of Marketing, University of Illinois Springfield
This article serves as a valuable reminder to be mission-centered, as Dr. Villegas shares, “what we've done is say, ‘what is the mission of this university? It is to be student focused.’ This program couldn't be a better example of staying student focused. I always go back to the mission.”
»Related News: Kaplan’s All Access License® Named as a Winner in Tech & Learning’s 2025 Awards of Excellence for Back to School
Tenacity and resilience are two hallmarks of our next student story, coming in at number four for our top articles of the year. Meet Vivian. Growing up with a family member impacted by the criminal justice system, she developed a passion for advocating for others and has a dream of becoming a lawyer.
Through the collaboration between Cleveland State University and Kaplan, students like Vivian receive free access to industry-leading preparation for pivotal exams like the LSAT®, a crucial step to getting into law school. The result? A score that has given her a new level of confidence to achieve even higher goals as she considers applying to more competitive schools.
"Studying with Kaplan really made all the difference in the world for me. My level of confidence definitely has gone up more than I thought it could just from studying with Kaplan."
— Vivian, Student & All Access License Participant
Rounding out our top five articles of 2025 is an insightful look at how to scale test prep access to address workforce development needs across the state. It explores both the short- and long-term impact of statewide programs that strategically align licensure, certification, and graduate school support with regional economic priorities, focusing on critical fields such as healthcare, technology, and financial services. The best part? State wide access to packaged test preparation is a win-win-win for states, public institutions, and students.
The standout narratives of 2025 prove that when institutions remove the financial and systemic barriers to high-stakes prep, the results are transformative. Whether it is first-generation students achieving new opportunities for their next step to medical or law school or it is universities achieving strategic institutional goals, these stories highlight a shift toward a more accessible academic landscape. As we look toward the year ahead, we remain committed to providing the tools and partnership necessary to turn student aspirations into career realities.
With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, Kim Canning is passionate about enhancing student success and access to education. Kim has a deep understanding of the challenges facing higher education today and leverages this expertise to drive solutions that respond to the needs of students and institutions alike.
In her role as the vice president of university partnerships at Kaplan, Kim leads a dynamic team focused on collaborating with colleges and universities to enhance academic support resources at an institutional level. Kim’s leadership in spearheading Kaplan’s All Access License initiative has garnered several EdTech industry awards. Connect with Kim at allaccess@kaplan.edu or on LinkedIn.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual and not necessarily those of Kaplan or their institution. Student experiences may vary.
All organizational test names and other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with Kaplan or any of its subsidiaries. Visit here for details.