Women Of Influence

Lisa Courtice knows attitudes are changing about traditional four-year college degrees. And someday, she recognizes, the world may change enough that a certificate or another form of advanced training will be enough to help young people get ahead and the world today.

But that's not what she sees today. According to Courtice, CEO of the United Way of Central Ohio, four-year degrees are one of the key differentiators between people who live in poverty in Central Ohio and those who don't. It's why her best advice to young people is – assuming they can find a way to do so affordably – to go get that four-year degree, and commit to continuing your education in whatever way is appropriate beyond that.

"I believe what's differentiated me in my career is my education," Courtice, who went to Syracuse University for her undergraduate degree and also has a master's and a Ph.D., said during a recent taping of our Women of Influence podcast.

Plus, Courtice said, there's an intangible value that comes from bettering yourself through education.

"No one can ever take it away from you," she said. "They can take away your job, a spouse can divorce you. … Lots of things can be taken away from you.

"But the education is all yours, that you've earned, and no one can take it away."

Check out the preview episode of the podcast to hear more from Courtice about why education matters, and how her own advanced degrees have factored into her career.

You'll also hear my own reflections on the biggest story of the week in the world of women in leadership: Elizabeth Warren's withdrawal from the presidential race. While it can be tough to talk about politics as a journalist, the time seemed right to ponder question on many women's minds across America this week: Will we ever have a female president?