The development of programs that not only meet the needs of working people but also guarantee their upward mobility through accessible, affordable routes is essential in the effort to improve the quality of education and assist different learners. The new Teaching Assistant Certificate Program at Empire State University is a prime example of a workable strategy for accomplishing this objective. It was created especially to help paraprofessionals—including those from underrepresented groups—to progress in the teaching profession (Smith and Johnson, 2021).
