Education is Freedom (EIF), Dallas County’s largest college and career advising program provider, today announced the hiring of Dr. Micaela Herndon as its first Managing Director of Workforce, marking a significant milestone in EIF’s commitment to ensuring high-quality career pathways for high school students and graduates.
Dr. Herndon is an accomplished higher education and workforce development executive with more than 15 years of experience designing and leading strategies that generate measurable gains in student success. Her career has centered on advancing career readiness, experiential learning, and employer engagement through programs that align academic preparation with
real-world labor market needs.
“Workforce readiness is no longer optional—it is essential to fulfilling the promise we make to students and families,” said Dr. Susanna Russell, President and CEO of Education is Freedom. “Dr. Herndon brings the rare combination of deep labor-market expertise, strategic
vision, and an unwavering belief in students’ potential. Her leadership will help EIF ensure that every student we serve graduates not only with a plan, but with real, viable pathways to meaningful careers and economic mobility. We are thrilled to welcome her into this critical role.”
In her new position, Dr. Herndon will build and lead EIF’s comprehensive workforce development strategy, deepening collaborations with employers, education partners, and community-based organizations. Her work will help ensure students are equipped with the skills,
experiences, and support needed to thrive in an evolving labor market.
Before joining Education is Freedom, Dr. Herndon served as Senior Director of the Labor Market Intelligence Center. In that role, she oversaw the college’s labor market strategy, guided a high-performing analytics team, and cultivated cross-sector industry partnerships that
informed academic program development and workforce alignment.
“One of the most critical turning points in a student’s life happens in the space between senior year; being college-, career-, or military-ready; and deciding what comes next. Too many students fall through the cracks at that moment, not because of a lack of potential, but because systems fail to meet them with clear advising and real options,” said Dr. Herndon. “I joined the Education is Freedom team because I believe deeply in EIF’s mission, the students we serve, and what’s possible when advising is done with intention and care.”
