ACT Newsroom & Blog

IOWA CITY, Iowa – ACT announced today that it has appointed Alex Thome as the company’s chief product officer, a strategic leadership role focused on advancing product innovation, customer experience, and market expansion. Thome will head product strategy to further innovate ACT’s portfolio of education and workforce assessments.

“We are in such a pivotal moment as education continues to transform and learner needs evolve in a complex and ever-changing workforce,” Thome said. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this innovative team and embark on a new chapter with ACT.”

Thome previously served as vice president of product at Penn Foster Group, an online education and workforce development leader. There, he led the company’s high school products, overseeing multi-million-dollar operational growth in business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and business-to-government markets. Thome also oversaw customer success at Flocabulary, a high-growth edtech startup acquired by Nearpod. He served as the director of partnership development and reengagement at the NYC Department of Education, as well as assistant director of admission at Santa Clara University.

 

 

By: LaShana M. Lewis, CEO of L. M. Lewis Consulting and Chair of the STARS Advisory Council at Opportunity@Work

ACT is honored to welcome guest blogger LaShana M. Lewis, who recently spoke in our ACT Distinguished Speaker Series about the importance of recognizing skills gained through real-world experience. In this post, she shares her journey and highlights how communities and employers can help open doors for overlooked talent.

Twenty years ago, I was a help desk technician with a dream and a lot of experience but no college degree. Despite completing more than three years as a computer science major in college, my résumé often hit a wall as I was frequently told, "You'd be perfect for this role, but we're looking for someone with a bachelor's degree." My story mirrors the reality of 70 million workers in the U.S. who are STARs — individuals who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes.

Today, I’m the CEO of L. M. Lewis Consulting and Chair of the STARs Advisory Council at Opportunity@Work. But my journey wasn't linear. It took mentorship, resilience, and a community committed to tearing down the paper ceiling that holds back so many.

For me, that turning point was a mentor who saw beyond pedigree and believed in my abilities. After starting a new role in server engineering, thanks to a program dedicated to placing people from nontraditional backgrounds into high-tech roles, I felt like I was finally getting my chance. When I started, however, I frequently met obstacles, one of which was that the placement program required me to work with a mentor, and no one seemed to jump at the chance. Luckily, there was one senior engineer on the team who took me aside. He said he noticed that I had more skills in engineering than others had assumed, and he wanted to help me advance my career.

As thankful as I was for his help, support alone isn’t enough. The system must change. Research from ACT and Opportunity@Work shows STARs often earn less than their degreed peers, even with decades of experience. That’s not just unfair; it’s a failure within the labor market.

We must build systems that reflect equity. That’s why I support ACT’s Work Ready Communities initiative, which empowers local leaders to create real pathways for STARs in their regions.

When communities embrace skills-first hiring, doors open.

This reminds me of Sheree N. Murphy’s inspiring STAR story:

Sheree attended college to earn a degree in education but had to leave when her mother fell ill. She took a job in insurance, working nights and weekends, hoping to grow within the company. Despite her dedication, she was repeatedly passed over for roles that went to less experienced candidates with degrees.

Eventually, Sheree found upward mobility in county government, earning five promotions over 14 years, but the paper ceiling persisted. She dreamed of becoming a social worker, yet the time and cost of a degree kept that goal out of reach. After a pandemic layoff, Sheree completed a Salesforce training program and secured a nonprofit tech role. She later transitioned to work as a college and career specialist at a local high school, proving her adaptability and dedication.

Sheree overcame barriers, like degree discrimination and financial strain, while prioritizing her family. Her story reminds us of the power of perseverance and the importance of a strong community. And as she puts it: “We’re celebrating together, we’re crying together.

So, what can you do?

Employers, rethink your job requirements. Do they signal for a degree, or actually require one? 

By The Honorable Garlin Gilchrist II

As the 2024-25 chair of the National Lt. Governors Association. I’m proud to celebrate the winners of the 4th annual NLGA Lt. Governors’ STEM Scholarship Program, sponsored by ACT.

NLGA received 129 applications from 32 states and territories this year. While the applications were impressive and the decision was difficult, these 12 schools truly stood out.

As a software engineer, I know the importance and impact the STEM fields have on the national and states’ economies. As Michigan’s Lt. Governor, I’ve been able to use my background in tech to help address numerous issues that affect people from all parts of our state, especially students.

Tech can change the world and solve problems for working families. Encouraging students to pursue STEM education and career opportunities grows our economy and helps more working Michiganders get the skills they need to thrive.
Gilchrist has served as Michigan Lt. Governor since 2019. Since 2022, ACT has collaborated with the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) as the sponsor of the NLGA Lieutenant Governors’ STEM Scholarship Program. Each year, NLGA awards a scholarship to 12 different schools for classroom projects related to science, technology, engineering, and math.

On April 5, 2025, over 16,000 students took the inaugural administration of the enhanced ACT test. These test enhancements, which were announced last year, reflect ACT’s commitment to student feedback while upholding the test’s integrity and the validity of its skill assessments. The enhanced ACT focuses more on what students know rather than how fast they can answer questions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Through a new partnership, SkillsUSA national finalists can earn ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificates

ACT established the ACT Scholars program to nurture the academic talent of graduate and community college students at the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College, respectively. These two institutions share ACT's passion for helping all students achieve their college and career ambitions.
In celebration of Community College Month, ACT is spotlighting one of our scholars from Kirkwood Community College as he shares his journey ¾  from early inspiration to college success.

For ACT Scholar Mohanad Elaagip, a lifelong interest in electronics sparked a dream of building a career in technology. Now a student at Kirkwood Community College, he’s turning that passion into a purpose despite the unique challenges of being an international student. With the support of the ACT Scholar program, Mohanad is focused on his future and committed to making the most of his college experience.

Hear Mohanad’s story and what keeps him motivated in the video.