About NorthStar

Planning Grounded in Evidence and Experience

NorthStar Consulting helps community colleges, technical colleges, and career & technical education programs make informed decisions about enrollment, academic programs, workforce alignment, facilities, and institutional strategy.

Marty C. Mahler, Ph.D.

NorthStar is led by an education consultant and administrator whose career spans more than three decades of education, workforce, and institutional planning.

Marty’s work has included campus facility planning, strategic planning, academic planning, space utilization and space needs analysis, workforce and occupational demand studies, career and technical education, environmental scanning, organizational assessment, career pathways, and employer engagement.

Prior to returning to independent consulting, Marty served as an Associate Principal and Academic Strategist with SmithGroup / Paulien & Associates, collaborating with institutions and project teams on educational planning, facility planning, strategic planning, academic planning, and analytical studies.

Earlier leadership roles included Executive Director of the Nebraska P-16 Initiative within the University of Nebraska system, Interim Director of University of Nebraska Online Worldwide, Dean of Continuing Education and Business Outreach at Pulaski Technical College, Workforce Education Director for the Sioux City Community School District, Director of the Iowa State Tech Prep Program at North Iowa Area Community College, and Tech Prep Coordinator at Southeast Community College.

Marty earned a Ph.D. in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, a Master of Education in Vocational and Adult Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

A Specialized Focus

Community Colleges. Technical Colleges. Career & Technical Education.

Projects may range from a focused analytical study to a comprehensive institutional planning initiative. NorthStar can work independently or as part of a broader team.

Let’s Start With the Question.

If your institution is considering a significant decision involving enrollment, programs, workforce demand, facilities, CTE development, or long-range strategy, NorthStar can help determine the information and analysis needed to move forward.

Discuss a Project →