ALP: The Admissions Leadership Podcast

Have you ever caught yourself making an assumption about someone's capacity for success based on where they come from or the challenges they've faced? At this time of year, when many admissions offices are deep in application review, it seems fitting to pause and reflect on how assumptions can shape decisions.In this Peak Perspective, we hear a vignette from Laura Kaub, director of the Duolingo Partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who reminds us that there is way more to a student's story than where they came from—and that often the story about where they came from is inaccurate. (Original audio clip from Season 8, Episode 6 of the ALP)It's from Chapter 2, "Empathy and Understanding," one of 20 chapters in my new book, Climbing the Admissions Leadership Peak: Lessons from the ALP, available on Amazon paperback and Kindle.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Have you ever paused to consider the path you were on? Maybe that reflection led to affirmation, a definitive “Yes, this is the right direction.” Then again, maybe you sensed a quiet voice asking the question, “Are you sure this is the right direction?”In this Peak Perspective, we hear a story from Thom Golden, founder and CEO of Golden Educational Consulting, who found himself on the traditional admissions leadership track but was wrestling with what he calls "purposeful unrest." How did he respond? (Original audio clip from Season 5, Episode 4 of the ALP)It's from Chapter 11, "Saying No," one of 20 chapters in my new book, Climbing the Admissions Leadership Peak: Lessons from the ALP, available on Amazon paperback and Kindle.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Have you ever faced an opportunity that made you question your readiness, your abilities—even your worth?In this Peak Perspective, I share a story from Marie Bigham, founder of ACCEPT and IQID, who wrestled with self-doubt when she was invited to make a leap. What gave her the confidence to jump? (Original audio clip from Season 1, Episode 4 of the ALP)It's from Chapter 8, "Living with the Imposter," one of 20 chapters in my new book, Climbing the Admissions Leadership Peak: Lessons from the ALP, available on Amazon paperback and Kindle.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Have you ever made a decision so unexpected that it completely changed the course of your life?Welcome to Peak Perspectives, a short-form spinoff of the ALP, where I share insights and stories from my new book, Climbing the Admissions Leadership Peak. Chapter 10, "Embrace the Unexpected," shares the stories of six admissions leaders who did just that. Here I read the intro of that chapter where I describe my own unexpected course change.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Season 10 kicks off with exciting news and an audible sneak preview.(And that, dear listener, is what folks in the business call a teaser.)The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Nathan Ament and Teege Mettille are the creators and co-hosts of the hit podcast, The Admissions Directors Lunchcast. They share different versions of their podcast's origin while somehow enticing Ken to share how the ALP came to be. Also, there's a teaser hidden in the Rapid Descent that you might catch if you listen carefully.Special shout-out to a slew of Nathan's and Teege's former Lawrence colleagues, with extra love for Steve Syverson and Chuck Erickson, two of the finest to grace the halls of the Lawrence admissions office.If you can't get enough of Teege, you can also find him on the Melrose Place Cast, even though he doesn't want you to.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: The Humpty Dance (Nathan) and Superqueen (Teege)Best recent read: Say It Like Obama (Teege) and The Covenant of Water (Nathan)Eager to read next: Lake of Dragons (Teege) and "whatever Jamie recommends next" (Nathan)Favorite podcast:  B*tchslap (Teege) and Capture the Magic Disney World Podcast (Nathan, who is also a licensed Disney World travel agent)Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Old-fashioned or a Mai Tai (Nathan) and hand-rolled pretzels (Teege)Taking and keeping notes: Uniball Onyx pen (Teege) Pilot G2  with a Moleskine (Nathan)Memorable bit of advice: "When you try to be like the school down the street, you lose. Lean into what's unique about your school." (Steve Syverson to Nathan); "We all revert to email way too much. When possible, use the phone." (Ken Anselment to Teege)Bucket list: Complete the RAGBRAI (bike ride across Iowa for Teege); Be the captain of the water taxi that runs between the Polynesian Resort and Magic Kingdom (Nathan)The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

(No, the other one.)What happens when two avowed GenXers record a podcast episode? From the host you get a bad reference to C+C Music Factory; from the guest you get helpful lessons on "how to vice president." Michael Keaton, VP for Enrollment Management at Ursinus College, sets the record straight on who was Michael Keaton first, how to leave things better than you found them, and why all colleges are not in the same boat in the midst of the FAFSA rollout debacle. Rapid DescentWalkout song: The Boss by James Brown (Michael actually uses walkout music at open house events ... get yourself to Ursinus for one of these!)Best recent read: The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds ReedEager to read next: From Punk to Monk by Ray Rahunath CappoFavorite podcast:  Broad Street Breakdown by Jedi Mind TricksFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Vegan chopped cheese.Taking and keeping notes: Kindle ScribeMemorable bit of advice: "Don't start none; won't be none."Bucket list: CVisit the last 11 United States he hasn't yet visited. Friends from IA, ID, HI, KS, MI, MS, MT, ND, NE, SD, and WY? Help him out. The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Carin Smith, domestic recruitment manager and Chicago regional representative for Beloit College (and a former member of Ken's team at Lawrence who helped him learn how to be an admissions director through a creative partnership she arranged), talks about how to lead without title, and the four reasons why this has been a deliberate choice she has made over her four decades in college admissions. She'll also share three essential perspectives on what makes a good leader.This episode is dedicated to Molly Arnold (1962-2010), without whom neither host nor guest would be the people or professionals they are today.Rapid DescentWalkout song: Centerfield by John FogertyBest recent read: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James BrownEager to read next: Leaders Eat Last by Simon SinekFavorite podcast:  None, "I'm an audiobook fan."Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Cinnamon scones.Taking and keeping notes: Lined paper by Rifle and a sharp pencil with eraser.Memorable bit of advice: Used delayed send [on emails].Bucket list: Chicago Cubs spring training [to which the host replies, "Go Brewers."]The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

From the time he was a little boy, Jeff Blahnik always wanted to be "an attorney," but a moment of crisis halfway through law school changed his path. He's now the Vice President of Enrollment Management at the University of Oklahoma, and shares the secret of winning the job interview at OU, how "inspired hospitality" makes a flagship feel intimate, and how to establish yourself as a new leader at a new institution. He also answers the question: "Who has the hottest seat on an athletic powerhouse's campus: president, enrollment VP, or football coach?"Special shout-out to Marquette University's Roby Blust, from whose coaching tree both guest and host have sprouted, and Dan Hamrin, yet another branch on that tree.The Miami of Minnesota ... it's a real thing.Rapid DescentWalkout song: Don't Let the Old Man In by Toby KeithBest recent read: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraEager to read next: Belonging by Owen EastwoodFavorite podcast:  Missing in AlaskaFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: "I grind the beans and make an incredible pot of coffee."Taking and keeping notes: Moleskine notebook and Zebra ballpoint pen.Memorable bit of advice: (1) Make gratitude an everyday part of your routine … it prepares you for moments of desolation. Bring light and love into your life."; (2) Competition isn't hoping that someone else does worse than you. Focus on being your best and ensure your team is the best."Bucket list: Travel to Europe for his 25th wedding anniversary.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Angela Frazier, Vice President of Student Services at Waukesha County Technical College (the ALP's first guest two-year college enrollment leader and the first African-American leader in WCTC's 100-year history) shines a light on what people get wrong about two-year colleges; how WCTC has punched above its weight with recruitment and retention; and why she needs help with a walkout song.Special shout-out to Angela's right-hand man, John McGreal, Dean of Enrollment Services. Rapid DescentWalkout song: "I don't have a walkout song. I don't like music." (But she's taking recommendations.)Best recent read: Transcendent Kingdom, by Yaa GyasiEager to read next: The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois, by Honoree Fanone JeffersFavorite podcast:  For Your Institution, by MongooseFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: "Not your momma's banana pudding."Taking and keeping notes: Notes app on iPhone.Memorable bit of advice: "If you don't think you look good, no one will think you look good, and if no one thinks I look good, you better think that I look good."Bucket list: Travel to Australia.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Justin Draeger, President and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, joins the ALP to share what colleagues in admissions, enrollment, student success, presidents' offices, etc. can do to support their financial aid colleagues, who are about to do 6 to 9 months of work in about 4 to 6 weeks. A deep thinker, reader, writer and speaker, Justin also shares a bunch of excellent leadership lessons, including how, as Bertrand Russell wrote, "Fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people full of doubts." Special shout-out to the Lawrence University financial aid team, "the finest team in all the land."ReferencesWhy I Choose the Harder Commute, July 2020Finding Motivation in Tough Times, August 2020Off the Cuff, NASFAA's podcastRapid DescentWalkout song: Walk This Way, Run DMC and AerosmithBest recent read: Uncultured: A Memoir, Daniella Mestyanek Young and Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van PeltEager to read next: Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl (the cost of reading a new book is not rereading one of the best books you've already read) Favorite podcast: The Gray AreaFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: simple recipes with a chef's kiss, like fried eggs and bacon with a latte.Taking and keeping notes: a complex system of handwritten notes, Evernote and Roam Research.Memorable bit of advice: "Anyone who says he has finished a canvas is terribly arrogant. 'Finished' means 'complete, perfect.'" (Claude Monet)Bucket list: walk the Camino de Santiago.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Richard Harrison Bailey—the RHB behind RHB—joins the ALP to discuss the principle of Coherence; the virtuous cycle of relevance, relationships and revenue for colleges; the difference between market position and brand; and how the values of truth, beauty, love and justice animate the core values and, to this day, guide the work of the firm he and his business partner (and spouse), Tammy Bailey, formed in 1991. Rapid DescentWalkout song: Carmina Burana: I. O FortunaBest recent read: Yale Needs Women by Anne Gardiner PerkinsEager to read next: Who Killed Truth? A History of Evidence by Jill LeporePodcast: IngenioUs with Melissa Morriss-OlsonFavorite thing to make in the kitchen:  A completely improvised birthday meal for his kids. If you've let go of passion in the kitchen, you've lost the meal.For notes: I'm a pencil person, currently using a Zebra #2 pencil with retractable lead.and Blackwing pencil.Memorable bit of advice: From David C. Baker: “Narrow does not equal small.” The more narrow you become in your position, the deeper you will be able to go in your expertise. And the deeper you are in your expertise, the more you will know, and the more you will bypass or surpass the competition.Bucket list: Open a little bar on the coast of Spain and serve Rioja. I'll have about 3 customers who are always there.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Laura Kaub, director of the Duolingo partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees program, talks about keeping refugees and African students out of the "hole" in holistic admission so they can get into the economic, educational and political systems that can bring about change. She provides examples of U.S colleges that "get it right," including Macalester and Northwestern, as well as models around the globe, like Rwanda and Uganda.Contact Laura directly if you're interested in talking with her about the students she serves.ReferencesPresident's Alliance on Higher Education and ImmigrationMasterCard FoundationWorld University Services of CanadaDuolingo English TestRapid DescentWalkout song: Ghostwriter RJD2Best recent read: The Expanse Series by James S.A. CoreyEager to read next: Old World, Young Africa, a New York Times series Favorite thing to make in the kitchen:  Sparkling conversationTaking and keeping notes: 2/3 paper and pen (no ball points, please!); 1/3 open email to herselfMemorable bit of advice: A whole lot of what's going on [in the college search] is not as big a deal as it seems.Bucket list: Ever since watching Ugly Delicious, I've wanted to do a food tour of Japan and South Korea with David Chang.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

How does someone go from being a lawyer and a photographer to found and lead the company that has reshaped the college fair experience for millions of students and more than 15,000 admission professionals representing more than 2500 institutions around the world?  Dan Saavedra, founder and president of StriveScan, tells us how he built StriveScan (spoiler, with trust and the friendliest client contract ... ever).  Live through what their first college fair was like, as well as those moments when StriveScan created something out of nothing to foster connections for students and colleges in the early days of the pandemic. ReferencesSpecial shout-out to the Illinois ACAC and Carin Smith.Rapid DescentWalkout song: Good Life by One RepublicBest recent read: The Verge and Ars Technica, as well as NYT and WSJEager to read next: Wirecutter's coverage of the best coffee makers ... also bed sheetsFavorite podcast: Elevating Admission Voices with Angie Cooksy and The Admissions Directors Lunchcast with Nathan Ament and Teege MettilleFavorite thing to make in the kitchen:  Bread ... especially baguettes.Taking and keeping notes: It has to work in SlackMemorable bit of advice: Find your sounding board.Bucket list: Go to BotswanaThe ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

What is it like to leave the familiarity of higher ed to join a tech company with a vision to change how the world thinks about language testing? Jen Dewar, Senior Director of Strategic Engagement for the Duolingo English Test, shares how to break through, climb steep learning curves, learn from setbacks ... and why you don't win or lose—you only win or learn.ReferencesLuis von Ahn, co-founder and CEO of Duolingo  on How I Built This with Guy Raz and The Tim Ferriss Show.Shout out to future ALP guest, Laura Kaub,  UNHCR University Access AdvisorLearn more about Duolingo's work with refugees through the UNHCRRapid DescentWalkout song: Groove Is in the Heart by Deee-LiteBest recent read: All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya MilesEager to read next: Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune, narrated by Anderson Cooper.Favorite podcast: The Daily, Washington Post and WSJ The Journal ... also, if you're into art fraud and art theft, Last SeenFavorite thing to make in the kitchen:  Anything, because she can only focus on what she is making.Taking and keeping notes: A Duolingo pen and conference giveaway notepads.Memorable bit of advice: "Two tears in a bucket, mother***it" ... and that's the closest we've gotten to an Explicit rating so far.Bucket list: "I don't have a bucket list, which speaks to how lucky I've been. I've gotten to do so many great things; more than I ever could have imagined or anybody who raised me could have imagined for me.”The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Get ready for an episode rife with random references when David Burge, VP for Enrollment Management at George Mason University and winner of the Margaret E. Addis Service to NACAC Award, joins the ALP to discuss ADVANCE, a model transfer partnership between GMU and Northern Virginia Community College. Warning: this episode contains eye-rolling dad jokes. Listener discretion is advised.Rapid DescentWalkout song: Champion by Fall Out BoyBest recent read: "My email."Eager to read next: See aboveFavorite thing to make in the kitchen:  Mail order spice packets have inspired his cuisine, which includes hundreds of NYT recipes, five of which he has made.Taking and keeping notes: emailMemorable bit of advice: "Marketing drives applications; relationships build enrollment."Bucket list: "I would like to live in Europe."Check out RHB Academy at Claremont McKenna. Nov. 17.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

We have featured a bunch of folks who have gone from inside to "alongside" higher ed (including your host). Carolyn Noll Sorg, VP for Enrollment at John Carroll University has chosen to go in the other direction, and reminds us of the things that call us into this work. Bonus: Carolyn shares wonderful insights into how to think about creating memorable experiences for your students—including how to wrap it into your next staff retreat.ReferencesThe Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by the Heath brothersUnreasonable Hospitality by Will GuideraThe Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya ParkerThe Master of Fine Arts in Experience Design at Miami University of OhioRapid DescentWalkout song: Run by One RepublicBest recent read: Unreasonable HospitalityEager to read next: Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service (The Disney Institute Leadership Series)Favorite podcast: Re:Thinking by Adam GrantFavorite thing to make in the kitchen:  Decorating cookiesTaking and keeping notes: Google DocsMemorable bit of advice: "If you are enjoying your work 80% of the time, you're doing pretty great."Bucket list: "I would like to write a book someday."The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Season Premiere: Ethan Sawyer, founder of College Essay Guy, kicks off Season 8 of the ALP and we quickly learn it's not about the essay ... it's about figuring out who you are and what you care about. We talk about the applicability of Ethan's discovery exercises to everybody (not just college applicants), why Ethan might be the perfect candidate to interview Ken someday, and what roles Jesus and diapers play in the origin story of College Essay Guy.ReferencesCollege admission resources following the SCOTUS decision to end race-conscious admission decisions.Is it “Okay” to Write about Race in Your College Application—And, If So, How?This guide offers practical advice for students and counselors, including examples of essays by students who chose to discuss race and its impact on their character and unique abilities.The “If You Really, Really Knew Me” Exercise (Template) This practical, comprehensive exercise helps you (and your students) generate a list of identities, skills, qualities, and skills they can share with colleges. It's one of the  favorites at College Essay Guy—if you use it, just give 'em a shout-out. :)The Social Identities Exercise (Template) This exercise is another favorite and is useful for helping students think about diversity and identity in both broader and more nuanced ways. Includes a guide for counselors, facilitators, and parents.Books referenced: Rocket Fuel and Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage in Human Consciousness.Interested in checking out Ethan's voice over work?Rapid DescentWalkout song: U Don't Have to Call by UsherBest recent read: Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader by Marc LesserEager to read next: Ethan's taking recommendations here.Favorite podcast: We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon DoyleFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: BruschetaTaking and keeping notes: Apple NotesMemorable bit of advice: "You can give it all away, and it's still not you." (From Steve Antonoff)Bucket list: Do a long silent meditation retreat "like 10 days."The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

In this special edition, Art Coleman (@ArtColemanDC), managing partner and co-founder of EducationCounsel (and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights), shares the initial chapters of a playbook admissions officers can follow to move forward with confidence (and care) in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC. We discuss what colleges should (and shouldn't do),  what people are getting wrong in their interpretations of the rulings, and what the future might hold.Art provides helpful advice on thoughtful design around scholarships and financial aid programs as well as broader recruitment initiatives, while calling for colleges to use a lens shaped by "a design associated with the DEI goals ... that drive their mission."Read: EducationCounsel's Preliminary Guidance Regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's Decision in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC. (with ongoing updates)Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Season Finale: Dr. Joffery Gaymon,  Vice President for Enrollment at Auburn University, shares what it's like (and what it takes) to make the jump to one of the biggest roles at one of the most recognizable institutions in the U.S. She shares the essential and timeless tools to keep in your toolbox, whatever your ambitions may be, as well as how to keep yourself focused and grounded as the work gets tougher. (And there may be a reference to teaching spin classes.)Rapid DescentWalkout sons: Special by LizzoBest recent read: Campus Economics: How Economic Thinking Can Help Improve College and University Decisions by Sandy Baum and Michael McPherson, a gift from Sam Waterson at RHB.Eager to read next: "I have to finish that one."Favorite podcast: Unreformed: the Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro ChildrenFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Anything with brunch ... with a mimosa on the sideWhat she uses to take and keep notes: old fashioned pen and legal pad, and EvernoteMemorable bit of advice: there are actually three (1) We are always called to serve. (2) When you're in a position of leadership, be mindful of what you say, because what you say carries authority. (3) Every time you go to a meeting, it's a like a zoo: everybody brings their own monkey. Your job is to not leave with anybody else's monkeys.Bucket list: Write a book.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Kent Barnds,  Executive Vice President of ExternalRelations: Advancement | Communication | Enrollment | Planning for Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), shares how he started as "an accidental admissions person" and become the person with the longest title in the history of the ALP, and what he has learned along the way by becoming a college parent. Great mysteries will be revealed in this episode, including the origin story of Kent's ubiquitous bow ties, what the "W" in his name stands for, and who can lay claim to being the pizza king of the Quad Cities.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Lorde covering the original Tears for FearsBest recent read: They Said This Would be Fun: Race, Campus Life, and Growing Up by Eternity MartisEager to read next: The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity's Greatest Challenges by Nathan Chapel, Brian Crimmins, and Michael AshleyFavorite podcast: Marketplace Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: PizzaWhat he uses to take and keep notes: sticky notes and notecards stuffed into an ever-expanding green folderMemorable bit of advice: When his uncle (college admission giant Delwin Gustafson) asked him if he was ready to see the dirty underbelly of his alma mater [as an admissions professional].Bucket list: To take a nice long week's vacation with his life partner, Jenny.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Robert Gould, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management at Augsburg University (Minneapolis), offers a deep dive into an approach to college admission that is turning the process on its head and—in the process—not only fostering a greater sense of belonging for students, but for the admission professionals who work with them.Could it be an antidote to the Great Resignation?NotesAugsburg Applies to YouPower of You program (Augsburg partnership with Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Saint Paul College)John Doerr's Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).Harriet Tubman Effect InstituteNicole Johnson, creator of EDIFY, "a 5 step dismantling systemic oppression program that is designed to shift culture in institutions, schools and artistic organizations."Wise Mind The Power of Forgiveness—MinneapolisRapid DescentWalkout songs: "anything by Bobby Sanchez, like Changing Landscapes ..."Best recent read: Forgive For Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness by Frederic Luskin, and Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr.Eager to read next: Irish Untold HistoryFavorite podcast: Edify Justice Advocates Podcast Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Dark roast decaf coffee and vegetable juiceWhat he uses to take and keep notes: Rhodia Notebook Memorable bit of advice: Life is a balance of holding on and letting go —RumiBucket list: "I would like the entire system of admissions in higher education to be changed."Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Allan Mathew, Director of Graduate Admissions at Tufts University, discusses the similarities and differences of graduate and undergrad admissions and what he's learned working at three institutions in very different market positions. He also offers compelling insights into the four themes of his doctoral dissertation, which focused on the experiences of chief enrollment officers of color.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Redbone by Childish GambinoBest recent read: Atomic Habits, by James Clear and Office Optional: How to Build a Connected Culture with Virtual Teams, by Larry EnglishEager to read next: Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, by Michelle ZaunerFavorite podcast: Chasing Scratch | The Rights to Ricky Sanchez: The Sixers PodcastFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Indian food, especially a mean chicken curry.What he uses to take and keep notes: iPad and Apple PencilMemorable bit of advice: "Keep your head down and get your sh*t done."Bucket list: Play golf at Saint Andrews.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Heather Daniels, Director of Admissions at Colorado State University, discusses how she's managed to "come home" to every college she has ever worked for ... and discovers that she and Ken have a surprising braided history.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Believe by Mumford & SonsBest recent read/eager to read next: Coherence by Rick BaileyFavorite podcast: Up First | Smartless | Wiser Than MeFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Squash casserole (It's better than it sounds).What he uses to take and keep notes: Old school pen and notebookMemorable bit of advice: "Follow your nose."Bucket list: Already checked it off in 2019: working for the Semester at Sea program, spending 4 months with her family and a bunch of students on a boat sailing around the world.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Boyd Bradshaw, the inaugural Vice President for Enrollment Management at Towson University (MD), discusses Towson's new comprehensive and integrated approach to enrollment—from recruitment to graduation—and what it has been like organizing the institution  around that work. We also learn Boyd's secret and surprising skill that he carries with him to this day. Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Eye of the Tiger by SurvivorBest recent read: A Profession on the Edge by Eric HooverEager to read next: "the next thing to come into my inbox" Favorite podcast: Best Podcast in Baseball (much to the chagrin of Ken, a lifelong Milwaukee Brewers fan, it's about the St. Louis Cardinals)Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Grilling out is his jam, especially potato, onion, peppers and butter in foil.What he uses to take and keep notes: old fashioned notebook and Post-Its.Memorable bit of advice: "Focus on the positive."Bucket list: To be working for a college that gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament while he is the VP for Enrollment.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.Many thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

In this metaphor-loaded episode, Christopher Gray, Dean of Enrollment at Lasell University, discusses living and learning through a successful launch of a tuition reset, why communities matter to marathoners, and a nifty trick to try in your next meeting.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: Dirt Road Anthem by Jason AldeanBest recent read: Extreme You: Step Up. Stand Out. Kick Ass. Repeat. audiobook by Sarah Robb O'Hagan and Fearless Leadership: High Performance Lessons from the Flight Deck by Carey D. LohrenzEager to read next: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain Favorite podcast: Hacking Your LeadershipFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Chicken ParmesanWhat she uses to take and keep notes: Post-It Notes.Memorable bit of advice: "Success is when you leave something better than when you found it."Bucket list: Play the Old Course at St. Andrews with his father, who taught him how to golf when he was three. (Close second: finish his doctoral program.)Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Eric Hoover, Senior Writer at the Chronicle of Higher Education, joins the ALP to discuss his April 5 Chronicle article, A Profession on the Edge: Why enrollment leaders are wearing down, burning out, and leaving jobs they once loved.  He discusses what led to his writing the piece, what surprised him in his discovery, and why things are different now than they were nine years ago when he wrote a similarly provocative piece in September 2014, The Hottest Seat on Campus.  Theme music arranged by Ryan AnselmentThank you to the National Association for College Admission Counseling for supporting this podcast through the NACAC Podcast Network.

Season Premiere: Mary Chase, Vice Provost for Enrollment at Creighton University, kicks off the season from her fortress of solitude (which will make sense when you listen), and shares how growing up on a farm, being a college mom, and leaving the first footsteps of the day on a dewy fairway shape her approach to enrollment leadership.Rapid DescentWalkout songs: You Time by Scotty McCreeryBest recent read: Reality-Based Leadership: Ditch the Drama, Restore Sanity to the Workplace, and Turn Excuses into Results, by Cy WakemanEager to read next: Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, by Chip and Dan HeathFavorite podcast: The Hank Haney PodcastFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: "For everyone's safety, I don't."What she uses to take and keep notes: iPad.Memorable bit of advice: "It's times maybe when I've lost where I've learned the most. So don't be afraid to lose. And learn from those losses." — John KlockentagerBucket list: Retirement.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Season Finale: Vern Granger,  Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Connecticut AND the Chair of the Board for the National Association for College Admission Counseling shares what it takes to manage two jobs that, in themselves, are more than full-time jobs. We also discuss Vern's World Cup predictions, the finer points of bacon, proper peanut butter choices, and the virtue of the handwritten note.  Rapid DescentWalkout songs:  Big Poppa by the Notorious B.I.G. and Sumthin' Sumthin' by MaxwellBest recent read: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard RothsteinEager to read next: Stealing Home: Los Angeles, The Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between  by Eric NusbaumFavorite podcast: The 2 Robbies with Robbie Mustoe and Robbie EarleFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: PB&J, BLT, and/or Chicken ParmesanWhat he uses to take and keep notes: paper and pen (but, to be clear, it's a fountain pen).Memorable bit of advice: "If you're going to hoot with the owls, you better know how to crow with the roosters."Bucket list: Travel to South Africa.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Wayne Young, Charisse Williams, Mary Ann Tietjen and Joe Ecklund of Creighton University's interdivisional student success team share some of the secret sauce behind how Creighton built and maintained a 3-point jump in first-year student retention over the past three years. The episode includes a look at Colloquium, a unique human-powered intervention with a 70% success rate retaining students who are preparing to leave the institution. Hat-tips throughout the episode to Mary Chase, Creighton's Vice President for Enrollment Management.Although there is no Rapid Descent with the Creighton University team, Charisse identified Industry Baby by Lil Nas X (feat. Jack Harlow) as their walkout song.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Andy Borst,  Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, shares tips on nurturing and managing relationships with the media (with hat-tips to Scott Jaschik and Eric Hoover). Andy also shares his morning routine (itself a pro tip) as well as the origins of his name, which we somehow accidentally trip over early in the episode. Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Know Your Enemy by Green DayBest recent read: The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions by Tim Fields and Shereem Herndon-BrownEager to read next: Campus Economics: How Economic Thinking Can Help Improve College and University Decisions by Sandy Baum and Michael McPhersonFavorite podcast(s): The Truth About College Admission, the  new podcast by Rick Clark and Brennan Barnard. Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Crab boilWhat he uses to take and keep notes: leather-bound notebook stuffed with Post-it notes.Memorable bit of advice: No-one owns the university loyalty.Bucket list: Write a book about college admission.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Joe Montgomery may be one of the busiest people between enrollment jobs right now: a member of the advisory board to the Partnership for Education Advancement; a consultant through the United Negro College Fund; and now one of the newest members of NACAC's board of directors. Joe reflects on how creating your network with your body of work can sustain you when the headwinds come: "Lean into the headwinds and answers will reveal themselves."Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Before I Let Go by Frankie Beverly and MazeBest recent read: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan CainEager to read next: Managing the Whole Student Life Cycle: A Handbook for Higher Ed by Paul MathersFavorite podcast(s): The ALP and Enrollment Edge Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Grilling BBQ pork ribsWhat he uses to take and keep notes: Legal padMemorable bit of advice: "Be in control of the outcomes through your daily decisions."Bucket list: "Travel to the continent of Africa to visit the tribe/tribes my family originated from."Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Tim Fields (Emory University) and Shereem Herndon-Brown (Strategic Admissions Advice)—co-authors of The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions: A Conversation about Education, Parenting and Race, and co-hosts of the podcast, Application to Admission: Understanding the Choices—provide a master class in leveraging complementary experiences, skillsets and mindsets in the collaborative process as they discuss how their groundbreaking new book grew from idea through process to reality. Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Got to Give it Up  by Marvin Gaye (Tim); U Don't Know by Jay-Z (Shereem)Best recent read: Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman (Tim); Women Talk Money: Breaking the Taboo by Rebecca Walker (Shereem)Eager to read next: The Shape of the River by William Bowen and Derek Book (Shereem): "I'll be reading a book a day [during application reading season at Emory]" (Tim)Favorite podcast(s): How I Built This (Shereem); Earn Your Leisure (Tim)Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Enchiladas (Tim); "Mean chocolate waffles" (Shereem)What he uses to take and keep notes: Mohawk journals (Tim); "I'm a paper guy" (Shereem) Memorable bit of advice: "Life isn't fair; fair is a place where they judge pigs." (Tim); "Do hard things." (Shereem)Bucket list: Skydiving (Tim); Taking my wife to Italy to ride on a gondola, then do a Mediterranean/Northern Africa tour—also, have an intrusive pedicure (Shereem).Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

James Miller,  Assistant Vice Provost and Dean of Admission at Seattle University, reflects on the value of self-reflection in your own decision-making, the power of pausing when you're "in the grip," and why "relaxed is fast, slow is relaxed" and "slow is fast." (Also, there's randomly like 11 minutes of silence after the bumper music ... consider it an invitation for reflection.

Five women who ascended to leadership roles just before or during the pandemic discuss what it's like to be the first in their roles—first woman, first person of color, first first-generation college student, first transfer students. Get ready for a torrent of great advice from Eva Blanco Masias of Santa Clara University, Jennifer Sandoval-Dancs of Claremont McKenna College, Lisa Keegan of Bucknell University, Melinda Wood of James Madison University, and Nikki Kahealani Chun of University of Hawai'i at Manoa.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Ineliz Soto-Fuller,  Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions for Enrollment Management at Seattle Pacific University, discusses how to lead with integrity and authenticity in the midst of challenging circumstances. Turns out that a clear sense of what authenticity looks and sounds like (as well heavy doses of Quirkle and  karaoke) go a long way.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Roar by Katy Perry and Vivir Mi Vida by Marc AnthonyBest recent read: On Managing Yourself by Harvard Business ReviewEager to read next: The Midnight Library by Matt HaigFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Arroz con gandulesWhat he uses to take and keep notes: OneNote Memorable bit of advice: "Don't let your passion speak louder than your wisdom or you'll lose your voice."Bucket list: Go to Europe.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Angie Cooksy, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at Bradley University (Peoria, Ill.) and host of the podcast Elevating Admission Voices, discusses how she established herself as a regionally-based (in Kenosha, Wis.) admission professional 15 years ago and has steadily climbed the leadership mountain as a remote teammate ever since. Angie offers several great questions that new middle managers need to know ... and muses on the remarkable wonders of the Woodman's Market cheese aisles.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Girl on Fire by Alicia KeysBest recent read: Open Book by Jessica SimpsonEager to read next: The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace by Gary ChapmanFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: charcuterie boardsWhat he uses to take and keep notes: Remarkable. Memorable bit of advice: "You don't have to do everything all at once."Bucket list: Visiting Okinawa, Japan, her birthplace. Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Is it the Great Resignation? The Great Reckoning? The Great Contemplation? ALP Alumni Adrienne Amador Oddi (ep. 28), Heath Einstein (7), Marie Bigham (4), Rick Clark (3) and Tony Sarda (15) join Ken in a lively discussion of the causes, implications and potential remedies for the Great Resignation ... as well as some reconsidered walkout songs.Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

It seems fitting to drop the final episode of Season 5 on Ken's last day as Vice President for Enrollment at Lawrence University with the man who brought him to Lawrence 18 years ago: Steve Syverson, Dean of Admission Emeritus at Lawrence University. Steve served as Lawrence's chief enrollment officer for 28 years before handing the reins to Ken in 2011, and the episode is as much a trip down memory lane as it is an expansive view of what still matters most in the college admission profession.Shout outs from people who have worked with Steve include: Jen England, Carin Smith, Jim Miller, Patrick O'Connor, Ray Brown, James Miller, Lynn Van Zeeland, and Nicole Schultz.We will be back in fall 2022 with Season 6.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Stayin Alive by Bee GeesBest recent read: Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World by Fareed ZakariaEager to read next: Some beach fluffFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Mean nachos.What he uses to take and keep notes: Pen and yellow legal pad. Memorable bit of advice: "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel ." -Maya AngelouBucket list: Scuba diving off the Great Barrier Reef. Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

In what may be the most blooper-reel worthy episode of the ALP so far, Roby Blust, Ken's second boss at Marquette University, demonstrates the importance of fun and humor while doing the noble work of college admissions, as well as how a crashed milk truck helped shape his view of what leadership means. Roby is the inspiration for a piece Ken wrote in 2018:  "Why do we do this?"Shout outs from people who have worked with Roby include: Jeff Blahnik, Jenn Machacek,  Susan Teerink, Kim Frisch, Ed Moore, Aaron Meis, Adam Stout, Connie Bennett, Jean Burke, and Dan Hamrin.This show is dedicated to Tom Weede, and when you listen to the end, you'll know why. Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Big City by Merle Haggard (He's right: it makes so much sense)Best recent read: Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Greg Boyle, S.J.Eager to read next: The Baseball 100 by Joe PosnanskiFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Preparing food for the grill.What he uses to take and keep notes: Levenger notepads. Memorable bit of advice: "If you're on time, you're 15 minutes late." -Vince LombardiBucket list: Fishing in Alaska. Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Ken's first boss in college admission, Ray Brown, joins the show to swap stories about leadership, team development, and baseball. Ray is the chief enrollment officer at St. Joseph's College of Maine, having served previously as dean of admission at TCU and Marquette and director of admission at Lawrence University. Ray also happens to be a human baseball encyclopedia, and shares the three games he most would have liked to attend throughout history, including one with a surprise ending.Shout-outs to Bob Preloger, Fred Schebor, Steve Syverson, Duncan Murdoch, Heath Einstein and Mike Marshall.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Born to Run by Bruce SpringsteenBest recent read: The Baseball 100 by Joe PosnanskiEager to read next: The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn and How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. KendiFavorite podcast: This one (check's in the mail, Ray).Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: BupkisWhat he uses to take and keep notes: Pen and paper. Memorable bit of advice: "Do not judge your insides by other people's outsides."Bucket list: Trip to the Holy Land. Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Amy Cembor,  Senior Associate Dean of Admission at Providence College (go Friars!) and former president of New England Association for College Admission Counseling, shares insights about life on the secondary and higher ed sides of the table, resistance against just going after what's next, and a story about an unfortunate mic drop moment in Las Vegas that, were this a video podcast, would reveal deep shades of red on Ken's face. 5Shout-outs to Darryl Uy, Marie Bigham and LaSalle Bakery.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Standing Outside the Fire by Garth BrooksBest recent read: Untamed by Glennon Doyle.Eager to read next: Anything by Elin Hilderbrand that can serve as a beach readFavorite podcast: Dare to Lead and Unlocking Us, both by Brene Brown.Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Karen Chen (Oklahoma State) has a killer recipe for garlic mashed potatoes with cream cheese and bacon.What he uses to take and keep notes: Listmaster app ... and conference giveaway notepads.. Memorable bit of advice: "People will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."Bucket list: Get my Ph.D!Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Jay Jacobs,  Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at the University of Vermont, shares a journey that starts with love at first sight (not only with college enrollment as a career but with a higher ed partner) and continues with a rapid ascent in the profession built through intentional career steps (College of New Jersey, Colgate, UChicago Booth School, U of Miami) including a life-changing caravan with three kids under age 3 up I-95 in the middle of winter and the middle of a pandemic.Shout-outs to Terry Cowdrey, John Haller, Gary Ross, Lynn Holcomb, Karen Long and, of course, Callie Brown Jacobs.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Mother by DanzigBest recent read: The Birth of Loud: Leo Fender, Les Paul, and the Guitar Pioneering Rivalry that Shaped Rock 'n' Roll by Ian S. PortEager to read next: The Privileged Poor by Anthony Jack Favorite podcast: Up First, The Daily, SmartlessFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Chicken Florentine ... also breakfast with bacon, eggs, and pancakes.What he uses to take and keep notes: Microsoft Notes + a nifty little Quartet desktop whiteboard. Memorable bit of advice: His mother advising Jay that "sh!t happens."Bucket list: Going to South America + teaching his kids to ski.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Susana Briscoe-Alba,  Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Mount St. Mary College in New York and founder of the Grit and Purpose Academy shares a story about the journey from a time in her life of being someone not wanting to be heard to someone setting a course for leaders to create environments where everyone can be made to feel seen, valued, and heard.Special shout out to ALP alumna, Jennielle Strother, whom Susana met through the podcast.To take Susana's LinkedIn survey, which we discuss in this episode, go here.This episode is dedicated to the memory of Susana's mother, Damaris.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Coming in Hot by Andy Mineo and LeCraeBest recent read: Turn the Ship Around! by Lt. David Marquet.Eager to read next: Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More by Mark Batterson. Favorite podcast: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie SantosFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Pernil (Dominican roasted pork shoulder, which is what Susana believes they'll be serving when she gets to heaven ... and I believe her.)What he uses to take and keep notes: Google Docs + a Moleskine Memorable bit of advice: "Don't dim your light simply because it makes others uncomfortable."Bucket list: "Vacationing to Bora Bora with my love bug, Eric Alba."Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Dan Lugo,  President of Queens University of Charlotte, who started his higher ed career in admissions at Carleton College (his alma mater), presents a master class in leadership with lessons too many to list here, but here's a sample: "If you're going to maximize what you're going to do in life you have to experience failure ... and invite it."Oh ... this episode is filled with more, so much more.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Fight the Power by Public Enemy (and, as if Dan weren't cool enough already, he's friends with Chuck D)Best recent read: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson and The Nickel Boys by Colson WhiteheadEager to read next: How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith and Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead. Favorite podcast: The Daily by NYTFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: "I can make some mean eggs."What he uses to take and keep notes: Notes app on iPhone/iPad Memorable bit of advice: The parent of a high school classmate gave Dan some bulletin board material when she said, "Do you think you're going to charm your way through college?" Bucket list: Travel to Africa, visit the capital cities of that diverse and massive continent and go on a safari. (We can see a future where the Queens alumni office sponsors a Travels with the President program.)Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Dr. Michael Marshall,  Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Communication at Bellarmine University, continues the streak of people Ken would love to work with (or for) someday, sharing great advice in bundles of three, like: the 3 Ps and 3 questions an enrollment leader must keep in mind; the 3 things he has kept in mind on his own leadership journey; and the 3 essentials for thriving.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Encore by Jay ZBest recent read: The Campus Color Line: College Presidents and the Struggle for Black Freedom by Eddie R. Cole (recommended to him by CIC president Marjorie Hass)Eager to read next: Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong and Single Black Female by Tracy Brown (the latter as part of his and his wife, Danielle's, book club).Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Salmon with tequila lime seasoningWhat he uses to take and keep notes: Notes app on iPhone/iPad Memorable bit of advice: "Understand your true north—your mission, vision, and core values—and look for alignment [with potential employers]Bucket list: Go skydivingTheme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Nikki Kāhealani Chun, the inaugural Vice President for Enrollment Management at University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, shares the power of "talk story sessions" with her new team, the three essential questions to truly see the people you lead, and geographic agnosticism.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Respect by Aretha FranklinBest recent read: An article on equitable approaches to student financial aidEager to read next: Reflections of her sessions with staff that she describes early in the show.Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: "A mess."What he uses to take and keep notes: Stationery agnostic. ;) Memorable bit of advice: "Keep friends close by to tell you to just hang on."Bucket list: "Just drop me anywhere in Europe."Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Thom Golden, Founder & CEO of Golden Educational Consulting, shares the story of his journey from college admission work to higher-ed adjacent work to launching his own college consulting firm centered around "whole student scheduling."   The episode focuses on "purposeful unrest," the path not taken, and watershed moments, and includes great insights no matter where around the desk your seat is located.Whole Student Scheduling100 Cups AcademyNapier Executive SearchAtomic Habits by James ClearWatershed by Indigo GirlsRapid DescentWalkout song:  The Man by Aloe BlaccBest recent read: The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David Brooks (hat tip to Brad Weiner for the recommendation)Eager to read next: Excellent Sheep; The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life by William DeresewiczFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Smoked pork shoulder (and yes, he shared his recipe).What he uses to take and keep notes: Rocket Book, Moleskine, Evernote. Memorable bit of advice: "Say 'Make it a great day' instead of 'Have a great day,' [because it speaks to agency and action].Bucket list: There's a piece of paper in their kitchen where each of his sons has picked trips for him to take with each of his sons: to waterparks, to England to watch Tottenham Hotspurs, and the United States Grand Prix in Austin.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Eric Hoover, Senior Writer for the Chronicle of Higher Education, shares  stories about how his stories have come to be, why empathy is his North Star, and why writing about college admission is like writing about the meaning of life.We discuss some of his stories, including:A University in Texas Promised Full Scholarships to Dozens of Nepalese Students. Months Later, It Revoked the Offer. (April 2018)The Second Chance Club. Inside a Semester of Remedial English (March 2013)The Most Onerous Form in College Admissions (February 2021)Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Fantastic Man by William OnyeaborBest recent read: The Book of Delights by Ross Gay. Eager to read next: H is for Hawk by Helen MacdonaldFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Marcella Hazan's bolognese sauce or Rick Bayless's enchiladas suizas.What he uses to take and keep notes: A reporter's notebook that fits neatly in his pocket. Memorable bit of advice: "Stop being afraid of what you don't know" (from his first editor and mentor) and "Try always to come down on the side of humanity" (from his dad).Bucket list: "See the aurora borealis while staying in an all-glass igloo. Also, get myself down to Alabama to visit with Mary Ann Willis, college counselor at  Bayside Academy, to come and read to the elementary students in her school.Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Alexander Clark, Founder & CEO of Technolutions (the folks behind Slate), shares the origin story of the CRM that changed the higher ed landscape, as well as the things he has learned along a journey that started with his first entrepreneurial venture ... in fifth grade. Bonus fun: learn about the freedom and flexibility of halcyon days.This episode is brought to you by RHB, which has been providing enrollment, marketing, CRM and organizational solutions for more than 300 institutions around the world for 30 years.Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Voyager by Daft PunkBest recent read: The Microsoft research study on the effects of remote work on collaboration among information workers. Eager to read next: Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse and Future Shock by Alvin TofflerFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: Grilling simple burgers outside on the weekend with herbs, tomatoes, and lettuces from the backyard garden.What he uses to take and keep notes: "I haven't taken notes in two decades and store everything in my head. If something falls out, which of course a great deal does, I figure it's either unimportant or, if it indeed was important, someone else will store it for me and remind me of it later. It's a great priority filter." Memorable bit of advice: From a middle school science teacher, that if you ever want to start a business, go to a cocktail party and listen to people complain about their jobs. If you can find solutions to their challenges, you have your first customers.Bucket list: Flying to Paris, following a “36 hours in Paris” itinerary in the New York Times hour for hour, and flying home. Mostly to have the bragging rights for when folks ask what I did last weekend I can respond, “I had a craving for French food, so I flew to Paris."Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.

Liz Gross, Founder & CEO of Campus Sonar, and the author of The Higher Ed Social Listening Handbook and Fundamentals of Social Media Strategy: A Guide for College Campuses, kicks off Season 5 of The ALP with an episode loaded with great advice about leadership and entrepreneurship, including the importance of a clear work philosophy, learning organizations, compensation strategies, and equity ... also on why one can do great things in 40(ish) hours a week. Rapid DescentWalkout song:  Like a Girl by LizzoBest recent read: Temperance Brennan Series Kathy Reichs and The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization by Peter Senge Eager to read next: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall KimmererPodcast: WorkLife with Adam Grant also How I Built This with Guy Raz plays prominently in this episode.Favorite thing to make in the kitchen: Bone broth.What she uses to take and keep notes: Clever Fox daily planner. Memorable bit of advice: "Never be so polite that you forget your power, but never wield such power that you forget to be polite." —Taylor SwiftBucket list: "Raise chickens"Theme music arranged by Ryan Anselment.