CCA On the Air

In this episode of CCA on the Air, host Jamia Stokes introduces listeners to Complete College America's other Alliance engagement directors: Jonathan Gowin, Nichole Mann, and Jennifer Torres. The conversation features all four regional directors who share their personal journeys, professional backgrounds, and the unique perspectives they bring to their work advancing college completion and closing equity gaps across the United States. What makes this conversation particularly powerful is how each director connects their personal experiences, many as first-generation college students themselves, to their professional commitment to making higher education more accessible, navigable, and successful for all students. Their stories underscore why the work of improving college completion rates is both a professional mission and a deeply personal calling.

This episode of "CCA on the Air" features an interview with Dr. Jonathan Anderson, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at Eastern Washington University, about "unapologetic handholding"—a student success philosophy that provides intentional, high-touch support without compromising academic standards. Dr. Anderson explains how this approach helps demystify higher education systems for students, particularly first-generation learners, through proactive advising, early alerts, and structured guidance across the student journey. The conversation highlights practical examples and emphasizes meeting students where they are while helping them develop independence.

How can we help students discover a deeper sense of purpose in their education? In this episode, we explore how Nashville State Community College, in partnership with Motivate Lab, brings relevance affirmation research to life through the Values Connection Activity to strengthen students' sense of purpose, persistence, and belonging. Tune in to hear how this simple but powerful approach is transforming student success, connecting coursework to personal values and future goals for a more engaging and fulfilling academic journey.

Targeted networks and student-centered approaches can transform educational outcomes for under-resourced communities. By connecting Historically Black and Predominantly Black Community Colleges, Alabama Possible is changing narratives, amplifying student voices, and creating economic pathways in one of the nation's poorest states. Join CCA Alliance Engagement Director Jamia Stokes in conversation with Alabama Possible Executive Director Chandra Scott.

Building stackable credentials requires faculty to decide what skills are fundamental to students' future success. At Red Rocks Community College, business faculty decided that one of those skills is cultural intelligence, and students immediately connected with the concept. Learn more about CQ and how it supports stackable learning approaches in this episode of CCA on the Air with Stephanie Schooley and Julio Suarez of Red Rocks Community College.

Explore the vital connections between college completion and a thriving democracy in this session recorded at All In: The 2024 CCA Annual Convening. Join education leaders and innovators as they tackle one of today's most pressing challenges: restoring public trust in higher education while expanding access and success for all students. From innovative state programs to student perspectives on classroom discourse, this conversation offers fresh insights into the future of higher education and its vital role in strengthening democracy. Panelists: Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, President, Complete College America Chris Lowery, Commissioner, Indiana Commission on Higher Education Dr. Nicola Blake, Senior Fellow for Strategic Initiatives and Student Success, City University of New York Darryl Cooper, Member of the Class of 2025, Howard University Dr. Carol Geary Schneider, Senior Advisor, Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition

Both math pathways and corequisite supports increase the chances of students making it through gateway math courses, but the current research is limited to demonstrating early benefits. How can using both initiatives together support a better path for long-term student success? CCA talks with Dr. Taylor Darwin of the Dana Center about what pathways and corequisite math look like when they're integrated as part of a holistic approach to student success.

For many students, college completion starts even before application. Building a sense of community and onboarding students in a way that fosters campus engagement from the very beginning is one way that campuses can support a larger culture of completion. Dr. Lindsay Faulstick (Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students) and Chris Hitchcock (Executive Director, Office of Admission) at Hanover College share how they work together to share data, encourage engagement, and create community that extends beyond the first year.

How do we move from insight to implementation in student success reforms? In the latest from CCA on the Air, Melinda Mechur Karp, Ph.D., Founder & Principal at Phase Two Advisory, discusses innovative placement practices and developmental education reform. In this episode, we talk about moving beyond traditional placement tests to more holistic approaches and how institutions can use lessons from adult learners to provide flexible, targeted support to all students. Dr. Karp, a researcher and sociologist by training, also dives into the relationship between research and implementation in driving meaningful change for students.

As institutions ramp up recruiting for adult learners, their increased presence on four-year campuses highlights both the strengths of this population and some unique gaps in existing student success strategies. On this episode of CCA On the Air, Pamela K O'Neal, MA, MPH, EdD, associate director of student engagement in the Office of Online and Adult Learning, and Brett Bruner, EdD, assistant vice president of student success and persistence in the Office of the Provost, share Wichita State University's approach with the Office of Online and Adult Learning influences student support campus-wide.

In today's episode, we dive into the transformative impact of TRIO programs on higher education. Join us as we explore how these federally funded initiatives support first-generation students in their pursuit of academic success. Ms. Lacey Brown from Baton Rouge Community College and Mr. Antonio Robinson from Trident Technical College share the vital role TRIO plays in leveling the playing field for young people in higher education.

In this episode of CCA On The Air, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Patrice Glenn-Jones to our podcast. Dr. Glenn-Jones discusses "nurtured advising," its history, and how it was developed at Historically Black Institutions. She'll also share her insights on how this advising model can impact and transform student success, specifically for historically excluded students.

In this episode of CCA on the Air, CCA communications director Kate Derrick interviews Amy Wolf, senior public affairs officer and storyteller at Vanderbilt University. Today's conversation touches on the power of storytelling to create economic opportunity and change lives. Wolf discusses her career path from news producing to higher education storytelling, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, personal connection, and finding purpose in one's work. She also shares tips on identifying and capturing compelling student stories, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives.

Establishing a new student success approach takes a village. In this episode of CCA On the Air, Dr. Kathy Almy, CEO and founder of Almy Education, discusses the challenges of scaling student success initiatives with faculty buy-in. She emphasizes the importance of cross-functional teams with diverse perspectives, including faculty, staff, and administration. As a former math faculty member now supporting math success at scale at institutions around the country, Dr. Almy shares tips for facilitating open collaboration, multiple viewpoints, and honest feedback in campus cultures of all types.

It's been a challenging year for the FAFSA. A much-needed update to the form added complications to the submission process for many students, families, and institutions. In this episode, financial aid experts and leaders share their strategies and tactics for increasing FAFSA completion rates while navigating this year's challenges of implementing the updated financial aid application. You'll hear from:  Bill DeBaun, National College Attainment Network Donna Linderman, The State University of New York Jason Seay, Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation James Snider, Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation Lucy McIntyre, The City University of New York Laura Myers, The City University of New York Dr. Michelle Ashcraft, Indiana Commission for Higher Education Dr. Chuck Lloyd, Community College System of New Hampshire Brian Weingart, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Sarah Szurpicki, Office of 60 by 30, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential  You can also check out resources shared by our speakers: SUNY's FAFSA Completion Workshops New York State's FAFSA Guidance Community College System of New Hampshire's "Summer's on Us" Program CUNY FAST (Financial Aid Support Team) Indiana's Financial Aid Programs Indiana's Pre-Admissions Programs National College Attainment Network's FAFSA Tracker Tennessee's FAFSA Resources Tennessee's TN FAFSA Frenzy Events Tennessee's FAFSA BootCamp Resources

In today's episode, we speak to Dr. Tawnya Lubbes, Associate Professor of Education, ESL Program Advisor, and ESL Program Chair in the College of Education at Eastern Oregon University in Legrand, Oregon. The Oregon Teacher Pathways program at EOU is supporting the next generation of culturally responsive teachers by implementing accessible pathways from high school to professional careers. Dr. Lubbes shares how EOU is leveraging partnerships, peer mentoring, and identity-responsive strategies to engage students toward powerful college completion outcomes.

Join us in a conversation with Dr. Angela McLean, Director of American Indian and Minority Achievement and K-12 partnerships in the Montana University System, led by CCA Alliance Engagement Director Janelle Jefferson. Dr. McLean shares her 20+ years of teaching experience and the student success strategies utilized and supported by the Office of the Commissioner in Higher Education in "Big Sky Country."

The National Center for Education Statistics published that 21% of college students report having a disability, often with higher numbers among historically underrepresented groups. CCA Fellow and director of the Disability Access Center at California State University, Sacramento Dr. Mary Lee Vance shares her perspectives on the intersection of ableism and inequity, the impact of universal design on belonging, and how embedded approaches in accessibility can change the college experience for all students.

Minnesota's Direct Admissions program is centered on the belief that every student is college material and has a place in postsecondary education. Dr. Wendy Robinson and Aaron Salasek of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education share with CCA Strategy Director Janelle Jefferson how Direct Admissions connects high school students with the institutions eager to admit them and where they have a better chance of completing college.

Norfolk State University, a Historically Black University, recognized that it needed more strategies to meet its students where they were and get them to where they needed to go. Dr. Robin Marable, Director of Student Pathways and Academic Formation, inherited a system where she and her team could incorporate meta-majors to enhance student experiences.  In this episode, hear from a seasoned practitioner about how meta-majors and courses can be developed to set students up for success as early as possible.

In today's episode, three CCA PEP coaches will explain the concept of "Nimble Teams" and how they empower institutional change based on learnings from the PEP Initiative in Arkansas, Montana, and Oklahoma. Dr. Brandon Protas, Assistant Vice President of Alliance Engagement at CCA, will lead the discussion. Our PEP coaches are Dr. Margaret-Montgomery Richard, Dr. Arnel Cosey, and Dr. Heidi Loshbaugh. We will explore how faculty, staff, and leadership investigate campus policies and practices and how each college can find unique, student-centered solutions. Visit completecollege.org/cca-on-the-air to view a transcript of this episode.

Today's episode is an essential conversation about equity and AI, cohosted with Dr. Sean Leahy of Arizona State University's Learning Futures podcast.    Joining us in this conversation are Meacie Fairfax from Complete College America, Dr. Linda Garcia of The University of Texas at Austin, and Al Anderson from Salish Kootenai College.  Our guests explore the importance of ensuring AI's design is inclusive, focusing on serving a diverse range of students, particularly those from marginalized communities. Through insightful discussions on challenges, opportunities, and real-world applications, the guests shed light on AI's ability to democratize access to education and promote equitable participation in the digital era.  For more discussions on future-focused topics in higher education, check out the Learning Futures podcast at learning-futures.simplecast.com. View a transcript of this episode.

Indiana University didn't just want to build a coaching initiative with the Coaching Conversations program; they wanted to impact the culture. In this episode, IU's Kate Goldstein and Emily McCord describe how the program was developed and how IU has intentionally built a "coached experience" into their student support.   The Coaching Conversations program offers workshops across nine campus locations, including online options for better accessibility. Kate and Emily discuss their backgrounds and how they came to coaching, the growth and development of the program over the years, and their future plans to infuse well-being practices into the training.

In today's episode of CCA on the Air, we delve into CCA's mission of advocacy with our two new Alliance Engagement Directors, Dr. Janelle Jefferson and Nichole Mann. Drawing from their backgrounds in academic advising, our AEDs shed light on their personal journeys and their pivotal role in amplifying student success stories. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of CCA's mission and how it strategically connects leaders in higher education to foster collaboration and drive positive change.

This episode was recorded live at Future Ready, Complete College America's 2023 Annual Convening in Las Vegas. Listen to key members of Complete College America's Policy Advisory Council as they discuss the intersection of policy, equity, and college completion, casting a vision for what lies ahead. This panel delves into the institutional, state, and federal policy landscape as it pertains to college completion, offering timely updates and insights as we enter the new year. Our speakers focus on how policy can foster a more equitable and inclusive higher education system, touching on the strategies, challenges, and opportunities that will define our collective path forward.

We're back with another conversation recorded live at Future Ready, Complete College America's 2023 Annual Convening. In this episode, former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift moderates a panel of three distinguished Nevada college presidents: Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe of Western Nevada College, Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard of Nevada State University, and Dr. Federico Zaragoza of College of Southern Nevada.  This discussion covers the importance of leadership, new technology, and emphasis on student support at every point in the college journey.

Recorded live at Future Ready, Complete College America's 2023 Annual Convening, CCA President Yolanda Watson Spiva, Ph.D., moderates a conversation among higher education leaders on what it means for their campuses and students to be future ready. This episode features: Maria Anguiano, Executive Vice President of Learning Enterprise, Arizona State University; Regent, University of California   COL Chris Mayer, U.S. Army, Ph.D.; Department Head, Department of English & Philosophy, The U.S. Military Academy at West Point  Suzanne Elise Walsh, President, Bennett College

Perpetual Pathways at Denmark Technical College, a historically Black community college in South Carolina, provides students with a guided journey to connect their education to their planned careers. The program supports students from their first experience registering for classes to after graduation. The effort has been transformational for the institution. In the second part of this conversation, CCA's Nikolas Huot continues with A. Clifton Myles, Ph.D. executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Denmark Tech, Leslie Holman-Brooks, executive director of career and student services at Denmark Tech, and Edson Barton, founder and CEO of YouScience.

Perpetual Pathways at Denmark Technical College, a historically Black community college in South Carolina, provides students with a guided journey to connect their education to their planned careers. The program supports students from their first experience registering for classes to after graduation. The effort has been transformational for the institution. In this week's episode, CCA's Nikolas Huot is joined by A. Clifton Myles, Ph.D. executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Denmark Tech, Leslie Holman-Brooks, executive director of career and student services at Denmark Tech, and Edson Barton, founder and CEO of YouScience.

Join Meacie Fairfax, Strategy Director at Complete College America, in a captivating conversation with Dr. Jun Fu, an educational psychologist, on supporting historically excluded student populations in STEM education online. Uncover key learning outcomes, strategies, and actionable measures for inclusivity. Explore the vital role of socio-emotional support in enhancing learning for marginalized groups. Gain insights into tailored support mechanisms and the imperative to incorporate data disaggregation in program assessment. Tune in for transformative insights into applying an equity lens in STEM education, offering actionable takeaways for educators, administrators, and policymakers dedicated to fostering inclusivity.

Part II of Meacie Fairfax's conversation with the co-creators of Lehman College's Learning Recovery Program, Dr. Althea Forde and Dr. Elin Waring. Entering its third year, the program provides multi-faceted interventions for COVID-19-impacted students during their first year in college and is a national model for equitably supporting unfinished learning.

Meacie Fairfax is joined by the co-creators of Lehman College's Learning Recovery Program, Dr. Althea Forde and Dr. Elin Waring. Entering its third year, the program provides multi-faceted interventions for COVID-19-impacted students during their first year in college and is a national model for equitably supporting unfinished learning.

Will AI actually change higher education? How can institutions use it for better and appropriately exercise caution? CCA's Cassie Walizer is joined by Audrey Ellis for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education.  

There has been an increased interest in multiple measures in the last few years. In this podcast, Dan Cullinan of MDRC speaks with CCA Assistant Vice President Brandon Protas about what this really means, particularly for placement into college-level courses and as part of developmental education reform.

What is the current landscape for transfer students? Why does it matter? Vistasp Karbhari and Elena Quiroz-Livanis speak to Cassie Walizer about the myths surrounding this critical, and growing, group of students.

How might we build a postsecondary experience that is designed especially for adult learners?  In the second part of this conversation, Buffy Tanner speaks to Laura Schueller about the ACE program at Shasta College; what has been successful and what they have learned along the way.

How might we build a postsecondary experience that is designed especially for adult learners? In this conversation, Buffy Tanner speaks to Laura Schueller about the ACE program at Shasta College; what has been successful and what they have learned along the way.

Nikolas Huot is joined by the president of NCDA (National Career Development Association), Dr. Lakeisha Mathews, in this conversation about the crucial role career services play in retaining and graduating our students.

Laura Schueller is joined by David Kung, from the Charles A. Dana Center, to explore how we arrived in postsecondary math and what opportunities there are to rethink math pathways in light of the need to modernize and consider the role of equity. 

CCA's Brandon Protas is joined by Dr. Timothy Renick, CCA Fellow and Executive Director at the National Institute for Student Success at Georgia State University. They discuss how data can be effectively harnessed to drive action and create significant change in student outcomes.

CCA's Nikolas Huot is joined by Dr. Tammie Briggs, Jennifer Reynolds, and Lula Snowden from Wallace Community College Selma to discuss their scaled coaching model. Together, they share how their intentional coaching model creates meaningful relationships with students and breaks down silos to increase student success and retention at this Predominantly Black Community College.

CCA AVP of Alliance Engagement, Brandon Protas, speaks with Dr. Barbara Damron, Professor and Senior Advisor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences about the kick-off of the first ever higher education research project testing Project ECHO® as an intervention to scale up the corequisite model in New Mexico.

CCA's Meacie Fairfax is joined by Dr. Michael Buccilli from CT State Community College, which officially launches July of this year, to discuss the guided pathways advising experience that at times feels so personalized it appears to rival those provided by private institutions or provided through cohort or athletic support programs.  The advising redesign across 12 campuses allows the college to provide local and systemwide supports and opportunities that benefit the student academically and boosts their well-being.

Brandon Protas, Assistant Vice President for Alliance Engagement at Complete College America, is joined by Matt Bergman, Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership at the University of Louisville and CCA Fellow, to discuss the power of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). They will talk about how CPL can propel students, colleges, and universities forward to increase success at individual and institutional levels.

Marián Vargas, Policy Analyst at Complete College America is joined by Jessie Hernández-Reyes, Senior Policy Analyst for Higher Education at the Education Trust to discuss their recent publication, Higher Education Access and Success for Undocumented Students Start with 9 Key Criteria. The conversation reviews why it is a critical time to focus on serving undocumented students in the postsecondary sector, and how this can be done at the institutional, state, and federal level.  Publication Link: Higher Education Access and Success for Undocumented Students Start with 9 Key Criteria

Nikolas Huot, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Transformation at Complete College America, is joined by Charlee Beasor, Associate Commissioner for Marketing & Communications of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and Alison Kuehr, Communications Director for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for a conversation about rethinking how we communicate the value of a college degree (certificate, Associate's, and Bachelor's) to different audiences. Hear more about the findings from this statewide outreach. To learn more about the excellent work and efforts in this area occurring in Indiana, please visit: https://resources.learnmoreindiana.org/edvalue

David Hawkins, Chief Education and Policy Officer at NACAC, joins Nikolas Huot, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Transformation to discuss the work that NACAC is involved with, including their report, “Roadmap for Change”. They dive into equity, the impending supreme court decision which will likely limit race as a factor in the admissions process, how purpose first fits into this equation, the importance of data, and more. To view the report from NACAC and NASFAA, please click here.

Stephanie Rodriguez, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico New Mexico Higher Education Department, and Dr. Patricia Trujillo, Deputy Secretary of the New Mexico Higher Education Department, join Brandon Protas, Assistant Vice President for Alliance Engagement at Complete College America to discuss the exciting opportunities and work occurring in New Mexico, including the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, work on student food insecurity and mental health, what it looks like trying to push initiatives through at the legislative level, and more.

CCA president Yolanda Watson Spiva is joined by NewU founder and president, Stratsi Kulinski, to discuss the three-year bachelor's degree program model, lessons learned in its development, the founder's aspirations for scaled student success, and more.

The Self Care Doc, Dr. Rae Lundy, joins CCA's Meacie Fairfax in the final episode of our mental health series to discuss a sorely needed campus-based culture shift - supporting faculty, staff, and administrators' mental health care. Dr. Lundy explores how this internal change can trickle down and inform the work and care we must deliver to our students. They also discuss the 8 areas of wellness and how to incorporate the Surgeon General's 5 aspects of a mentally healthy workplace.

Wiley College's AVP of Student Health Counseling and Wellness, Dr. Rae Lundy, joins CCA's Meacie Fairfax in episode 2 of our mental health series to discuss trauma-informed campus strategies. Dr. Lundy shares how embracing and elevating trauma-informed leaders institutions can embed a much-needed culture of psychological safety, active listening, skilled practitioners, and leadership who understand and examine the pivotal role individuals, institutions, and technology play in supporting the mental health needs of the campus community.