Rakin “Rock” Hall, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Ithaca College, brings a unique mix of reflection, humor, and leadership to The Admissions Leadership Podcast.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Rock shares his take on the promise and perils of AI in higher education, why he's been creating short-form video reflections on leadership and life, and how his first-generation journey shaped the way he now guides his own daughter through the college search.
We also dive into his surprising background in stand-up comedy—what Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and basement record players taught him about timing, connection, and stage presence—and how those lessons echo in his current leadership and storytelling.
It’s a conversation about creativity, courage, and how "leadership is a verb."
- 00:00 – Introduction: Rock Hall, VP for EM at Ithaca College, joins the show.
- 01:30 – Insights on AI: Insights on artificial intelligence from the CollegeVine Vineyard conference, AGI, and higher education.
- 07:00 – Playing with AI tools: How Rock uses ChatGPT and other platforms for reflection and writing.
- 09:30 – TikTok beginnings: Why his wife nudged him to start short-form video reflections—and how they’ve grown.
- 13:30 – “The path of preference is the psychology of choice”: Rock explains one of his more memorable posts.
- 17:00 – Accompanying his daughter through the college search: Reflections as a first-gen father and enrollment leader parent.
- 26:00 – Comedy roots revealed: Hat-tip to Marie Bigham the heads up to Ken, Rock shares how basement record players, Pryor, and Carlin lit the spark for an early journey in comedy.
- 27:00 – College course in stand-up: From class requirement to 15-minute set, and the thrill of getting the crowd on his side.
- 28:30 – Sliding doors moment: Considering a move to LA for comedy before admissions work pulled him in.
- 31:00 – Stage effect today: How comedy chops translate into speaking, presenting, and leading.
- 32:30 – Bombing, self-reflection, and lessons learned: Rock on humility, feedback, and growth.
- 35:30 – Leadership as a verb: Using writing and reflection to stay grounded in service.
- 39:40 – Rapid Descent
The ALP is supported by RHB, a division of SIG. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment
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