ASCEND Podcast

In this episode, we dive into the shifting priorities of Gen Z when it comes to higher education—focusing on value, relevance, and career outcomes. With a strong preference for practical majors and a desire for tangible returns on their investment, today's students are looking for guidance that connects their education to real-world success.

To support this need, we secured funding to offer free career assessments through our C...

Midterm Grades: A Policy That Drives Student Success"

In this episode, we discuss how a student-led initiative transformed our campus by introducing a mandatory midterm grade reporting policy. Prior to this policy, many students were unaware of their academic standing until final grades were posted—when it was too late to make meaningful changes. Thanks to the advocacy of our student-body officers, faculty now submit midterm gr...

Co-hosts Jared Tippets & Eric Kirby sit down with Dr. Dr. Lara Lomicka Anderson from the University of South Carolina to talk about a retention strategy on their campus.  This episode was recorded at the National Symposium on Student Retention in early November 2024.

* The mention or listing of a specific commercial product or service in this episode does not imply endorsement by the editors, nor discrimination against...

In this episode, we dive into how a simple, homegrown texting system became a powerful tool for supporting students. While third-party solutions offer robust options for texting and analysis, their high costs prompted us to create an affordable alternative to check in with students and address key issues in real-time.

We explain how this system works, including the periodic texts sent to students throughout the semester to gauge how...

In this episode, we explore an engagement initiative that we've implemented on our campus to ensure that college students who can’t travel home for Thanksgiving have a meaningful holiday experience. Whether they’re international students, out-of-state students, or those with work commitments, many find themselves far from family during this time of year. To address this, we partnered with local community members to host studen...

Registration can be a stressful time for students, but a well-timed and personalized outreach campaign can make all the difference. In this episode, we explore how proactive outreach efforts after registration opens can boost enrollment, remove barriers, and build stronger relationships between students and institutions.

We dive into:
-Strategic Timing: Why staggered registration calendars create opportunities for targeted outre...

First-generation college students make up about one-third of all college enrollments in the U.S., yet they often face unique challenges that can impact their success. From financial struggles to navigating unfamiliar academic environments, these trailblazers often find themselves underserved and overlooked.

In this episode, we delve into the realities of being a first-generation student, including the academic, social, and cultural ...

The COVID-19 pandemic created immense financial challenges for college students, from job loss and housing instability to increased expenses for food and technology. In this episode, we explore how SUU launched the T-Bird Strong campaign to support students facing these hardships.

Discover how this grassroots initiative rallied alumni, donors, and community members to contribute small, meaningful donations that helped students overc...

In this episode, we tackle a growing challenge in higher education: student "ghosting." Just as the term applies to dating, it’s showing up in the admissions process, where students indicate plans to enroll but silently disappear. We explore how tracking "Signs of Life"—key behaviors like submitting deposits, securing housing, or communicating with advisors—can help institutions predict which students are truly ...

Transitioning to college can be overwhelming, but well-crafted new student checklists can make all the difference. In this episode, we discuss how institutions can create tailored checklists for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and returning sophomores to guide them through essential tasks like registering for classes, securing housing, and planning their finances.

We’ll share tips for balancing critical information with usabil...

In this episode, we explore how virtual groups and clubs are reshaping student connections in the digital age. From Discord to Facebook, we’ve created spaces where students bond over shared passions—whether it’s board games, sports, or even Taylor Swift! These online communities foster inclusivity, peer support, and meaningful interactions that often blossom into in-person friendships.

Tune in to learn how virtual platforms can enha...