From the Ville to the Nest: A Parent and Family Podcast

🎧 Support Without Stigma: The Story of the Cardinal Cupboard
The Cardinal Cupboard is more than a food pantry — it’s a community. In this episode, host Jessica Combess talks with Kathy Meyer, Director of Student Involvement, about how UofL’s on-campus pantry supports all Cardinals — students, faculty, and staff — with dignity and care. Discover how the Cupboard fosters food security, reduces stigma, and cultivates community one...

For the first time, From the Ville to the Nest is bringing student voices to the mic! 🎓

Meet UofL Student Government Association leaders Macy Waddle and Grant Avis as they share how SGA represents the voice of the students, what campus involvement really looks like, and why leadership opportunities matter.

Parents, you’ll hear directly from students about the impact of getting involved, how families can encourage engagement withou...

Midterms can feel overwhelming, but your student doesn’t have to face them alone. In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, Executive Director of REACH and Testing Services, Dr. Geoff Bailey, joins us to share how UofL’s tutoring, coaching, and study support programs help students build confidence, strengthen skills, and succeed in the classroom.

Parents and families will learn why the best REACH users aren’t just struggling st...

🎧 From the Ville to the Nest brings you the inside scoop on how to make the most of Family Weekend in Louisville!

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Rosanne Mastin from Louisville Tourism to share all the best ways parents and families can experience the city - from must-see attractions like the Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and the Kentucky Derby Museum, to hidden gems, neighborhood favorites, ...

Being a Cardinal is bigger than just four years on campus — it’s a lifelong connection! In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, host Jessica Combess sits down with Mary Ann Vetter, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, and Amanda James, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, to talk all things UofL Alumni.

They share how parents and family members who are alumni can stay involved, the many ways all Cardinal supporters can c...

Starting college is a big transition for every student—but it can feel especially overwhelming for first-generation Cardinals, who are the first in their families to attend college. In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, we sit down with Christy Metzger, Associate Director of Student Success, to talk about what it means to be a first-gen student at UofL and the many ways the Student Success Center helps them thrive.

From coa...

When you hear “Dean of Students Office,” do you picture the principal’s office? At UofL, it’s actually so much more than that.

In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, Dr. Shirley Hardy and Geri Morgan from the Care & Conduct team join us to talk about how their office supports students through both the highs and the hard moments of college life.

From navigating crises to learning from mistakes, they’re here to walk along...

Dr. Michael Mardis, UofL’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, proud three-time alum, and Cardinal parent, joins From the Ville to the Nest for a special back-to-school conversation.

In this episode, Dr. Mardis shares what makes UofL such a unique and welcoming community, how Student Affairs supports your student outside the classroom, and his own perspective as a parent watching his children thrive at UofL. He als...

🎙️ Welcome Week: Your Student’s Launchpad
It’s finally here - Welcome Week at the University of Louisville! In this episode, Jessica Combess is joined by Lacey Skeldon, program assistant for Welcome Week, to give you an inside look at the events, the purpose behind them, and how families can support their students during this exciting time.

From move-in day jitters to late-night socials and campus traditions, we’re talking about...

Move-In Day at UofL is one of the most exciting - and emotional days of the year for Cardinal families. Whether this is your first time helping a student move into college or you’ve done this before, there’s a lot to prepare for and a lot to take in.

In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, we’re joined by Kenzi Surkin from Housing and the Residential Experience and Kristin Roberts, Director of Housing Operations, to talk abou...

Is your student thinking about Greek life but not sure what all the terms and traditions really mean? Does what you see in popular media scare you about the process? In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, we’re joined by Stephanie Schroeder and Derek Woodruff from UofL’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) to break it all down for you.

Whether your student has already mentioned joining a chapter, or you’re just curi...

You've had questions - and we have answers!

In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, we’re joined by Emily Bridges, Assistant Director of Marketing for Louisville Athletics, to walk us through everything you need to know about how students will access athletic events starting in the 2025–2026 season.

We cover the new Ville’ns membership, the student fee, how the ticket lottery works, what Ville’ns+ offers, and how families ...

In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, we’re talking openly about something that matters to every college student—mental health.

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Geeta Gulati, Director of the UofL Counseling Center, to explore the resources and support systems available to your Cardinal. From one-on-one counseling to 24/7 crisis services and campus outreach, the Counseling Center is here to help students navigate life’s ups a...

Not every student lives in a residence hall - and that’s perfectly okay. Whether your Cardinal is commuting from home or transferring in from another college, they’re still an important part of the UofL family.

In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, host Jessica Combess sits down with Alex Courtenay, Coordinator for Commuter and Transfer Initiatives at the University of Louisville. Together, they discuss the unique experienc...

Think your student doesn’t need UofL's Disability Resource Center? Think again.

In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, we’re joined by Krista Schutz-Hampton, Neurodivergent Specialist in the Disability Resource Center at UofL - and a college parent herself.

She helps us unpack what the center does, who qualifies for accommodations, and why even students who never had an IEP or 504 Plan in high school might benefit from ...

When you think “Campus Rec,” you might picture treadmills and weight rooms — but at the University of Louisville, it’s so much more than that. In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, host Jessica Combess sits down with Danielle Lavender, Senior Associate Director, and Tim Moore, Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, to unpack everything their team offers to support student health, engagement, and overall well-being.

Fro...

🚨 What does safety look like at the University of Louisville? In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, we sit down with Major Oscar Chavez of the University of Louisville Police Department (ULPD) to talk about how the department works around the clock to keep our Cardinal community safe.

From emergency alerts and patrol coverage to proactive safety measures and what to do if your student ever feels unsafe—we’re covering it al...

Think education abroad is out of reach for your student? Too expensive or will delay graduation? Think again!

In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, we're joined by Elizabeth Liebschutz and Kristin Samer from UofL’s Office of Education Abroad to break down everything families need to know—from where students live and study to how financial aid works, safety planning, and how it all fits into their academic goals.

Whether...

In this episode, host Jessica Combess sits down with Robin Jackson, Director of Operations, and Tori Robinson, Marketing Coordinator for UofL Dining, to talk about all things campus dining.

From meal plan options and special dietary accommodations to late-night eats and how students can give feedback—this episode answers the big (and small!) questions families often ask about food on campus.

Whether your student is a first-year figur...