Dr. Ryan P. Barone | Colorado State University

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Ryan P. Barone, Assistant Vice President for Student Success at Colorado State University. A first-generation college graduate turned higher education leader, Ryan bridges academic affairs and student affairs to drive campus-wide strategies that foster belonging, equity, and achievement. He oversees key initiatives, including the Academic Advancement Centre, McNair Scholars Program, Scholar Success Programs, Key Communities, and University Learning Communities, all designed to help students navigate, thrive, and graduate.

Ben and Ryan explore the art of building collaborative partnerships across institutional divisions, the importance of equity-driven student success frameworks, and how to balance data-informed decision-making with the human stories behind the numbers. As an assistant professor and doctoral advisor in the School of Education, Ryan also shares his passion for mentoring the next generation of higher education leaders.