ASCEND Podcast
Are you ready to ASCEND to new possibilities? In this podcast, Dr. Jared Tippets and Dr. Eric Kirby outline why a focus on retention and completion is so important, why previous retention efforts have not always worked, and discuss how we can successfully "ASCEND" to these great expectations. In each episode, we will share innovative ideas, creative initiatives, and best practices and strategies that campuses have used to achieve amazing results. This podcast has intentionally been produced in a quick-tip, bite-sized format where the listener can quickly find ideas, initiatives, and solutions that can be tried on campus today.
Episodes
177 episodes
S3 - E11 - Tom Hicks - Long Night Against Procrastination (Engagement)
In this episode, we discuss the “Long Night Against Procrastination" event, a practical and student-centered approach to tackling one of the most common academic challenges. Drawing on experience from a small liberal arts col...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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13:16
S3 - E10 - President Mark Milliron and Dr. Angela Baldasare - The Unlikely Culture Builder: Using ‘Operating Reviews’ to Drive Student Success (Culture)
Building a culture of student success doesn’t happen by chance, it requires focus, discipline, and shared accountability. In this episode, we explore how National University uses Quarterly Operating Reviews (QORs) as a powerful, and often overl...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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21:41
S3 - E9 - Dr. Joshua Wilkin - Holistic Support Strategies to Improve Retention (Support)
In this episode, we explore how Moore College of Art & Design is improving student retention through a deeply intentional, holistic support model. Dr. Joshua Wilkin, Dean of Students, shares how Moore’s multipronged approach (spanning acade...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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19:59
S3 - E8 - Dr. Lara Lomicka Anderson and Dr. Shelley Dempsey - Bridging the Financial Gap (Affordability)
College affordability doesn’t end with tuition, and for many students, hidden financial barriers can be the difference between stopping out and graduating. In this episode, we explore how financial gaps, aid complexity, and basic needs insecuri...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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31:05
S3 - E7 - Dr. Kris Bliss - Holistic View of Students (Data)
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kris Bliss from Indiana Tech University to explore what it truly means to take a holistic view of students, and why breaking down data silos is essential to student success. Drawing on her experience, the c...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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17:17
S3 - E6 - Dr. Solomon Tention - ‘Project Graduate’ Increases the Number of Completers Amongst Community College Students (Nudges)
In this episode we visit with Dr. Solomon Tention, Assistant Professor of Advanced Studies, Research, & Leadership at Morgan State University. We talk about how intentional outreach and proactive advising can bring stopped-out students back...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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12:17
S3 - E5 - Dr. Brian Garsh - Helping Students Take FLIGHT (Engagement)
In this episode, Eric Kirby visits with Dr. Brian Garsh to explore how institutions can strengthen student belonging and retention through intentional, cross-functional design. Using Kennesaw State University’s FLIGHT: Class-Year Connections Pr...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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23:02
S3 - E4 - Featuring Patrick Tanner and Luis Caloca - One Student at a Time (Culture)
In this episode, we explore the transformative journey of the College of Western Idaho’s Enrollment & Student Services division as it embraced a unifying mantra: One Student at a Time. When rapid growth left staff searching for cla...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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17:05
S3 - E3 - Featuring Dr. Amber Williams - Vol Success Teams (Support)
This episode features Dr. Amber Williams, Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who shares how the university’s Vol Success Teams have transformed support for first-year and transfer scholars. Launch...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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13:03
S3 - E2 - Featuring Joel Spiess - Scholarships as Strategy: Redesigning Processes to Boost Recruitment, Retention, and Outcomes (Affordability)
For episode 2, Jared talks with Joel Spiess of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee about his powerful contribution to Volume 3, “Scholarships as Strategy.” Joel shares how UWM transformed scholarships from scattered, last-minute awards into a...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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19:26
S3 - E1 - Introducing Season 3 of the ASCEND Podcast
It's great to be back for season 3 of the ASCEND Podcast! Thanks for listening!
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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23:02
S2 - E62 - Data (Data)
In this episode, we talk about the remaining ideas and strategies in the DATA chapter of the book. Tune in to learn about a number of strategies for capturing data and using it to help students on your campus and increase retention rates!...
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Season 2
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Episode 62
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13:43
S2 - E61 - Nudges (Nudges)
In this episode, we talk about the remaining ideas and strategies in the NUDGES chapter of the book. Tune in to learn about a number of strategies for nudging students on your campus and increasing retention rates!
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Season 2
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Episode 61
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15:58
S2 - E60 - Engagement (Engagement)
In this episode, we talk about the remaining ideas and strategies in the ENGAGEMENT chapter of the book. Tune in to learn about a number of strategies for engaging students on your campus and increasing retention rates!
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Season 2
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Episode 60
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31:46
S2 - E59 - Culture chapter (Culture)
In this episode, we talk about the remaining ideas and strategies in the Culture chapter of the book. Tune in to learn about a number of strategies for impacting the culture on your campus and increasing retention rates of your students!
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Season 2
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Episode 59
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16:13
S2 - E58 - Support chapter (Support)
In this episode, we talk about the remaining ideas and strategies in the Support chapter of the book. Tune in to learn about a number of strategies for supporting your students and increasing retention rates on campus!
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Season 2
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Episode 58
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32:00
S2 - E57 - Common Bond Dance (Culture)
In this episode, we explore how a simple dance became a powerful tradition that unites first-year students and fosters a sense of belonging from the moment they step on campus. Inspired by Purdue University’s Boiler Gold Rush, our First-Year Ex...
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Season 2
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Episode 57
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12:09
S2 - E56 - Free career assessments (Affordability)
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 investm...
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Season 2
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Episode 56
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13:41
S2 - E55 - Midterm Grade Policy (Data)
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 we...
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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9:52
S2 - E54 - Expert Session - Dr. Lara Lomicka Anderson (University of South Carolina)
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 R...
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Season 2
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Episode 54
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11:45
S2 - E53 - Texting System about Key Issues (Nudges)
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 53
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9:39
S2 - E52 - Expert Session - Dr. Sharon Rea and Dr. Mike Freel (Bellevue University)
In this episode co-hosts Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby sit down with Dr. Sharon Rea and Dr. Mike Freel from Bellevue University to talk about retention strategies on their campus. This episode was recorded at the National Symposium on Stud...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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10:28
S2 - E51 - Thanksgiving dinner on campus.community (Engagement)
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-o...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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7:16
S2 - E50 - Expert Session - Leslie Tod (University of South Florida)
In this episode co-hosts Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby sit down with Leslie Tod from the University of South Florida to talk about retention strategies on her campus. This episode was recorded at the National Symposium on Student Retention...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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13:47
S2 - E49 - Registration Outreach Campaigns (Culture)
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...
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8:19