What if a campus job could be more than a paycheck? In this episode, we explore how the University of Wisconsin-Madison transformed student employment into an intentional vehicle for belonging, leadership, career development, and retention. From reflective supervisor conversations to leadership development and communities of practice, discover how rethinking the student employment experience can turn thousands of campus jobs into thousands of opportunities for student success.

Sometimes the difference between staying in college and stopping out is just $100. In this episode, I visit with Dr. Gill Hunter to explore Eastern Kentucky University’s innovative retention grant strategy, using data to identify students with registration holds and providing targeted, just-in-time financial support. Discover how EKU moved from students having to ask for help to proactively putting the right amount of support in front of the right student at the right time, and how a small investment can create a big return in student persistence.

What if the key to student-athlete success isn’t just what happens in the classroom or on the field, but the culture surrounding them? In this episode, we explore practical, cost-effective strategies for creating a student-first athletics culture—from peer mentorship and strong coach-athlete relationships to mental health support, international student services, and navigating the Transfer Portal and NIL. Discover how collaboration, belonging, and intentional support can help student-athletes stay, thrive, and graduate.