A Higher Education

It's August! If you're in Student Life, you're likely shifting into a high work gear you'll be asked to maintain for several weeks through the start of your semester. This month, we're offering a 30-minute break in your day to reflect on the people who have shaped your career. This conversational deep-dive weaves together social theories and Mark and Kara's personal lives, with the hopeful end result being renewed inspiration and gratitude for the job you get to do.

This month we sat down with two university presidents and spent some time diving into their roles and how they support the work of student development.

Dr. Robin Baker (George Fox University) and Dr. Barry Corey (Biola University) are legends in the field of Christian higher education and this hour+ conversation is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and the reflections of two friends and leaders that we know you'll enjoy. Kara and Mark get the benefit of working on their campuses each day and are excited to share this episode with you!

CHAPTERS

0:00 - introducing our guests 

7:15 - speed round, feat. feats of strength

12:42 - the journey to the presidency

23:19 - a tale of two friends 

32:10 - the complexities of the presidential role

42:58 - advice to the younger professionals

55:30 - the president’s role in developing campus culture

1:08:40 - final reflections and encouragement

Today's episode is with Dr. Sharra Hynes, newly minted VP for Student Life at Baylor University, and we had a wonderful conversation that ranged from discussion student conduct to the differences (and similarities) to be found working in the many kinds of university contexts there are. As Dr. Hynes steps into the studio with us, you'll be encouraged by her wisdom and encouragement for the good work of student you do on your own campus.

CHAPTERS

0:49 - in which Kara takes her comprehensive exams

3:30 - meet Dr. Sharra Hynes!

5:28 - our “not so fast speed round”

14:03 - Sharra’s higher ed journey

21:46 - a key “yes” for Sharra that has led to today

31:23 - a unique philosophy on student conduct

37:17 - lessons learned across all types of universities

42:04 - a word for the women

[email protected]

Many professionals in our field are somewhere on the continuum of considering doctoral work to completing doctoral work. We recorded this episode for you all. It features advice from professionals who work all over the country. At the end of the day, this is your journey and you get to choose what it looks like. But if you're asking, "How do I know if it's time?" or "How do I start?" or "How do I stay motivated?" you might find something in this episode that speaks to you.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Topic introduction

1:55 How to know if it's time to start

7:37 How to choose a program

15:39 How to apply

18:16 How to adjust to this new level

23:28 How to do the coursework

32:28 How to think about the dissertation

39:45 How to write the dissertation

46:11 How to defend the dissertation

51:10 How to live after graduation

NOTES

The Dissertation Warrior by Guy White

The Dissertation Journey by Carol Roberts

Statistics for People Who Think They Hate Statistics by Neil Salkind

Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer

As always, contact us at [email protected]

This month we are joined by Delight Darenya, a MAHE graduate student at Taylor University, who shares about her experience as a student while serving as a Graduate Assistant in both the Taylor University Student Development department and honors college. We also hear from Delight a bit about the role of mentors in her journey, studying and leading in a different cultural context, and how a GA role is helping shape her vision for the future.

00:31 - SuperBowl reflections

03:00 - developing a Student Life internship program

06:00 - introducing Delight Darenya

09:10 - speed round with Delight

11:04 - considering higher ed as a career

17:50 - Mark finally shows up

19:19 - the challenges of leading in a different culture

23:11 - last call for workshop proposals!

24:13 - advice for those who lead GAs

27:29 - advice for the GAs

32:20 - how a GA role prepared Delight for the future

34:35 - what being a Student Life Intern taught Delight

38:48 - the GA role is ending; so what’s next?

40:45 - encouragement for those considering the work of student life

This month we sit down with Dr. Jamie Johnson, Dean for Spiritual Life at George Fox University, to unpack the 2025 ACSD Conference Theme "Wonderfully Known". Along the way, expect to learn more about George Fox, Newberg, and other conference details.

0:00 Episode introduction

4:15 Guest introduction

7:35 Speed round questions

12:30 The Wonderfully Known theme

22:50 What it takes to plan the conference

27:20 Highlights of Campus, Newberg, and Oregon

31:45 Jamie's best conference memories

36:30 Behind the scenes of a conference planning session

38:33 Excursion options

42:45 Mark and Kara wrap it up with some menu sneak-peeks

The career of Dr. Coba Canales has both breadth and depth in the field of Christian college student development, and this interview certainly reflects his variety of expertise. We touch on how Coba journeyed to the Dean of Students role at Azusa Pacific University, how first generation college students explore their career options, what it means to value hospitality in personal and professional life, and how Gen Z students are shifting our approach to discipling for spiritual development. Tune in for any one topic of interest using the chapter links below or stay for the full conversation culminating in why Coba still believes in the process and product of Christian higher education.

0:00 Harry Truman doesn't have a middle name

6:25 guest introduction9:31 speed round with Coba

14:41 the journey to Dean of Students

22:57 how first generation students explore their career options

33:42 the value of hospitality, personally and professionally

43:51 spiritual development for Gen Z

52:12 Coba's hope for Christian higher education

Coba can be contacted at [email protected] - he would love to hear from you!

Pop quiz: how do you think your students would describe the way your campus looks and feels? Dr. Rahn Franklin Jr. serves at Bethel University in Minnesota as the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence where he works to ensure that the campus climate, composition, and character are diverse and inclusive. He is driven by a singular mission - that Bethel would look and feel like the house of God. Join us as we learn from this wise and engaging professional-athlete-turned-educator.

0:00 Guest introduction

6:00 Speed round questions

14:10 Rahn's professional background and current role in Inclusive Excellence

29:24 Rahn's dissertation about preparing teachers for diverse classrooms

41:33 Inclusive Excellence in the co-curricular

48:05 Rahn's networking advice for the listener

52:45 What do we do from here?

We are rounding out our two-episode mini-series about athletics with Eddie Shepard from Biola University. He brings to the pod an entire career in college athletics, previously as a coach and currently as an Associate Athletic Director. His experience more than qualifies him to describe how athletic programs elevate the college experience of the individual athletes and the co-curricular outcomes of the institution as a whole. Listen to the end to find out if the Biola mascot is named after our podcast guest...

5:40 Guest introduction

8:46 Eddie's speed round

11:22 Unique aspects of the student athlete population

20:40 Athletics as co-curricular programming

25:30 Collaborating with your athletics department

34:24 ACSD Ideas Promo

35:57 Athletics department culture

43:57 Transitioning from NAIA to NCAA

53:49 What does Eddie wish non-athletic Student Life staff knew about his work?

Have you ever met a first year student athlete who is struggling with their sense of worth or wondering about their identity? We're thinking the answer is probably "yes". Craig Inglesby has spent a considerable part of his career helping new college athletes transition into college and helping retiring college athletes transition into the rest of their lives. His vision for our work is highly likely to inspire your work generally or specifically this week.

Episode Chapters:

4:30 Craig's Introduction

9:20 Speed Round

12:14 What is special about working with college athletes?

25:24 Growth Journal Article Submissions

27:02 Spiritual development for college athletes

44:06 Craig's word for Student Life professionals

Episode Links:

About the Bridge Network at George Fox