In this episode of Student-Centered, we sit down with Dr. Rickey Rogers, Vice Chancellor for Student Services at Southern Arkansas University Tech, for a special two-part conversation that unpacks the difference between seeking “college-ready” students versus designing institutions that are ready for the students they serve. Dr. Rogers opens up about his own college journey, the mentors who helped him along the way, and why student access and retention remain at the heart of his work. He also offers tangible strategies for institutions looking to break down barriers (big and small) and build policies, cultures, and practices rooted in equity, empathy, and intentional design.