CCA On the Air

What happens when you eliminate the guesswork from student support and create a single, visible entry point for help? At the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, a cross-campus team has reimagined emergency aid delivery through a bold “one front door” model—streamlining support, maximizing donor impact, and reducing time-to-aid from weeks to mere days. For institutions looking to operationalize a clearer way for students to get the help they need, UWSP offers both inspiration and a working blueprint. Learn more in our latest episode of CCA on the Air.

In this episode of CCA on the Air, we sit down with Dr. Gretel Stock, Dean of University College, and Dr. William Broussard, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and CEO of the UWSP Foundation, to discuss the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's new "one front door" model for emergency aid. Learn how this approach is removing barriers, building collaboration across campus, and creating a seamless path for students seeking support in times of crisis.

Read more about the initiative here: https://www3.uwsp.edu/finaid/Pages/emergencygrant.aspx

Connect with our guests:
•  Dr. Gretel Stock, [email protected]
•  Dr. William Broussard, [email protected]

What if small changes to how you structure your courses could dramatically improve student learning outcomes? In this episode, we sit down with Justin Shaffer to explore the world of high-structure course design and its transformative impact on STEM education.

• Justin shares insights from his collaborative project with CCA and Ohio, revealing practical strategies that faculty can implement without completely overhauling their courses. Whether you're feeling constrained by institutional limitations or simply don't know where to start, this conversation offers actionable advice for educators at any stage of their teaching journey.
• We dive into the balance between innovation and reality, discuss emerging trends that make course redesign more critical than ever, and explore how thoughtful structural changes can create more inclusive and effective learning environments for all students.
• Perfect for faculty, instructional designers, and education leaders looking to enhance their teaching practice through evidence-based course design principles.

And some helpful resources Dr. Shaffer shared with us:

• His website: https://www.recombinanteducation.com/
• His book: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/product/High-Structure-Course-Design/p/1319583466
• UVA resources on high-structure course design: https://teaching.virginia.edu/collections/high-structure-course-design
• Research on benefits of high-structure course design:  https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1204820?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
• Research showing that high-structure course design reduces gaps: https://www.lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/cbe.14-03-0050
• Research showing that high-structure course design increases belonging: https://www.lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/cbe.18-08-0155
• Research on barriers to change: https://www.lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/cbe.12-09-0163

Student parents represent over 20% of college students nationwide, yet their unique needs often go unseen. In this episode, we’re joined by Catron Allred, Director of the Early Childhood Center of Excellence (ECCOE) at Santa Fe Community College, where the New Mexico Student Parent Alliance is housed. She shares how New Mexico is advancing student parent success through powerful data insights and innovative policies and practices. This episode highlights the importance of designing systems that support the whole student and offers actionable lessons for institutions and states looking to do the same.

CCA Alliance Engagement Director Nichole Mann interviews Dr. Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, about workforce alignment in higher education. Dr. Flanders discusses Kansas's comprehensive approach to connecting education with career outcomes, including stackable credentials, applied learning experiences, and strategic reforms like developmental education and guided pathways. The conversation explores how state systems can adapt to changing workforce needs while ensuring student success across universities, community colleges, and technical institutions.

In this episode of CCA on the Air, host Jamia Stokes introduces listeners to Complete College America's other Alliance engagement directors: Jonathan Gowin, Nichole Mann, and Jennifer Torres. The conversation features all four regional directors who share their personal journeys, professional backgrounds, and the unique perspectives they bring to their work advancing college completion and closing equity gaps across the United States. What makes this conversation particularly powerful is how each director connects their personal experiences, many as first-generation college students themselves, to their professional commitment to making higher education more accessible, navigable, and successful for all students. Their stories underscore why the work of improving college completion rates is both a professional mission and a deeply personal calling.

This episode of "CCA on the Air" features an interview with Dr. Jonathan Anderson, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Eastern Washington University, about "unapologetic handholding"—a student success philosophy that provides intentional, high-touch support without compromising academic standards.

Dr. Anderson explains how this approach helps demystify higher education systems for students, particularly first-generation learners, through proactive advising, early alerts, and structured guidance across the student journey. The conversation highlights practical examples and emphasizes meeting students where they are while helping them develop independence.

How can we help students discover a deeper sense of purpose in their education? In this episode, we explore how Nashville State Community College, in partnership with Motivate Lab, brings relevance affirmation research to life through the Values Connection Activity to strengthen students' sense of purpose, persistence, and belonging. Tune in to hear how this simple but powerful approach is transforming student success, connecting coursework to personal values and future goals for a more engaging and fulfilling academic journey.

Targeted networks and student-centered approaches can transform educational outcomes for under-resourced communities. By connecting Historically Black and Predominantly Black Community Colleges, Alabama Possible is changing narratives, amplifying student voices, and creating economic pathways in one of the nation's poorest states. Join CCA Alliance Engagement Director Jamia Stokes in conversation with Alabama Possible Executive Director Chandra Scott.

Building stackable credentials requires faculty to decide what skills are fundamental to students' future success. At Red Rocks Community College, business faculty decided that one of those skills is cultural intelligence, and students immediately connected with the concept. Learn more about CQ and how it supports stackable learning approaches in this episode of CCA on the Air with Stephanie Schooley and Julio Suarez of Red Rocks Community College.

Explore the vital connections between college completion and a thriving democracy in this session recorded at All In: The 2024 CCA Annual Convening. Join education leaders and innovators as they tackle one of today's most pressing challenges: restoring public trust in higher education while expanding access and success for all students. From innovative state programs to student perspectives on classroom discourse, this conversation offers fresh insights into the future of higher education and its vital role in strengthening democracy.