Central Speaks: A UCM Podcast

Accreditation is one of those words everybody nods along to, and few people can define over coffee. In this episode, President Best addresses a question from a UCM faculty member: "What are we doing about accreditation?"

He explains what the Higher Learning Commission stamp of approval means to students and employers, what's stirring at the federal level, and who is speaking up for UCM in the rooms where the rules are written.

Plus: a preview of the State of the University Address on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in Hendricks Hall (online if you can't make it in person), an invitation to Pastries with the President, and a shoutout to folks who are redefining what's possible.

Have a question for President Best? Email [email protected]. He may answer it on a future episode!

Visit the show page at https://www.ucmo.edu/news/central-speaks/ and learn more about how UCM redefines what's possible for higher education at ucmo.edu.

© 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Front and Central with President Roger Best is a production of the UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications. Produced and engineered by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications.

What makes a student feel like they belong at a university?

For Kerri Lopp, senior academic success advisor at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), it starts with connection.

In this episode, Kerri talks with host Alex Greenwood about advising, student success and the work of helping students find a path that fits.

She also shares her own journey to UCM, her work with Exploratory Studies and why not having everything figured out right away can be an important part of the college experience.

During the conversation, Kerri also mentions fellow UCM colleague Maggie Segnitz. Listen to Maggie’s episode of Central Speaks here.

UCM President Roger Best now joins the podcast feed with Front and Central, a quick, regular check-in on what is on his mind for UCM.

In five to six minutes, Dr. Best talks candidly about university initiatives, higher education trends and other issues affecting the campus community. Each episode also includes a listener mailbag and a shoutout to UCM faculty or staff doing standout work.

Front and Central currently lives in the Central Speaks feed, so current subscribers do not need to subscribe to anything new.

Listen to the latest episode of Front and Central here.

Have a question for President Best? Send it to [email protected] for a chance to hear it answered on the show.

Central Speaks spotlights the dedicated individuals who propel the University of Central Missouri forward. Each episode shares the stories of people who embody UCM’s spirit of innovation and service and whose work makes a difference for students, colleagues and the university community.

Subscribe to Central Speaks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Enjoying Central Speaks? Rate us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It takes a few seconds and helps more people find the show.

Visit the Central Speaks website

Email Alex to nominate a future guest

Visit the UCM News Bureau

© 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications. Hosted by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications. Recorded at KMOS PBS; engineered by Tim Oar.

Communication is a cornerstone of UCM's continued success, and this new podcast gives the UCM community a short, regular check-in on what's Front and Central on President Roger Best's mind.

In our first episode, President Best talks about the value of higher education, and it isn't exactly what many people think. He's got the receipts: earnings data, life expectancy, job placement rates, and a line about lottery tickets you won't forget.

Dr. Best also digs into what UCM's own graduates say about their experience — and closes with a shoutout to some of UCM's best.

Have a question for President Best? Email [email protected] — he may answer it on a future episode!

Visit the show page at https://www.ucmo.edu/news/central-speaks/ — and learn more about how UCM redefines what's possible for higher education at ucmo.edu.

© 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Front and Central with President Roger Best is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Produced and engineered by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications.

Jessica Davis visited the UCM campus in 2010 and never left. Two degrees later — child and family development, then social gerontology — she now runs the database ⁠behind every graduate and international application⁠, a two-time alum, former track athlete, ten-year staff veteran, newly elected to Staff Council, adjunct instructor on the side, and married to UCM's head strength and conditioning coach. Few who apply to UCM know her name. Everyone who applies benefits from her work.

Listen in as we explore the importance of internal motivation, teamwork, and continuous learning in higher education and career development.

Subscribe to Central Speaks on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify,⁠ or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Enjoying Central Speaks? Rate us on ⁠Spotify ⁠and ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠. It takes a few seconds and helps more people find the show.

• Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

• Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

• Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

• Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

© 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Hosted by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠;⁠⁠ engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

University of Central Missouri (UCM) President Roger Best joins Central Speaks to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping higher education today, and how faculty and staff can help UCM meet this moment in service to students.

The conversation centers on what he describes as the “three C’s”: communication, change and community. President Best shares his perspective on the external forces affecting colleges and universities, the importance of clear and transparent communication, the growing influence of technology and artificial intelligence, and the role of belonging in supporting student success.

He also highlights strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and the day-to-day work of helping UCM adapt while staying true to its mission of Education for Service. Throughout the conversation, President Best underscores that student success is not the responsibility of one office, department, or program. It depends on the collective efforts of faculty and staff across the university.

And yes, we also get to the bottom of what happened to the pastries at Pastries with the President. Plus, stick around for a Final Fun Fact you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about President Best here.

Subscribe to Central Speaks on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify,⁠ or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Enjoying Central Speaks? Rate us on ⁠Spotify ⁠and ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠. It takes a few seconds and helps more people find the show.

• Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
• Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
• Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.
• Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

© 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

In this episode, Alex Greenwood talks with Vice President for the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications, Susan Smedley, about how IMC supports the University of Central Missouri (UCM) through strategy, storytelling, and service.

Susan shares her path from advertising and private industry into higher education, and how that experience shapes her belief in access, opportunity and student success.

The conversation also covers IMC’s role on campus, why brand consistency matters, how campus partners can work with IMC more effectively and why early collaboration leads to better results.

At its core, Susan says, IMC exists to help UCM tell its stories well while supporting the university’s mission of “Education for service.”

Listen in, and be sure to stick around after the credits for a sneak peek at our next episode.

• Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
• Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

• Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.
• Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

© 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

In this episode, Dr. Maggie Segnitz, Director of the Success Advising Center at the University of Central Missouri, shares insights into success advising, its role in student achievement, and how it differs from traditional advising.

Discover how UCM supports students from undecided majors to graduation and the importance of relationship-building in higher education.

• Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
• Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

• Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.
• Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

© 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

In this Season Three premiere, host Alex Greenwood talks with "the Great Connector," David Pearce, UCM’s Executive Director for Governmental Relations, about his path from politics to higher education advocacy.

David breaks down how relationships drive real progress in Jefferson City, recent legislative wins that matter for UCM, and why civic engagement still counts.

Listen in to David on the Callis Insights podcast from 2023 here.

• Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.
• Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.
• Listen on Spotify ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.
• Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.
• Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠here⁠.

💡 Have an idea for a future guest? ⁠Email us⁠ with your nomination.

© 2025 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html⁠

This episode of Central Speaks examines the reasons why the University of Central Missouri was recognized in the Warrensburg Star-Journal’s Best of the Burg awards.

From being a top place to work to Mules National Golf Club and Traditions Restaurant to student services and campus support, UCM earned recognition not just for what we do but also for how we do it.

In that vein, we revisit some of the voices and stories that show what makes UCM stand out. You’ll hear from people across campus who make student success and community engagement more than just slogans; they make them a reality.

Whether they’re supporting employees in the heat of summer, helping students design meaningful careers, or showing what belonging truly feels like, these stories reveal the people behind the honors.

• Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.
• Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.
• Listen on Spotify ⁠here⁠.
• Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠here⁠.
• Visit the updated UCM News Bureau here.

💡 Have an idea for a future guest? Email us with your nomination.

© 2025 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html⁠

In this special edition of Central Speaks, host Alex Greenwood sits down with Dr. Ann McCoy, Vice Provost of Academic Programs and Graduate Studies and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, to discuss the University of Central Missouri’s new 2026–2031 Strategic Plan.

This isn’t just another document; it’s a roadmap that will guide UCM’s next chapter in academics, student life, staff support, and community engagement.

Dr. McCoy shares:

• Why every voice matters: How input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members will directly shape UCM’s priorities.

• What’s at stake: The plan will affect every corner of the university, from enrollment initiatives to faculty resources to campus facilities.

• How to get involved: Dr. McCoy provides details on the campus-wide survey now open to all stakeholders and explains why your feedback is essential.

• Behind the process: A transparent look at the steps from early interviews and surveys to the Board of Governors’ final adoption.

• A personal note: On a personal note, Dr. McCoy shares a fun fact about how she literally keeps afloat in a busy world.

  
  

Whether you’re a student wondering “what’s in it for me,” a faculty member thinking about resources, a staff member focused on workplace culture, or a community partner invested in UCM’s future, this conversation shows why your participation is vital in charting the course for the next five years.

🔗 Learn more and follow updates: UCM Strategic Plan 2026–2031.

Subscribe to Central Speaks so you never miss a conversation about the people and ideas shaping the University of Central Missouri.

• Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.
• Listen on Spotify here.
• Listen on Apple Podcasts here.

© 2025 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html