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From the Ville to the Nest: A Parent and Family Podcast
By University of Louisville Parent and Family AssociationEducation
From the Ville to the Nest: A Parent and Family Podcast episodes
- Welcome Week 2026 Starts Here
The first few days of college can shape a student's entire experience—and Welcome Week is designed to help make that transition a successful one.
In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, Jessica Combess is joined by Hailey Jaggers, Assistant Director of Engagement & Traditions at the University of Louisville, for a behind-the-scenes look at Welcome Week 2026. They discuss how the week's events help students build friendships, find their place on campus, discover resources, and start their college journey with confidence.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What Welcome Week is and why it matters
- How students build friendships and a sense of belonging
- Featured Welcome Week events and traditions
- Ways families can encourage involvement from home
- Why the first six weeks of college are so important
- What happens after Welcome Week and how students can stay engaged
- A preview of Cardinal Family Weekend 2026
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Parent Resources for Welcome Week
🌐 Welcome Week Schedule
🌐 Cardinal Family Weekend Website
🌐 UofLEngage
🌐 8 Dimensions of Wellness
📸 Instagram: @uoflparentsassociation, @engagedcard, @uoflstudentaffairs, @uoflstudentevents, @uoflcti, @uoflfsl, @uoflsab, @uoflelsb
📧 Email: [email protected]
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UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
24 min - L's Up: How Louisville Athletics Builds Your Student's UofL Experience
Louisville athletics isn't just about what happens on the court, field, or pitch — it's a huge piece of the campus culture and the student experience.
In this episode, host Jessica Combess sits down with Emily Bridges. Assistant Director of Marketing, Louisville Athletics, and Sam Travelstead, President of The Ville'ns, to talk about how game day traditions, student spirit, and a revamped ticketing system are helping students find community at UofL.
From the unofficial anthem "Joker and the Thief" to fatheads at basketball games to tips for the student who's nervous about going to their first event alone, this conversation is packed with insight for Cardinal families. Plus: where to find tickets, schedules, and everything Ville'ns related.
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📸 Instagram: @uoflvillens
🐦 X: @uoflvillens
Louisville Athletics Tickets & Schedules
🌐 Student Ticketing Info: gocards.com/students
🎟️ Ticketing Questions: [email protected]
📅 Full Schedule (Home & Away): gocards.com------------------UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
28 min - Move-In 2026: What Every Cardinal Family Needs to Know
Move-In 2026 is almost here, and we've got you covered! Host Jessica Combess sits down with Kristen Roberts, Director of Operations, and Kenzi Surkin, Assistant Director for Operations, from University Housing and the Resident Experience to walk families through everything they need to know for the big day. From what to pack (and what to leave at home — sorry, Fluffy and Fido), to how time slots and the new color-coded parking passes work, to why the Cardinal Card is your student's everything, this episode is your complete move-in playbook. Plus: what to expect emotionally, resources available to families during move-in weekend, and what to do if you don't hear from your student during Welcome Week. Whether this is your first Cardinal or your fifth, hit play and get ready — we'll see you in August! L's Up, Go Cards!
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Move-In 2026 Contact Information
🌐 Move-In Website (Includes parking pass, What to Bring Checklist, Parent Resources, and more)
📧 Email: [email protected]
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UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
40 min - Help Us Help You: A Parent's Guide to the UofL Career Center
Most students don't think about the University Career Center until senior year — and by then, they're already behind. In this episode, host Jessica Combess sits down with Chester Delph, Associate Director for Employer Engagement at the UofL University Career Center, to unpack everything career services actually offers, starting the moment a student steps on campus.
From Cardinal Careers (the vetted, scam-free platform every student can log into right now) to the part-time jobs fair, internships, experiential learning, and the art of networking your way across the country, Chester explains why early engagement changes everything. Parents and families will also learn how to have supportive career conversations at home without the pressure — and exactly how to connect with the office when their student is ready.
Whether your Cardinal is a first-year or about to walk across the stage their senior year, this conversation will reshape how your family thinks about life after graduation.
💬 Have a question or topic you'd love us to cover next? Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on social media!
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University Career Center Contact Information
🌐 Website: University Career Center Website
💼University Career Center LinkedIn
📸Univesity Career Center Instagram
📧 Email: [email protected]
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UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
38 min - Once a Card, Always a Card: President Gerry Bradley on the UofL Experience
What's it like to lead a university family's trust with the people they love most? UofL President Dr. Gerry Bradley sits down with Host Jessica Combess for an honest conversation about the student journey — from move-in day jitters to graduation.
A first-generation student himself and father of five (with multiple Cardinals in the family), Dr. Bradley shares what student success really means beyond grades, why the first six weeks matter most, and how families can stay connected while letting their student grow.
Plus: UofL's 400+ student orgs, the RSO Fair (Aug 18–19 at the Red Barn), and the support systems every family should know — from counseling to the Parent and Family Association.
Follow Dr. Bradley on Instagram!
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UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
27 min - Ready for Orientation? Here's What Families Need to Know
In this SEASON 2 PREMIERE EPISODE of From the Ville to the Nest, we're sitting down with Melissa Eversole, Associate Director for Undergraduate Admissions at UofL, to talk all things new student orientation. From what to do before you arrive to how to support your student through one of their biggest transitions yet — this conversation is packed with practical tips and reassurance for families at every stage.
We're also sharing a heads-up on I-65 construction affecting summer travel to campus and what the orientation office is doing to help families plan ahead.
Whether this is your first Cardinal or your fifth, orientation is where it all begins — and we want you to feel ready.
💬 Have a question or topic you'd love us to cover next? Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on social media!
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Contact Information🌐 Website: UofL Orientation Website🌐 First Time Freshman Guide: Both Pre-and Post-Orientation Guidelines📧 Email: [email protected]
UofL Parent and Family Association👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association📸 Instagram: @uoflparents📧 Email: [email protected]🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
35 min - Season 2: We're Back!
Season 2 of From the Ville to the Nest starts next week! 🎙️
Join host Jessica Combess for another season of conversations designed to help UofL parents and families stay informed, connected, and in the know. This season includes favorite topics like orientation and move-in, plus conversations about career services, campus support, and even a special episode with UofL President Dr. Gerry Bradley.
Whether your student is just starting college or getting ready for graduation, this podcast is your go-to guide for navigating the UofL experience together.
Plus, all 28 Season 1 episodes are still available to stream anytime. New episodes drop every other week starting next week. Go Cards!
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UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO SEE A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
3 min - Season 1 Recap: From the Ville to the Nest
It’s the From the Ville to the Nest Season 1 finale! 🎙️
Host Jessica Combess reflects on a year of stories, conversations, and connection — celebrating 30 episodes, 2,000+ listens, and nearly 40 campus and community guests. Hear which episodes families loved most, discover a few hidden gems you might’ve missed, and learn how this podcast grew from a laptop in an office to an award-winning show recognized with the 2025 AHEPPP Creative Communication Award.Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of the Cardinal Family. ❤️
🎧 For one last time this season — L’s up, Go Cards, and we’ll see you in the spring!💬 Have a question or topic you’d love us to cover next? Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on social media!
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UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
6 min - Campus Health 101: What Families Should Know About Student Health Care at UofL
When your student calls home sick for the first time, it can be hard not to worry — but UofL Campus Health is here to help.
In this episode, host Jessica Combess sits down with Gary Thurman, Nurse Practitioner at UofL Campus Health, to talk about how their team supports students’ physical and mental well-being right here on campus. From routine checkups and women’s health to urgent care and chronic condition management, Campus Health is your student’s doctor away from home.
🎙️ Listen to learn:
💉 What services Campus Health provides (spoiler: it’s not just a band-aid station!)
💳 How the Primary Care Health Fee and insurance work together
🧠 How Campus Health partners with Counseling, Campus Rec, and Wellness
🏡 How parents can help students advocate for their own healthcareWhether your student lives on campus or commutes from home, this episode will give you peace of mind knowing they’re cared for by compassionate professionals who truly get college life.
As always — L’s up, Go Cards!
💬 Have a question or topic you’d love us to cover next? Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on social media!
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Campus Health Services Information
🌐 Website: Campus Health Website
📸 Instagram: @uoflcampushealth
📍 Office Address: 215 Central Ave. Unit, 100 (by the UofL Baseball Field)
📞 Phone Number: 502-852-6479
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UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
32 min - Drinking, Drugs, and Decision-Making: Helping Your Cardinal Make Informed Decisions with BRICC
In this episode of From the Ville to the Nest, host Jessica Combess sits down with Mary Beth Uberti, Program Coordinator of BRICC to talk about how families can help their Cardinals make safe, informed decisions around drinking and drug use.
This conversation isn’t about being anti-drinking — it’s about understanding today’s realities, talking openly, and building trust. Mary Beth shares practical ways families can start healthy conversations, prevent risky behaviors, and support students in making responsible choices.
Whether your student is brand new to campus or nearing graduation, you’ll learn how small, consistent conversations can make a big difference in their safety and confidence.
💬 Have a question or topic you’d love us to cover next? Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on social media!
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BRICC Information
🌐 Website: BRICC Website
🌐 Website: Family Alcohol Handbook
📸 Instagram: @bricc_uofl
📍 Office is located in SAC 309
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UofL Parent and Family Association
👥 Facebook: Parent and Family Association
📸 Instagram: @uoflparents
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://louisville.edu/parents
📞 Parent and Family Hotline: 502-852-6933
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Parent and Family Association FOR FREE!
CLICK TO VIEW A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
35 min
About From the Ville to the Nest: A Parent and Family Podcast
From the publisher's feed
The UofL Parent & Family Association Podcast connects Cardinal families to campus life at the University of Louisville. Hear from staff, faculty, and students as they share insights, tips, and…
stories to help you support your student's college journey and stay in the loop.