FutureProof Podcast

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Leading by Learning

Join us as we go off road from our usual guests, down the path of connecting students to careers with Co-op Coordinator, Cincinnati State graduate, and longtime staff member Noelle Grome!  Noelle shares her unconventional path from mental health counseling to higher education, the power of networking, and the lessons she’s learned coaching students through interviews, setbacks, and even first-day disasters. 

Tune in as Noelle reveals the life-changing impacts of co-op and the behind-the-scenes work that makes students truly FutureProof. 

Credits

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Noelle Grome......Guest
• Griffin Bennett…….Student Producer
• Nyx Hawthorne…….Student Producer, Marketing Assistant 
• Brittany King……..Digital Marketing
• Jacqueline Norton…….Marketing and Advertising
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over 
• Joey Hickey…….Graphic Design

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department

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The Secret Sauce

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Cincinnati State graduate, instructor, and longtime staff member Don Pollock. Don shares his unexpected journey from leading a team of investment advisors to earning the Cincinnati State House/Bruckmann Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award, a recognition of his unwavering commitment to student success.

Tune in as Don reveals the “secret sauce” behind his teaching philosophy, the pivotal moments that shaped his path, and how he continues to stay FutureProof in a changing world.

Credits

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Don......Guest
• Griffin Bennett…….Student Producer
• Nyx Hawthorne…….Student Producer, Marketing Assistant 
• Brittany King……..Digital Marketing
• Jacqueline Norton…….Marketing and Advertising
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over 
• Joey Hickey…….Graphic Design

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department

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In the Blink of an Eye

In this episode we chat with Cincinnati State graduate Greenwell as she discusses her path from the server industry to her internship in the C-Suite at Cincinnati State.  Listen as Paige talks about event planning for the City of Cincinnati at the Regional Chamber and how she became FutureProof.  

Credits

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Paige Greenwell......Guest
• Owen Taylor…….Student Producer
• Cade Harvey…….Student Producer
• Dillon Perry…….Student Producer
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over 
• Nozina Eshkobilova…….Production Assistant
• Brittany King……..Digital Marketing
• Jacqueline Norton…….Marketing and Advertising
• Joey Hickey…….Graphic Design

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department

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Show Me the Money: Bashar Jaffal

Don’t miss this dynamic episode with Cincinnati State graduate Bashar Jaffal as he discusses coming to America in middle school and working towards a career in research and development with a sports management degree.  Listen as Bashar talks about his path to the American dream and challenges along the way to becoming FutureProof.  

Credits

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Bashar Jaffal…….Guest
• Owen Taylor…….Student Producer
• Cade Harvey…….Student Producer
• Dillon Perry…….Student Producer
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over 
• Nozina Eshkobilova…….Production Assistant
• Brittany King……..Digital Marketing
• Jacqueline Norton…….Marketing and Advertising
• Joey Hickey…….Graphic Design

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department

Send us Fan Mail

Freedom in a Jail Cell: Jill Green and Nicci Warr

Jeffrey Bill talks about the challenge of earning an associates degree during the pandemic to working as a contractor at Procter and Gamble.  Overcoming perfectionism and imposter syndrome,  Jeffrey Bill shows us the meaning of being FutureProof. 

Credits

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Jeffrey Bill…….Guest
• Nate Bell…….Student Producer
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over 
• Nozina Eshkobilova…….Production Assistant
• Brittany King……..Digital Marketing
• Jacqueline Norton…….Marketing and Advertising
• Joey Hickey…….Graphic Design

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department

Send us Fan Mail

The Coefficient of Friction: Jeffrey Bill 

Jeffrey Bill talks about the challenge of earning an associates degree during the pandemic to working as a contractor at Procter and Gamble.  Overcoming perfectionism and imposter syndrome,  Jeffrey Bill shows us the meaning of being FutureProof. 

Credits

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Jeffrey Bill…….Guest
• Nate Bell…….Student Producer
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over 
• Nozina Eshkobilova…….Production Assistant
• Brittany King……..Digital Marketing
• Jacqueline Norton…….Marketing and Advertising
• Joey Hickey…….Graphic Design

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department

Send us Fan Mail

Know The Code: Elisa Amissah
 
From Ghana, to Cincinnati State, to NKU. Elisa Amissah Shares with us her college journey towards an applied social engineering degree. Fighting through language barriers and overcoming obstacles Elisa Amissah shows everyone what it means to be Future Proof!

Credit

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Elisa Amissah..….Guest
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over
• Nozina Eshkobilova….Student Producer/ Production Assistant
• Cade Harvey....Social Media Specialist/Production Assistant 
• Dylan Gaskins....Social Media Specialist/Production Assistant 

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department

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Standing Ready to Serve: Ken Wilson
Owner and Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Meet Ken Wilson, a financial advisor and proud Cincinnati State alumnus whose career took off thanks to a basketball dream and a customer who needed a gas grill assembled. Ken’s story is a lesson in saying yes, building real relationships, and betting on yourself.

Ken arrived at what was then Cincinnati Technical College chasing a spot on the Tigers basketball team. It wasn’t his first choice, but it launched his life. In the business marketing program, instructors coached him through his first terrifying elevator pitch, building the communication skills that later turned him into an accomplished public speaker.

His co-op began with a part-time job at Central Hardware in Forest Park. When a customer from GE Aircraft Engines offered him $50 to assemble a grill, Ken said yes. That one weekend led to a co-op at GE in Evendale and a professional relationship that lasted well beyond graduation.

After graduating in 1984 and continuing at the University of Cincinnati, Ken spent more than 20 years at Procter & Gamble, rising to executive, before leaving to run a Chick-fil-A franchise. Today he leads a wealth management practice and is writing a book called The Six Financial Muscles. He’s also a longtime supporter of the Alumni Association. A mentor once asked why Cincinnati State wasn’t on his LinkedIn profile, and Ken fixed it before leaving campus. Tune in to hear how mentors, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up shaped his career.

Credits

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Isabel  Baumagartner….Guest
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over
• Nozina Eshkobilova….Student Producer/ Production Assistant
• Nathan Bell….Student Engineer
• Brittany King……..Digital Marketing
• Jacqueline Norton…….Marketing and Advertising
• Joey Hickey…….Graphic Design

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department

Send us Fan Mail

Send us Fan Mail

The Warm and Fuzzy Heart of a Lion: Isabel Baumagartner
Financial Coordinator, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati 
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Meet Isabel Baumgartner, Financial Coordinator at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati and a proud Cincinnati State alumna. Isabel’s journey is a powerful testament to overcoming personal challenges and finding a path to success.

After graduating from Ursuline Academy, Isabel faced significant uncertainty about her future. She initially pursued music at Xavier University but left feeling overwhelmed. Determined to find her way, she worked as a swim teacher while exploring different career options. It was her desire to make a meaningful impact that eventually led her to Cincinnati State, where she enrolled in the Financial Services associate’s program.

Isabel's choice to attend Cincinnati State was driven by the program's flexibility and its valuable co-op opportunities. Her hard work paid off, and she completed a co-op at BGCGC, which later became her full-time role as a Financial Coordinator.

Today, Isabel continues to excel at BGCGC while pursuing a Director of Music certificate, blending her passion for music with her professional achievements. Tune in to hear how Isabel transformed her uncertainties into a thriving career and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Credits

• Jayne Dressing…..Host
• Eimee Donbar…….Host
• Isabel  Baumagartner….Guest
• Jamal Lundy…….Intro/Outro Voice Over
• Nozina Eshkobilova….Student Producer/ Production Assistant
• Nathan Bell….Student Engineer
• Brittany King……..Digital Marketing
• Jacqueline Norton…….Marketing and Advertising
• Joey Hickey…….Graphic Design

Special Thanks to:

• Michael Tekulve……..AVP Studio Director
• David Killen…….AVP Program Chair
• Geoffery Woolf…..Dean Humanities and Sciences
• Amy Wallbillig…….VP Workforce Development Department