What does it actually take to thrive during the leap from high school to university?

Making the transition to college is one of the most exciting milestones in a student’s life, but it’s also a journey filled with massive changes, uncertainty, and unanswered questions.

In this episode of Perspectives, Dr. Ward sits down with two incredible local graduates to look at this major life transition from both sides of the fence.

Meet our guests.

Maria Osagie-Erese , a 2025 Willoughby South High School graduate, reflects on her personal growth, what she learned "leaving the nest," and her advice as she heads into her sophomore year of college.

Holly Mosnik, Eastlake North High School’s 2026 Valedictorian, shares her high school highlights, her current mix of excitement and nerves, and her expectations as she prepares to start college this fall.

Whether you're a parent preparing to send your child off, a high schooler looking ahead, or a college freshman trying to find your footing, tune in for a thoughtful, honest conversation about navigating the next big chapter.

Two schools, two juniors, and one honest conversation about high school life and preparing  for senior year and life after graduation. In this episode, Dr. Ward sits down with Eastlake North’s Drew Dingeldein and Willoughby South’s Maddie Crook. Together, they’re opening up about the people and the moments that shaped them, the teachers who impacted their journey and the extracurriculars where they found a real sense of belonging. Keep listening for a genuine glimpse into the laughs, the lessons, and the future hopes of the next generation.

In this episode, Dr. Ward is joined by Willoughby Middle School Principal Mr. Jim Greene and child psychiatrist Dr. Molly McVoy for a thoughtful conversation about the middle school years. Together, they discuss adolescent development, the importance of connection, and how the teaming model helps students feel seen, supported, and prepared for success. 

Jim Greene is the Principal of Willoughby Middle School, bringing 22 years of experience in education as a collaborative and student-centered leader. Throughout his career as a principal, assistant principal, teacher, and instructional leader, he has focused on building a positive school culture, supporting staff development, and creating meaningful learning experiences for all students. He is passionate about helping students grow into confident, resilient individuals ready for success both in and beyond the classroom.

Dr. Molly McVoy is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (CWRU). She is the Rocco Motto Endowed Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and was the training director for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship for 11 years. She is a researcher, educator, and clinician with expertise in biomarkers, pediatric psychopharmacology and underserved pediatric populations. She has numerous peer-reviewed publications, is a 2020 Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Scholar for her work on EEG and has a growing research program, in collaboration with colleagues on school mental health, self-management and mind-body interventions for youth with chronic health and psychiatric conditions.

Music Credit: "Let's Celebrate" by Rewob

Special thanks to Lighthouse Media Services

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics Researcher Rebecca Bultsma lives in the messy space between AI hype and AI reality, helping education leaders cut through the chaos and noise to find what actually works for students and educators.

As an AI ethics researcher at the University of Edinburgh with a focus on K-12 ethical implementation, Rebecca is dangerously good at AI but appropriately worried about its risks - making her the ideal guide for districts that want to enhance learning opportunities without compromising student safety or educational integrity.

Having developed professional development programs for large districts and crafted AI policies for educational organizations, her keynotes and workshops deliver customized, actionable strategies for curriculum development, assessment, communication, and operations. Rebecca has trained thousands of educators across North America and internationally, regularly contributes to Canada's Digital Governance Standards Institute, and co-hosts the AmpED to 11 podcast. Her mission: help education professionals build AI capabilities that enhance student outcomes without losing what makes teaching meaningful.

Music Credit: "Let's Celebrate" by Rewob

Special thanks to Lighthouse Media Services