Speaking of College returns after a long break! In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Joshua Williams about ways to navigate college.

Joshua Williams is a Los Angeles-based higher education professional and student development expert. Leading his consultancy, JW1, he focuses on projects around institutional capacity building for colleges, coalition building and organizing, and resource accessibility for disproportionately impacted students. Through JW1, Joshua also develops and champions initiatives that center on community-building to create spaces for diverse groups to share experiences and resources. 

Current projects include developing learning communities and providing technical assistance for colleges in the California Community College system. He manages the Real College California Coalition, offering basic needs guidance and implementation support for 94 community colleges. He also provides technical assistance consulting and training for new NextUp foster youth programs.

Prior to launching JW1, Joshua was a Practitioner-Researcher at The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University, where he delivered basic needs coaching and technical assistance training to college personnel nationwide. He also served as the Inaugural Director of the Toro Guardian Scholars (TGS) program at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), providing case management for former foster youth and supporting students’ basic needs. Throughout his time there, he built the TGS program, launched the CalFresh Outreach program, raised funds to support students in need of academic support and emergency aid, and co-designed an app aimed at securing food for students on campus.

He holds a B.A. in Communications from CSUDH and an M.S. in Counseling from California State University, Long Beach, with an emphasis on student development in higher education.

JW1 Consulting

Joshua's Social Media Links
Instagram
LinkedIn
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As online learning becomes a more commonplace option for college students, this is a good time to discuss the benefits of the experience. In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Dr. Cristi Ford about the basics of online learning and strategies that students can use to be successful in virtual environments.

Dr Ford serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L. She brings more than two decades of cumulative experience in higher education, secondary education, project management, program evaluation, training, and student services to her role. In this role, she offers thought leadership and direction to the academic affairs unit of the organization. Her previous roles have allowed her to have impact in education from secondary and higher education settings as well as the on the international landscape. Her reach has allowed her to focus on building online education in the US and African continent.

Dr. Ford was selected by the Online Learning Consortium, as the 2022 OLC Fellow which is the highest professional distinction offered by the association.  She is a tireless advocate for quality online education where she has leveraged her passion and expertise in many realms in the education space. She is known for utilizing her leadership in extraordinary ways to help institutions build capacity to launch and expand online programming through effective faculty development, instructional design and pedagogical practices.

Dr. Ford holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of Psychology from Hampton University and University of Baltimore, respectively.

Dr. Ford on Twitter
D2L Teach & Learn Podcast

In this episode, Dr. P. and guest Helen Chen discuss the many options that students have to showcase their learning online.

Helen is a research scientist in the Designing Education Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. She holds an undergraduate degree in communication from UCLA and a PhD in communication with a minor in psychology from Stanford. Helen is a board member for the Association for Authentic, Experiential and Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL) and is a co-author of Documenting Learning with ePortfolios: A Guide for College Instructors and co-executive editor of the International Journal of ePortfolio. She works closely with the Association of American Colleges and Universities and consults with institutions on general education redesign, authentic assessment approaches, design thinking, and personal branding and ePortfolios. Helen's current research and scholarship focus on engineering and entrepreneurship education; the pedagogy of portfolios and reflective practice in higher education; and redesigning how learning is recorded and recognized in traditional transcripts and academic credentials.

Helen Chen on LinkedIn

College boards of trustees are responsible for helping ensure that students receive the best college experiences possible. In this episode, Alison Griffin and Dr. P. talk about the roles and responsibilities of boards of trustees, including common misconceptions and the ways in which the work of a board can positively impact students. 

Alison Griffin is Senior Vice President at Whiteboard Advisors, a mission-driven communications, research, and consulting firm that supports organizations working to advance educational equity and economic mobility. Alison's experience on the implementation side of higher education and workforce development, and as a grantmaker, is reflected in her practical understanding of how policy shapes practice. Her career in postsecondary education policy includes two terms as a policy advisor to the Chairman of the U.S. House of Education and the Workforce, as well as an early career role with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities where she guided state policy development. Alison joined Whiteboard Advisors after leading national engagement, government relations and external affairs for Strada Education Network.

Alison believes the solutions to our most pressing education and workforce challenges from access to affordability to the alignment between skills and employment are rooted in thoughtful collaboration among a growing community of diverse voices. As a natural convener and connector across policymakers, impact investors, entrepreneurs, practitioners and employers, Alison is often at the center of moderating conversations and guiding solutions among national and state-level subject matter experts.

Alison is a frequent commentator in the media on issues at the intersection of postsecondary education and employment. She is a Forbes contributor and her opinion pieces have appeared in The Hill, The Washington Post and EdSurge. Alison co-leads Whiteboard’s postsecondary education practice from Boulder, Colorado. Appointed by Governor Jared Polis (D) in 2019 to the Colorado Mesa University Board of Trustees, Alison currently serves as chair of the Board. She is the vice chair of the Board of the Colorado League of Charter Schools and served the state of Colorado as a 2020 Governor’s Fellow. Alison holds a masters degree in education from the University of Georgia and graduated with undergraduate degrees in business and psychology from Southern Methodist University. As an avid reader and live music lover, her goal each year is to read more than 52 books and see at least 20 concerts.

Alison Griffin on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Forbes

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Colorado Mesa University

Got a question about college? Email Dr. P. at [email protected]   

Healthy behaviors are essential as students manage multiple priorities such as coursework, studying, and social engagements. In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Jonathan Muruako, founder of Fitalyst, about how college students can address their health and wellness in holistic ways.

Muruako is a first-generation Nigerian-American who was born and raised in a small town in Mississippi. He attended the University of Pennsylvania as a Gates Millennium Scholar and received a Bachelors degree in Biological Basis of Behavior and completed a Dual Degree Masters in Public Health and Bioethics. He will begin his third Masters program at Penn this fall in Nonprofit Leadership. As mentioned, Muruako is the founder of Fitalyst, which uses college student and campus data to promote student wellness behavior. As a student-entrepreneur, his interests lie at the intersection of wellness, education, and equity. He enjoys reading, exploring new environments, and playing basketball. 

Muruako on LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Fitalyst Website

Got a question about college? Email Dr. P. at [email protected]   

Understanding how college processes work is a good way to prepare for a successful college experience. It is also important to consider some common aspects of college life. In this episode, Dr. P. talks about life after college with Hamza Shittu, a recent graduate who offers great advice about things that soon-to-be college graduates should consider.

Hamza is now a podcast producer at Goat Rodeo, a company based in the Washington, DC area. A creative at heart, Hamza has always found ways to express who he is through various forms of media, whether it’s through music, video production, or graphic and web design. Looking forward, Hamza is working toward being a composer for tv and film. He is a firm believer that music can unite and connect others and he aims to inspire others through sound.

During the break, Dr. P. describes her new book. The Ask Dr. P. segment features a question about how to prepare a resume if you do not have many or any paid employment experiences.

Hamza Shittu on YouTube
Hamza Shittu on Spotify
Hamza Shittu on Apple Music
Hamza Shittu on Soundcloud

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Dr. P.'s new book, You Are a Data Person: Strategies for Using Analytics on Campus

Posse Foundation

Got a question about college? Email Dr. P. at [email protected]  

Quick Tips for Enjoying a Holiday Break 

1- Rest if you can.
2- Reflect on your good experiences. 
3- Repeat your healthy habits.
4- Reconnect with your hobbies.
5- Remember others. 

As we continue to read about the rising cost for students to attend college, now is a good time to also discuss the various costs of operating a college. In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Liz LaPolt Clark about how money flows on a campus. The conversation covers specific sources of revenue, interesting types of expenses, and the many offices that are responsible for making sure a college's financial resources are managed well.

Liz is Vice President for Policy and Research at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), a membership organization representing more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the country. Liz is a member of the NACUBO executive leadership group and heads the team responsible for analysis of federal regulatory and legislative actions, research, and communications at NACUBO. She has been widely quoted in the press and is a sought-after speaker on how Washington politics and federal policies impact higher education. 

Liz got her start on Capitol Hill in 1999, running Cornell University's first Washington, DC-based federal relations office, and in her career has led federal affairs for the State University of New York (SUNY) System and for Oregon State University. A native of Liberty, NY, Liz is a graduate of Binghamton University (SUNY) and received a Master’s degree from Cornell University. She currently lives in Fort Washington, Maryland.

During the break, Dr. P. describes her new book. The Ask Dr. P. segment features a question about how to make new friends.

Liz Clark on Twitter
Liz Clark on LinkedIn
Liz's Bio

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Dr. P.'s new book, You Are a Data Person: Strategies for Using Analytics on Campus

Got a question about college? Email Dr. P. at [email protected]  

College presidents are often responsible for making myriad decisions and balancing competing priorities. As a result, college presidents have one of the most critical and visible positions in higher education. In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Dr. Herman Felton, Jr., president of Wiley College, about his professional journey, the skillsets and habits that help him succeed as a college leader, and some of the things he does in a typical day of work.

In the summer of 2018, Herman began his service as the 17th president of Wiley College. In a short period of time, he has achieved significant accomplishments, including spearheading a campaign with college alumni and supporters that has launched the work to renovate and modernize the Thomas W. Cole Library and partnering with the Marshall Economic Development Corporation to receive a $100,000 grant to renovate KBWC, the college’s radio station as well as a training space for physical education majors. President Felton has also created a Student Health, Counseling, and Wellness Unit for the college that is staffed with a full-time licensed practitioner. In addition to his accomplishments on Wiley’s campus, President Felton has immersed himself in the fabric of the Marshall Community, where he is a member of the Marshall Rotary Club, the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, and the Citizens Advisory Council. 

Prior to Wiley College, Dr. Felton was the 21st president of Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Before his tenure at Wilberforce University, Dr. Felton served as senior vice president, chief operating officer, and vice president of institutional advancement for Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. He was also the director of development while serving as a lecturer in the Government, Law, and International Affairs Department at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. 

Dr. Felton earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida. He also earned his Juris Doctorate from the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida and completed graduate work at Jackson State University, where he earned the Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration and Supervision. 

He is co-founder of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation (H.E.L.F.), an organization ensuring that a pipeline of transformational, highly skilled and principled leaders are identified and cultivated to meet the needs, challenges and opportunities facing the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Dr. Felton served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years. He is married to the lovely Katherine Anne Felton and is the father of Jamal, Paige, and Herman, III.

The Did You Know segment suggests a new report that addresses the value of college. The Ask Dr. P. segment features a question about choosing a good housing option.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Higher Education Leadership Foundation
Postsecondary Value Commission

Got a question about college? Email Dr. P. at [email protected]  

One of the most important parts of a college experience is the opportunity to learn new things in the classroom and outside the classroom. As students earn credits for courses and other engagements, it is critical for them to have official records that reflect what they know and can do. One role on campus that helps with that is the college registrar and in this episode, Dr. P. talks with Dr. Tom Green, an expert on how colleges maintain students' academic records.

Tom is Associate Executive Director, Consulting and Strategic Enrollment Management at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). During Tom Green’s more than 30-year career as an enrollment manager, he has led enrollment management efforts for six universities and collaborated with both public and private institutions to reach their goals. Tom brings proven best-practice expertise in developing effective recruitment strategies, enhancing and streamlining financial aid processes, maximizing institutional aid, identifying customer service/CRM strategies, and implementing and evaluating comprehensive service systems for colleges and universities.

Tom’s first-hand education experience includes his tenure as Vice President for Enrollment Management at Eastern Michigan University, and as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. There, Tom oversaw multiple functions including admission, bursar, financial aid and registrar offices. Under his direction, new student enrollment grew by 12% while SAT scores rose by over 65 points. While heading academic advising, adult re-entry centers, admission, registrar and financial aid operations at Newman University, Tom lead the university to a 54% increase in freshman students and net revenue increases of 95%.

A former chair for AACRAO’s financial aid, enrollment management and retention committees, Tom is a sought-after speaker at enrollment meetings and conferences worldwide. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University.

The Did You Know segment suggests an option for finding out about jobs in high demand. The Ask Dr. P. segment features a question about how to manage a busy schedule.

Dr. Green's Social Media Links
Twitter: @thesemdoctor

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Comprehensive Learner Record
Bureau of Labor Statistics Fastest Growing Occupations

Got a question about college? Email Dr. P. at [email protected]