Best Grace Cassara Podcasts (2025)

What exactly is basic needs insecurity, and why must it be addressed in our colleges and universities? Join Amanda Key, the inaugural Director of Opportunity, Success and Achievement, and Phillip Smith, inaugural Assistant Dean for Student Basic Needs at Rutgers University as they share insights into the most common forms of insecurity among colleg…

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Motivation Myths: Rethinking Strategies For Student Success 50:49

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1y ago50:49

50:49

Struggling to help motivate students or help them understand the concept of motivation? In this episode of Friday 5 Live, Dr. Amy Baldwin and Dr. Laurie Hazard share their firsthand experiences and examine how motivation can be cultivated and sustained, even in the face of challenges. We examine the psychological underpinnings of motivation, discus…

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The Secret Classroom: Breaking Down The Hidden Curriculum In Higher Ed 50:19

1+ y ago50:19

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We are excited to welcome back Dr. La’Tonya “LT” Rease Miles to Friday 5 Live as we examine the hidden curriculum in higher education.In our conversation, we explore the harm caused by the assumption students “know how to college" and discuss strategies faculty and staff can take to address these implicit set of expectations that impact student suc…

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Engagement From Day One: Shaping The Higher Education Journey 47:41

1+ y ago47:41

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This year in our podcast series we want to explore the idea of engagement - how do we create opportunities for our students that are so meaningful they cannot be disengaged from learning, from our school communities, from their higher education journeys. In this episode, Dr. Shantell Strickland-Davis shares with us strategies faculty and staff can …

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The Year In Higher Education - Insights & Predictions For 2024 45:52

1+ y ago45:52

45:52

Are you curious about the latest trends and developments in higher education? Join our panel of distinguished experts as they explore words that best encapsulate the year in higher education. Andrea Harris and Naomi Sigg share their insights and analysis of the trends that have defined higher education in the past year and a glimpse into what the f…

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Harnessing AI: A Toolkit For Success In Work & Learning 48:47

1+ y ago48:47

48:47

Additional Resources: - Jean's Slide Deck - View the video recording of our podcast

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Addressing Dropout: The Science Of Belonging For College Success 46:06

1+ y ago46:06

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Approximately 40% of college students nationwide exit before obtaining a degree, with a quarter not making it past their first year. In our latest Friday 5 Live podcast episode, we discuss a recent study published in the journal Science with Dr. Chris Hulleman, exploring how educational institutions can cultivate a profound sense of belonging among…

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Making Student-Parents Visible On College Campuses 44:53

1+ y ago44:53

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About one in five college students, or 22% of all undergraduate students, are parents. Most identify as women or students of color, particularly Black and Latina students. Although student parents often perform better academically than their non-parenting peers, they are less likely to graduate from college. September is designated as National Stud…

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Friday 5 Live The Enrollment Crystal Ball Episode 47:42

2y ago47:42

47:42

Join us as we welcome back Aaron Basko to Friday 5 Live! Aaron, the Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications at the University of Lynchburg, shares his insights into college admissions and enrollment, examining what this year has brought and gazing into the future to predict what might shape the coming year as we look to recruit…

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Affirmative Action & College Admissions: Where Do We Go From Here? 53:15

2y ago53:15

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What does the recent Supreme Court decision about affirmative action in college admissions mean for institutions, students, their families, and communities? In this episode of Friday 5 Live, Jim Larimore examines the SCOTUS decision and its potentially far-reaching impacts. Jim shares strategies for institutions and individuals as we consider how t…

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Stopping Out: Discover Strategies To Address Students Leaving Higher Education 45:36

2y ago45:36

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More than 40 million Americans have some college but no degree, a number which has grown by over a million students in just one year. How can faculty and staff address the troubling trend of stopping out? Join us as Dr. La'Tonya (LT) Rease Miles shares her recommendations for how we can better understand the reasons behind students stopping out as …

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Celebrating Pride Month: Supporting LGBTQ+ Students and Colleagues 16:37

2y ago16:37

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Join us for the reprisal of this special episode with Dr. Quincy Jenkins, Vice President, Organizational Culture and Engagement at Chattanooga State Community College reflects on ways that we can support our LGBTQ+ coworkers and students.

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The Alarming Rise Of College Student Mental Health Issues 46:41

2y ago46:41

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In the last eight years, there's been a 135% increase in depression among college students and a 110% increase in anxiety among college students. Equally concerning is that death by suicide is the third leading cause of death for college students. Join us for an important conversation with David J. Denino, Director Emeritus, Counseling Services and…

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The New Normal: Learning After Trauma 47:00

2y ago47:00

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Our campus communities continue to address traumatic events from natural disasters to gun violence. Finding the new normal after a traumatic event is often a challenge, but understanding how people, particularly students, react to traumatic events can be helpful in the ability to begin healing. With support, institutions can assist students to be a…

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Creating a Sense of Belonging: What Does It Mean and Why Does It Matter To Students 47:43

2y ago47:43

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Belonging has been a hot topic in higher education news recently. The Chronicle of Higher Education published an article recently on the concept of belonging, as has Inside Higher Ed. Join us as Jessica Gifford, an expert on resiliency, shares her research and insights into belonging and the key concept of building connections. Jessica firmly belie…

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Supporting Historically Underrepresented Minority Students Examining Strategies For Su 47:51

2+ y ago47:51

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How can our institutions more effectively support Historically Underrepresented Minority (HURM) students? The National Center for Education Statistics has reported that college enrollment and degree attainment have decreased in Black, Native American/Alaska Native, and first-generation populations. In this episode, Dr. Reginald Stroble, Ms. Nicole …

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Whole-College Guided Pathway Reforms Creating Frameworks For Retention and Success 47:39

2+ y ago47:39

47:39

According to data from the Community College Research Center (CCRC), two-year institutions lose about 45% of students within their first year. How can colleges reimagine students’ first year of college in a way that centers on students exploring and entering a program of study? Join us as Dr. Hana Lahr of CCRC shares her research on whole-college g…

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Understanding And Supporting Nontraditional Students: Shifting The Paradigm In Higher Education 46:27

2+ y ago46:27

46:27

Seventy-four percent of college students today are considered nontraditional students. At the same time, more than 39 million Americans have some college but no degree, a number which has grown by 3 million students in 3 years. Dr. Anne Khademian has a term for these students: fluid learners. Join us as Dr. Khademian, the Executive Director of the …

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Supporting First-Generation College Students With A Cultural Strengths Approach 46:16

2+ y ago46:16

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Today 1 out of 3 college students identify as a first-generation student, according to The Center for First-Generation Student Success. How can institutions at all levels support the success of first-generation students? Join us as Dr. Shantell Strickland-Davis shares her work on using a cultural strengths approach to create a learning environment …

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Creating Accessible Content & Connecting With Students 46:19

2+ y ago46:19

46:19

How can we intentionally design content that is accessible for our students? How can we help faculty and staff know how to proactively build content that meets accessibility standards? Cliff Nelson, Director, Instructional Technologies and Academic Support at WSU Tech shares his approach to his students first philosophy and practical recommendation…

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Trends In Online Learning: Kicking Off National Distance Learning Week 49:32

2+ y ago49:32

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In our latest episode, we celebrate National Distance Learning Week (November 9-13) with a fantastic discussion with Dr. Tom Tobin, an internationally recognized expert on the topic of online learning. We examine how pandemic learning will shape online learning and the future of higher education “classrooms.”…

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Supporting Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Students & Colleagues 47:21

2+ y ago47:21

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Naomi Sigg, Director of Multicultural Affairs at Case Western University, shares her critical insights into how we can best support AAPI students, colleagues, and neighbors. Naomi is a nationally recognized speaker on topics of race, inclusion, and equity. May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and at Innovative Educators, we want t…

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Supporting Our Students Of Color: Addressing Health & Resources 40:45

2+ y ago40:45

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Sylvia Dorsey-Robinson joined us on this episode to discuss the critical challenges facing our students of color this semester. She encouraged us to consider how 2021 could be the Year of L's: Listen, Love and Leadership. Ms. Dorsey-Robinson provided resources and strategies institutions can put in place to ensure we support and retain our students…

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Rethinking Our Self-Care: Mindfulness & Health For Faculty & Staff 46:25

2+ y ago46:25

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This year has been incredibly challenging, and we focusing in June on how staff and faculty can take care of themselves as they prepare for the upcoming school year. In this episode, Alina Haitz of Molloy College shares her insights into practicing self-care, including what she refers to as functional mindfulness. Alina's warm spirit is guaranteed …

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Creating Student-Ready Institutions 45:59

3y ago45:59

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As we begin the fall semester, many institutions are examining how they can become student-ready. Join us as Dr. John Donnelly shares his insights into what makes a college or university student-ready and how institutions can do this important work to focus their efforts on student success. Drawing from his career as a community college administrat…

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Failing Students: Providing the Support Students Need NOW! 48:38

3y ago48:38

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As we emerge from pandemic learning, students are struggling to find their footing and to be successful in their classes. Listserve discussions for organizations like the POD Network, FYE, and LRNASST are ripe with faculty and staff expressing their concern about failing students and their surprise that as instruction has returned to in-person ther…

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Reflecting On Another Year Of Pandemic Learning 48:22

3y ago48:22

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As we wrap up this school year and our conversations on leadership in honor of our colleague Dr. Denise Swett, Kate Mueller reflects on this year: things learned, surprises found, and how this year of continued pandemic learning will inform the upcoming academic year. Kate shares her recommendations for how we can lead from where we are and resourc…

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Declining Enrollment: How Colleges Can Attract & Enroll Students 47:34

3y ago47:34

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College enrollments hit a record low in the fall semester. Coupled with that, new data released in early May shows that FAFSA applications are down almost nine percent compared to last year - a concerning trend that suggests another year of downward college enrollment. How can institutions work to address enrollment challenges? What are strategies …

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Listening To Students: Creative Strategies To Connect & Engage 37:06

3y ago37:06

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As the spring semester wrapped up, faculty and staff expressed concern about disengaged students. Looking to the new school year, what are strategies institutions can use to create opportunities for students to feel heard and valued? How can we foster campus connections leading to student engagement and success? Dr. Dan Maxwell, Interim Vice Chance…

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Creating Connection To Improve Engagement, Retention & Well-Being 46:46

3y ago46:46

46:46

Jessica Gifford has spent her professional career creating supportive learning opportunities for students. An expert on resiliency, Jessica has shifted her focus to the concept of building connections. How can institutions create opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to make meaningful connections? Join us as Jessica shares her insights an…

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Continuing the Conversation: Supporting Black Male Students 54:09

3+ y ago54:09

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The pandemic has spotlighted a concerning enrollment trend in higher education: a decrease in Black male students at U.S. colleges and universities. Dr. Reginald Stroble, coordinator of the Black Male Initiative at Anne Arundel Community College continues our conversation from the fall semester on recruiting and retaining Black male students. Reggi…

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Creating Diverse Teams: Conversations on Leadership 47:02

3+ y ago47:02

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Join us for this next discussion in our Don't Sweat It: The Denise Sweat Conversations on Leadership Series! Dr. Celia Esposito-Noy, Ed.D, the Superintendent/President, Solano Community College District, shares insights from her extensive career in higher education. Celia provides insights on crafting strong and diverse teams as well as sound advic…

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Supporting TRIO Students: Recruiting & Retaining Under-Resourced Students 50:52

3+ y ago50:52

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Declines in enrollment and FAFSA applications from students of color and low-income families are a concerning trend we've seen dominate higher education headlines this academic year. As a result, institutions are grappling with how to best support students from these populations, often the very ones identified for participation in TRIO programs. Li…

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Supporting Black Male Students: Strategies For Recruiting, Supporting & Retaining 52:06

3+ y ago52:06

52:06

The pandemic has shown a spotlight on a concerning enrollment trend in higher education: a decrease in the number of Black male students at U.S. colleges and universities. Dr. Reginald Stroble, coordinator of the Black Male Initiative at Anne Arundel Community College, shares his insights into how institutions can recruit and support Black male stu…

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Creating Equity in Online Learning: Conversations On Leadership 46:18

3+ y ago46:18

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This series is being brought to you in celebration of Dr. Denise Swett and her love, commitment and service to higher education. As a seasoned professional and dear friend, Denise touched the lives of thousands of students and administrators. In this episode, Dr. Jory Hadsell, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Technology Services at the …

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Creating Accessible Communities: Conversations On Leadership 48:30

3+ y ago48:30

48:30

This series is being brought to you in celebration of Dr. Denise Swett and her love, commitment and service to higher education. As a seasoned professional and dear friend, Denise touched the lives of thousands of students and administrators. In this episode, San Lu and Gail Rulloda of Napa Valley College shared their approach to leadership in thei…

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Envisioning The Future Of Higher Education: A Conversation With Phil Hill & Kevin Kelly 46:42

3+ y ago46:42

46:42

Much has been written in the last year examining whether we are at a crossroads in higher education. How has the pandemic contributed to a re-envisioning of higher ed, and will pandemic-fueled change last? In this episode, Phil Hill and Kevin Kelly of MindWires and the PhilOnEdTech blog share what the future of higher education might look like, the…

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Social Impact In Justice, Equity & Inclusion: Conversations On Leadership 48:09

3+ y ago48:09

48:09

In our inaugural episode of our "Don't Sweat It: Denise Swett Conversations on Leadership" series, Dr. Ding-Jo H. Currie, founder, and director of Leadership Institute for Tomorrow (LIFT) at CSU Fullerton joined us. LIFT aims to cultivate and develop leaders who will make a social impact on justice, equity, and inclusion from the ground up. Dr. Cur…