Level Up Academy by Dr. Leyland

Life is full of surprises, hardships, laughter, anger, sadness, challenges, and love. What is constant is our ability to choose our journey. It seems like once we finish one problem in our lives, we get another one and another one. It is our choice to lay down and give up or stand up and face it head-on. Kristy Bowman did just that. She suffered from addiction and lived on the streets for 8 years,...

We have many conversations in this episode about how leadership has evolved in the recent past years. Zavahir talks about how schools need to focus on emotional intelligence and self-awareness programs in the elementary phase before focusing on academics. I talked about how in my class I marry theory and competency-based to engage my students. He talks about how he is intentional in making a diffe...

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Gonzalez on LinkedIn through his high energy daily videos. After talking with him, we created this podcast full of information for both leaders and individuals on how you can level up your self worth. He talks about how to value yourself not by changing your surroundings, but changing your role in people. He talks about his coaching tools on how to overcome mental...

This interview was such a great and productive chat about student engagement and using psychology and communications to help teach students in class and outside. One thing that Professor Dekle said, “how you think really impacts how you talk or behave” got me thinking that we should really be mindful of our thoughts. With what is going on today with our world and our country, it’s easy to get sad...

Living in Chicago and growing up in Chicago is a difficult journey and it's hard for some of us to picture in our head if we don't live there. Much like most of us, when we are younger, we don't have any direction of what we want to be when we grow up. We have an ideal thought, but most of us don't believe in it. Dr. Johnson didn't know what he would want to do. But with mentors and people who bel...

Hello Level up Listeners! Ever wonder how to engage your students in the classroom while providing all the course outcomes? Growing up in Costa Rica and acquiring a degree in Electronic Engineering and working for Intel, this amazing CEO started his simulation company with his 2nd grade best friend and a business partner based on what they saw was a need to innovate. Unlike any business out there,...

Hello Level Up Listeners, Thank you for tuning in today. This is a dream of a young student who wants to make a difference. Her goal is to someday become a congresswoman in California. This young lady was one of my mentee through a mentorship program. In this episode of Level up we have an insight of how one young lady grew up in one of the roughest parts of Los Angeles, California yet she thrives...

Her commitment, determination, and never giving up attitude got her through her cancer treatment, her domestic violence experiences, being a stay-at-home mom, and of course as a student. This episode is full of inspirational ideas, positive attitudes, and tips on how to be a successful student. She shares her time management skills, tools, and ideas on how to stay positive despite all of her adver...

Dr. Hascall has held many leadership positions in his career, including an Industrial Engineer to Campus President and now a graduate professor. He loves to teach because of “the opportunity to learn new perspectives and use new tools and provide tools for the workplace and at home.” He also added his way of engaging students in asynchronous classes. He said, “ I never agree with anybody in the di...

Ever wonder how your classes online/on ground are created? Who creates them? Not all classes are created equal. Today, let’s hear Dr. Hobson’s humble beginnings from a non-traditional student to an MIT ID and Program Manager. What are some of the ways that Instructional Designer (ID) creates/design your curriculum? How long does it take to create a comprehensive curriculum? What about how to test...

There was once a 16-year-old international student away from home. Her goal was to pursue her college degree. She settled in Florida and then 23 years later, went back to school to get her graduate degree. She had a newborn, a 6-year-old, and took care of her mom who suffered from Alzheimer’s. Her mom was a renowned athlete to win the first gold medal and perform with Frank Sinatra. Care to know h...

Dr. Dominika Falsey shared her experiences as a 20 year global professor's change in the Higher Ed community. How does she engage with her students? She believes, "student's like to be challenged". She shares her passion for our military personnel as she aims to make a difference in their lives through higher education efforts. She motivates her students through calmness, flexibility, positivity,...

This episode of level up is about one of my international student who is originally from Nigeria. She has a law degree already, but traveled thousands of miles away to come to America to find a better future for her. Listen to her inspiring and heartfelt story that many of our international students go through to be here and find a better future. Her father passed away, but she can't go home and p...

If you are an entrepreneur, a husband, a father, and a student, this is definitely a great inspirational podcast for you. Oftentimes during our journey called life, we meet people who are able to change our path. Dr. Libell’s journey to get here today consisted of adversity after his divorce. He had the courage to open up, communicate with his professor’s his needs beyond the classroom. Today, Dr....

Becoming a parent pushes you to grow up and mature while learning about your capabilities and limitations. My next episode talks about her journey of changing programs from one school into another school due to the loss of school accreditation for her medical degree. She lost hope and trust in the education industry, but having a baby made her think about her family’s future. Demmi stated, “pursui...

Today more than ever, mental health is important to keep in check. Most people who struggle with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) might not be diagnosed yet. Dr. Hills provides you with tips that help her go through with this disorder and live her full potential and her purpose. She adds tips on how to engage with her students in her classroom and ideas on how to stay inspired and motivated.

An international Published researcher's journey towards her purpose. She started in India and now in America. Her background come from a town in India called Agra to come to America to get a better life for herself and her son. As a researcher and professor, she is giving us tips on how to engage with her students in the classroom, how to stay inspired when times are difficult, and tips for her fe...

I had a pleasure of interviewing one of the many students I had told you from the beginning of this journey. This is her journey and she hopes to inspire and inform other's out there who may be going through a similar situation like hers. Penny's journey as a mom, wife, student, and a passionate employee. Life after being a stay-at-home mom. She hopes to inspire and empower other stay-at-home moms...

I am an immigrant. I couldn't speak English when I came here. How can I possibly inspire others? If I can help be a mentor today coming from a third world country, anyone can. It takes dedication, commitment, and perseverance. I am still on my journey to know my purpose. What is after fear? How do you overcome fear?