Make the Leap

Becoming overwhelmed can happen quietly. You keep showing up to class and work, but your sleep slips, your focus falls apart, and you start telling yourself you just need to push harder. We sit down with Dilyn Szpila, Director of Social Services and Resource Development at Ross College, to name what many college students are carrying and why mental health support can feel out of reach even when it...

We invited three student mothers—Keta, Claribell, and Caroline—to share their stories: pregnancy detours, stacked externship hours after full-time work, and the late-night study windows that keep goals alive. Their stories are tender and tough, grounded in purpose, and full of practical moves anyone can copy. We talk about what actually keeps a parent-student going: childcare that shows up, flexib...

What if your first diploma isn’t an ending, but the start of everything you hoped a career could be? We dive into the real work of turning ambition into action—setting goals that point past a paycheck, finding the specialty that fits, and building a support system that shows up when life gets loud. Marie Aveline, Program Chair for Ross’s Medical Assistant Program, breaks down how early goal-settin...

Persistence isn't just about pushing through minor inconveniences—sometimes it's about walking four miles to work when you can't afford bus fare, studying during lunch breaks, and refusing to let homelessness define your children's future. Meet Keisha, a Ross Dental Assistant graduate whose journey exemplifies what it truly means to persist. As a single mother working two jobs,...

Ever wondered how the United States can better address the homelessness crisis? This episode of "Make the Leap" promises eye-opening insights as we welcome Kelsey Fox, the dedicated Director of Housing and Community Solutions at the United Way in Delaware County, Ohio. Kelsey guides us through her journey from public relations to becoming a passionate advocate for housing stability, shar...

Curious about how a debt-free education could transform the lives of foster children? In this episode of "Make the Leap," Brad Constant, George Grayeb, and Kristen Beal introduce the Ross Last-Dollar Grant for Foster Children, a last-dollar grant initiative that ensures foster children can attend Ross without tuition fees or student debt. Listen as George shares eye-opening statistics ab...

What if the shortage of foster homes could be solved by one inspiring story? Join us as we tackle the foster care crisis, sharing the compelling journey of Beth Dock-Henschen. Learn how a close friend's impact led Beth to open her heart and home to foster children. Her experiences reveal the complexities and emotional challenges of foster parenting, while also highlighting the profound reward...

How do free and charitable medical clinics manage to provide essential healthcare services to millions of Americans with little to no federal or state funding? Join us on this episode of Make the Leap as we uncover the invaluable role these clinics play in our healthcare system. With special guest Mary Lewis, CEO of the Gary Bernstein Community Health Clinic in Pontiac, Michigan, we challenge misc...

How has the value of the Pell Grant evolved from a crucial lifeline to a mere drop in the bucket when it comes to covering today's skyrocketing tuition fees? Join us on Make the Leap as we uncover the historical shifts and present-day challenges faced by low-income students navigating the financial aid landscape. We'll take you back to 1972, when the Pell Grant was introduced, and contra...

Can education truly be a vehicle for social change and equity? Join us on "Make the Leap" as we explore this compelling question with Ronnese McKinney, a fervent advocate for student success and social mobility. Ronnese shares her personal journey and stresses the vital need to view education as a public good, not just a commodity. We'll discuss the historical context of the GI Bill...

Can unequal access to technology create insurmountable barriers for low-income students, further widening the socioeconomic divide? Join hosts Brad Constant and George Grayeb on Make the Leap as we tackle this pressing issue head-on. In this episode, we explore the profound impact of the digital divide on low-income students, particularly in online and hybrid learning environments. With special gu...

Can financial stress and limited resources turn homes into battlegrounds for those already struggling to make ends meet? Listen as we unravel the complex web linking poverty, domestic violence, and health. We spotlight the heightened risks faced by women in disadvantaged groups and dissect how economic disparities in relationships can be weaponized by abusers. Kristen Beal, our insightful guest, d...

Have you ever considered the silent struggles of America's foster children, hidden in plain sight until a dire headline seizes our attention? Together with our passionate guest, Kristen Beal, who has tirelessly worked with juvenile offenders and advocated for child victims, we peel back the layers of the foster care system to reveal the intricate challenges faced by nearly 400,000 young souls...

Host George Grayeb is joined by Rochelle Hoskins to discuss Rochelle's journey to becoming a Medical Assistant, career path after graduation, passion for student success, and desire to help people find the resources they need to succeed. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com  and LinkedIn .

Host George Grayeb is joined by Randy Wassink, a co-leader at Keystone Community Church in Ada, MI. The pair discuss the intersection of religion, education and poverty. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com  and LinkedIn .

Host George Grayeb is joined by Danielle Millman, President at Otter Learning, to discuss the importance of education in overcoming poverty and the education obstacles that impede social mobility. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com  and LinkedIn .

Ross' George Grayeb is joined by Kathy Lueckeman, a higher education professional, Salesforce MVP, and experienced leader in closing the digital divide. The pair discuss multiple aspects and obstacles faced by students lacking digital resources.< We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com  and Li...

One in eight low-income students earns a degree or professional certification. Why is being poor an impediment to getting the education that gets you out of poverty? Join host George Grayeb and guest Micaela Alpers, Chief Business Officer at Career EDGE, as they discuss poverty, education and the struggle the poor have with getting the education they deserve. We’d love to hear from! Send us a mess...

Ross' George Grayeb chats with Tom Netting, an experienced public policy advisor working in higher education legislative and regulatory affairs. The pair discuss student loans, the value of college and options for reform. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com  and LinkedIn .

In this episode, we chat with Ovell Barbee, the Chief Human Resource Officer at Indiana University Health, about the link between education, poverty and health inequality. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com  and LinkedIn .

In this episode our own George Grayeb chats with Ross student Suhir Alejeli, an immigrant from Libya, about her experience and education. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com  and LinkedIn .

In this episode we listen to a conversation between Ross’ George Grayeb and Buddy Hoskinson, the Executive Director for Kentucky’s Unemployment Insurance and Chairman of the Unemployment Insurance Commission under the Kentucky Labor Cabinet. The pair discuss poverty, inequality and incarceration. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following...

In this episode we listen to a conversation between Ross’ George Grayeb and India Tips of ABHES as they discuss India’s background, the role of education in overcoming poverty and other factors that impact social mobility. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com  and LinkedIn .