The Connected College Podcast with Elliot Felix

What does it mean to be a student leader in college? How does student government work and how do you get involved? When does it complement or compete with your studies? We dig into these questions and more with Macy Trout, a Senior at Temple University who shares her stories of meeting and representing students, building skills, and making an impact.

How can students with children not just survive college but thrive? What can colleges and universities do to support them? Kate Colbert and Dr. Joe Sallustio, authors of Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education, share their insights on these questions from their research and personal experience as students and faculty.

How can you understand yourself and what can that tells you about career paths to explore? What lights you up? Is what you’re pursuing right for who you are so that you can bring your whole self to work? We explore these questions with Carrie Young, the host of the Paths in Progress podcast and a former Executive Director of Academic Affairs and Student Success and Academic Advisor.

How do student success coaches help students and how can you best work with them? Dustin Ramsdell, former success coach and manager of coaches, describes the role of coaches and shares stories from his experience helping students get oriented, connecting them with other services, advising on degree and career planning, navigating new technology and policies, and building confidence and skills – an...

How can your parents help you understand and play to your strengths? What assessments, conversations, or other resources can help with this? We discuss the role of strengths (and discomfort) in the college selection process with Winnie, a leadership development coach, and Sushil, a technology entrepreneur, who talk about their recent experience and how How to Get the Most out of College helped the...

What do you want to be known for at the end of your internship? How will it complement your studies? What special projects can employers give interns to work together on to accomplish something? We discuss these questions and more in this special double episode, Greg Hoffman, author of Emotion by Design and former CMO of Nike, drawing from his own experiences as an intern and the programs he built...

How can students work with faculty on their research and build valuable skills and connections at the same time? How do you find these opportunities and do they need to relate to your classes? Recent graduate Natalie Passov talks about her experience as a research assistant, how she contributed, what she learned, and how this led to an internship and a career.

How can you best get oriented and find support as a first generation student? What can student affairs professionals do to connect with students, normalize getting help, and lead by example? Dr. Angela Simmons, VP of Student Development at University of South Carolina Beaufort discusses these topics and how she uses her background in counseling to help students succeed.

I recently had the opportunity to talk to a first year seminar about designing your college experience. In this 20 minute talk, I share the big ideas from my book: college isn’t just something you navigate – it’s something you create. It’s not just where, but how you go to college that matters. You can use research to make the important decisions about which classes to take or how to get involved....

How can colleges better support First Generation students and what can student do in the meantime? Deana Waintraub Stafford, Director of the Center for First Generation Student Success shares her insights into dismantling and learning higher education’s “hidden curriculum” and encourages students to ask the questions that will help them and others. Here's where you can find the Center for First Ge...

How do you find community as a transfer student during covid lockdown? Andrew, a Senior at Temple University, takes us through his experience finding community online and then on campus. Along the way, he offers lessons in getting involved on campus and in the community through clubs, class projects, and activism. Learn more about The Accountability Initiative. You can find the book How to Get the...

How can transfer and returning students get oriented and feel supported? Randi, the Director of the Transfer and Returning Student Resource Center at Portland State University takes us through how students can’t possibly know all the resources available to them but they can have a go-to person and a go-to space to help them. Learn more about the Transfer and Returning Students Resource Center. Ran...

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is a new opportunity for student athletes. Bill Carter from Student Athlete Insights provides an overview and examples of NIL. He takes us through what students can do to capitalize on it, and shows its benefits beyond finances like developing a personal brand, creating an online presence, and being entrepreneurial.  Here's the Student Athlete Insights referenced in...

What are the different kinds of mentors? What are the different ways to work with them? What role can parents and families play? Award-winning student affairs leader Cedric Howard shares his own journey and his advice on how students can benefit from mentors on everything from reviewing a resume to being a role-model to providing life-changing advice.  Here's the link to the Most Inspiring People...

How can your college application not a chore but instead a way to learn about yourself and make such an impression on a college they can’t wait to meet you? College admissions expert Jennifer Martin takes us through how students can use their essay to do just that, how to build a college list, and balance all the advice students get on college. Here are the links to the website and blog mentioned...

Studying abroad changes your perspective, but many students don’t get a chance to have this experience or don't think it's possible for them. Lizbeth Parra, a student at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) tells her story about studying in Argentina mixing courses, travel, and an internship – and the admin and financial support needed to make it work.  Learn more about the Brightspot Student Advisory...

Why a How to Get the Most Out of College podcast? Interviewing students and experts was a highlight of writing How to Get the Most Out of College. The podcast is a chance to interview people, hear stories, and dive into each tip/topic in detail so students can find their place, people, and path. Elliot welcomes folks to the show and provides clips of upcoming interviews with Dan Maxwell, Ferch San...

How can you not just adjust but thrive as a transfer student? Ferch Sanchez Lopez shares his tips for getting involved, making connections, and giving back. In the process, we learn a lot about what to ask yourself – like how it’s not just who you want be but who you want to be with – and hear about time spent in classes and clubs don’t take away from each other.  Learn about the Mural Board Tool...

When do students feel like they are in their own space - not entering someone else’s - and feeling like they belong? Dan Maxwell, Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs for the University of Houston System takes us through what belonging is, how it's normal for it to take time to feel it, and what students can to do to find it — and what colleges and universities can do to support them. Nation...