The Everyday Scholar

This episode of  Voices in the Field  features Andrew Stern, Director of E-Commerce Project Management at Fanatics Collectibles, who shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at his unconventional path into the sports industry. From internships in minor league baseball to experiential marketing and ultimately e-commerce leadership, Stern emphasizes the value of adaptability, stor...

In this  Voices in the Field  episode, hosts Dr. Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs welcome Jamie Benallo, Associate Principal and Senior Architect at Populous, to explore how sports and recreation facilities are designed with long-term impact in mind. Jamie shares her path into sports architecture and explains how listening to communities, athletes, and stakeholders is central to cr...

In this Voices in the Field episode, hosts Dr. Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs welcome Kerrilyn Curtin, Director of Research at the LPGA and a member of the APUS Sports Management Program advisory council. Kerrilyn walks through her career path – from early experiences at York College (and an unexpected first research opportunity handing out surveys), to a decade at Madison Square Garden, a stin...

In this episode of Voices in the Field, hosts Jim Reese and Britt sit down with Scott MacDonald, Senior Director of Youth Partnerships for the Cleveland Cavaliers, to trace his 20+ year journey in professional sports. Scott shares how a high school job-shadowing experience and a love of sports led him to Ohio University, an internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a formative stint in minor le...

In this Voices in the Field episode, hosts Dr. Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs sit down with Chris Canty, Super Bowl XLVI champion, ESPN radio host, and former University of Virginia standout. Canty reflects on his transition from the NFL to sports media, sharing how building “mouth memory,” staying coachable, and putting in the reps helped him succeed beyond the field.  Canty discusses the...

In this Voices in the Field episode, hosts Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs welcome Kellie Cavalier, VP of Pro Ops and Events at League One Volleyball. She reflects on her journey from global sport experiences and event operations at RFK Stadium to helping build a professional volleyball league that’s reshaping the landscape of women’s sports.  Kellie discusses the unique challenges of launc...

What does it take to run game day at Notre Dame? In this episode of Voices in the Field, hosts Dr. Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs welcome Scott Carter, Notre Dame’s Assistant Athletic Director for Event and Game Management, for a dive into the fast-paced, behind-the-scenes world of college sports.    From scrubbing cleats and dishes in a minor league clubhouse to leading event op...

In this episode, APU’s Jim Reese and Brittany Jacobs sit down with Donte Hewlett, General Manager at Lucky Strike in Durham, North Carolina. Donte shares his unfiltered and deeply human story of rising through the ranks in the sports and food & beverage industries – from grinding in sales for MLB teams to running large-scale food and beverage operations across the country.  With refreshin...

In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer moderates a compelling conversation with Nuno Fernandes, President of American Public University System, and Lori Glover, J.D., Managing Director, Global Strategic Alliances, MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), one of the most prominent AI research laboratories worldwide. The discussion explores the transformative potential...

Dr. Bjorn Mercer chats with APU professor Dr. Chapla Verma about her forthcoming book “Lotus in the Desert-Mahapajapati: A Theravada Nunnery in California,” which explores the challenges and resilience of Theravada Buddhist nuns, particularly those at the Mahapajapati Monastery in California. Verma shares how she became interested in this topic and dives into the struggles these women face in a tr...

What does it take to stand out in today’s digital landscape? In this engaging conversation, Linda Ashar speaks with Wes O'Donnell – military veteran, AMU alum, filmmaker, and director of the social media team at American Public University – about the power of social media in identifying career opportunities. Wes shares valuable strategies for students and professionals to build their professional...

Dr. Bjorn Mercer and Dr. Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson explore the evolving landscape of writing in the era of AI, addressing ethical concerns, student development, and the potential biases of generative language models. Dr. Fisch-Ferguson discusses the complexities of writing education and the importance of maintaining academic integrity and personal voice in an increasingly AI-assisted world. They exa...

In this episode, APU’s Dr. Jim Reese sits down with James DeMeo, a security expert with decades of experience in law enforcement and event security. DeMeo shares his journey from working in law enforcement on Long Island to becoming a consultant and educator specializing in security for sports venues. He dives into the challenges of keeping large crowds safe at stadiums and concerts, emphasizing t...

In this insightful discussion, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer and Dr. Mitch Colver explore the transformative role of generative AI in enhancing lifelong learning and critical thinking. Dr. Colver highlights how tools like ChatGPT serve as valuable aids in distributed cognition, helping individuals process information more efficiently and navigate complex topics in both personal and professional contexts....

More than 25 million people around the world are estimated to be victims of human trafficking. APU’s Dr. Linda Ashar interviews professor Dr. Steve Wynne, an international legal consultant and associate professor, about the non-profit he founded to help combat human trafficking. Learn about Blink3, a nonprofit initiative created to help victims signal for help using a nonverbal SOS by blinkin...

Jon Spencer, Director of Scouting for Real Salt Lake and University alumnus, talks with Dr. Jim Reese and President Nuno Fernandes about his journey to becoming a key figure in Major League Soccer. He discusses the importance of hard work, patience, and determination in building a successful career in sports, highlighting how soccer has evolved in the U.S. over the past decade. Listen to hear...

Recent national attention on systematic social injustices has caused many corporate leaders to take a hard look at their company’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. In this episode, APU business professor Cynthia Gentile talks to Uva Christina Coles, the founder and CEO of  Inclusiva , a consulting firm specializing in workforce inclusion. Learn about the need for companies to crea...

Education will change more in the next 15 years than it has for the last millennium, predicts Nuno Fernandes, President of American Public University System. Hear how technology and innovation – specifically artificial intelligence – could lead to advancements in education not seen since the advent of the printing press. Together with Dr. Bjorn Mercer, Mr. Fernandes contemplates how AI might trans...

Director of Partnership Marketing at the Denver Broncos, Derek Thomas, joins APU’s Dr. Jim Reese today to share his insights from more than 27 years in professional sports. Thomas lays out the facts on everything from climbing the corporate ladder to what goes on behind the scenes during off-season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former GM and current senior advisor for the Oakland Athletics, Billy Beane, shares his insight on the ever-evolving world of professional sports. As a pioneer in the use of data and analytics for managing teams, Beane’s work with the Oakland A’s inspired the book, “Moneyball,” which was adapted for film in 2011. Today, Beane walks Dr. Reese through his decades-long career while answering question...

How do innovation, AI, and corporate sponsorships impact the world of professional motor sports? And why should Sports Management majors try to learn about finance? Chief revenue officer for Richard Childress Racing, Jason Golden, shares all the answers today with APU Sports Management faculty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the top industries for MBA graduates to consider? Is working abroad an option? How is AI transforming job interviews? APU School of Business professor and international speaker, Dr. Bob Barrett, shares his insight with Dr. Linda Ashar.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a career spanning more than three decades, former NBA executive, Tommy Sheppard, shares his wisdom with APU’s Dr. James Reese. Hear his advice for students eager to break into the world of professional sports—and what he has to say about the biggest challenges facing athletes today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AMU’s Dr. Michael Pittaro talks about the high rate of suicide among correctional officers and the need to address mental health issues among criminal justice professionals. It may surprise some that the leading cause of stress and burnout does NOT come from working with dangerous criminal offenders. Learn how transformational leadership can have a huge impact on the health and wellness of correct...

There are more than 100 different specialties in nursing, providing nurses with a variety of career options to pursue. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Assistant Dean and nurse Dr. Stacey Malinowski about her career path and the numerous ways students can pursue a nursing education. Learn about what questions to ask when pursuing a nursing education including acceptance of transfer...