Eric Stoller is the vice president of digital strategy at GeckoEngage. You may know him from his articles on Inside Higher Ed, his speaking engagements and his consulting work around digital engagement. He’s always loved doing marketing and public relations, but never wanted to work for an agency. Eric’s experiences in student development services at University of Illinois Chicago and enrollment management at Oregon State University really cemented interest in the intersection of technology and student success. He’s had an incredible and unique journey through the world of higher education. 

Links to cool stuff

• Eric on Twitter
• Eric on LinkedIn
• GeckoEngage

For our final episode of the 2018 season, we chatted with Natalie Williams from Iowa State University. As the academic coordinator for men’s basketball and women’s softball, she monitors and supports student-athletes academically to ensure compliance with NCAA academic eligibility rules and to make sure they maintain their athletic scholarships. In college, she played volleyball so she believes her experience as a student-athlete can help her advisees. She loves how her job deals with both the athletic and academic side. We have a great discussion about the challenges of her job and her plans for the holiday season.

Links to cool stuff: 

• Natalie on Twitter
• Cy the Mascot

Jerry Cherry is the coordinator for student leadership at Appalachian State University. This week, Jerry tells us about what it’s like to mentor and manage students and how he’s stepped in while other positions are being filled at the university. In his spare time (spoiler: he doesn’t have much) he advises NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary) and he and Jackie geek out over OTMs. Everyone reveals their feelings on candy corn, and Jackie learns about ESports.

Links to cool stuff

• Jerry on Twitter
• Jerry on LinkedIn
• E-Sports Earnings

Kasandrea Sereno is the lead academic advisor at the University of South Florida. She is completing her doctorate in higher ed organizational leadership at Vanderbilt University and is the head of My Advisor Says, an independent academic consulting company that helps those who want to go to college. Kasandrea talks with Lougan and Jackie about her doctoral work, advising technology and the importance of the advising relationship to retention and student success. 

Links to cool stuff: 

• Kasandrea on Twitter
• Kasandrea on LinkedIn
• Kasandrea’s Website
• My Advisor Says

It was great having the insightful Kristen Lemaster on the show this week! She works at Vanderbilt University as the program coordinator in the Office of Inclusion Initiatives and Cultural Competence. Kristen works to facilitate trainings on diversity across the campus and works to advise and support the Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students and the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Chinese Association. On the show, we talk about the important work she does and the importance of personal relationships and partnerships across the institution. 

Links to cool stuff: 

• Kristen on Twitter
• Kristen on LinkedIn
• Kristen on Instagram

Peyton Lipscomb is the retention initiatives coordinator at University of West Florida. Her undergraduate advisor in economics suggested her pursue a career a higher education since she loved serving the campus of Mississippi State. She oversees an initiative called Anchor Down for freshmen. Their events are focused around a theme and it issues stickers to professors and students with questions to ignite conversation.

Links to cool stuff: 

• Peyton on Twitter
• Rap and Wrestling Connection Podcast

Brian Keiser is the director of academic advising at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Brian’s path has been a winding one. He originally went to college to study meteorology, and after several changes in major graduated with a degree in communications studies and a master’s in educational psychology. He’s currently pursuing his Ph.D. in child development and early childhood education, which he claims has nothing do with his job. On the show, we discuss Brian’s work leading Bridgeport’s advising and retention efforts that are funded by a Title III grant from the Department of Education.

Links to cool stuff: 

• Brian on Linkedin
• University of Bridgeport Academic Advising Center

Chrissy Montelli is a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts- Amherst earning a Masters of Fine Arts in writing specializing in poetry. By day, she is a graduate assistant for Student Activities as programming counselor for events on campus. Currently, she is working on her thesis, a series of poems that examines mental illness and how it influences relationships. Chrissy decided to pursue her MFA in creative writing after realizing she didn’t want to teach high school English. She loves how sees the growth in the students she advises.

Links to cool stuff

• Chrissy on LinkedIn