ASCEND Podcast

Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby
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ASCEND Podcast

Are you ready to ASCEND to new possibilities? In this podcast, Dr. Jared Tippets and Dr. Eric Kirby outline why a focus on retention and completion is so important, why previous retention efforts have not always worked, and discuss how we can successfully "ASCEND" to these great expectations. In each episode, we will share innovative ideas, creative initiatives, and best practices and strategies that campuses have used to achieve amazing results. This podcast has intentionally been produced in a quick-tip, bite-sized format where the listener can quickly find ideas, initiatives, and solutions that can be tried on campus today.

  1. 9 FEB

    S2 - E57 - Common Bond Dance (Culture)

    In this episode, we explore how a simple dance became a powerful tradition that unites first-year students and fosters a sense of belonging from the moment they step on campus. Inspired by Purdue University’s Boiler Gold Rush, our First-Year Experience Office introduced the Common Bond Dance—a fun, easy-to-learn routine set to a popular song that students practice before arriving for Fall Orientation. Through video tutorials sent over the summer and spontaneous dance moments throughout Welcom...

    12 min

  2. 2 FEB

    S2 - E56 - Free career assessments (Affordability)

    In this episode, we dive into the shifting priorities of Gen Z when it comes to higher education—focusing on value, relevance, and career outcomes. With a strong preference for practical majors and a desire for tangible returns on their investment, today's students are looking for guidance that connects their education to real-world success. To support this need, we secured funding to offer free career assessments through our Career Center. While a $15 fee may seem minor, we found it to be a ...

    14 min

  3. 26 JAN

    S2 - E55 - Midterm Grade Policy (Data)

    Midterm Grades: A Policy That Drives Student Success" In this episode, we discuss how a student-led initiative transformed our campus by introducing a mandatory midterm grade reporting policy. Prior to this policy, many students were unaware of their academic standing until final grades were posted—when it was too late to make meaningful changes. Thanks to the advocacy of our student-body officers, faculty now submit midterm grades for every student, creating a proactive system for student su...

    10 min

  4. 23 JAN

    S2 - E54 - Expert Session - Dr. Lara Lomicka Anderson (University of South Carolina)

    Co-hosts Jared Tippets & Eric Kirby sit down with Dr. Dr. Lara Lomicka Anderson from the University of South Carolina to talk about a retention strategy on their campus. This episode was recorded at the National Symposium on Student Retention in early November 2024. * The mention or listing of a specific commercial product or service in this episode does not imply endorsement by the editors, nor discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not mentioned.

    12 min

  5. 19 JAN

    S2 - E53 - Texting System about Key Issues (Nudges)

    In this episode, we dive into how a simple, homegrown texting system became a powerful tool for supporting students. While third-party solutions offer robust options for texting and analysis, their high costs prompted us to create an affordable alternative to check in with students and address key issues in real-time. We explain how this system works, including the periodic texts sent to students throughout the semester to gauge how they are doing with a number of risk-factors. Students respo...

    10 min

  6. 16 JAN

    S2 - E52 - Expert Session - Dr. Sharon Rea and Dr. Mike Freel (Bellevue University)

    In this episode co-hosts Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby sit down with Dr. Sharon Rea and Dr. Mike Freel from Bellevue University to talk about retention strategies on their campus. This episode was recorded at the National Symposium on Student Retention in early November 2024.

    10 min

  7. 12 JAN

    S2 - E51 - Thanksgiving dinner on campus.community (Engagement)

    In this episode, we explore an engagement initiative that we've implemented on our campus to ensure that college students who can’t travel home for Thanksgiving have a meaningful holiday experience. Whether they’re international students, out-of-state students, or those with work commitments, many find themselves far from family during this time of year. To address this, we partnered with local community members to host students for Thanksgiving dinner, fostering engagement and belonging.Tune...

    7 min

  8. 9 JAN

    S2 - E50 - Expert Session - Leslie Tod (University of South Florida)

    In this episode co-hosts Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby sit down with Leslie Tod from the University of South Florida to talk about retention strategies on her campus. This episode was recorded at the National Symposium on Student Retention in early November 2024.

    14 min
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    About

    Are you ready to ASCEND to new possibilities? In this podcast, Dr. Jared Tippets and Dr. Eric Kirby outline why a focus on retention and completion is so important, why previous retention efforts have not always worked, and discuss how we can successfully "ASCEND" to these great expectations. In each episode, we will share innovative ideas, creative initiatives, and best practices and strategies that campuses have used to achieve amazing results. This podcast has intentionally been produced in a quick-tip, bite-sized format where the listener can quickly find ideas, initiatives, and solutions that can be tried on campus today.

    Information

    • Creator
      Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby
    • Years Active
      2022 - 2025
    • Episodes
      161
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © 2025 ASCEND Podcast
    • Show Website
      ASCEND Podcast

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