Central Speaks: A UCM Podcast

UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to Central Speaks, the podcast that puts the spotlight on the dedicated individuals who propel the University of Central Missouri forward. On each episode, we delve into the stories of those who embody UCM’s spirit of innovation and service, showcasing the transformative work that redefines what’s possible on our campus and beyond. Central Speaks is all about hearing directly from UCM’s changemakers as they share how they push boundaries and inspire colleagues and students—redefining what’s possible, every day.

  1. 4d ago

    What is Accreditation, and Why Is It Important?

    Accreditation is one of those words everybody nods along to, and few people can define over coffee. In this episode, President Best addresses a question from a UCM faculty member: "What are we doing about accreditation?" He explains what the Higher Learning Commission stamp of approval means to students and employers, what's stirring at the federal level, and who is speaking up for UCM in the rooms where the rules are written. Plus: a preview of the State of the University Address on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in Hendricks Hall (online if you can't make it in person), an invitation to Pastries with the President, and a shoutout to folks who are redefining what's possible. Have a question for President Best? Email centralpodcast@ucmo.edu. He may answer it on a future episode! Visit the show page at https://www.ucmo.edu/news/central-speaks/ and learn more about how UCM redefines what's possible for higher education at ucmo.edu. © 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Front and Central with President Roger Best is a production of the UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications. Produced and engineered by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications.

    What is Accreditation, and Why Is It Important?

  2. Sep 10

    Kerri Lopp on Helping Students Find Their Path

    What makes a student feel like they belong at a university? For Kerri Lopp, senior academic success advisor at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), it starts with connection. In this episode, Kerri talks with host Alex Greenwood about advising, student success and the work of helping students find a path that fits. She also shares her own journey to UCM, her work with Exploratory Studies and why not having everything figured out right away can be an important part of the college experience. During the conversation, Kerri also mentions fellow UCM colleague Maggie Segnitz. Listen to Maggie’s episode of Central Speaks here. UCM President Roger Best now joins the podcast feed with Front and Central, a quick, regular check-in on what is on his mind for UCM. In five to six minutes, Dr. Best talks candidly about university initiatives, higher education trends and other issues affecting the campus community. Each episode also includes a listener mailbag and a shoutout to UCM faculty or staff doing standout work. Front and Central currently lives in the Central Speaks feed, so current subscribers do not need to subscribe to anything new. Listen to the latest episode of Front and Central here. Have a question for President Best? Send it to CentralPodcast@ucmo.edu for a chance to hear it answered on the show. Central Speaks spotlights the dedicated individuals who propel the University of Central Missouri forward. Each episode shares the stories of people who embody UCM’s spirit of innovation and service and whose work makes a difference for students, colleagues and the university community. Subscribe to Central Speaks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoying Central Speaks? Rate us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It takes a few seconds and helps more people find the show. Visit the Central Speaks website Email Alex to nominate a future guest Visit the UCM News Bureau © 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications. Hosted by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications. Recorded at KMOS PBS; engineered by Tim Oar.

    Kerri Lopp on Helping Students Find Their Path

  3. Aug 31

    Rethinking the Value of Higher Education

    Communication is a cornerstone of UCM's continued success, and this new podcast gives the UCM community a short, regular check-in on what's Front and Central on President Roger Best's mind. In our first episode, President Best talks about the value of higher education, and it isn't exactly what many people think. He's got the receipts: earnings data, life expectancy, job placement rates, and a line about lottery tickets you won't forget. Dr. Best also digs into what UCM's own graduates say about their experience — and closes with a shoutout to some of UCM's best. Have a question for President Best? Email centralpodcast@ucmo.edu — he may answer it on a future episode! Visit the show page at https://www.ucmo.edu/news/central-speaks/ — and learn more about how UCM redefines what's possible for higher education at ucmo.edu. © 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Front and Central with President Roger Best is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Produced and engineered by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications.

    Rethinking the Value of Higher Education

  4. Aug 19

    From the Track to the CRM: Jessica Davis Runs the Numbers

    Jessica Davis visited the UCM campus in 2010 and never left. Two degrees later — child and family development, then social gerontology — she now runs the database ⁠behind every graduate and international application⁠, a two-time alum, former track athlete, ten-year staff veteran, newly elected to Staff Council, adjunct instructor on the side, and married to UCM's head strength and conditioning coach. Few who apply to UCM know her name. Everyone who applies benefits from her work. Listen in as we explore the importance of internal motivation, teamwork, and continuous learning in higher education and career development. Subscribe to Central Speaks on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify,⁠ or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoying Central Speaks? Rate us on ⁠Spotify ⁠and ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠. It takes a few seconds and helps more people find the show. Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. © 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Hosted by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠;⁠⁠ engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

    From the Track to the CRM: Jessica Davis Runs the Numbers

  5. May 14

    How UCM Meets the Moment: President Roger Best on the Three C’s

    University of Central Missouri (UCM) President Roger Best joins Central Speaks to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping higher education today, and how faculty and staff can help UCM meet this moment in service to students. The conversation centers on what he describes as the “three C’s”: communication, change and community. President Best shares his perspective on the external forces affecting colleges and universities, the importance of clear and transparent communication, the growing influence of technology and artificial intelligence, and the role of belonging in supporting student success. He also highlights strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and the day-to-day work of helping UCM adapt while staying true to its mission of Education for Service. Throughout the conversation, President Best underscores that student success is not the responsibility of one office, department, or program. It depends on the collective efforts of faculty and staff across the university. And yes, we also get to the bottom of what happened to the pastries at Pastries with the President. Plus, stick around for a Final Fun Fact you won’t want to miss. Learn more about President Best here. Subscribe to Central Speaks on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify,⁠ or wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoying Central Speaks? Rate us on ⁠Spotify ⁠and ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠. It takes a few seconds and helps more people find the show. Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. © 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

    How UCM Meets the Moment: President Roger Best on the Three C’s

  6. May 4

    Susan Smedley on IMC, Storytelling, and Service

    In this episode, Alex Greenwood talks with Vice President for the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications, Susan Smedley, about how IMC supports the University of Central Missouri (UCM) through strategy, storytelling, and service. Susan shares her path from advertising and private industry into higher education, and how that experience shapes her belief in access, opportunity and student success. The conversation also covers IMC’s role on campus, why brand consistency matters, how campus partners can work with IMC more effectively and why early collaboration leads to better results. At its core, Susan says, IMC exists to help UCM tell its stories well while supporting the university’s mission of “Education for service.” Listen in, and be sure to stick around after the credits for a sneak peek at our next episode. Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. © 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

    Susan Smedley on IMC, Storytelling, and Service

  7. Apr 27

    From Undecided to Graduated with Dr. Maggie Segnitz

    In this episode, Dr. Maggie Segnitz, Director of the Success Advising Center at the University of Central Missouri, shares insights into success advising, its role in student achievement, and how it differs from traditional advising. Discover how UCM supports students from undecided majors to graduation and the importance of relationship-building in higher education. Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. © 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson.

    From Undecided to Graduated with Dr. Maggie Segnitz

  8. 11/07/2025

    David Pearce on Government, Education, and Community

    In this Season Three premiere, host Alex Greenwood talks with "the Great Connector," David Pearce, UCM’s Executive Director for Governmental Relations, about his path from politics to higher education advocacy. David breaks down how relationships drive real progress in Jefferson City, recent legislative wins that matter for UCM, and why civic engagement still counts. Listen in to David on the Callis Insights podcast from 2023 here. Visit the Central Speaks website ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.Email Alex to nominate a future guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.Listen on Spotify ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.Listen on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.Visit the updated UCM News Bureau ⁠here⁠. 💡 Have an idea for a future guest? ⁠Email us⁠ with your nomination. © 2025 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted by Alex Greenwood. Recorded at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KMOS PBS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; engineered by Josh Tomlinson. Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html⁠

    David Pearce on Government, Education, and Community
See All (18)

About

Welcome to Central Speaks, the podcast that puts the spotlight on the dedicated individuals who propel the University of Central Missouri forward. On each episode, we delve into the stories of those who embody UCM’s spirit of innovation and service, showcasing the transformative work that redefines what’s possible on our campus and beyond. Central Speaks is all about hearing directly from UCM’s changemakers as they share how they push boundaries and inspire colleagues and students—redefining what’s possible, every day.

Information

  • Creator
    UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications
  • Show Website
    Central Speaks: A UCM Podcast

You Might Also Like