CCA On the Air

Complete College America
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  • EDUCATION
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Complete College America (CCA) is committed to being a bold voice in the higher education space elevating critical conversations that both actively and passively impact college completion. We find ourselves at a time when the need for these conversations has reached a heightened level of importance. As a convener of thought leaders, CCA's On the Air podcast provides access to the most innovative and effective higher education leaders and advocates through candid conversations. Music by Wataboi from Pixabay

  1. JAN 27

    Getting in the Mud: How Real Connection Transforms Student Success

    Midwest Alliance Engagement Director Nichole Mann speaks with Breana Brown, Program Coordinator at Illinois State University's Stevenson Center, about her journey from first-generation college student to passionate advocate for student success. Breana shares her unique perspective working with both graduate students and first-year undergrads, emphasizing the importance of shifting from a deficit lens to examining how institutional systems can better serve all students. Through powerful personal stories and practical insights, she demonstrates how bringing your authentic self to student success work can create transformative connections and help students recognize their own potential.

    32 min

  2. 12/09/2025

    From Access to Completion: How CollegeBound Foundation Supports Baltimore Students

    In this episode of CCA On the Air, Alliance Engagement Director Jonathan Gowin sits down with two leaders from the CollegeBound Foundation in Baltimore, Maryland: Khala Granville Williamson, Director of High School Programs, and Jennifer Covahey, Director of College Success. They explore how CollegeBound has built a comprehensive "to and through college" model that supports Baltimore City public high school students from college access through graduation. The conversation reveals the power of individualized advising, strategic partnerships, and financial support in driving student success. Listeners will learn about CollegeBound's impressive retention rates, their recent merger with Adelante Latina to better serve Baltimore's Latina students, and the essential ingredients for replicating this work in other communities. Learn more about the CollegeBound Foundation at www.collegeboundfoundation.org.

    24 min

  3. 10/28/2025

    How System Collaboration is Driving Impactful Statewide Postsecondary Targets in Kentucky

    In this episode of CCA on the Air, recorded live at CCA's Data Days convening in Denver, we dive deep into Kentucky's ambitious journey toward its 60 by 30 educational attainment goal. Hear from higher education leaders across the state who are redefining what success looks like by moving away from rigid target-setting toward progress-based benchmarking. In Kentucky, constant communication, transparent data validation, and collaborative processes are driving real results. Learn how they've built trust between state agencies and institutions, aligned KPIs across multiple levels, and leveraged performance funding to support underrepresented student populations. Whether you're working at the state, system, or institutional level, this conversation offers practical insights on building effective data partnerships, measuring what matters, and moving everyone in the same direction. Featuring: Travis Muncie, MS, Chief Information Officer, Data & Advanced Analytics, KY Council on Postsecondary Education Christopher Ledford, PhD, Director, Data and Advanced Analytics, KY Council on Postsecondary Education Melissa Young, Senior Fellow, Communications, KY Council on Postsecondary Education Alicia Crouch, MPP, Vice Chancellor of Research and Policy Analysis, KY Community & Technical College System Cori Henderson, EdD, Associate Director, Institutional Research, Northern Kentucky University Moderated by Carrie Hodge, EdD, Director of Data Analysis, Complete College America Helpful links: Kentucky's 60x30 Goal: http://www.cpe.ky.gov/ourwork/60x30.html Kentucky CPE's Data Center: https://cpe.ky.gov/data/index.html

    40 min

  4. 10/14/2025

    Science As The Next Frontier of Corequisite Support

    Join Nichole Mann from Complete College America as she explores corequisite education in the sciences with Dr. Thomas Dickson from the Ohio Department of Higher Education and Geoff Woolf from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. This episode examines Ohio's Strong Start in Science initiative, which applies successful corequisite models from math and English to introductory biology, chemistry, and anatomy courses. The conversation covers implementation challenges, faculty culture change, and strategies for improving student success in gateway science courses.

    46 min

  5. 09/23/2025

    Accreditation at a Crossroads: Data, Innovation, and the Future of Higher Ed with Dr. Maria Toyoda

    Accreditation sits at the heart of higher education’s promise to deliver value, quality, and opportunity. But in 2025, the landscape is shifting fast, fueled by questions of accountability, the rise of alternative accreditors, and new expectations around data and student success. In this episode of CCA on the Air, we sit down with Dr. Maria Toyoda, the new President and CEO of WSCUC. Together, we explore how WSCUC is using data to drive innovation, the role of accreditation in the evolving higher education landscape, and how accreditors can balance rigorous standards with access, student success, and innovation.

    36 min

  6. 09/09/2025

    More Essential Than Ever - Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success with John Fink

    Join us as we sit down with John Fink, Senior Research Associate and Program Lead at CCRC, and one of the authors of More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success, to explore a decade of research on guided pathways reforms. We'll discuss how state and institutional leaders can implement proven strategies to help more community college students complete their programs on time and graduate career-ready. From accountability for post-completion outcomes to reimagining dual enrollment, discover actionable insights for transforming community college success rates and ensuring students achieve upward mobility through affordable, high-quality education.

    38 min
  7. Pushing the Conversation Forward: Courage in Higher Ed Leadership

    09/02/2025

    Pushing the Conversation Forward: Courage in Higher Ed Leadership

    In this guest episode of the Voices for Justice podcast, host Alyssa Silva speaks with Dr. J. Luke Wood, the ninth president of Sacramento State and a nationally recognized scholar on racial equity in education. Together, they explore what it means to lead with courage during politically charged times, the launch of the nation’s first Black Honors College, and how innovation and resilience are shaping the future of higher education.🎙️ Tune in to hear Dr. Wood’s insights on leadership, equity, and justice and the advice he has for students and early-career professionals striving to create lasting change.

    51 min

  8. 08/26/2025

    What Happens When Knowledge Is Free?

    On this episode of CCA on the Air, we explore the world of Open Education and its transformative impact on student success. Our guest, Lindsey Gwozdz, Assistant Dean of Libraries at the Community College of Rhode Island, brings a dual perspective—as a campus-based practitioner and a regional leader in the open ed movement. Together, we discuss the promise of open education (OE), what it takes to bring OE initiatives to life, and how free, accessible learning materials can drive student success. Guest Contact: Lindsey Gwozdz, lgwozdz@nebhe.org

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Complete College America (CCA) is committed to being a bold voice in the higher education space elevating critical conversations that both actively and passively impact college completion. We find ourselves at a time when the need for these conversations has reached a heightened level of importance. As a convener of thought leaders, CCA's On the Air podcast provides access to the most innovative and effective higher education leaders and advocates through candid conversations. Music by Wataboi from Pixabay

Information

  • Creator
    Complete College America
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Complete College America