Speaking of College

Amelia Parnell, Ph.D.
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Speaking of College is a show that answers common questions about college. The host, Amelia Parnell, has over 15 years of experience working with colleges and students. The episodes are a good fit for anyone who is curious about how college works and how to navigate the college environment.

  1. Navigating College with Joshua Williams

    04/17/2024

    Navigating College with Joshua Williams

    Speaking of College returns after a long break! In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Joshua Williams about ways to navigate college. Joshua Williams is a Los Angeles-based higher education professional and student development expert. Leading his consultancy, JW1, he focuses on projects around institutional capacity building for colleges, coalition building and organizing, and resource accessibility for disproportionately impacted students. Through JW1, Joshua also develops and champions initiatives that center on community-building to create spaces for diverse groups to share experiences and resources.    Current projects include developing learning communities and providing technical assistance for colleges in the California Community College system. He manages the Real College California Coalition, offering basic needs guidance and implementation support for 94 community colleges. He also provides technical assistance consulting and training for new NextUp foster youth programs.   Prior to launching JW1, Joshua was a Practitioner-Researcher at The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University, where he delivered basic needs coaching and technical assistance training to college personnel nationwide. He also served as the Inaugural Director of the Toro Guardian Scholars (TGS) program at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), providing case management for former foster youth and supporting students’ basic needs. Throughout his time there, he built the TGS program, launched the CalFresh Outreach program, raised funds to support students in need of academic support and emergency aid, and co-designed an app aimed at securing food for students on campus.   He holds a B.A. in Communications from CSUDH and an M.S. in Counseling from California State University, Long Beach, with an emphasis on student development in higher education. JW1 ConsultingJoshua's Social Media LinksInstagramLinkedInX

    44 min
  2. What Are the Benefits of Online Learning?

    04/14/2023

    What Are the Benefits of Online Learning?

    As online learning becomes a more commonplace option for college students, this is a good time to discuss the benefits of the experience. In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Dr. Cristi Ford about the basics of online learning and strategies that students can use to be successful in virtual environments. Dr Ford serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L. She brings more than two decades of cumulative experience in higher education, secondary education, project management, program evaluation, training, and student services to her role. In this role, she offers thought leadership and direction to the academic affairs unit of the organization. Her previous roles have allowed her to have impact in education from secondary and higher education settings as well as the on the international landscape. Her reach has allowed her to focus on building online education in the US and African continent. Dr. Ford was selected by the Online Learning Consortium, as the 2022 OLC Fellow which is the highest professional distinction offered by the association.  She is a tireless advocate for quality online education where she has leveraged her passion and expertise in many realms in the education space. She is known for utilizing her leadership in extraordinary ways to help institutions build capacity to launch and expand online programming through effective faculty development, instructional design and pedagogical practices. Dr. Ford holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of Psychology from Hampton University and University of Baltimore, respectively. Dr. Ford on Twitter D2L Teach & Learn Podcast

    26 min
  3. How Can Students Showcase Their Knowledge?

    03/20/2023

    How Can Students Showcase Their Knowledge?

    In this episode, Dr. P. and guest Helen Chen discuss the many options that students have to showcase their learning online. Helen is a research scientist in the Designing Education Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. She holds an undergraduate degree in communication from UCLA and a PhD in communication with a minor in psychology from Stanford. Helen is a board member for the Association for Authentic, Experiential and Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL) and is a co-author of Documenting Learning with ePortfolios: A Guide for College Instructors and co-executive editor of the International Journal of ePortfolio. She works closely with the Association of American Colleges and Universities and consults with institutions on general education redesign, authentic assessment approaches, design thinking, and personal branding and ePortfolios. Helen's current research and scholarship focus on engineering and entrepreneurship education; the pedagogy of portfolios and reflective practice in higher education; and redesigning how learning is recorded and recognized in traditional transcripts and academic credentials. Helen Chen on LinkedIn

    34 min
  4. What Does a College Board of Trustees Do?

    03/07/2023

    What Does a College Board of Trustees Do?

    College boards of trustees are responsible for helping ensure that students receive the best college experiences possible. In this episode, Alison Griffin and Dr. P. talk about the roles and responsibilities of boards of trustees, including common misconceptions and the ways in which the work of a board can positively impact students.  Alison Griffin is Senior Vice President at Whiteboard Advisors, a mission-driven communications, research, and consulting firm that supports organizations working to advance educational equity and economic mobility. Alison's experience on the implementation side of higher education and workforce development, and as a grantmaker, is reflected in her practical understanding of how policy shapes practice. Her career in postsecondary education policy includes two terms as a policy advisor to the Chairman of the U.S. House of Education and the Workforce, as well as an early career role with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities where she guided state policy development. Alison joined Whiteboard Advisors after leading national engagement, government relations and external affairs for Strada Education Network. Alison believes the solutions to our most pressing education and workforce challenges from access to affordability to the alignment between skills and employment are rooted in thoughtful collaboration among a growing community of diverse voices. As a natural convener and connector across policymakers, impact investors, entrepreneurs, practitioners and employers, Alison is often at the center of moderating conversations and guiding solutions among national and state-level subject matter experts. Alison is a frequent commentator in the media on issues at the intersection of postsecondary education and employment. She is a Forbes contributor and her opinion pieces have appeared in The Hill, The Washington Post and EdSurge. Alison co-leads Whiteboard’s postsecondary education practice from Boulder, Colorado. Appointed by Governor Jared Polis (D) in 2019 to the Colorado Mesa University Board of Trustees, Alison currently serves as chair of the Board. She is the vice chair of the Board of the Colorado League of Charter Schools and served the state of Colorado as a 2020 Governor’s Fellow. Alison holds a masters degree in education from the University of Georgia and graduated with undergraduate degrees in business and psychology from Southern Methodist University. As an avid reader and live music lover, her goal each year is to read more than 52 books and see at least 20 concerts. Alison Griffin on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Forbes Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeColorado Mesa University Got a question about college? Email Dr. P. at amelia@speakingofcollege.com

    32 min
  5. How Can You Develop Healthy Behaviors?

    06/24/2022

    How Can You Develop Healthy Behaviors?

    Healthy behaviors are essential as students manage multiple priorities such as coursework, studying, and social engagements. In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Jonathan Muruako, founder of Fitalyst, about how college students can address their health and wellness in holistic ways. Muruako is a first-generation Nigerian-American who was born and raised in a small town in Mississippi. He attended the University of Pennsylvania as a Gates Millennium Scholar and received a Bachelors degree in Biological Basis of Behavior and completed a Dual Degree Masters in Public Health and Bioethics. He will begin his third Masters program at Penn this fall in Nonprofit Leadership. As mentioned, Muruako is the founder of Fitalyst, which uses college student and campus data to promote student wellness behavior. As a student-entrepreneur, his interests lie at the intersection of wellness, education, and equity. He enjoys reading, exploring new environments, and playing basketball.  Muruako on LinkedIn Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeFitalyst Website Got a question about college? Email Dr. P. at amelia@speakingofcollege.com

    38 min
  6. What Should You Consider After College?

    02/11/2022

    What Should You Consider After College?

    Understanding how college processes work is a good way to prepare for a successful college experience. It is also important to consider some common aspects of college life. In this episode, Dr. P. talks about life after college with Hamza Shittu, a recent graduate who offers great advice about things that soon-to-be college graduates should consider. Hamza is now a podcast producer at Goat Rodeo, a company based in the Washington, DC area. A creative at heart, Hamza has always found ways to express who he is through various forms of media, whether it’s through music, video production, or graphic and web design. Looking forward, Hamza is working toward being a composer for tv and film. He is a firm believer that music can unite and connect others and he aims to inspire others through sound. During the break, Dr. P. describes her new book. The Ask Dr. P. segment features a question about how to prepare a resume if you do not have many or any paid employment experiences. Hamza Shittu on YouTubeHamza Shittu on SpotifyHamza Shittu on Apple MusicHamza Shittu on Soundcloud Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeDr. P.'s new book, You Are a Data Person: Strategies for Using Analytics on Campus Posse FoundationGot a question about college? Email Dr. P. at amelia@speakingofcollege.com

    34 min
  7. Quick Tips for Enjoying a Holiday Break

    12/17/2021

    Quick Tips for Enjoying a Holiday Break

    Quick Tips for Enjoying a Holiday Break  1- Rest if you can.2- Reflect on your good experiences. 3- Repeat your healthy habits.4- Reconnect with your hobbies.5- Remember others.

    3 min
  8. How Does a College Pay Its Bills?

    12/02/2021

    How Does a College Pay Its Bills?

    As we continue to read about the rising cost for students to attend college, now is a good time to also discuss the various costs of operating a college. In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Liz LaPolt Clark about how money flows on a campus. The conversation covers specific sources of revenue, interesting types of expenses, and the many offices that are responsible for making sure a college's financial resources are managed well. Liz is Vice President for Policy and Research at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), a membership organization representing more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the country. Liz is a member of the NACUBO executive leadership group and heads the team responsible for analysis of federal regulatory and legislative actions, research, and communications at NACUBO. She has been widely quoted in the press and is a sought-after speaker on how Washington politics and federal policies impact higher education.  Liz got her start on Capitol Hill in 1999, running Cornell University's first Washington, DC-based federal relations office, and in her career has led federal affairs for the State University of New York (SUNY) System and for Oregon State University. A native of Liberty, NY, Liz is a graduate of Binghamton University (SUNY) and received a Master’s degree from Cornell University. She currently lives in Fort Washington, Maryland. During the break, Dr. P. describes her new book. The Ask Dr. P. segment features a question about how to make new friends. Liz Clark on TwitterLiz Clark on LinkedInLiz's Bio Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeDr. P.'s new book, You Are a Data Person: Strategies for Using Analytics on CampusGot a question about college? Email Dr. P. at amelia@speakingofcollege.com

    31 min
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About

Speaking of College is a show that answers common questions about college. The host, Amelia Parnell, has over 15 years of experience working with colleges and students. The episodes are a good fit for anyone who is curious about how college works and how to navigate the college environment.

Information

  • Creator
    Amelia Parnell, Ph.D.
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Amelia Parnell, Ph.D.
  • Show Website
    Speaking of College