Scholar Scoop

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
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Welcome to Scholar Scoop! This is where conversations inspire possibilities. Every episode, we speak with people who have changed my life to help you navigate yours. From college, career, to life. Glad you’re here.

  1. Oct 27

    Career Planning Starts Now: Kelli Smith on Resumes, AI, Skills, GPA, and Alumni Networking

    When should students start thinking seriously about their career? According to career services leader Kelli Smith, the answer is earlier than many students realize, and not because students need more pressure, but because early planning can actually reduce stress and build confidence. In this episode of Scholar Scoop, Steve Loflin sits down with Kelli Smith, who works in career services at Binghamton University, to talk about how students can use their college experience to prepare for strong career opportunities. Drawing on years of experience supporting students through the college-to-career transition, Kelli shares practical advice for first- and second-year students, high achievers, and anyone trying to make sense of resumes, recruiting, AI, skills-based hiring, GPA, and networking. Steve and Kelli discuss how the world of work has changed, especially with remote and hybrid work, social media, AI, and shifting employer expectations. But they also talk about what has stayed the same: communication, relationship-building, preparation, and the ability to clearly tell your story. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why career planning should begin before senior yearHow first- and second-year students can build career clarityWhy skills-based hiring matters for today’s studentsHow campus jobs, class projects, student organizations, and part-time work can build real workforce skillsWhat employers are looking for in communication and professionalismHow to use AI as a tool for resumes without losing your own voiceWhy career fairs and employer events are part of the interview processHow much GPA matters, and why it is only one piece of the puzzleHow to reach out to alumni in a clear, respectful, and effective wayWhether you’re a college student, high school student, young alum, parent, educator, or career mentor, this conversation offers practical guidance for navigating the college-to-career transition with more intention. The biggest takeaway? You do not need to have your entire future figured out. But the earlier you start exploring, building skills, asking questions, and making connections, the more prepared and confident you will be when opportunities appear. Check out Kelli's outline of Key Skills Sought in AI Driven Workplace

  2. Oct 13

    What Do You Stand For? Vernon Wall on Values, Leadership, and the College Experience

    In this episode of Scholar Scoop, Steve Loflin sits down with Vernon Wall, a higher-education professional, leadership educator, and longtime student development leader whose work has helped college students and administrators think more deeply about values, purpose, and leadership. Vernon works with LeaderShape, supporting leadership development programs on college campuses, and has spent his career helping students understand that leadership is about relationships, values, action, and the way we show up for others. Steve and Vernon talk about how college can become a testing ground for your values. It is one thing to say you believe in respect, dignity, inclusion, or service. It is another thing to ask what those values actually look like in your residence hall, your classroom, your student organization, your job, or your daily decisions. Vernon also reflects on his experiences with Semester at Sea, first as a student in 1998 and later as Dean of Students for the 2024 voyage. He shares why immersive experiences, whether abroad or within a new community, can help students grow, expand their perspective, and better understand the world around them. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why values matter in college and how they are testedHow reflection and journaling can help students make meaning from their experiencesWhy study abroad and immersive learning can be transformativeHow leadership is both positional and relationalWhy students do not need a title to develop leadership skillsHow campus jobs, recreation centers, student activities, and informal roles can build real-world skillsWhy students should look for leadership opportunities that connect with their values and future goalsHow LeaderShape helps students imagine a bigger vision for the futureWhether you’re a college student trying to find your place, a high school student thinking ahead, a parent supporting a student, or an educator helping young people grow, this conversation is a reminder that college is not just about what you learn. It is about who you become. Learn more about Vernon: https://www.vernonwall.org/ Learn more about LeaderShape: https://www.leadershape.org/

  3. Sep 29

    Finding Your Place in College: UK Student LayLa Davis on Leadership, Belonging, and Getting Involved

    What if the school you didn’t expect to choose becomes exactly where you’re meant to be? In this episode of Scholar Scoop, Steve Loflin welcomes the show’s first current student guest: LayLa Davis, a junior at the University of Kentucky and Vice President of the NSCS National Leadership Council. LayLa shares how she went from being waitlisted at her dream school, Purdue, to accepting a full ride at the University of Kentucky. It became a decision that opened the door to unexpected friendships, leadership opportunities, and a campus experience she never could have planned. Steve and LayLa talk about the fears that come with starting college, from leaving home and living with a roommate to wondering whether you’ll find your people. LayLa also shares how college helped her become a more confident version of herself after spending much of high school quietly watching from the sidelines. As a student leader, LayLa helped lead the University of Kentucky’s NSCS chapter to become the country’s only Diamond Star chapter. In this conversation, she offers practical advice on stepping into leadership, connecting with other students, building relationships with professors, and learning how to show up as yourself. She also opens up about how a running career cut short by injury shifted her drive into the classroom, leading her to pursue computer science, statistics and data science, and AI. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why your “fallback school” might become the right fitHow to find community on a large campusWhy getting involved can help you become more confidentHow students can step into leadership before they feel fully readyWhy treating people like friends can make leadership less intimidatingHow professor relationships can lead to unexpected opportunitiesWhat LayLa learned from turning an athletic setback into academic motivationWhy saying yes can change the way you experience collegeWhether you’re a high school student thinking about where to apply, a college student trying to find your place, a parent supporting a student, or an educator working with young leaders, LayLa’s story is a reminder that college is not only about where you start, it’s about what you choose to do once you get there.

  4. Sep 8

    Replay: How AI is Reshaping College and Career Paths with Anne Balduzzi

    Wondering how AI might change your path through college? In this replay episode of Scholar Scoop, we’re revisiting Steve Loflin’s conversation with AI pioneer and entrepreneur Anne Balduzzi, who’s spent decades at the forefront of innovation with companies like AOL and Apple. Anne shares practical insights into how students can harness AI to gain an edge - whether applying to college, selecting a future-proof major, or landing the perfect internship. She reveals how AI is reshaping industries, what majors might be disrupted, and how you can best prepare for these rapid changes. Plus, Anne offers invaluable tips on navigating privacy, security, and integrity concerns related to AI tools like ChatGPT. If you’re a student, parent, or recent graduate looking for clarity and confidence in the AI-powered future, this episode is your guide to thriving in a quickly changing world. Here’s what we’ll cover: How AI tools can improve your college applications and academic experienceMajors and careers most likely to be transformed by AIPractical AI tools every student should explore todayWhy embracing entrepreneurship and creative thinking is critical for future successTune in and let Anne Balduzzi and Steve Loflin provide some serious insight into how AI can empower your next steps. Learn more about Anne's work and connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balduzzi/

  5. Aug 26

    Replay: Designing a Fulfilling Career with Marlo Lyons

    In this replay episode of Scholar Scoop, we’re revisiting Steve Loflin’s conversation with Marlo Lyons, career coach and author of Wanted → My First Career, a guide designed to help students and recent graduates successfully transition from college to the workforce. Marlo joins Steve to talk about one of the biggest questions students face: How do I start building a career that is not only successful, but also meaningful? Together, they explore how college students can take ownership of their professional journey by identifying their values, interests, and strengths; seeking out internships and volunteer experiences; and learning how to communicate their skills with confidence. This conversation is full of practical advice for students preparing for internships, first jobs, interviews, resumes, and career decisions. It’s also a helpful reminder that your first step after college does not have to define your entire path, but it can help you learn, grow, and move closer to work that fits who you are. In this episode, you’ll hear: How students can begin designing a fulfilling career pathWhy values, interests, and passions matter in career decisionsHow internships, volunteer work, and early experience can open doorsWhat students should know about resumes and interviewsWhy your first job after graduation is a starting point, not a final destinationHow to approach the college-to-career transition with more clarity and confidenceWhether you’re a college student, recent graduate, parent, educator, or career mentor, this conversation offers practical guidance for navigating the transition from college to career with intention. Learn more about Marlo and her book, Wanted → My First Career, at marlolyonscoaching.com.

  6. Aug 4

    You Don’t Need It All Figured Out: Todd Altomare on Networking, Leadership, and Finding Your Path

    What if your first job is not a lifelong commitment, but the first step in discovering what matters to you? In this episode of Scholar Scoop, Steve Loflin sits down with Todd Altomare, faculty member at Arizona State University and advisor to the NSCS chapter at ASU, for a practical conversation about career paths, leadership, networking, mentorship, and the value of staying open to unexpected opportunities. Todd shares how his own journey took him from Boston College to a long career in financial services, then into entrepreneurship, and eventually into the classroom, where he now helps students think more clearly about college, career, and life. Along the way, he learned that meaningful work often comes from paying attention to what energizes you, who you enjoy helping, and how each experience builds the next set of skills. Steve and Todd also talk about why students do not need to have everything figured out before graduation, how to use networking as a real relationship-building tool, and why stepping into leadership roles during college can be one of the best ways to grow confidence before entering the workforce. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why your first job does not have to define your whole careerHow to think about networking without making it feel transactionalWhy students should take people up when they offer to helpHow leadership can be learned through campus involvementWhy saying yes to student leadership roles can build confidenceHow faculty members and mentors can help students navigate what comes nextWhy emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and relatability matter in leadershipHow Todd’s work at ASU is helping students connect life sciences, business, entrepreneurship, and innovationWhether you’re a high school student thinking about college, a college student preparing for your next step, a young alum navigating your early career, or a parent supporting a student, this conversation is a reminder that you do not need a perfect plan to build a meaningful path. Sometimes, the most important thing is to stay curious, build relationships, and be willing to say yes.

  7. Jul 21

    From Dance to Accounting: Jill Mitchell on Career Pivots, Professor Relationships, AI, and Professionalism

    What if the path you planned is not the path that leads you where you are meant to go? In this episode of Scholar Scoop, Steve Loflin sits down with Jill Mitchell, professor of accounting at the University of Virginia, former textbook author, and award-winning educator, to talk about career pivots, student success, and the relationships that can shape your future. Jill shares her winding journey from dance major to MIS student to accountant and professor, including the injury and unexpected career setback that changed her direction. Along the way, she discovered a love for teaching, mentorship, and helping students understand how to navigate college and career with confidence. This conversation is full of practical advice for students, including how to build relationships with professors before you need a recommendation letter, why office hours matter, how to recover when an opportunity falls through, and why professionalism and gratitude can set you apart. Steve and Jill also discuss the role of AI in accounting and education, and why students should focus not only on technical skills, but also on critical thinking, communication, ethics, and human judgment. In this episode, you’ll hear: How a nonlinear career path can still lead to meaningful successWhy students should meet professors early in the semesterHow to ask for recommendation letters professionallyWhat to do when a job offer, internship, or opportunity falls throughWhy AI makes human skills even more importantHow thank-you notes, preparation, and follow-through can strengthen your networkWhy relationships are one of the most valuable parts of the college experienceWhether you’re a college student, parent, educator, or young professional, Jill’s story is a reminder that success is not always a straight line, and that the way you show up, connect, and keep going matters.

  8. Jul 7

    Trust Your Crazy Ideas: Yasmine Arrington Brooks on ScholarCHIPS, Parental Incarceration, and Turning Pain into Purpose

    What happens when a high school student takes one deeply personal experience and turns it into a national movement? In this powerful episode of Scholar Scoop, host Steve Loflin sits down with Yasmine Arrington Brooks, founder of ScholarCHIPS, CNN Hero, and L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth, to talk about transforming the pain of parental incarceration into scholarships, mentorship, and community for young people pursuing higher education. Yasmine shares how her experience with LearnServe International helped her identify a social issue close to her own life: the impact of parental incarceration on children and families. With encouragement from mentors, a seed grant, and a willingness to trust what Steve often calls a “crazy idea,” Yasmine launched ScholarCHIPS in 2012 to support students with incarcerated parents. Since then, ScholarCHIPS has awarded more than $700,000 in college scholarships to 120 students, supported 56 college graduates, and expanded nationally after Yasmine was named a CNN Hero in 2023. In this conversation, you'll learn: How personal pain can become a source of purpose and impactWhy mentorship, community, and encouragement matter for young changemakersThe role of scholarships and support systems in helping students with incarcerated parents succeedHow recognition from CNN Heroes and L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth helped amplify ScholarCHIPS’ missionWhy persistence matters when applying for opportunities, awards, funding, and visibilityHow students can trust their ideas and take action on issues they care aboutThis episode is especially meaningful for students, educators, parents, mentors, and anyone who believes that lived experience can become a force for social change. Yasmine’s story is a reminder that the challenges we carry can become the foundation for helping others, and that one idea, when nurtured with persistence and community, can change lives.

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Welcome to Scholar Scoop! This is where conversations inspire possibilities. Every episode, we speak with people who have changed my life to help you navigate yours. From college, career, to life. Glad you’re here.

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  • Creator
    The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Scholar Scoop
  • Show Website
    Scholar Scoop