Mentoring Musicians with Kristian Leukert

Episode Summary In this episode, we sit down with a new member of the PUC community whose work bridges music education and student recruitment. As a faculty member in the music department and part of enrollment and marketing efforts focused on music students, our guest shares what it looks like to support students both inside and outside the classroom. We talk about rebuilding the symphonic wind ensemble, navigating today’s recruitment landscape, and the role music plays in shaping confident, connected students—and a vibrant campus culture. What You’ll Hear in This Episode How this dual faculty/recruitment role came to be Restarting a symphonic wind ensemble after a two-year pause Recruiting music students in a shifting higher-ed landscape Music as both a discipline and a transferable skill set Why outreach and collaboration matter for creative programs Why Listen This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how programs are rebuilt and students are supported through collaboration, adaptability, and advocacy. Even if you don’t work in music, the episode highlights how faculty and staff across campus play a key role in helping students thrive.