CECI Connect

AI tools are everywhere, and so is the pressure to figure out college on your own. In this episode, Melanie sits down with an AI professor to talk honestly about what it means to be prepared for college right now: why tech fluency matters, why it isn't enough, and what gets lost when students avoid both the tools and the people around them. Whether you're just arriving or already a few weeks in, this one is for you.

College feels different than anything you've done before — and that gap between high school and college catches a lot of students off guard. In this episode, Melanie gets specific about what actually helps in your first semester: how to use your syllabus, when to ask for help, how belonging gets built, and why the students who thrive aren't the ones who had it all figured out from day one. Whether you're arriving in the fall or already a few weeks in, this one is for you.

Learning isn't just about information — it's about courage. In this conversation, Melanie and Paul explore the idea that real growth requires two things working together: the empathy to meet something new on its own terms, and the bravery to step into discomfort without knowing what's on the other side. Whether it's a new subject, a new environment, or a new person, learning asks us to reach beyond ourselves — to suspend judgment, sit with uncertainty, and try anyway. When we have the right resources around us, what's left is a choice: will we dare to understand? Guest: Dr. Paul Bylsma is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Counseling and the Graduate Program Director for the CECI M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA). Paul's research utilizes sociomaterial theories to explore teaching, learning, knowledge, assessment, and practice in a higher education context as a complex encounter between people, space, and time. 

For this episode of CECI Connect, Melanie discusses how coordinated care and support works for students facing life, health, and wellness challenges with Katie Perschbacher, Student Care and Outreach Coordinator at Grand Valley State University. Note: This episode contains mentions of subject matter some may find disturbing. -- Skip for sensitive content:  2:29 - 02:33 23:31 – 24:12

For this episode of CECI Connect, Melanie discusses the ways in which a liberal arts education supports education and community-innovation careers with Dr. Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury, Associate Dean for the College of Education and Community Innovation at Grand Valley State University. 

Academic advisors are here to help you make a plan to finish your degree; but, what is degree planning? In this episode of CECI Connect, our host, Melanie, will share a personal story about how degree planning helped her grow her sense of hope and joy throughout her college experience.

For this episode of CECI Connect, Melanie discusses how safety and discomfort impacts the learning process for students in college with Jen Torreano, Director of the Knowledge Market at Grand Valley State University.

Academic advisors are here to help you achieve academic success; but, what is academic success? In this episode of CECI Connect, our host, Melanie, will share a personal story about her journey toward defining academic success for herself.

My Major - What’s your major? What are you majoring in? What are you studying? Did anyone ask you this when you told them you were going to college? Well, our speakers today know a lot about those questions. Our host, Melanie, and Laura, Academic Advisor in CECI, have a candid conversation about how they picked their majors in college, what it meant to them, and what they recommend for others picking or sticking with a major.

My Value - What did you learn? What was it worth? There’s a lot of talk out there about the value and cost of college. It’s definitely an investment, but does it pay back what it promises? In today’s episode, Bree Mann, Director of the CECI Advising Office and our host, Melanie, will discuss what college offered them - what they gained and how they changed because of their choice to go to and graduate from college.

My Choice - In today’s episode, our host, Melanie, and Tom Fellows, Senior Academic Advisor in CECI,  talk to each other about the very real, deep-down reason they went to college, stuck with college, pursued more college, and now even work at a college. They delve into the practical and philosophical heart of their reasons for higher education study and stewardship. 

My Self - Meet Melanie. Laura Kastler, Academic Advisor for Bachelor and Master of social work students, interviews Melanie, our new CECI Connect Podcast host. In this conversation, Laura asks Melanie about “self” – what makes us who we are, and how do we see ourselves?

Welcome to part two of our six-part series: What can I do with this major? In this episode, Tom is joined by Professor Joshua Sheffer from the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. Professor Sheffer is a part of our Legal Studies program at GVSU. He gives us insight into the benefits of our Legal Studies program, popular minors, immersive internship opportunities, and more!  Continue to check in each week to learn the rest of our majors in the College of Education and Community Innovation! To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: @CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor    

In this episode, Bree chats with the director of our newest program, Birth-Kindergarten Education (ED-BK). Dr. Kathryn Ohle provides some great insight into the development of the ED-BK program and the benefits of this curriculum. Listen to learn more about the outline of the program, some potential career opportunities, and our advising resources! Dr. Ohle also shares information on the clinical and experiential learning requirements that provide great benefits for our students. Continue to tune in each week to learn the rest of our majors in the College of Education and Community Innovation! To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: @CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor

Welcome back to the CECI Advising team's six-part series: What can I do with this major?  In this episode, join Trent to learn more about our Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) major. He sits down with the HTM program director, Kristi Jack, and discusses the countless opportunities that exist within this major.  Listen to learn more about the various concentrations in HTM, the internship requirements, and the career outlook in this exciting industry! Kristi also shares some insight on the massive alumni network that exists within our Grand Valley HTM program.  Continue to tune in each week to learn the rest of our majors in the College of Education and Community Innovation! To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: @CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor

This week Laura sits down with the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program Director, Dr. Sally Pelon. Dr. Pelon talks through the secondary admission process of the social work program along with the program requirements. She also touches on the benefits of having a BSW degree, common minors with social work, and internship opportunities in the program! Continue to tune in each week to learn the rest of our majors in the College of Education and Community Innovation! To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: @CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor

Welcome to part two of our six-part series: What can I do with this major? In this episode, Tom is joined by Dr. Patrick Gerkin from the school of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. Dr. Gerkin is the program chair of the Criminal Justice program at GVSU. Tune in as he shares great insight on our CJ major, popular minors, and various program opportunities!  Continue to check in each week to learn the rest of our majors in the College of Education and Community Innovation! To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: @CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor    

Join the CECI Advising team for a six-part series: What can I do with this major?  Trent is starting us out with Professor Quincy Williams and the Public, Nonprofit, and Health administration (PNH) major. Listen to learn more about the various opportunities in PNH, the different emphasis areas, and the program requirements. Professor Williams shares his insights on the career outlook for this major and why this might be a good path for students!  Continue to tune in each week to learn the rest of our majors in the College of Education and Community Innovation! To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: @CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor

Listen in with CECI's graduate assistants, Elizabeth, Nicole, and Obed, as they talk through the course registration process. They offer some helpful tips and important information going into registration. Questions about overrides, waitlists, planning ahead, or delivery methods? Our grads will talk you through all of those details! You are able to register for the Spring/Summer, Fall, and Winter semesters on your registration date. Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor on Navigate if you have any other questions about course registration!  To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: @CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor

Come listen to Bree and our second-year graduate assistant, Elizabeth Clark, and they talk about our very own CECI Peer Mentorship program. The peer mentor program is designed to provide leadership for participants across our undergraduate majors in CECI. Our mentors give support to new GVSU students (First-Year and Transfer Students) as they navigate Grand Valley and learn about their major. In addition, the program’s primary goal is to retain new students by providing a sense of community, professional development, and preparation for post-graduation. To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor  

Join us for our second episode of the CECI Connect Podcast as Bree sits down with two faculty members in the College of Education and Community Innovation to talk about the importance of faculty mentorship. Dr. Kathy Bailey (Criminal Justice) and Professor Gail Zemmol (Hospitality and Tourism Management) share their experiences in their respective fields and discuss how they can serve as a mentor to all of their students.  To learn more about the CECI Advising Center, you can follow us on social media! Instagram: @CECIAdvisor Facebook: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center TikTok: CECIAdvisor

In our very FIRST episode of the CECI Connect Podcast, we welcome you to meet our incredible academic advisors! Bree, Tom, Trent, and Laura work as our full-time advising staff and share a bit about their path to GVSU.