Student Success Podcast: For Higher Ed Professionals

Anna Mills, a writing teacher at the College of Marin, discusses how A.I. changes the rules for coursework and what faculty can do about it. She maps practical ways to use A.I. for learning and feedback while naming the real risks around privacy, security, and unregulated growth. Key points:• What A.I. agents are and why they matter in education • Where A.I. can help faculty with OER, accessibility, and quick learning tools • Using A.I. for writing feedback inside a human-centered process • Building skeptical A.I. literacy through prompting and pushback • STEM-friendly uses such as comparing explanations and checking reasoning • A peer plus A.I. review workflow with required reflection and metacognition • Academic integrity as a "wicked problem" with tradeoffs not perfect fixes • Detection as a deterrent when paired with student conversations and trust • Course design strategies that increase intrinsic motivation and reduce outsourcing • Communities of practice that give faculty time to learn, test, and share • Looking toward 2030 with concerns about AGI, guardrails, and valuing the human "I like to say, 'A.I. for input and not A.I. for output.' [For example], ask A.I. to explain its reasoning for how it solves a problem, and ask that in two different ways that are contradictory. Then, the student looks at which way makes sense. Do either of them make sense? Using A.I. in ways that push us to be skeptical of it, I think is really valuable for students, especially as it becomes more sophisticated, more plausible. We can bring value by questioning it. You want to prepare for a workplace where students are going work with A.I. You have to be suspicious of A.I. You have to be ready to push back and not accept what it gives you. I favor pedagogical applications that help students practice that and help them build some confidence in relation to A.I." - Anna MillsContinuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Dr. Kevin Walters, president of Allan Hancock College, discusses why the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) metrics miss the real story of community college students. He shares a clearer way using the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond data to count success that includes transfers, certificates, persistence, and the systems that help more students finish. He also unpacks strategies that have increased student success at the college. Key points:• Dr. Walters’ path from first-generation student to community college president• Why IPEDS graduation rates miscount community college outcomes and why the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond data is more accurate• Using outcome data to spark better teaching, retention, and counseling• What unit load reveals about momentum and time-to-completion• Promise scholarships that incentivize full-time attendance• Auto-generated comprehensive education plans as part of guided pathways• Performance-based funding focused on outcomes rather than rates• Building a student-centered culture through stable leadership and teams• Equity gains when completion efforts match the community’s demographics• Expanding local access through Cal Poly degree offerings on the Hancock campus• Practical take on A.I., classroom assessment, and workforce readiness"The most exciting piece of the Richmond Fed data [as opposed to IPEDS) is our success rate is 41%. If you take that, of students that transferred, students that got a degree, students that are still there, students that got a certificate, 41% of those students. Keeping in mind that some of those students had no intention of pursuing a degree, but they were there for the first time. So 41%, that's way better than the IPEDS number--that's down in the 20% range. But it also shows we can improve." - Dr. Kevin WalthersContinuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Dr. Al argues that our society, with its advanced systems, still runs on primitive wiring, which explains today’s fear, cruelty, and attacks on education, science, and expertise. He makes the case that educators are quiet resistors who push the pendulum toward progress through daily, deliberate practice.• educators as stewards who shift norms through practice• human evolution limits against complex systems• manipulation exploits tribal instincts and bias• attacks on higher ed and shrinking research funding• the “stupid epoch” frame for modern cruelty and fear• comfort in naming the epoch and acting locallyYou can subscribe to the show and newsletter on the Continuous Learning Institute link below, and of course on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Dr. Al breaks down how a loud few can distort narratives, stall reform, and make campuses feel toxic while most educators work hard for students. He shows how to replace blanket blame with specific accountability, evidence, and courage so truth can guide decisions.• pattern of toxicity driven by a small few• harm of blanket blame across groups• distortion of messages and weaponized silence• fear, bullying, and misuse of retaliation claims• equity weakened by internal toxicity across identities• shift from group blame to naming behavior• document evidence and gather allies• silence as complicity, courage as a norm• truth as the foundation for student successYou can subscribe to the show and newsletter on the Continuous Learning Institute link below, and of course on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Community colleges lose a staggering number of students before they even show up in official retention data. For this episode, I interviewed Dr. Rita Karam of RAND Corporation. She and her colleagues at RAND examined this often-overlooked group across 15 colleges in California, Texas, and Kentucky. The findings? More than 60% of students are lost between application and census date, with the majority leaving due to a mix of personal barriers and institutional processes.This episode unpacks the research and offers practical steps colleges can take to reduce these losses and re-engage students.Key FindingsEnrollment leakage is real and large: About 10–15% drop after enrolling but before census. Another ~50% are lost between application and enrollment over 60% combined loss.Institutional processes matter: Complex onboarding, unclear handoffs, and overwhelming communication push students out just as much as financial or personal challenges.Financial aid is a critical barrier: Students often don’t realize aid requires a declared major or other criteria. Many are dropped when aid decisions aren’t resolved in time.Students want relational, not transactional, support: They seek caring, transformative relationships with advisors, not one-off transactions.Timing is crucial: Roughly 30% of students enroll within two weeks of term start, overwhelming advisors and limiting the quality of advising.Few colleges systematically track these students: Data systems are fragmented, making it hard to identify where and why students disappear.Key Chapter Makers00:00: Introduction02:45: Why Students Leave Before Census06:20: Institutional vs. Personal Barriers11:10: The Role of Financial Aid in Early Attrition15:30: Communication Breakdowns During Onboarding20:40: Timing Matters: The First Two Weeks26:15: Tracking Students Who Disappear31:00: Effective Re-Engagement Strategies36:20: Rethinking Advising: From Transactional to Transformational41:50: Practical Steps Colleges Can Take Now47:00: Closing Thoughts & Key TakeawaysFor the full transcript and detailed show notes, including ACTION STEPS, visit the episode page.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Artificial intelligence isn't coming for higher ed. It’s already here. In this episode of the Student Success Podcast, I sat down with Brent Warner, a faculty member at Irvine Valley College, to unpack the practical implications of AI for college faculty and students. This wasn't a “robots will replace us” conversation. It was an honest, grounded look at what educators should consider right now.Here are five key takeaway and some action steps to consider:1. Get Curious About How Students Are Already Using AIAction Step:Start class conversations about AI use. Ask students how they’ve encountered tools like ChatGPT. Create surveys or quick classroom polls to understand their experiences and motivations. This opens up a nonjudgmental space to build shared awareness and clarify expectations.2. Carve Out Time to Experiment Without PressureAction Step:Schedule “AI sandbox” time during department meetings or professional development sessions. Use this time to explore tools together, ask questions, and brainstorm how AI might enhance—not replace—teaching. Encourage colleagues to try one small use case, like generating a sample quiz or brainstorming discussion prompts. (Check out the list of resources below that Brent discussed).3. Redesign Assignments to Promote Higher-Order ThinkingAction Step:Identify which assignments can be completed entirely by AI (e.g., generic essays) and revise them to emphasize critical thinking, personal reflection, or real-world application. Consider integrating process-focused checkpoints, like annotated drafts or video reflections, that showcase student thinking along the way.4. Use AI as a Planning Tool, Not a Final ProductAction Step:Leverage AI to support your own workflow. Try using it to generate draft lesson plans, rubrics, or sample prompts. Review and revise with your own expertise. This not only saves time in the long run, but models responsible use for students.5. Stay Equity-Focused in AI IntegrationAction Step:Survey your students on their access to technology and include free or low-barrier alternatives when assigning work. Discuss ethical use of AI and share guidance on navigating bias and misinformation. Include clear policies in your syllabus but most importantly, invite dialogue, not fear.Final Thought:You don’t need to overhaul your course overnight. But small, intentional shifts can build your confidence, and create a more transparent, equitable environment for students navigating AI.Key Chapter Makers00:00: Introduction03:10: Why Faculty Shouldn’t Panic About AI07:35: Students Are Already Using AI13:00: AI in the Classroom19:00: Rethinking Assignments 25:15: Transparency with Students37:00: Conversations and the Learning Process42:20: Be Curious, Be Reflective, Be HumanFor the full transcript and detailed show notes, visit the episode page.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn practical strategies to teach with purpose, innovation, and heart. Let’s get one thing out of the way: Yes, Kelly Spoon is a math faculty member. But no, this isn’t just a “math thing.” Whether you teach biology, sociology, English, or automotive technology, you’ll benefit from what she brings to the classroom. Kelly Spoon of San Diego Mesa College isn’t just teaching derivatives—she’s reshaping how students experience learning itself. In this episode, we translate her powerful practices into actionable strategies any faculty member can use, with a special focus on designing your classroom and professional development around care, curiosity, and continuous improvement.The Student Success Podcast  episode page  includes action steps to achieving 10 key topics she discussed. 1. Reframe "Rigor" to Reflect Learning—Not Compliance2. Let Students Show Their Brilliance, Not Just Yours3. Embrace Productive Struggle with Thin Slicing and Whiteboards4. Redefine Assessment with Standards-Based Grading (SBG)5. Flip the Classroom Strategically6. Foster a Culture of Reflective Teaching7. Redesign PD to Include All Faculty, Even the Resistant Ones8. Close the Loop on Professional Development9. Believe in Every Student—and Show Them They Belong10. Keep Growing, Keep Reflecting00:00: Intro: Welcome and framing: why Kelly Spoon’s approach benefits all faculty, not just math instructors.01:05: Meet Kelly Spoon: Background, teaching at Mesa College, and work in faculty development.02:47: Kindness in the Classroom: Centering students as whole people and honoring their lived experiences and thinking.04:01: Productive Struggle and Student Brilliance: Using the zone of proximal development and student choice in how they demonstrate learning.05:55: Building Thinking Classrooms: How Kelly uses whiteboards, random groups, and thin slicing to foster deep engagement.08:04: Responding to the “No Rigor” Critique: Debunking false dichotomies: lecture vs. active learning, rigor vs. kindness.11:49: Standards-Based Grading: Grading for understanding, not compliance, and letting students grow over time.14:44: Flexible Learning and Reassessment: Using the ESIL framework and allowing multiple attempts to show learning.20:34: Bringing PD to All Faculty: Strategies for engaging resistant faculty through low-stakes, high-interest approaches.25:55: Creating Non-Evaluative Coaching Spaces: Using feedback tools like “Three Ideas” and aspirations for peer observation.32:06: Closing the Loop on Professional Development: Building reflection and iteration into PD to increase its long-term impact.36:30: Addressing Equity Gaps in STEM: Centering student voices and identities in math to foster belonging and growth.43:53: The Power of a Learning Community: How social media and peer influence helped Kelly take risks and evolve as an educator.47:23: Teaching as a Profession: Closing thoughts on the depth, difficulty, and rewards of being a truly reflective teacher.For the full transcript and detailed show notes, visit the episode page.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how geographic distance shapes transfer outcomes, and what colleges can do about it.  When we talk about student transfer success, conversations often focus on GPA, support services, or articulation agreements. But what if one of the biggest factors is something as simple—and as complex—as distance?In this episode of the Student Success Podcast, Dr. Darla Cooper and Dr. Daisy Segovia from the research & planning nonprofit, the RP Group, unpack the findings of their latest research on how geographic distance from a public university significantly affects transfer outcomes for community college students. With over one million students tracked across six years, the data tells a powerful story—one that challenges assumptions and calls for policy, funding, and support changes to level the playing field for students in “university deserts.” While it's a study of California colleges, the methodology and findings can be applicable to all states dealing with this issue.This episode—and the study behind it—reminds us that equity in higher education isn’t just about what’s taught in classrooms or offered in student centers. Sometimes, it’s about how far a student has to go just to get in the door.0:00: Introduction to the "Why" of the Study4:43: The Study on Geographic Barriers11:15: Mapping University Deserts17:42: Who Lives in University Deserts27:20: Impact on Transfer Outcomes38:09: Solutions and Policy RecommendationsFor the full text transcript and detailed show notes, visit the episode page.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn the complex paradoxes of inclusion and discover strategies to navigate and address them effectively.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about successful dual enrollment implementation. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about a study of placement as a catalyst for institutional transformation.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn why labor market data needs to inform changes to the college student experience.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how to inspire and improve outcomes for disproportionately impacted college students. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about successful developmental education reform in English at Onondaga Community College, NY.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about culturally affirming and meaningful assignments.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how to support neurodivergent college students.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Dr. Jesse Stommel unpacks his book, Undoing the Grade: Why We Grade, and How to StopContinuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn practical equitable pedagogy practices to improve student success in higher education.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how to improve accessibility for students and the campus community. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about leadership to support the student success & equity work.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how data can inform action to improve adult learner outcomes.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn why the equity work is everyone's work at the institution. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how kindness translates into equitable teaching practices in higher education.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about the power of humanizing online learning for college students.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about inquiry and action teams and how they help college educators continually improve their craft.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about inquiry and action teams and how they help college educators continually improve their craft.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about inquiry and action teams and how they help college educators continually improve their craft. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about factors that increase the likelihood of African American students transferring to four-year universities.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about the challenges and opportunities of improving equitable outcomes for STEM transfer students.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn why classified professionals play a critical role in student success and college operations.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about research on student success team implementation.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how to create an equitable online learning environment for college students.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how a college significantly improved equitable outcomes in math. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about a highly successful comprehensive First Year Experience (FYE) program.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Lessons learned from history rhythms and the role of higher education.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how community colleges can prepare & support future teachers.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how to address student success during this historic and volatile time.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn strategies to address racial equity and anti-blackness in higher education.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn to improve student success and equity by implementing and measuring “servingness.”Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how college campuses can prepare for the mental health crisis and learn about vaccine clarity. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how California Community College Chancellor Eloy Oakley's community college student experience continues to inform him, why dismantling standardized tests improves equity, what baseball has to do with Guided Pathways, and advice for future higher ed leaders.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about the next evolution of community colleges, how to serve high academic achieving disproportionately impacted students, and the importance of kindness, dignity, and love.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how to support faculty to ensure student success and equity.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about kindness toward students to address student success & equity.Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn about evidenced-based teaching practices to improve student success and equity. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

What we've learned from research on Guided Pathways and student success since Redesigning America's Community Colleges. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts

Learn how to implement college transformational change to improve student success and equity. Continuous Learning Institute:A resource hub for higher education professionals to support college student success. Subscribe for updates.Student Success Podcast Homepage:Access show notes, resources, & transcripts