Tune in! CPE launches podcasts on higher education issues, student advising

May 16, 2022

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education is pleased to announce the launch of two podcasts—Higher Education Matters, featuring a wide range of topics both in higher education and its intersection with workforce development, and Well Advised, focused on timely advising topics for K-12 educators.

The Higher Education Matters podcast will feature leading experts discussing how higher education impacts every aspect of our lives—from the economy to our health to civic engagement and community development. The podcast is hosted by Rick Smith, CPE’s associate vice president of workforce and economic development, and Haley McCoy, executive director of economic development at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

“I’m excited to bring the higher education community in Kentucky together to have discussions around important topics like equity in education, college affordability, workforce development and the P-20 pipeline that have both local and national significance,” said Smith. “We’ll also feature the great work our colleges and universities are doing on the ground to support student success.”

In the first episode of Higher Education Matters, the hosts are joined by CPE President Aaron Thompson to talk about the return on investment of college for both students and the state, Kentucky’s success at closing opportunity gaps and how to connect higher education with the needs of employers.

Episode two centers on diversity, equity and inclusion. The guests are Dawn Offutt, executive director of initiatives for diversity, equity and inclusion at CPE, and Martha Sales, dean of students, assistant vice president of student life and executive director of TRIO Programs and the Intercultural Student Engagement Center at Western Kentucky University.

I’m excited to bring the higher education community in Kentucky together to have discussions around important topics like equity in education, college affordability, workforce development and the P-20 pipeline that have both local and national significance. - Rick Smith, CPE AVP of Workforce and Economic Development

The Council also launched Well Advised, a monthly podcast from CPE’s Kentucky Advising Academy. The academy will host monthly webinars that coordinate with the podcast topic, giving participants the ability to engage with each other on postsecondary advising best practices. Destiny O’Rourke, director of the Kentucky Advising Academy, hosts the show.

We will have great discussions around postsecondary readiness and access topics, including college admissions, financial aid, early postsecondary opportunities, military service, workforce development and more. - Destiny O'Rourke, director of the Kentucky Advising Academy

“Helping students navigate their postsecondary opportunities can be overwhelming,” said O’Rourke. “On the podcast, we will have great discussions around postsecondary readiness and access topics, including college admissions, financial aid, early postsecondary opportunities, military service, workforce development and more.”

The first episode introduces listeners to the Kentucky Advising Academy including its purpose, audience and structure for professional learning.

The Kentucky Advising Academy provides a free comprehensive series of professional learning and resources for school counselors, Family Resource/Youth Service Center coordinators, and all professional educators, as well as flexible opportunities to connect with higher education and postsecondary advising leaders. Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) credit will be available for those who participate in the podcast’s companion webinars.

Both podcasts are available wherever you listen to podcasts.