Transfer students often face unique academic challenges that can go unnoticed in traditional retention efforts. In this episode, Dr. Anna Newsome Holcomb and Dr. Brian Garsh from Georgia Tech share how a redesigned midterm early-alert initiative uses timely data, targeted outreach, and transfer-specific support to identify academic risk and promote student success. Learn how Midterm Progress Reports, advisor- and student-level interventions, and an anti-deficit framework are helping transfer students navigate “transfer shock” and build momentum toward persistence and completion.

In this episode, we discuss the “Long Night Against Procrastination" event, a practical and student-centered approach to tackling one of the most common academic challenges. Drawing on experience from a small liberal arts college, the conversation explores how a single, well-timed evening in the library evolved into a campus-wide tradition supporting hundreds of students at a critical point in the semester.

We unpack how centralized academic support, easy access to campus resources, peer connection, and a fun, low-pressure environment combined to help students make meaningful progress on coursework. This episode offers ideas for creating high-impact, scalable events that foster motivation, community, and academic momentum, even when outcomes are hard to measure.

A valuable listen for learning commons, academic support, and student success professionals looking for practical ways to meet students where they are.

Building a culture of student success doesn’t happen by chance, it requires focus, discipline, and shared accountability. In this episode, we explore how National University uses Quarterly Operating Reviews (QORs) as a powerful, and often overlooked, culture-building practice.

Based on the their write-up in ASCEND To Higher Retention Rates (Vol. 3), “The Unlikely Culture Builder: Using Operating Reviews to Drive Student Success,” this conversation highlights how structured, data-informed reviews align leaders around strategy, create a shared language for student success, and foster collaboration without blame. Listeners will hear how the simple rhythm of “get grounded, get real, get going” keeps student outcomes front and center while turning insight into action.

A practical listen for higher education leaders looking to build a strong culture of alignment, accountability, and a sustained focus on student success.