Come To Believe: The Podcast

In this episode, CTB's Carlos Martinez sat down with Dr. DeAnna Katey, the Director of Undergraduate Student Programs at the Virginia Tech University College of Engineering. They discuss Dr. Katey's research on first generation student experiences within living-learning communities, including key takeaways on the importance of affordability, community, and mentorship, as well as advice for first gen students, higher ed leaders, and policymakers. We learned a lot from this conversation and we think you will, too!

This episode is a recording of CTB's latest virtual panel, "A Smart Investment: Affordability & Value in Higher Ed," held on Zoom on February 28, 2024. The conversation was hosted by CTB's President & CEO, Steve Katsouros, SJ, and featured special guests: -Paul Tough (NYT Bestselling Author) -Susan Burns (President, University of Mt. St. Vincent) -James Danko (President, Butler University) The conversation began by focusing on Paul's recent journalism on changing perceptions of the value of higher education, followed by a discussion with Jim and Susan about how higher education institutions can improve higher ed's value proposition for students today.

In this episode, CTB's Carlos Martinez sits down with Dr. Kelly Hallberg and Dr. Shantá Robinson of UChicago's Inclusive Economy Lab. They discuss the Inclusive Economy Lab's recent report (co-authored by Dr. Hallberg, Dr. Robinson and other collaborators), "Developing a Best Fit Framework for Postsecondary Success," including the paper's methodological approach, key findings, and its implications for various stakeholders. We learned a lot from this conversation, and we know you will too!

Read the report here: https://urbanlabs.uchicago.edu/projects/developing-a-best-fit-framework-for-postsecondary-success

Learn more about the Inclusive Economy Lab here: https://urbanlabs.uchicago.edu/labs/inclusiveeconomy

In this episode, we discuss the phenomenon of imposter syndrome with Dougherty Family College professor Dr. Noah Gagner. With host Asya Meadows, Professor Gagner discusses what imposter syndrome is, how it affects students of color in postsecondary settings, and what higher ed institutions can do to better understand and address its effects. We learned a lot from this conversation, and we think you will too!

In this episode, we engage in an in-depth discussion about food insecurity among college students and the way it impacts their success with Professor Maureen McCoy from Arizona State University and Mariaton Tate,Assistant Dean for Student Success at Arrupe College. We hear these two leaders’ insights and advice on the scale of food insecurity on college campuses and various ways to mitigate this issue. CTB knows the importance of providing wrap-around support for students and addressing food insecurity is no exception. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

In this episode, CTB's President and CEO Steve Katsouros, SJ, sits down with representatives from the Dream.US, a scholarship program dedicated to supporting undocumented students in higher ed. Steve talks with Dream.US co-founder Don Graham, president Candy Marshall, and past scholarship recipient and Arrupe College alum Mario Bermejo about the history of the Dream.US, its current priorities, and the challenges facing undocumented students today. We learned a lot from Don, Candy, and Mario, and we know you will too!

In today’s episode, we are joined by Brandon Sparkman, Assistant Director of Admission at Arrupe College. Brandon filled us in on the challenge of summer melt and how it affects students in the post-pandemic world. He also shared best practices about how to mitigate summer melt using various tools and services. We learned a lot from Brandon, and we know you will too!

Listen in to a conversation with three members of Butler University's design team that participated in last year's design grant program, facilitated by CTB. Stephanie Hinshaw (Executive Director, Butler Transformation Lab), Makeda Lands (Associate Director of Admissions, DEI), and Callie Wright (Lead Project Manager, Butler Transformation Lab) share their reflections and learnings from last year's design grant programming, as well as some advice for this year's cohort. Enjoy!

In this episode, CTB Communications Manager Asya Meadows sits down with Cristina Alvarez-Ramos, the Coordinator for Arrupe Continuum Initiatives at Loyola University Chicago. They discuss the unique nature of Cristina's role at LUC, common challenges for transfer students at Loyola and other four-year institutions, and the importance of building community on campus. We learned a lot from Cristina, and we think you will, too!

Listen in to an audio recording of CTB’s latest panel discussion "A Cure for Health Disparities: The Importance of Diversity in the Medical Field." The panel began a research presentation by Dr. Kirsten Wilbur on the need for workforce diversity in the health professions. Next, CTB Communications Manager Carlos Martinez facilitated a panel discussion on the importance of representation in the medical field, the role of higher education as a diverse talent pipeline, and which policies can move the needle. Thanks for listening!

Listen in to the second part of a two-part series about the importance of empowerment for women-identified folks within higher education. In this episode, we talk with Stephanie Ramos, an alumna of Arrupe College and a current doctoral student at the University of Illinois-Chicago. We discuss Stephanie's path to studying community psychology, the importance of Latina role models to younger women, and why giving back is such a powerful motivator. Talking with Stephanie left us feeling optimistic about the future, and we think you will agree!

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In celebration of Women's History Month, listen in to the first part of a two-part series about the importance of empowerment for women-identified folks within higher education. In this episode, we talk with Zughey Flores, an alumna of Arrupe College and a current graduate student at Northwestern University. We discuss Zughey's unique pathway to pursuing graduate education, how Arrupe contributed to her journey, the importance of representation to women's empowerment, and much more. We had a lot to learn from Zughey, and we think you will, too!

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Listen in to our conversation about supporting academic achievement in the college classroom with DFC faculty member, Professor Sarah McCann. We discuss Sarah's unique pathway to becoming a faculty member at DFC, the importance of evidence-based instructional practices, common misconceptions about academic rigor, and the importance of enthusiasm as a teaching tool. We left our conversation with Professor McCann feeling inspired, and we hope you do, too!

Listen in to our conversation about belonging in the classroom and on campus with DFC faculty member, Professor Amir Mohamed. We discuss how his personal background led him to higher education, the importance of belonging to academic success, and the importance of other institutions nurturing students' sense of belonging after they leave DFC. We learned a lot from the conversation, and we hope you do, too!

In this episode, we talked to Arrupe College Class of 2020 Alum and founder of the Black Student Union, Egypt Watson, and Arrupe College Clinical Associate Professor of Political Science, Dr. Lavar Pope, who was the BSU's first faculty sponsor. Together, they discuss the origin story of the first Black Student Union at Arrupe College and the importance of belonging to college success.

Listen in to CTB's latest panel discussion on the landscape of mental health at two-year colleges in the United States. The panel will begin with a research presentation by Dr. Sarah Ketchen Lipson on the landscape of mental health at community colleges in the United States, based on findings from the Healthy Minds Study. Then, panelists from Arrupe College will join Dr. Lipson to discuss the importance of supporting students' mental health on community college  campuses and Arrupe's unique institutional approach to meeting students' needs. Finally, we will have time for audience Q&A. We hope to see you there!

Panelists:
Dr. Sarah Ketchen Lipson (Assistant Professor, Boston University)
Sarah Shaaban, MA (Associate Dean for Student Success, Arrupe College)
Ernest Fernandez, LCSW (Social Worker, Arrupe College)
Nicole Sumida, LCSW (Social Worker, Arrupe College)
Abby Bautista, M.Ed. (Arrupe College Alum '17, Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology, Adler University)

Listen in to a session at CTB's latest virtual retreat on wrap-around supports: a conversation with best-selling author Paul Tough. Paul is the author, most recently, of The Inequality Machine: How College Divides Us (previously The Years That Matter Most), published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. His three previous books include the best-selling How Children Succeed, Helping Children Succeed, and Whatever It Takes.

Paul joined CTB's President and CEO Steve Katsouros, SJ for a wide ranging discussion on topics including recent trends in higher education, Paul's experiences visiting Arrupe College, and the importance of institutional commitments to social mobility.

Listen in to a conversation between Steve Katsouros SJ, President/CEO  of Come to Believe, and Eric Immel, SJ, Vocations Promoter for the  Midwest Jesuits and former Associate Dean for Student Success at Arrupe College. Steve and Eric discuss Fr. Immel's earliest memories of Arrupe College, the role of Cura Personalis at Arrupe, the importance of  orientations and retreats to Arrupe's success, and much more!

An excerpt from an interview with Don Graham of the Dream.US, part of our ongoing Design Grant program. The Design Grant provides colleges and  universities with an inside look at the CTB model as they consider replication on their campuses.

Today's episode focuses on credit accumulation—how the rate at which students earn college credits can make a big difference on their trajectories and ultimate success. We were joined by two higher ed experts with recent research in this area. Dr. Taylor Odle is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Odle recently co-authored a report on ‘Credit Accumulation and Completion Rates among First-Year College Students,’ which served as the foundation for our discussion. We were also joined by Dr. Davis Jenkins, a senior research scholar at the Community College Research Center and a research professor in Education and Social Policy at Teachers College. Davis has decades of research experience on topics including credit accumulation and guided pathways.

Students all over the country count on state grants to afford the cost of post-secondary education, but the form and generosity of these programs vary widely from state to state. CTB's latest panel, held on September 8th, 2022, began with a research presentation on the impact of grant aid by Dr. Brent Evans of Vanderbilt University, and then dove into the landscape of state aid to provide greater clarity on how these programs operate, featuring state-level practitioners from Illinois and Minnesota.

Our latest panel featured Dr. Lisette Nieves presenting her research on the importance of employment to students' academic and personal development during college. Then, Steve Katsouros, SJ facilitated a round table discussion with special guests from Dougherty Family College, Arrupe College, and CTB about internships, employer relations, and more!  Finally, we had time for audience Q&A. 

Check out CTB’s third virtual panel discussion "The Cost of Aid: The Burdens of Affordability in Higher Ed" was held on April 4th, 2022 at 5:00 PM EDT. The panel began a research presentation on the challenges of navigating the postsecondary financial aid system by Bridgette Davis of the UChicago Crown School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. Next, CTB President/CEO Steve Katsouros, SJ facilitated a panel discussion on financial aid, equity, and stratification within the field of higher education with special guests from the Noble Network of Charter Schools, Arrupe College, and Loyola University Chicago. Finally, we ended the conversation with audience Q&A on this critically important topic in higher ed.

Check out our conversation with Bridgette Davis, a doctoral candidate at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago, about the burdens associated with the financial aid system in the United States. Bridgette is a two-time Point Foundation Scholar and Institute of Education Sciences Predoctoral Fellow. Her fields of interest include anti-poverty policy and implementation, nonprofit organizations, social inequality, and administrative burdens. Her current project investigates the role of organizational policies and practices in reproducing or challenging racial and economic inequality among youth as they navigate the transition to adulthood.

Perhaps the most critical aspect of the Come To Believe model is the sense of belonging cultivated at each campus. Simply put, belonging is in CTB's DNA. We dive into a discussion focusing on belonging and inclusion within the field of higher education. With presentation from Assistant Professor at UCLA and Director of the Culture and Contact Lab, Dr. Tiffany Brannon.

Check out our conversation with Dr. Tiffany N. Brannon, Assistant Professor of Social Psychology at UCLA and the Director of the

Culture and Contact Lab. Her research examines socio-cultural identities in negatively stereotyped

groups such as African-Americans and Latino/a/x-Americans; and she investigates the potential for these

identities to serve as a psychological resource— one that can facilitate a variety of individual and

intergroup benefits. Her research has been published in top academic journals and she is currently a

member of the editorial board for the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and has been an

elected council member for the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.

A conversation with Dr. Sullivan on the founding of Dougherty Family College, the second CTB model college in the country.

We hope you enjoy our very first panel discussion Hosted by Steven Katsourous, SJ, CEO of Come to Believe.

Along with special guests Chief External Affairs Officer, KIPP NYC, Jane Martinez Dowling, Co-Founder and National Board Chair, OneGoal Jeff Nelson, Deputy Director, UChicago Consortium on School Research Jenny Nagaoka.  

The panelists discuss what has changed and what still needs to be changed in Higher Ed to create more access and success for underserved students.