In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Adam Klepetar, Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at Berkshire Community College, to explore the power of community colleges, holistic student support, and the human side of student success. Adam shares how his own transformational college experience shaped a career dedicated to creating access and opportunity for students. Together, Ben and Adam discuss Berkshire’s remarkable recent growth, the impact of Massachusetts’ free community college initiative, and why investing in advising, mental health, and essential needs support is critical to improving student outcomes. The conversation also dives into leadership, student development theory, AI in higher education, and the importance of preserving human connection in an increasingly digital world. At the heart of the episode is a simple but powerful idea: higher education works best when students feel seen, supported, and connected to a community that believes in their potential.
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In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Adam Klepetar, Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at Berkshire Community College, to explore the power of community colleges, holistic student support, and the human side of student success. Adam shares how his own transformational college experience shaped a career dedicated to creating access and opportunity for students. Together, Ben and Adam discuss Berkshire’s remarkable recent growth, the impact of Massachusetts’ free community college initiative, and why investing in advising, mental health, and essential needs support is critical to improving student outcomes. The conversation also dives into leadership, student development theory, AI in higher education, and the importance of preserving human connection in an increasingly digital world. At the heart of the episode is a simple but powerful idea: higher education works best when students feel seen, supported, and connected to a community that believes in their potential.
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n this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Mark Brainard, President of Delaware Technical Community College, for a powerful conversation about student success, community colleges, and the life-changing impact of accessible education. Throughout the episode, Ben and Mark explore how Delaware Tech has spent the last two decades intentionally improving graduation and completion rates by rethinking how the institution supports students academically and holistically. The episode also explores the long-term impact of Achieving the Dream, the importance of mission-driven leadership, and why community colleges remain one of the most transformational forces in education today.
In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Christine Mangino, President of Queensborough Community College, for a thoughtful conversation about equity, belonging, and what it truly takes to help every student succeed in higher education. As a first-generation college student who began her own journey at Nassau Community College, Dr. Mangino brings both personal experience and institutional leadership to the discussion. Now leading one of the most diverse community colleges in the United States, she shares how Queensborough Community College is building a culture of care that supports students from more than 117 countries and over 80 language backgrounds.
In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Leander “Russ” McDonald, President of United Tribes Technical College, for a powerful conversation about first-generation education, Indigenous student success, and the transformative role tribal colleges play in their communities. A proud descendant of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation and a first-generation college graduate himself, Dr. McDonald shares how his own journey through higher education shaped his leadership philosophy and deep commitment to serving Native students. From overcoming personal challenges to navigating higher education systems for the first time, Russ reflects on the mentors, support systems, and cultural foundations that helped shape his path. Throughout the episode, Ben and Russ explore how United Tribes Technical College supports students through a holistic and culturally grounded approach to education combining strong student support systems, workforce-ready programs, and deep community connection.
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In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Shanna Jackson, President of Nashville State Community College, live from the Dream Conference 2026. With over 25 years in higher education, Dr. Jackson shares how Nashville State is transforming from an access-focused institution to one centered on completion and post-graduation success. From launching a bold Vision 2030 strategy to scaling student support through success coaches and data-driven decision-making, this conversation explores what it truly takes to improve outcomes at scale.
