In this episode of Emerging Voices, Bri Harvie chats with Dr. Allison Ewing-Cooper, Director of Academic Advising for Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona, for a lively conversation about how great advisors are part guide, part coach, and part puzzle-solver. Allison shares her unexpected path into advising, how human development theory shapes her work with students and staff, and why asking the “silly questions” might be one of the smartest things we can do. From mentoring emerging leaders to reflecting on NACADA, leadership, and the art of letting students make their own choices, this episode is packed with wisdom and plenty of moments that will have advisors nodding along.

*Emerging Voices is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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What does it take to grow leaders in NACADA while coaching, writing a dissertation, and building a mentoring network that feels more like a chosen family? In this episode of Emerging Voices, Matt and Bri sit down with mentor Michael Geroux, affectionately known as Mike G, to explore what it really means to guide, connect, and grow within the 2024 to 2026 Emerging Leaders cohort.

From Pod mentoring dynamics to the art of helping leaders focus their fire instead of trying to conquer every goal at once, Mike shares candid reflections on balancing structure with flexibility, ambition with grace, and leadership with humility. The conversation moves from the power of professional connection in NACADA to the realities of pursuing a doctorate while managing a full life. There is real talk about failure, persistence, imposter moments, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.

You will also hear about:

• How mentoring often becomes reverse mentoring
• Why you do not need to “do it all” to make an impact
• The difference between sprinting and persisting in doctoral work
• Building your advising niche without racing anyone else
• Using appreciative education as a leadership framework

*Emerging Voices is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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What happens when curiosity meets courage, mentorship meets momentum, and academic advising meets a doctoral hood? 🎓✨

In this episode of Emerging Voices, Matt sits down with Dr. Sarah Howard for a wide-ranging, honest, and energizing conversation about saying yes to opportunities before you feel “ready,” carving out space for learning in a packed life, and turning professional curiosity into meaningful impact. Sarah reflects on her doctoral journey, her research on advisor engagement, and the winding path that led her to become a mentor, scholar, presenter, and longtime NACADA changemaker.

*Emerging Voices is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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🎙️ Season 2 Is Here 🎉

Matt Markin and Bri Harvie kick off Season 2 of Emerging Voices by turning the mic on…each other! In this behind-the-scenes opener, they focus on professional growth in academic advising through involvement in NACADA and the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). Drawing from recent conference experiences and their own leadership journeys, Matt and Bri discuss how advisors can use professional associations to build community, strengthen skills, and identify pathways for greater engagement.

*Apologies for the audio issues in this episode!

Along the way, you’ll get:

• A mini travelogue of Vegas side quests (Wizard of Oz at the Sphere, kaleidoscope-level trippy exhibits, and the heartbreak of a missed Backstreet Boys moment)
• A peek into Matt’s world of podcasting, poster sessions, and pop-culture-powered professional development
• Bri’s honest take on being “the Canadian voice” in U.S.-centered spaces and how leadership feels from the inside
• The real tea on mentoring: imposter syndrome, connection-building, and why “learning partners” might be the better title

This episode sets the tone for Season 2: less polished podium and more hallway conversations. Welcome back!

*Emerging Voices is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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🎙️ Emerging Voices: Career Confidence with Hayley Harned

In the bittersweet finale of Season 1, Matt and Bri sit down with the ever-delightful Hayley Harned, whose journey from the mountains of Montana to the heart of the SEC is anything but ordinary! 🌟

Join us as Hayley shares her path through residential life, TRIO, and academic advising with a sprinkle of Disney magic, 90s nostalgia, and a dash of self-discovery. From setting professional boundaries to finding joy in the small things (like the perfect corn dog), Hayley reminds us that leadership and laughter often go hand in hand.

Whether you’re a fellow Disney adult, a nostalgic 90s kid, or an advising professional chasing your own magic, this episode will leave you smiling and inspired.

🎧 Tune in, grab your favorite snack, and let’s wrap up Season 1 with heart, humor, and a whole lot of emerging voices!

*Emerging Voices is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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Recorded earlier this year, this episode features Mariela Ramirez who was then Undergraduate Program Advisor in Anthropology at UC Santa Cruz and is now at UC Davis. Matt and Bri chat with Mariela about introvert superpowers (and strategic beach walks), surviving the quarter-system sprint, building a high-impact peer advising program, and how counseling “core conditions” can level-up everyday advising conversations. Mariela also shares her research on campus climate for LGBTQ Latinx students, behind-the-scenes of her first NACADA poster, and practical, kind advice for anyone eyeing the Emerging Leaders Program. Tune in for warmth, wisdom, and plenty of “you’ve got this” energy.

In this episode:

• Quarter-system hustle without burning out
• Peer advisors as student-to-student game changers
• Applying counseling techniques in advising (that actually work)
• Real talk on boundaries, self-care, and calendar blocking
• How to craft a standout ELP application—minus the stress

Hit play, get inspired, and then go do that one brave thing for your students (and yourself) today.

*Emerging Voices is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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🎙️ Empowering Students & Advisors with Aysha Haq

In this episode of Emerging Voices, Matt and Bri sit down with the inspiring Aysha Haq, a passionate advisor and leader with over 25 years of experience in higher education across the U.S. and Canada. From her start at the University of Washington to her current role as Degree Advisor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Aysha shares her journey, her love for helping students find their path, and how she empowers both students and advisors to thrive.

Tune in for stories of unexpected conference connections, what makes advising at a polytechnic so unique (hint: it involves horses 🐎 and cars 🚗), and how football fandom sneaks into her advising philosophy. Whether you’re curious about the NACADA Emerging Leaders Program or just love hearing about advisors who make a difference, this episode is packed with encouragement, laughter, and a whole lot of heart.

*Emerging Voices is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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🎙️ Emerging Voices: From TRiO to Trailblazer – Featuring Aric Faulkner

In this inspiring episode, Matt and Bri sit down with Aric Faulkner, academic advisor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering. From his early days in the TRiO Upward Bound program to teaching ESL and now guiding future engineers, Aric’s journey is all about mentorship, resilience, and paying it forward.

He shares how his experiences shaped his passion for advising, the lessons he’s learned from his special-needs pup 🐾, and why confidence, compassion, and community are the keys to student success. We also dive into his adventures in the NACADA Emerging Leaders Program, his advice for new advisors, and his dreams for the future of academic advising.

If you’re looking for a mix of heart, humor, and hope, this episode will leave you motivated to invest in students!

*Emerging Voices is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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