Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker

What Students Are Carrying with Brittany Blackwell Broussard

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Today’s college students are carrying more than many education leaders realize. In this episode of Z-Rated Success, Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Brittany Blackwell Broussard, Director of Culture and Climate and Psychology Instructor at Northwestern State University, to talk about culture, climate, belonging, empathy, and what it really means to help students feel …

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The Scholar Glow-Up: From Community College to Graduate School

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Community college is not the end of the road. For many students, it can be the beginning of a bigger academic journey. In this episode of Z-Rated Success, Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Dr. Tiffany Paige, Director of the McNair Scholars Community College Program at Jackson State University, to talk about helping students …

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Orientation Is Not a Checkbox with Brittany Jackson

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Brittany Jackson, Director of Orientation and New Student Programs at North Carolina A&T State University. Brittany shares why orientation is not just a checklist or a schedule of events. It is often the first real experience students and …

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Don’t Let Fear Make the Decision: Helping Students Take Action with Bennie Williams

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Z Rated Success, Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Bennie Williams for a powerful conversation about fear, opportunity, student success, and what it means to help students become comfortable being uncomfortable. Bennie brings over 12 years of experience in higher education, student affairs, multicultural education, diversity, equity, and inclusion work, …

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Students Need Advocates and Translators with Robert Johnson

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Wed, 27 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Students are carrying more than many people realize, and education leaders have an opportunity to help them feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow. In this episode of Z-Rated Success, Nick Zizi sits down with Robert Johnson, Executive Director of the Agape Center for Human Dignity at Sacred Heart University, for a powerful conversation on …

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Too Fast, Too Slow: Leadership Decisions That Shape Student Success with Dan La Bar

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Dan La Bar, a seasoned K-12 public charter school leader, to explore how leadership decisions shape student outcomes. Dan shares one of the most practical leadership lessons from his career: too fast, too slow. Move too fast, and …

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Overwhelmed by Options: Amanda Jeppesen on Student Employment, Career Decisions, and Real-World Learning

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Amanda Jeppesen, Student Employment Specialist in Career and Student Employment Services at Western Michigan University. Amanda works closely with students, supervisors, and campus partners to help student employment become more than just a paycheck. In this conversation, she …

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From High School Dropout to Doctorate: Dr. Angell Howard on Leadership, Change, and TRIO

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Dr. Angell Howard went from high school dropout to earning her doctorate. Now she helps education leaders and organizations navigate culture, leadership, and necessary change. In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Dr. Angell Howard, Associate Director of Professional Development and Staff Recognition at Illinois …

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The Key to Building A Culturally Responsive Classroom with Dr. Shonta Smith

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 21:00:00 +0000

Ep #29 – What strategies are you employing as an educator to meet your students’ needs? For your students to be successful, you have to engage different appropriate strategies that work for each of your students. Culturally responsive teaching is using the cultural knowledge, prior experience, and performance styles of diverse students to make learning …

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5 Sure Fire Strategies to Increase Parent Involvement

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 20:00:00 +0000

Ep #28 – Are you frustrated with the lack of parent involvement? In this episode, Nick Zizi shares five sure fire ways you can boost parent engagement. Studies show that students do better when parents are involved in their education. Contact Nick:www.zratedsuccess.com Join our Facebook group for zebra educators here: www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators We lift as we climb.