Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker

You Belong in the Room: Access, Advocacy, and Student Success with Dr. Alana Simmons

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Many students do not lack ability. They need access, exposure, support, and someone who reminds them that they belong. In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Dr. Alana Simmons, an education leader with more than 20 years of experience across workforce development, correctional …

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AI Literacy, Equity, and Human-Centered Teaching with Kimberly A. Freeman

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:00:00 +0000

AI is changing education, but many educators are still trying to figure out where to begin. In this episode, Kimberly A. Freeman joins Z-Rated Success to discuss how educators can leverage AI without fear, reclaim time, and use technology in ways that support teaching and learning. Kimberly shares why AI literacy matters, especially for ESL …

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Even Resilient Students Get Tired with Hanan Allen

Nick Zizi | Motivational Speaker — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Student leadership is more than a title. It is how students communicate, make decisions, handle conflict, build community, and grow under pressure. In this conversation, Hanan Allen, MPA, Assistant Director of Student Activities at the University of Rochester, shares what she has learned from advising student organizations and supporting student leaders. She discusses the behind-the-scenes …

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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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