Higher Education, Higher Purpose

ACT or SAT? Prepping for Standardized Tests

In this episode of the Higher Education, Higher Purpose podcast, host Phil Cook speaks with Jen Hensen, aka The Goal Digger and a nationally sought after test prep expert specializing in the ACT test. Jen talks about the recent changes in testing and what it means to prospective college students. She also discusses the difference between the ACT and SAT and if a student should take both.
 
“I think it’s really important for families to hear that it is based on what math the student is in.” - Jen Hensen [26:55]
 
What You Will Learn:
[01:49] The latest changes pertaining to testing
[03:33] Initial response to the changes
[06:22] In person vs online testing
[09:07] Why consider taking the standardized tests
[15:48] Responses about merit aid regarding test optional
[17:14] ACT vs SAT
[21:36] Should a student take both SAT and ACT
[24:05] Ways students struggle with standardized tests
[26:38] The timeline to take the tests
[29:11] Resources
 
Resources:
Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org
Email us: Office@naccap.org
Connect with Blueprint: https://myblueprintstory.com/
Visit Jen Hensen’s website: https://jenhensonactprep.com/

Coaching Your Athletic Student Through the Recruiting Process

In this episode of the Higher Education, Higher Purpose podcast, host Phil Cook speaks with Renee Lopez, author, speaker, trainer, and coach. As a seventeen-year coaching veteran, Renee is an expert in the college recruiting process, leadership training and team culture development. She shares why it’s important for the prospective student athlete to communicate with the college coaches and why Christian universities might be the right fit. She also discusses why parents and students should choose a college that passes the broken leg test.
 
“You want to choose a college that, first and foremost, passes the broken leg test. That means an academic fit, a social fit and a financial fit.” - Renee Lopez [12:34]
 
What You Will Learn:
[01:17] Questions that come up more frequently
[04:25] How important is social media for this process
[05:45] Ways to use the coaches to help with the next level
[09:39] Why Christian universities might be the right fit
[11:56] The broken leg test
[18:22] High school athletics vs college athletics
[22:26] Advice for families considering school internationally
[26:05] Remember to have fun
[28:13] Resources
 
Resources:
Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org
Email us: Office@naccap.org
Connect with Blueprint: https://myblueprintstory.com/
Visit Coach Lopez’s website: https://rlopezcoaching.com/
Buy the book, Looking For A FULL RIDE?: An Insider’s Recruiting Guide: https://lookingforafullride.com/
Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentsofhsathleteswantingtoplayincollege/

Communicating With Your Teen During The College Search Process

In this episode of the Higher Education, Higher Purpose podcast, host Phil Cook speaks with Dr. Les Parrott and Dr. Leslie Parrott, New York Times best-selling authors focused on building healthy relationships. They discuss the importance of empathy and mutual understanding when it comes to listening to your kids. They share their own experiences as parents, and tips on how to speak into your children’s lives and connect them with resources as they decide what college they want to attend.
 
“Mutual understanding. There has to be a sense your son, your daughter feels understood in what they are looking for and what they desire… rather than starting with your agenda.” - Les Parrott  [05:55]
 
“Kids need our presence and our guidance. They just don’t need necessarily our control and our helicoptering. The temptation is to go all-in on one extreme or the other but if we have that balance of listening hard, then they’ll want to listen back. So it becomes a shared project.”  - Leslie Parrott [07:10]
What You Will Learn:
[01:32] Les’ background
[02:49] What makes Christian colleges different: community
[05:05] Lifetime friends
[06:47] Communicating with your child about college
[09:11] Dreams vs. Reality
[12:42] Importance of communication
[14:25] Clarifying content
[16:40] The price of character qualities
[18:56] Partnering with your children in the application process
[21:43] YADA
[25:09] How YADA works
[28:33] Making decisions with our children, not for them
[29:00] Les and Leslie’s final thoughts
 
Resources:
Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org
Email us: Office@naccap.org
Connect with Blueprint: https://myblueprintstory.com/Christian Grad Schools: http://christiangradschools.com/

Is It Worth It? Making The Case For Higher Ed. Making The Case For Christian Higher Ed.

In this episode of the Higher Education, Higher Purpose podcast, host Phil Cook speaks with Dr. Gene Habecker, the President Emeritus of Taylor University and author of “The Softer Side of Leadership”, essential soft skills that transform leaders and the people they lead. As a parent and leader, Dr. Habecker talks about the misconceptions about Christian schools and the importance of seeking help and support when choosing a school with your child. He shares many of the factors that are important to consider when deciding between higher education and Christian higher education. 
 
“The audience of one that we celebrate as people of faith is “What is God thinking of you?”, not whether or not it is going to be just about prestige. ” - Dr. Gene Habecker [37:12]
 
What You Will Learn:
[01:33] Stewarding your children’s gifts
[03:49] College: The most formative years
[05:50] Choosing a school as a parent
[07:20] Why are parents reluctant to choose Christian schools
[09:12] Identifying key issues
[10:50] Is forming a Christian worldview important to you?
[12:32] Christian Higher Ed. vs. Higher Ed.
[16:06] Virtual media bias
[18:21] The role of the church
[25:40] Campus networks and relationships
[28:34] Tips for parents
[34:10] The value of compare and contrast
[38:00] What moral climate do you want your child to be shaped by?
[40:15] Partnering with campuses
[43:15] The obstacles and future of Christian higher education
 
Resources:
Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org
Email us: Office@naccap.org
Connect with Blueprint: https://myblueprintstory.com/

Christian Grad Schools

In this episode of the Higher Education, Higher Purpose podcast, host Phil Cook speaks with Dr. Denise Cunningham, Director of Initiatives for NACCAP. Cunningham has over 20 years of experience in higher education and shares how students and families can make an informed decision when pursuing graduate schools. Cunningham founded Christiangradschools.com as a resource to give prospective students a chance to see what Christian grad schools and seminary schools are available to them.
“While education is really important, it is also important to realize we are all the same and God made us and gave us different strengths in different areas. It is just figuring out how to grow those strengths and apply them.” - Denise Cunningham [5:26]
What You Will Learn:
[01:00] Cunningham’s journey in higher education
[03:33] Graduate school decision points
[06:03] The unique experience of Christian grad schools
[07:40] Being an adult student 
[09:18] Finding support while in grad school
[10:44] Struggles while in grad school
[12:09] Encouraging students to utilize resources
[12:56] What is Christiangradschools.com
[13:56] Resources available on Christiangradschools.com
[15:57] Helping students choose a grad school
[17:52] Connection and community in schools
 
Resources:
Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org
Email us: Office@naccap.org
Connect with Blueprint: https://myblueprintstory.com/

Admission trends: Looking Back, Looking Ahead, And The Impact Of COVID.

In this episode of the Higher Education, Higher Purpose podcast, host Phil Cook speaks with Chant Thompson, Executive Director at the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals. Thompson shares his experiences at NACCAP and the changes he has witnessed during his 28 years working in higher education. He discusses his desire to build bridges between universities and families that create enriched outcomes for students and better college experiences.
“There is no reason to rush through your education. There is no reason to short circuit it in any way shape or form. Make the most of it because those years are going to go by pretty quickly.” - Chant Thompson [07:41]
What You Will Learn:
[01:38] What is NACCAP?
[03:00] Higher education today
[03:59] How Christian colleges are different than the public education sector
[06:45] How Higher Education has changed
[08:10] Strengths of Christian colleges and universities
[09:22] How have parents changed in education over the years?
[12:38] Campus visits are critical
[14:32] Working with families and recruiting 
[18:00] The impact of COVID-19 on Christian education
[21:03] The strengths of Christian colleges
[25:19]The future of Test-Optional
[27:40]Financial resources
[30:31]The future of higher education
[32:58] Building bridges to your institution
 
Resources:
Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org
Email us: Office@naccap.org
Connect with Blueprint: https://myblueprintstory.com/