The NSHSS Scholars Connect

The NSHSS Scholars Connect

Listen to NSHSS Scholars Connect podcast episodes featuring student voices, expert insights, and tips on scholarships, leadership, and college success. "Inspiring students to stand out, step up, and take action."

Episodes

October 27, 2026 • 41 mins
High-achieving students are often encouraged to build the strongest resume possible, earn the best grades, take on leadership positions, and keep working toward the next accomplishment. But what happens when achievement starts becoming part of your identity?    In this episode, Sophia Toh joins the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast to explore how students can pursue ambitious goals without allowing accomplishments to define ...
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College costs continue to rise, financial aid policies continue to evolve, and students are facing more choices than ever before. So how can today's students make smart decisions about their future? Matthew Carpenter, Co-Founder of College Aid Pro, joins the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast to discuss the future of financial aid, what families should know about college affordability, and how students can evaluate whether a college is...
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In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with Tony Betton, Jr., an Emmy-nominated media and communications professional, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and Director of Programs & Communications at Usher’s New Look, to explore how personality, passion, and purpose can become the foundation of a meaningful career. From finding his voice as a young person in Atlanta to buildi...

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In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we’re joined by Morgan Vazquez, an Executive Director and Head of Business Management & Planning for Global Talent Acquisition at Wells Fargo and a longtime leader in talent development and campus recruiting. Drawing on years of experience designing recruitment strategies and cultivating pipelines of emerging talent across industries, Morgan reveals wha...

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In a world defined by rapid change, the ability to pivot has become one of the most valuable leadership skills. In this live episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, recorded at Scholar's Day 2026, Sunny Nastase, a seasoned corporate leader and executive coach, shares insights from her journey navigating high-level leadership, transformation, and resilience.

From leading within global organizations to coaching executives wor...

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In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with Eljin Rhymes, an NSHSS scholarship recipient, industrial engineer, and entrepreneur, to talk about what it really looks like to move from college into the professional world.    Eljin shares his journey from being a high-achieving student at Florida A&M University to working in manufacturing and innovation at Owens Corning, while also building his...
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In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with Sheronda Dorsey, a retired CIA C-suite executive, leadership coach, and former Associate Director of Talent, to explore how today’s students can build the skills and mindset needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.   With more than 35 years of experience leading organizational transformation, developing talent at scale, and coaching individuals...
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In part two, the conversation continues by looking ahead to the skills students will need in an AI-driven world. Fabian explains why human capabilities, judgment, emotional intelligence, storytelling, creativity, and adaptability are becoming more important, not less, as technology transforms the future of work. While AI can help identify patterns and process information, it cannot replace human context...

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In part one of this two-part episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with Fabian DeRozario, Executive Director of the NSHSS Foundation and global leadership facilitator, to explore the foundational skills that shape long-term success. Drawing from his experience working with nearly 220 organizations worldwide, Fabian challenges the traditional focus on GPA and accolades, highlighting the importance of communicati...

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In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we’re joined by Will Geiger, the Co-founder and CEO of Scholarships360, to uncover one of the most common questions students ask: What are scholarship reviewers really looking for?    Drawing from years of experience in admissions and scholarship selection, Will breaks down the application process, shares insider insight on how...
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In this episode, we talk with Piper Coffey, VP of Adolescent Clinical Services at Skyland Trail, for Mental Health Awareness Month, to talk about something many students experience but don’t always know how to navigate, what to do when you’re struggling, or when someone you care about is.    From high-pressure expectations to feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or not like yourself, we break down how to recognize wh...
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To kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, we sit down with Tanya M. Odom, an internationally recognized educator, thought leader, and coach, to explore one of the biggest challenges students face during college applications and early career steps: self-doubt. Drawing on her global work in mindfulness, inclusive leadership, and personal development, Tanya shares practical tools to help students recognize their strengths, manage com...

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In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we spotlight Mahdi Rahimi and Nahid Karimi, the founders of EmpowerHer, an initiative aimed at empowering Afghan women through education and mentorship. Both Nahid and Mahdi recount their personal experiences growing up in Afghanistan, facing the challenges posed by the Taliban regime, and their eventual escape to the United States. They discuss how their individual initiatives...

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In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with Latoya Henry and Becca Bullen from the Captain Planet Foundation to explore how students can make a real impact on the environment, starting with simple, everyday actions. 

The conversation breaks down approachable ways students can begin living more sustainably, even if they feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental challenges. From debunk...

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In this episode of NSHSS Scholars Connect, we sit down with Senior Administrator of Scholarships Alexis Anderson to offer students a clear and supportive guide to strengthening their scholarship applications. Alexis begins by giving a quick overview of the variety of scholarships available through NSHSS, designed to support scholars with interests in leadership, service, academics, the arts, STEM, and more. Alexis shares which...

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What does it really take to balance academics, leadership, and life as a high-achieving student?    In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we spotlight three outstanding NSHSS Student Ambassadors, Nainika Manthena, Adaliz Ramirez, and Blaise Bowers, for an honest, relatable conversation about juggling school, leadership roles, and personal well-being.  From managing demanding coursework and extra...
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    In this special episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with Kimberly Hackett, the 2025 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year, to explore what truly helps students thrive, academically, personally, and beyond the classroom.   Drawing from years of experience as an educator and mentor, Kimberly shares practical guidance for students navigating academic pressure, identity, and future planning, as well as insight fo...
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    In this episode of NSHSS Scholars Connect, hosts Leah Mordehai and Nellie Fouksman share their inspiring journey of activism through their organization, Slavic Voice 4 Ukraine. Both students, with roots in Eastern Europe, discuss how their personal histories and experiences motivated them to take action in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. They emphasize the importance of community and cu...
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    In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with Ludvig Nobel to explore the enduring legacy of the Nobel family and what it means for today’s students. While the Nobel name is often associated with extraordinary achievements, this conversation goes beyond prizes and prestige to focus on the values at the heart of the legacy: curiosity, courage, integrity, and contribution. 

    Ludvig shares personal ...

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    In the first episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with James (Jim) Lewis, co-founder of NSHSS, to explore the story, vision, and purpose behind one of the world’s most global and inclusive academic honor societies. From its beginnings 20 years ago to the thriving international network it is today, Jim shares what inspired the creation of NSHSS, what continues to drive its mission, and why community is es...

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