How BGSU’s Investment in Career Readiness Drives Record Enrollment (feat. Rodney Rogers and Steve Russell)

BSGU President Rodney Rogers and Steve Russell, AVP of Corporate Partnerships and Executive Director of the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections, share how Bowling Green State University continues to shatter records when it comes to enrollment and retention. 

In fact, the 2024-2025 academic year marked the second consecutive year that BGSU has set enrollment records. This year, they welcomed one of their largest and highest-achieving freshman classes in university history, with new student enrollment up 14% compared to fall 2023, and up 22% compared to fall 2022.

BGSU is also seeing impressive success with retention, leading to several notable rankings—including one from The Wall Street Journal, which lists BGSU as the No. 1 University in Ohio for student experience. 

In this episode of the Career Everywhere podcast, host Meredith Metsker talks with President Rogers and Steve about how BGSU’s focus on career readiness and outcomes has driven record enrollment and retention.

 They discuss:

• The state of higher education and why there needs to be an increased focus on career readiness and outcomes
• How BGSU is focusing on career readiness across campus and beyond (including specific strategies)
• What BGSU’s life design approach looks like (and why President Rogers chose that strategy)
• How the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections partners with admissions and enrollment 
• How the career team gathers, analyzes, and distributes student engagement and outcomes data
• How, as a leader, President Rogers communicates his vision and gets everyone rowing in the same direction and committing to career readiness efforts
• President Rogers’ advice for career services leaders who are trying to advocate to senior leadership for more support and resources
• And more

Resources from the episode:

• Rodney’s LinkedIn profile
• Rodney’s email: [email protected] 
• Steve’s LinkedIn profile
• Steve’s email: [email protected] 
• Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections website
• Radbill Center for College and Life Design website

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