Coffee with KHEAA is an educational series where our Director of Outreach, Casi Benedict and Assistant Director of Outreach, Brandi Forker, spill the beans on all the financial aid hot topics. Stay tuned for more episodes and more piping hot paying-for-college tea.
Welcome to another episode of Coffee with KHEAA! In this episode, we’re joined by Bill DeBaun and Alessandra Cipriani-Detres from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) to discuss the work being done to expand access to higher education and help more students achieve their college and career goals. From college access and affordability to FAFSA completion and student success, NCAN works with organizations across the country to help remove barriers to postsecondary education. Join us as we explore the importance of connecting students with the resources, information, and support they need to pursue their futures. Thanks to Bill and Alessandra for joining us for a conversation about advancing educational opportunities for students! Learn more about NCAN: https://www.ncan.org/ Subscribe to KHEAA for more conversations, resources and information about higher education and financial aid.
13 Oct 2026
Live from NCAN | Connections, Takeaways & Teamwork
Join Casi Benedict and the KHEAA Outreach team for a special edition of Coffee with KHEAA, recorded live from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) Conference in Las Vegas! Casi is joined by Brandon Brown, Zach Smith and Montanna McClain to recap their conference experience, share their biggest takeaways and discuss what Kentucky is doing to support students on their paths to higher education. From creative ways to boost student engagement and new resources for students to the importance of preventing burnout, the team shares ideas they’re excited to bring back to Kentucky. They also discuss the value of connecting with fellow college access professionals, learning from other states and building relationships that last beyond the conference. For Montanna, the conference app helped turn conversations into lasting connections, earning her a free trip to next year’s conference in Baltimore! Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at NCAN, the power of collaboration and the people who make college access work so meaningful.
8 Oct 2026
College Access, Authenticity & Making an Impact (with Priscilla Grijalva)
What does it really take to stand out in the college admissions process? In this episode of Coffee with KHEAA, Casi and Brandi sit down with school counselor, educational leader, author and college access advocate Priscilla Grijalva to talk about what students and families should know when preparing for life after high school. Priscilla shares insight from her experience as a college admissions reader, including what makes an application stand out, why students should focus on the impact of their experiences, and how to tell their story authentically. The conversation also explores the growing role of AI in college admissions and where students should draw the line between using AI as a tool and allowing it to replace their own voice. Plus, Priscilla discusses her book, 10 Lessons for Postsecondary Access and Building Systems for Underrepresented Youth, her work expanding opportunities for students, and why celebrating every student's path, whether college, career, military service, apprenticeships or other training, matters. And, of course, there’s plenty of coffee talk along the way!
BUY PRISCILLA'S BOOK!
"10 Lessons for Postsecondary Access: Building Systems of Hope for Underrepresented Youth"
Amazon: https://a.co/d/0582hzNK
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/10-lessons-for-postsecondary-access-priscilla-grijalva/1150237071?ean=9798234047403
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
33
Social presence
94
YouTube
0
Engagement
27
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