Pod Engine
Podcast thumbnail for Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast

Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast

Claim This Podcast

by Joliet Junior College

5.0(8 reviews)
24 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
52

Podcast Authority

Beta
FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Pod Engine
Quality56
Social0
YouTube86
Engagement32
Learn more

Podcast Overview

Welcome to the Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast! As the nation’s first community college, Joliet Junior College has played a key role in shaping America’s higher education system. Our rich and beautiful history reaches more than a century into the past, forever connecting generations of alumni. In each episode, we sit down with different alumni to uncover their most cherished memories, hear their inspiring tales, and get their hard-earned wisdom for future Wolves. So, if you’re ready to dive into the roots of our rich history and branch out into the stories that define us, hit that subscribe button and join us on the Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast! For more information, Foundation events, and ways to give or get involved, visit jjc.edu/alumni and follow us on social media.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

8/20/2024

Visit WebsiteAppleView on Apple PodcastsRSS Feed

Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report

See how your podcast performs across key metrics

52

Podcast Authority

Beta
FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Pod Engine
Quality56
Social0
YouTube86
Engagement32
Learn more
8
Excellent Areas
1
Good Performance
10
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
23 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
Show Experience
15 episodes over 1.0 years

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

needs improvement
Publishing Consistency
Every 25 days

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

+16 More Metrics

Unlock comprehensive insights including:

  • • YouTube presence analysis
  • • Social media reach metrics
  • • RSS compliance scoring
  • • Podcast 2.0 features
  • • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report

Detailed Analytics

  • Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
  • Personalized recommendations for each metric
  • Industry benchmarks and comparisons
  • Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring

Growth Strategies

  • Step-by-step action plans for improvement
  • Quick wins to boost your score immediately
  • Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report

See how your show performs across every key metric

Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests

High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.

Secure Sponsorships

Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.

Grow Your Audience

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.

3 verified contact emails on file for Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

See contact details

Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for The Power of ‘Why’: How One JJC Alum Turned Struggles into Success

June 12, 2026

The Power of ‘Why’: How One JJC Alum Turned Struggles into Success

<p>In this episode of the JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis welcomes back a familiar face to the Roots and Branches initiative: Dr. Brian Thompson. A proud JJC alumnus from a family of educators, Dr. Thompson shares his inspiring journey from a wandering student in the 1990s to becoming a Clinical Professor of Economics and Director of Undergraduate Programs at DePaul University, as well as the founder of Black &amp; Essington Solutions. Brian describes how learning the fundamental "why" behind his coursework at JJC propelled him to overcome past academic hurdles, eventually earning his doctorate alongside his wife and launching a highly successful, multi-location martial arts enterprise.</p><p><br>Dr. Thompson discusses his "hands-on" approach to higher education, the continuous global impact of his 2017 TEDx talk, and his deep reconnection with JJC’s Entrepreneurial and Business Center (EBC), where he leads cutting-edge programming in strategy and AI-driven decision-making. He also highlights an exciting new applied learning initiative connecting graduate students with local community staple Rooted in Minooka to uncover fresh market opportunities. Brian concludes by encouraging the next generation of "Future Wolves" to find their unique capabilities, seek strong mentorship, and step confidently into the opportunities meant for them.</p><p><strong>Resources &amp; Links</strong></p><ul><li>To find out more about the entrepreneurial programs and community courses, visit the <a href="https://jjc.edu/jjc-entrepreneur-business-center-getting-started"><strong>JJC Entrepreneurial and Business Center</strong></a></li><li>To watch Dr. Brian Thompson's professional insights on capability and mindset, view his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oetCA5QRDHg"><strong>TEDx Talk</strong></a></li></ul>

Episode thumbnail for From Blueprint to Greenprint: A JJC Alum’s Lasting Impact

May 8, 2026

From Blueprint to Greenprint: A JJC Alum’s Lasting Impact

<p>In this episode of the JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis welcomes JJC alum Maria Anna Rafac, Professor of Architectural Studies and Program Coordinator, who shares her journey from a childhood passion for "boy toys" like Legos and Erector sets to becoming a leader in a male-dominated field. Maria describes how her mother’s insistence on taking high school drafting classes led her to the University of Illinois, where she earned a Master’s in Architecture with a focus on structures as one of the few women in the program. After working for local firms, she returned to JJC in 1997 as an adjunct, eventually becoming a full-time faculty member and launching the Architecture program in 2008.</p><p><br>Maria discusses the challenges of growing the program, her "hands-on" teaching philosophy, and the success of the JJC Summer Camps, which help junior high and high school students discover their path early. She also outlines her leadership in campus sustainability, highlighting the "Circular Economy" and the success of the Repair Cafe, which has fixed hundreds of items through community volunteerism. Maria announces the <strong>Future Architects Scholarship</strong>, a $15,000 initiative she started to help final-semester students cross the finish line, and encourages donors to help endow the fund at <strong>jjc.edu/givetojjc</strong>. She concludes by inviting the community to the next Repair Cafe on October 17 and encourages all "Future Wolves" to follow their hearts and join the JJC community whenever they are ready.</p><p>To find out more about the Romeoville Repair Cafe visit: <a href="https://jjc.edu/campus-life/sustainability/romeoville-repair-cafe">Romeoville Repair Café | Joliet Junior College</a> </p><p>To sign up for one of our fantastic summer camps or programs, visit: <a href="https://jjc.edu/community/continuing-education">Continuing Education | Joliet Junior College</a>  </p><p><br>To support the Future Architects Scholarship or make a gift to the JJC Foundation, visit: <a href="http://jjc.edu/givetojjc">jjc.edu/givetojjc</a> </p>

Episode thumbnail for It Started With a Hello: Belonging, Leadership, and Building Community at JJC

April 3, 2026

It Started With a Hello: Belonging, Leadership, and Building Community at JJC

<p>In this episode of the JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis welcomes JJC alum Rosa Salazar, Manager of Admissions, Recruitment and Operations, who shares how touring JJC and a staff member’s simple “hello” helped her feel welcomed as a first-generation student and inspired deep involvement in clubs, student government, and serving as student trustee. Rosa describes using student surveys, leadership work, and a Kellogg Foundation grant effort that helped launch what became Multicultural Student Affairs. After transferring to the University of St. Francis, she continued working at JJC and has served in multiple roles for 26 years. She discusses recruitment challenges, especially perceptions of community college, and emphasizes cost savings, transfer partnerships, and career programs. </p><p>Rosa outlines JJC’s high school outreach, application and Next Step Days, and encourages students to apply for scholarships at <a href="https://jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college/scholarships">https://jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college/scholarships</a><br> <br>She previews Discover JJC on April 11, 9–noon, featuring campus tours, program showcases, bilingual presentations, and on-the-spot help.</p>

24 total episodes available

Recent guests on Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast

Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.

AJ Graff

Guest

Joe Stalzer

Guest

Jason Rose

Guest

Julie Barr

Guest

See every guest on Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast

Deep-dive analytics for Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast

Sign up to explore

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast?

Welcome to the Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast!

As the nation’s first community college, Joliet Junior College has played a key role in shaping America’s higher education system. Our rich and beautiful history reaches more than a century into the past, forever connecting generations of alumni.

In each episode, we sit down with different alumni to uncover their most cherished memories, hear their inspiring tales, and get their hard-earned wisdom for future Wolves.

So, if you’re ready to dive into the roots of our rich history and branch out into the stories that define us, hit that subscribe button and join us on the Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast!

For more information, Foundation events, and ways to give or get involved, visit jjc.edu/alumni and follow us on social media.

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates bi-weekly.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Information about guest appearances is not available.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.