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Kerri Lopp on Helping Students Find Their Path | Central Speaks
By Central Speaks Podcast, September 10, 2026
Central Speaks Podcast: Episode 15
Kerri Lopp on Helping Students Find Their Path
What makes a student feel like they belong at a university? For Kerri Lopp, senior academic success advisor at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), it starts with connection.
In this episode of Central Speaks, Kerri talks with host Alex Greenwood about advising, student success and the work of helping students find a path that fits.
She also shares her own path to UCM, her work with Exploratory Studies and why not having everything figured out right away can be an important part of the college experience.
During the conversation, Kerri also mentions fellow UCM colleague Maggie Segnitz. Listen to Maggie's episode of Central Speaks.
UCM President Roger Best now joins the podcast feed with Front and Central, a quick, regular check-in on what is on his mind for UCM. In five to six minutes, Dr. Best talks candidly about university initiatives, higher education trends and other issues affecting the campus community. Each episode also includes a listener mailbag and a shoutout to UCM faculty or staff doing standout work.
Front and Central currently lives in the Central Speaks feed, so current subscribers do not need to subscribe to anything new.
Listen to the latest episode of Front and Central
Have a question for President Best? Send it to CentralPodcast@ucmo.edu for a chance to hear it answered on the show.
Central Speaks spotlights the dedicated individuals who propel the University of Central Missouri forward. Each episode shares the stories of people who embody UCM's spirit of innovation and service and whose work makes a difference for students, colleagues and the university community.
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Email Alex to nominate a future guest - jgreenwood@ucmo.edu
© 2026 University of Central Missouri. All rights reserved. Central Speaks is a production of the UCM Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications. Hosted by Alex Greenwood, director of university communications. Recorded at KMOS PBS; engineered by Tim Oar.
