The NSHSS Scholars Connect

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 worldwide, Sunny brings a unique perspective on how to stay grounded while adapting to uncertainty. Join us as she explores how young leaders can build resilience, embrace change, and make confident decisions even when the path forward isn’t clear. Featuring a live Q&A with students and families, this session offers practical advice and inspiration for the next generation of changemakers.

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 own Black-owned business, E3 Essentials LLC. Drawing from his experiences as a scholar, leader, and entrepreneur, Eljin offers practical advice on preparing for the workforce, navigating imposter syndrome, translating academic skills into real-world impact, and balancing professional growth with purpose. 
 
This conversation is designed for students preparing to enter internships, full-time roles, or early career paths, as well as the families and educators supporting them. Listeners will walk away with honest insights, relatable lessons, and actionable strategies to approach the next chapter with confidence and clarity. 
 

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 through complex career moments, Sheronda shares a grounded, practical perspective on the future of work.
 
She breaks down what students actually need to thrive, from adaptability and emotional intelligence to strategic self-awareness, resilience, and collaboration. Whether you’re applying to college, preparing for internships, entering the job market, or unsure where to start, this conversation offers clear next steps to help you stand out and stay future-ready.

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, ethics, lived experience, or meaningful connection. This second episode builds on Part One by showing students how to strengthen their unique human edge, lead with confidence, and stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.
 
Learn more about the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) by visiting nshss.org. 

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 communication, relationship-building, and critical thinking. He also addresses the pressure many high-achieving students face, offering practical insight on recognizing burnout and maintaining mental well-being. This conversation invites listeners to redefine success and begin building the interpersonal skills that matter far beyond the classroom.
Learn more about the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) by visiting nshss.org. 

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 decisions are made, and offers clear, actionable advice to help students stand out in a competitive pool. 
 
We’ll explore what makes a compelling essay, how to showcase impact even with limited experience, and the qualities that make scholarship committees take notice. This episode is a practical roadmap for students who want to build confidence in their applications and for parents and educators who want to support them more effectively.
 
Check out Scholarships360 at https://scholarships360.org/
Learn more about NSHSS scholarships at https://www.nshss.org/scholarships/ 

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 when something’s off and what steps you can take next. We also talk about how to support a friend without taking on everything yourself, and when it’s time to involve a trusted adult or seek additional help. 
 
This conversation is designed to be real, practical, and supportive. So whether you’re going through something right now or want to be there for someone else, you’ll leave with tools, clarity, and a reminder that you don’t have to figure it all out alone. 
 
Resources:  
Skyland Trail - https://skylandtrail.org 
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org 

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 comparison, build confidence, and approach opportunities with clarity and courage. This conversation is designed for students navigating applications, interviews, and big decisions, as well as the families and educators who support them. 

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 evolved into Empower Her, which now provides online workshops and mentorship opportunities for Afghan girls, allowing them to gain access to education and express their voices in a society that often silences them. 
Our conversation dives into the journey from identifying a problem to building a mission-driven initiative, the challenges and breakthroughs that come with student leadership, and the role mentorship and partnerships play in sustaining impact. We also discuss what empowerment truly means for today’s students, how young people can lead with confidence and authenticity, and what it takes to turn inspiration into action. 
This episode is designed for students eager to create change, parents supporting young leaders, and educators looking to foster meaningful student engagement. It’s a reminder that leadership doesn’t start after graduation; it starts now. 
 
EmpowerHer Media Accounts: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/EmpowerHer-61574035957912/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_empowerher_org/ 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/empowerher-org 

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 debunking common environmental myths to highlighting everyday habits that have a bigger impact than people realize, this episode empowers listeners with practical, realistic steps they can take right now. 
 
We also discuss how small changes can add up, why progress matters more than perfection, and what gives environmental leaders hope for the future. Finally, students will learn how they can get involved with the Captain Planet Foundation and become part of a growing movement dedicated to protecting the planet. 
 
Whether you’re passionate about sustainability or just looking for a place to start, this episode will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and ready to take action because caring for the Earth isn’t just for one day; it’s for every day. 
 
Learn more about the Captain Planet Foundation and how to get involved by visiting captainplanetfoundation.org.