The NSHSS Scholars Connect

College costs continue to rise, financial aid policies continue to evolve, and students are facing more choices than ever before. So how can today's students make smart decisions about their future? Matthew Carpenter, Co-Founder of College Aid Pro, joins the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast to discuss the future of financial aid, what families should know about college affordability, and how students can evaluate whether a college is truly worth the investment. From scholarships and institutional aid to student debt and changing admissions trends, this conversation offers valuable insights for any student preparing for the next step in their educational journey. 
 
Learn more here: https://collegeaidpro.com/  

In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we sit down with Tony Betton, Jr., an Emmy-nominated media and communications professional, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and Director of Programs & Communications at Usher’s New Look, to explore how personality, passion, and purpose can become the foundation of a meaningful career. From finding his voice as a young person in Atlanta to building a career spanning journalism, television, communications, and youth development, Tony’s journey shows how embracing who you are can open doors you may have never imagined. 
Tony shares how his love of storytelling and connecting with people has shaped a career that has taken him from working with organizations and media brands including Good Morning America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BET, and 21Alive to now developing workforce development programs, communications strategies, and leadership initiatives that prepare young people for success at Usher’s New Look. We talk about courage, curiosity, resilience, and how students can identify their own strengths, gain meaningful experience, and build careers around the skills and qualities that make them unique. 
Whether you’re a student figuring out your next step, a parent supporting a developing leader, or an educator helping young people discover what’s possible, this episode is a reminder that there is no single path to success. Your personality, experiences, interests, and even the challenges you’ve overcome can all become part of your greatest professional strengths. 

In this episode of the NSHSS Scholars Connect Podcast, we’re joined by Morgan Vazquez, an Executive Director and Head of Business Management & Planning for Global Talent Acquisition at Wells Fargo and a longtime leader in talent development and campus recruiting. Drawing on years of experience designing recruitment strategies and cultivating pipelines of emerging talent across industries, Morgan reveals what recruiters truly look for in young applicants—from internships and first jobs to leadership potential that extends beyond the resume.  
Morgan shares insider insight on how recruiters evaluate candidates, the skills and mindset that help students stand out, and how young professionals can build confidence and credibility early in their careers. Whether you’re a student preparing to enter the workforce, a recent graduate seeking your first role, a parent supporting the journey, or an educator helping students prepare for what comes next, this episode offers practical advice for navigating the transition from classroom to career. 

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