ConnectED Brings CSN Conversations to the Screen

There is a lot happening across the College of Southern Nevada. A new video podcast from Academic Affairs wants to make it easier to keep up with it all, and get to know the people behind the work.

ConnectED, a new video podcast hosted by Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. James McCoy, launches Monday, Sept. 21, with a conversation between McCoy and CSN President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein.

For McCoy, the idea started with a simple question: How can CSN communicate differently?

The series was developed in response to feedback from the college’s most recent PACE employee climate survey, which showed employees wanted more communication delivered in a wider variety of formats. Rather than add another lengthy email to the inbox, McCoy saw an opportunity to create something more conversational and personal.

“My hope is that each episode helps employees better understand what is happening across CSN, why the work matters, and how they can become informed or involved,” McCoy said.

That means sitting down with the people doing the work and letting them talk about it.

Episodes will feature leaders, faculty, staff, students and other members of the CSN community discussing everything from student success and teaching to artificial intelligence, shared governance, strategic planning, workforce partnerships and new programs.

But ConnectED is also about something harder to capture in an email: connection.

“I also want the series to create a more personal connection among colleagues by allowing viewers to become better acquainted with the people behind the work,” McCoy said.

The first episode sets the stage for what’s ahead. McCoy sits down with Klippenstein to talk about communication, organizational climate, CSN’s future and why creating stronger connections across the college matters.

And there is plenty more already in the queue.

Nine episodes have been recorded, with future conversations planned around the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, artificial intelligence at CSN, accreditation, accessibility, student support, workforce development, shared governance and other topics affecting the college community. Future episodes will also put the spotlight on students, academic deans, faculty and community partners.

The goal is not to turn every episode into a formal presentation. McCoy wants ConnectED to feel like what its name suggests: a conversation that helps employees see how the different pieces of CSN connect.

“Ultimately, ConnectED is intended to make institutional communication more accessible, engaging, transparent and human,” McCoy said.

ConnectED debuts Monday, Sept. 21. New episodes will continue throughout the academic year, introducing viewers to more of the people, ideas and work shaping CSN.

WATCH EPISODE 1: Dr. McCoy and Dr. Klippenstein