Minnesota Office of Higher Education Launches New Podcast to Help Students Considering College

8/10/2021

St. Paul, Minn.—The transition from high school to college can be a stressful time for students as they face unknowns about their future, finances, and navigating the world on their own. In an effort to provide current and recent high school students, as well as their families, high school counselors, and advisers with the information necessary for their success, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) launched a new podcast today, entitled, “Life After Now.” The podcast is hosted by Liz Bolsoni, a communication studies student at St. Catherine University in St. Paul.

The series explores a wide range of timely issues important to students considering college. Episodes are devoted to common questions like the options available for postsecondary education, how to apply for school, and how to make it more affordable through student aid resources and grants.

“We are in the golden age of podcasts, and this series will help us connect with Minnesotans through streaming services they use every day,” OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said. “We hope this podcast will demystify the process of applying to and attending college, furthering our mission to make postsecondary attainable for all.”

Through the “Life After Now” podcast, OHE hopes to equip listeners with the knowledge to make informed decisions about continuing their education. The podcast highlights the real-life experiences of both students across Minnesota and leaders in Minnesota’s postsecondary education landscape as Bolsoni explores discussions around health and wellness issues, extracurriculars on campus, tips on pursuing a career after graduation, intersectionality, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected student life.

The first three episodes are available for streaming and download on OHE’s website now, with new episodes being released every Tuesday. Listeners can also listen and subscribe to “Life After Now” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

Look for upcoming shows featuring an interview with Dr. Suzanne Rivera, the first Latinx President in the history of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. Additional episodes outline strategies on how to best to support students of color in the face of racism and social isolation and how students can boost college access and completion, especially for historically marginalized students.

For more information, contact OHE Communications Director Keith Hovis at keith.hovis@state.mn.us. If you are interested in being a guest on our next season, visit the website for more information.

About the Minnesota Office of Higher Education

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a cabinet-level state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency also serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance and trends.