The Champions Coffee Podcast

Hosted by Vygo

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Episodes

140

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

A podcast series of 10-15 minute live virtual conversations (with virtual coffee) between Ben Hallett (CEO/Co-Founder, Vygo) and various industry professionals in the education or student success space.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 30, 202626 min

Gareth Trainer | University of Sunderland

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, host Joel Di Trapani, Co-Founder & CEO of Vygo, sits down with Gareth Trainer, Head of Graduate Prospects at the University of Sunderland. Discover Gareth’s perspective on preparing students for an increasingly unpredictable future and what it truly takes to bridge the gap between higher education and the changing world of work. Drawing on his leadership across employability, enterprise, career development, and industry partnerships, Gareth shares why graduate success is about far more than securing a first job it’s about helping students discover who they are, adapt to change, and build meaningful careers. The conversation explores the realities facing universities today, from shifting labour markets and AI to the challenge of preparing students for careers that may not yet exist. Gareth also shares how the University of Sunderland works closely with industry and its local community to ensure students graduate with the confidence, adaptability, and real-world experience needed to thrive in an evolving economy. A thoughtful conversation on employability, lifelong learning, and why universities must prepare students not just for their first destination, but for a lifetime of opportunity.

June 22, 202637 min

Dr. Nerita Hughes | President, Bay College

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast , host Ben Hallett , Co-Founder & CEO of Vygo, sits down with Dr. Nerita Hughes , President of Bay College. Discover Dr. Hughes’ perspective on leading student success in a rural community college environment and what it truly takes to create meaningful outcomes beyond graduation. Drawing on her background in business, workforce development, and higher education leadership, Dr. Hughes shares how Bay College is aligning academic programs with workforce needs, building structured student pathways, and preparing students for long-term career success. The conversation also explores the evolving role of technology and AI in education, the importance of holistic student support, and why community colleges remain powerful engines of opportunity and economic mobility. At the heart of it all is Dr. Hughes’ belief that student success is about more than earning a credential it’s about removing barriers, fostering engagement, and helping learners achieve their goals. A thoughtful conversation on leadership, innovation, and the transformative impact of community colleges.

February 25, 202629 min

Tréon D. McClendon | University of Missouri–Kansas City

In this special live episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast , recorded at the 2025 NASPA Student Success Conference in Denver, host Ben Hallett sits down with Tréon D. McClendon , Assistant Vice Provost of Retention Initiatives at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. A national award-winning educator and first-generation college graduate, Trayon leads one of the most comprehensive student success portfolios at UMKC spanning academic advising, career services, student support, supplemental instruction, and new student orientation. He shares compelling stories from the classroom that underscore the importance of flexibility, self-awareness, and responsibility in student-facing roles. Whether adapting an icebreaker to ensure accessibility or taking a chance on a student who simply needed belief and opportunity, Trayon demonstrates how small moments of intentionality can have lasting impact.

December 9, 202528 min

Dr. David R. Loope | Beaufort County Community College

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast , Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ben Hallett sits down with Dr David R. Loope , the sixth President of Beaufort County Community College in Washington, North Carolina. Serving a four-county rural region spanning more than 2,000 square miles (and famously home to more black bears than people), Dr Loope leads with a clear mandate: student success, community engagement, and fiscal responsibility. A longtime national advocate for rural community colleges and author of Citadel and Sanctuary , he brings decades of leadership experience across policy and practice to the front lines of workforce and economic development. Ben and Dr Loope unpack what student-centred success looks like in a rural context from centralized advising that supports learners through the critical first 16–20 credits to a last-dollar scholarship model that covers tuition and fees for most credit students (9+ credits) and fully funds initial workforce certifications (50+ contact hours). The result: more credits taken, faster completion, and dramatically improved retention contributing to BCCC’s recognition as SmartAsset’s #1 community college in the nation for affordability, class size, and outcomes. Listeners will also hear a powerful student story that inspired BCCC’s plan to convert a nearby house into temporary housing for homeless students , Dr Loope’s view that grades should reflect learning not be the goal , and his call for faculty–student services alignment and thoughtful adoption of AI to build critical thinking and career readiness. It’s a candid look at how a rural college can change lives one learner, one partnership, one pragmatic innovation at a time.

December 7, 2022Episode 2618 min

Brett Berquist | University of Canterbury

Ben sits down with Brett Berquist from the University of Canterbury. Brett is the Assistant Vice Chancellor - Engagement at the University. He brings three decades of university experience in several countries, from lecturer to department head to senior administrator. His passion is collaboratively developing and implementing strategies to help institutions address changing conditions, demographics, and objectives.

October 4, 202410 min

Tania Struetzel | Southampton Solent University

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo's Regional Director of Partners for EMEA Hannah Gardner sits down with Tania Struetzel, Director of Student Success at Southampton Solent University. Tania is an experienced student engagement practitioner who leads the Student Success Service, which focuses on employability, student services, and achievement. With extensive experience working in and with Students' Unions, she also serves as an External Trustee at Beds SU. Tania holds a PGCert in Student Engagement in Higher Education, where she links theoretical approaches to practical, institutional outcomes, making her a key figure in driving student success and engagement in higher education.

January 21, 202621 min

Dr. Larry Galizio | Community College League of California

n this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast , Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Larry Galizio , President and CEO of the Community College League of California , to explore the scale, mission, and future of the largest community college system in the United States. Ben and Dr. Galizio discuss how the League works behind the scenes to shape policy, funding, and governance in Sacramento, and how that work directly impacts student experience at scale. From championing transfer pathways and workforce-aligned education to expanding access to community college–conferred bachelor’s degrees , the conversation highlights how statewide systems can evolve to meet the needs of place-bound, working, and returning learners. This conversation is a thoughtful, systems-level look at student success—one that reminds listeners that community colleges are not only engines of workforce development, but democratic institutions that expand opportunity, mobility, and lifelong learning for millions of students across California and beyond.

February 5, 202533 min

Jonathan Powles | CQUniversity

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ben Hallet sits down with Jonathan Powles, Vice President of Student Success at CQUniversity. As an executive leader in higher education, Jonathan has a proven track record in driving change and innovation across universities. With expertise in curriculum transformation, learning technologies, learner analytics, and academic development, he has led institution-wide initiatives that enhance student success and pedagogical excellence. His leadership continues to shape the future of higher education through innovation and strategic transformation.

January 30, 202537 min

Richard Dobek | University of New England (AU)

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ben Hallet sits down with Richard Dobek, former Interim Executive Principal, Student Experience at the University of New England (AU), an executive leader with a passion for people, transformation, and operations. With extensive experience in human resources, strategy, and change management. He plays a key role in enhancing student engagement and operational effectiveness across the institution.

October 30, 202433 min

Dr Omer Yezdani | University of the Sunshine Coast

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder Ben Hallet sits down with Dr. Omer Yezdani, Chief Data Officer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, whose career spans over 25 years in public, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. Known for his expertise in data, AI, and governance, Dr. Yezdani has led transformation across multiple industries, from his early work in communications technology with an ASX-listed firm to driving national education reform in the Federal Government. A passionate advocate for societal impact, he serves on various boards and holds awards for excellence in governance. Dr. Yezdani’s strategic insight and dedication continue to shape Australia’s higher education landscape.