The Institute Blog
Thoughts on Jesus, Education, and Life from Faculty, Students & Grads
S2E18 President Garner Reacts Take 1: Christian College TikToks
For this week’s podcast, we thought it’d be fun to have Institute President Gregg Garner react to tiktoks Gen Z are creating about their Christian college experiences. Because he’s reacting live to videos, and some of them don’t even have audio, but words on the screen, this episode is best experienced by watching, not just listening.
S2E4 College Conversations Podcast: “Does Anyone Do Discipleship Like Jesus Anymore” Part 1 (Transcript)
Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay discuss the topic of discipleship on college campuses and highlight the lack of engagement in discipleship among Christians. They explore different definitions and examples of discipleship, emphasizing the importance of interacting with others. The speakers also address the challenges of discipleship in a culture that values self-affirmation and individualism. They suggest that there is a problem with discipleship in churches and a lack of biblical literacy among young people. Overall, they emphasize the importance of making disciples and discuss the potential role of colleges in discipleship.
S2E3 College Conversations Podcast: “Avoiding Degree Mills: The Importance of Accreditation and Libraries” (Transcript)
This podcast discusses the topic of accreditation in higher education, highlighting its voluntary nature and the benefits it provides to schools. It also explores the pros and cons of accreditation, including financial support and recognition versus the challenges of meeting standards. The conversation then shifts to the evolving role of libraries, emphasizing the need for adaptation to meet the changing needs of students. The importance of providing services and resources, marketing offerings, and supporting academic programs is emphasized. The speakers also discuss the importance of a physical library space and the potential for libraries to preserve students' work.
S2E2 College Conversations Podcast: “Why College is one of your Most Important Life Decisions” Transcript
President Gregg Garner discusses biblical college education’s current and future relevance with Institute faculty Jeff Sherrod, Benjamin Reese, and Laurie Kagay. They address the challenges and benefits of a faith-based degree, its influence on career paths, and its role in preparing students for a dynamic job market. A crucial conversation for Gen Z students and their parents considering higher education.
S2E1 College Conversations Podcast: Biblical Education - Where’s it Headed? (Transcript)
President Gregg Garner discusses biblical college education’s current and future relevance with Institute faculty Jeff Sherrod, Benjamin Reese, and Laurie Kagay. They address the challenges and benefits of a faith-based degree, its influence on career paths, and its role in preparing students for a dynamic job market. A crucial conversation for Gen Z students and their parents considering higher education.
College Conversations S1 Finale: Third World Travel - The Ultimate Learning Experience
In a special episode recorded during a break from filming The Institute’s feature on The College Tour, Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay are joined by show host Alex Boylan. Alex, an avid advocate of higher education, travel, and adventure, shares his perspective on why spending time abroad is an integral part of a student’s education. Tune in to learn about the unparalleled learning opportunities that travel offers and why it's a must for students seeking a well-rounded educational experience.
College Conversations S1E12: Building Leaders - Is College the Secret? (Transcript)
Benjamin Reese and Jeffrey Sherrod join Institute President Gregg Garner for a vital discussion on cultivating leadership skills in college. This episode examines how traditional college approaches may fall short in nurturing leadership qualities, essential in today's world and job market. The trio delves into the necessary changes colleges must adopt to effectively foster leadership among young people. It's an insightful episode for students, educators, and anyone interested in the evolution of higher education to meet contemporary leadership challenges.
College Conversations S1, E11: Employers’ Confession: What They Really Want from Grads (Transcript)
Join Gregg Garner and Jeff Sherrod as they sit down with Amanda Aaseby, manager of Hopewell Family Care, and Chris Cameron, manager of Genovations Media, to discuss a critical question: What are employers looking for in college graduates? This episode offers a deep dive into the expectations of today's job market and examines if recent graduates are truly prepared to meet these standards. It's an informative session for students, educators, and anyone navigating the transition from academic life to professional endeavors.
College Conversations Season 1, Episode 10: Professional Development: A New Era - Announcing The Institute’s ProDev Program (Transcript)
Join Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, Benjamin Reese, and Laurie Kagay in an exciting announcement of The Institute's Professional Development (ProDev) program. This episode sheds light on how the ProDev program provides Institute students with a unique Christian workplace environment. Here, students can enhance their occupational skills, graduate debt-free, and step into the professional world with both experience and a job offer in hand. This conversation is key for anyone interested in how faith and professional development can be seamlessly integrated in an educational setting.
College Conversations S1E9: Finding Purpose - Does College Hold the Key? (Transcript)
Explore the crucial role of college in vocational development with Dr. Carlos Serrano, President of Manna University, and The Institute's Benjamin Reese. This episode delves into how Bible education influences a student's identity and purpose within the Body of Christ. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in the impact of theological education on personal and vocational growth.
College Conversations Season 1, Episode 2: The Big College Debate - Smart Investment or Financial Trap? (Podcast Transcript)
Join Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay as they address a crucial question facing today's students: Is college worth the cost? In an era where college enrollments have significantly declined post-COVID, with over a million students opting out, this episode explores the reasons behind this shift. The trio discusses the financial aspects of higher education and evaluates its value in the contemporary educational landscape. This conversation is vital for anyone considering the balance between the costs and benefits of a college education in today's world.
Bible College or Something “More Practical”?
“Why go to Bible school if it has nothing to do with my chosen career?” If you’re at that crossroads where you are trying to pick a college but feel conflicted between pursuing the career you have planned or attending a Bible school to deepen your understanding of God, this article is for you.
5 Strengths of Attending a Small Bible College
If you are undecided about what college to attend, don’t get stuck thinking you have to choose between the few popular universities in your area. There are plenty of small colleges to choose from, and depending on what you are looking for, a small college may even have everything you are looking for.
12 Ways the Institute for G.O.D. Int’l Accommodates Gen Z Learners
Rather than holding fast to the traditional methods of teaching from the past, the Institute is implementing technology and other methods to not only better accommodate this upcoming generation, but to set a precedent for how education should be adapted to meet the needs of this generation.
Why Gen Z Learns Differently…
Why do Gen Z-ers learn differently? Simple answer - they are different (but, you know, in a good way). Gen Z-ers are the first to grow up in the digital age, which as you can imagine, significantly affects the way they see, understand, and interact with the world around them. These digital natives…
The Institute is an official college partner of ZeeMee
The Institute is an official partner of ZeeMee — providing an app dedicated to helping students find their college community.
Why the Church Should Help its Kids go to Bible School
The future of the church is dependent on biblically literate Christians. Thus when investing in the next generation the forefront of our concern should be biblical literacy and leadership.
Why College Should Include Practical Career Training, Not Just Academics.
When college students don’t have experience in the careers they’re trying to pursue, it’s a recipe for regret. You don’t have time to think you’re choosing correctly without any experience in the field. Explore a college that incorporates career training from the start.