ALP: The Admissions Leadership Podcast
Ken Anselment hosts a series of one-on-one conversations with people who have been climbing the leadership mountain in the world of college admissions. Some are nearing the summit. Some are already there. But how did they get there? And what can other climbers learn from their mindsets, habits, and experiences? © Ken Anselment 2024
ALP: The Admissions Leadership Podcast
Rakin "Rock" Hall: From the Standup Stage to the Enrollment Stage
Rakin “Rock” Hall, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Ithaca College, brings a unique mix of reflection, humor, and leadership to The Admissions Leadership Podcast.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Rock shares his take on the promise and perils of AI in higher education, why he's been creating short-form video reflections on leadership and life, and how his first-generation journey shaped the way he now guides his own daughter through the college search.
We also dive into his surprising background in stand-up comedy—what Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and basement record players taught him about timing, connection, and stage presence—and how those lessons echo in his current leadership and storytelling.
It’s a conversation about creativity, courage, and how "leadership is a verb."
- 00:00 – Introduction: Rock Hall, VP for EM at Ithaca College, joins the show.
- 01:30 – Insights on AI: Insights on artificial intelligence from the CollegeVine Vineyard conference, AGI, and higher education.
- 07:00 – Playing with AI tools: How Rock uses ChatGPT and other platforms for reflection and writing.
- 09:30 – TikTok beginnings: Why his wife nudged him to start short-form video reflections—and how they’ve grown.
- 13:30 – “The path of preference is the psychology of choice”: Rock explains one of his more memorable posts.
- 17:00 – Accompanying his daughter through the college search: Reflections as a first-gen father and enrollment leader parent.
- 26:00 – Comedy roots revealed: Hat-tip to Marie Bigham the heads up to Ken, Rock shares how basement record players, Pryor, and Carlin lit the spark for an early journey in comedy.
- 27:00 – College course in stand-up: From class requirement to 15-minute set, and the thrill of getting the crowd on his side.
- 28:30 – Sliding doors moment: Considering a move to LA for comedy before admissions work pulled him in.
- 31:00 – Stage effect today: How comedy chops translate into speaking, presenting, and leading.
- 32:30 – Bombing, self-reflection, and lessons learned: Rock on humility, feedback, and growth.
- 35:30 – Leadership as a verb: Using writing and reflection to stay grounded in service.
- 39:40 – Rapid Descent
The ALP is supported by RHB, a division of SIG. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment