Many students do not lack ability. They need access, exposure, support, and someone who reminds them that they belong. In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Dr. Alana Simmons, an education leader with more than 20 years of experience across workforce development, correctional education, GEAR UP, and higher education. Drawing from her leadership with GEAR UP Dougherty and her transition into a new chapter in higher educ...

Collaboration or Compliance? Wade Stanford on Shared Leadership and Execution

Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Educational Leaders is where educators, leaders, and student success professionals unpack the decisions that shape students, teams, campuses, and communities.Hosted by Nick “The Zebra” Zizi, this podcast goes beyond surface-level success stories to explore the real choices, turning points, leadership lessons, and even the “knuckleheaded decisions” that help us grow. Each conversation is designed to be insightful, practical, and engaging—giving educational leaders fresh perspective, useful takeaways, and better questions to bring back to their work.Because in education, every decision is a direction.Better decisions. Better outcomes.