Shows
The Future of EducationTransforming Higher Education with Data-Driven Planning and Advisory InsightsIn this special episode of the Future of Education, Jana Hartenstein, Minta Ferguson, and Alec Stover have a compelling discussion on how leveraging advisory services can revolutionize higher education planning. Jana, an architect and higher education practice leader at McMillan Pazdan Smith, Minta, director of planning and leader of MPS Advisors, and Alex, an advisory services data analyst, delve into the integration of analytics with advanced planning. Listen as this team reveals how they help institutions make informed decisions about space utilization, growth planning, and facility design.Key Points:What’s the purpose of Advisory Services?Ho...
2025-06-1720 min
The Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithWhat's Your Plan And Why? Creating Data-Driven Facility Plans That WorkMinta Ferguson is the Director of Planning for McMillan Pazdan Smith Advisors, a division that creates customized, data-driven facility plans that guide construction and renovation projects. How does a team create the best educational environments using data? Join us for this discussion on how data-driven planning can be a valuable resource for determining financial feasibility, optimizing a building's use, efficiency, and more. Have a specific question for Minta's Advisors? Contact Us and we'll connect you with the team.
2022-05-0329 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithTransforming District Leadership and the Ed Tech LandscapeEducation has not always been thought of as an innovative space, but change is on the horizon, sparked by the disruptions of the last few years. Students are required to have a different skill set than previous generations, with technology and collaboration at the forefront of those demands. The education system has faced immense challenges recently, but with those challenges comes a great opportunity to innovate and make an even greater impact on students today. Our guest, Doug Roberts, has worked with leading ed-tech entrepreneurs and district administrators for almost 20 years, developing partnerships that improve outcomes for s...
2022-04-1333 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithThe Continuum: Education Redefined, Part 3In this final part of our three-part series on how the Continuum in Lake City, South Carolina is redefining education, we are joined by Harry Lesesne, Executive Director of the Darla Moore Foundation, and around 24:00 by Jeanette Altman, Executive Director of the Continuum. Listeners will learn more about the mission and vision of the Darla Moore Foundation--both with the Continuum and across the region. The reasoning behind the "Continuum" name is also defined, with both guests explaining what business partnerships and philanthropy were necessary to pull off this impressive and innovative facility. If you haven't he...
2022-01-1244 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithThe Continuum: Education Redefined, Part 2This is Part 2 of our 3-Part mini-series that's an in-depth exploration of the Continuum, a regional training and education center in Lake City, South Carolina. In this episode, host Ben Thompson interviews two Higher Ed leaders to discuss the college and university partnerships that make The Continuum so unique. In the first interview, Ben sits down with Ed Bethea, former interim President of Florence-Darlington Technical College and current Special Assistant to the President. Mr. Bethea has served FDTC since 1989 and was on the planning committee for the Continuum. Ben also interviews Dr. Fred Carter, President of Francis Marion University...
2021-12-2942 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithThe Continuum: Education Redefined, Part 1This is Part 1 of a 3-part mini-series on creating innovative educational environments. This series is an in-depth exploration of the Continuum, a regional training and education center in Lake City, South Carolina that provides college and career paths to students while being a local driver of social and economic success. The Continuum is a collaboration between The Darla Moore Foundation, Florence Darlington Technical College, and Francis Marion University.In this first part, host Michelle Smyth talks with two Superintendents who have partnered with the Continuum. Dr. Laura Hickson, Superintendent of Florence County School District 3, and Dr. Neal...
2021-12-2043 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithCreating Opportunity and Ownership in EducationThe Anderson Institute of Technology is a high school career and technical education program specifically designed to develop and promote student ownership. It does this in two ways: first, providing relevant programs that are both college and career ready, and secondly, allowing students to take responsibility for their own development; to own their results. It’s through that ownership that graduates from this institution learn skills, confidence, and leadership; and make meaningful impacts as adults.In this episode, Ben is joined by Dr. Bob Couch, Director of the Anderson Institute of Technology. Dr. Couch has worked in bo...
2021-09-2833 min
The Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithMayor Joe Riley on "Becoming a City of Education and Inspiration" | The Future of K-12 EducationThis is very special: for our 10th episode, we are honored to be joined by one of the most effective US Mayors in modern history.Michelle meets with Mayor Joe Riley, who served an incredible ten terms as Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. In their wide-ranging and inspiring discussion, Mayor Riley opens up about how education functions within the larger community context, what he believes makes great communities, how to achieve excellence in design and city planning, and what has always inspired him as a leader. You don’t want to miss this candid conversation.To...
2021-08-1729 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithBecoming Beckham: Creating a 21st Century High School, with Principal Anna Dassing | The Future of K-12 EducationOpening up a brand new school building, with new staff, and new students during a pandemic is no easy feat. In this episode, Michelle went back to the school her team designed to speak with Anna Dassing, Principal of newly-opened Lucy G. Beckham High School in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Helpful insights are shared about the planning process, stakeholder involvement, community buy-in and lots more. Join us for this interesting and timely episode as Beckham sets to open for year two. (This episode was recorded on-site at Lucy Beckham High!)Learn more about the Beckham B...
2021-08-1034 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithNonprofit Partners in Education with Rev. Bill Stanfield | The Future of K-12 EducationWe all know that schools can’t do it all when it comes to providing family-centered opportunities. Identifying the right nonprofits to complement educational programming is another way that educators and community leaders can partner together to address student’s needs and ultimately build stronger communities around the school. In this episode, Michelle speaks with Rev. Bill Stanfield, a Greensboro, NC native who holds a Bachelors Degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Stanfield and his wife met at Princeton Theological Seminary from which they both obtained Masters of Divinity Degrees. Stanfield was a...
2021-07-1335 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithEarly Education + Community Building with Dr. Rechel Anderson | The Future of K-12 EducationEarly Education + Community BuildingJasper County’s mission brief is “Student-centered…Future-Focused.” Many schools have similar mission statements, but how does that mission shape planning when you’re running a smaller school district? Programs in early childhood education can help foster community support while proper Capital Improvement planning can turn visions into reality. In this episode, Michelle Smyth talks with Dr. Rechel Anderson, Superintendent of Jasper County Schools in South Carolina, to dive into how early education programs can support community needs and how their integration can be supported by the community. When it works, it’s a mutually b...
2021-07-0641 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithTrailer: Summer School Series TeaserBen Thompson introduces new host Michelle Smyth, a practicing K-12 architect for MPS in Charleston, who will be inviting guests to join discussions during the "Summer School Series" of this podcast, premiering July 6th. Stay tuned for more informative episodes coming soon!
2021-07-0201 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithEquity in Education with Dr. Russell Booker | The Future of K-12 EducationIn this episode, we welcome back Dr. Russell Booker, our episode one guest, for a fresh discussion about equity.What do you think of when you hear the words equity, equality of outcome, diversity, access, and mobility? We hear these words used in politics, social settings, and in the workplace, but what does 'equity' mean in an educational context? What are the current roadblocks to equity in education? What are some of the misconceptions about how it’s achieved? Is it possible for every student to receive the resources needed to ensure successful educational outcomes?The...
2021-05-1735 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithManaging Constant Change with Superintendent Joe Pye | The Future of K-12 EducationManaging Constant Change with Superintendent Joe Pye:How does a school Superintendent stay prepared and resilient in an environment of almost constant change? In this episode, Ben talks to Superintendent Joe Pye, a visionary leader with 48 years of public education service (22 as Superintendent of Dorchester School District 2).The schools in Pye’s district have a reputation for innovation and successful student career outcomes. How does he plan what to budget for? What is his communication style in the face of constant change? What attributes have led to his district’s stability and success? “We’re at a cro...
2021-05-1139 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithMaking Sense of School Funding with CFO Mellanie Jinnette | The Future of K-12 EducationWhat’s your reaction when talking about funding for K-12 public education?Every year Americans provide around 700 billion dollars in tax revenue to fund 56 million students in 84,000 public K-12 schools across this nation. Schools have multiple revenue sources from federal and state sources. Are we utilizing those dollars to their highest potential in education?In this episode, Ben talks with Mellanie Jinnette, CFO of the school district in Chester County. Mrs. Jinnette also served in the SC Department of Education for more than 24 years. We seek to understand how schools are funded and the policy de...
2021-05-0432 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithMental Well-Being and Student Success with Dr. Jennifer Parker | The Future of K-12 Education"Schools have the largest opportunity to help children be successful,” says guest Jennifer Parker, Ph.D, LPC.K-12 students are experiencing higher levels of anxiety, depression, and trauma than ever before. The need for school mental health resources is more urgent than ever and not just from counselors, it takes a whole-school approach to effectively address student mental health. As the Director of Child, Youth and Family Initiatives for the Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM), Parker talks from first-hand experience about the types of mental health risks students today are dealing with and how schools can create learning en...
2021-04-2733 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithReturn to Learn with Dr. Russell Booker | The Future of K-12 EducationMcmillan Pazdan Smith presents IdeaXchange: The Future of K-12 Education Podcast SeriesThe COVID-19 pandemic has not only created a health crisis but an education crisis as well. For schools to be fully prepared to “return to learn” strategic plans must be in place. Ben Thompson welcomes Dr. Russell Booker, former Superintendent for Spartanburg School District Seven, to share his insights and tips to help educators form a successful academic plan for the upcoming school year and beyond.One Acorn inspires.Contact us here!
2021-04-2030 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithSafer Schools with Dr. Joanne Avery | The Future of K-12 EducationMcmillan Pazdan Smith presents IdeaXchange: The Future of K-12 Education Podcast SeriesThere is a clear relationship between a positive school culture and a potentially higher level of school safety. A well-designed school makes the environment safe without making it look like a fortification. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Avery brings her wealth of experience as a former Superintendent to the issue of school safety. Dr. Avery led her district through the aftermath of a fatal school shooting and discusses what she learned about space design, physical protection, and communication best-practices for maintaining a safer school.
2021-04-2041 minThe Future of K-12 Education, brought to you by McMillan Pazdan SmithThe Future of K-12 Education Preview TrailerBen Thompson is a practicing architect with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture who leads the firm’s K-12 education work across six offices and three states. As an accredited planner and advocate for student learning, Ben wants to help make a difference in elevating student and school successes. That's why he's inviting you to tune in to this new series where he'll be talking to some of the most experienced and insightful people working in education today. These subject matter experts all have a vested interest in making our schools the best places for students to learn how to...
2021-04-0502 min