The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) invites students and their families to join them for a new podcast, “lowKEY College Convos with Kim McCurdy.”
The podcast’s host, Dr. Kimberly McCurdy, is a Private Student Lending Associate and Account Executive with PHEAA’s PA Forward and Keystone Student Loan Programs. She has also served as a Higher Education Access Partner at PHEAA, among many other external roles. “Besides working in financial aid, I’ve worked in student lending and had the opportunity to oversee the Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education for the state which really gave me insight into the entire scope of our higher education system in PA and in other states,” she shared.
“I have a large network of close colleagues and friends—and these podcast conversations are conversations that we have been discussing for 30 years,” Kim said. “We’re trying to solve college affordability, collegiate basic needs. We’re trying to increase mental health support and make sure students know they have someone advocating for them. When we help just one family, it makes our purpose all worth it.”
New episodes will air monthly, offering a variety of engaging discussions on many aspects of college and career planning. “Financial wellness is something that we’ll be addressing for sure,” she said. “I also want to talk with high school counselors about the outstanding work they do advising students about postsecondary options. I want to get on some college campuses and learn about the campus, the leadership, and the students who are attending. There are some schools that are really support today’s learners and adapt and change to ensure student success—not loan them up without a credential or a sustainable wage. But if they have to borrow, we need to make sure we’re giving students and families the tools they need to make good choices.”
“Today’s students and parents are thirsty for information about every aspect of the college and career planning process,” said Senator Wayne Fontana, Chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors. “Podcasts have proven to serve as an excellent and convenient resource and we’re pleased to now offer ‘lowKEY College Convos with Kim McCurdy.’”
This is PHEAA’s second podcast. “The Higher Education Access Corner,” hosted by PHEAA’s Higher Education Access Partner Tiffanie DeVan, launched in September 2022. That podcast has featured a number of knowledgeable and well-respected guests from the higher education community, including Dr. Kimberly McCurdy, when she was working for the PA Department of Education. An archive of past podcasts can be found at pheaa.org/tools-resources/podcasts/index.shtml. “The Higher Education Access Corner” can be heard on Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and PHEAA’s YouTube channel, PHEAAStudentAid.
“I’m thrilled that PHEAA has launched a second podcast,” said James Steeley, PHEAA President & CEO. “At PHEAA, we are committed to our public service mission of creating affordable access to higher education. The podcast forum is an excellent way to reach students and their families and help them navigate the college and financial aid world. We hope that everyone will stop by to listen.”
Tune in to the first episode of “lowKEY College Convos with Kim McCurdy”—available on Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and the YouTube channel, Keystone Student Loans!
