Beyond the Arch: Keene State College Alumni Podcast

What begins as a dream to become a teacher can lead to places you never imagined.
In this episode of Beyond the Arch, host Andrea Vickers-Sivret sits down with Kelly Barski '97, Athletic Director at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the first woman to hold the position in the university's history.
Kelly reflects on her time as a Keene State student-athlete, the mentors who shaped her journey, and the lessons she still carries with her today. From walking down Appian Way and competing on the basketball court to leading a Division I athletics program across the country, Kelly shares how the Keene State community helped build the foundation for her success.
In this episode:- Kelly's journey from Keene State basketball player to Division I athletic director- How Keene State's education program helped shape her career- The importance of mentors, community, and connection- Advice she would give her college-age self- Leadership, resilience, and navigating change in college athletics- Why Keene State still feels like home nearly 30 years later
"Community. Excellence. People." Those are the three words Kelly uses to describe Keene State—and her story shows exactly why.
#KeeneStateCollege #BeyondTheArch #KeeneStateAlumni #CollegeAthletics #Leadership #StudentAthlete #UCSB #AthleticDirector #HigherEducation #OwlPride #KeeneState #AlumniSuccessStories

In this episode of Beyond the Arch, Keene State College alum Shane Nickerson ’94 reflects on how his time at Keene State shaped his life, from early academic challenges to finding support, returning to campus, and ultimately discovering his path.
That turning point led him to a successful career in Hollywood, where he went on to produce and create hit shows like Ridiculousness, Rob & Big, and The Dude Perfect Show.
But as Shane explains, the real impact of Keene State wasn’t just career preparation—it was something deeper:
A “nurturing environment”A place to “make mistakes and not know what you’re doing”And the opportunity to discover what truly drives you
Shane's story is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of mentorship, opportunity, and support. It’s an honest look at what college can be: not a straight line, but a place to explore, grow, and figure it out.
 “In many ways I owe Keene State my career.”
** Topics CoveredFinding your path in collegeThe importance of second chancesMentorship and faculty impactTurning passion into a careerWhy the college experience matters more than the plan
#keenestatecollege #keenestate #alumni #USNH #shanenickerson #rob&big #ridiculousness #college #beyondthearch #careeradvice #liberalarts

What does the future of work look like in an era of AI, massive infrastructure investment, and unprecedented demand for skilled professionals? In this episode of Beyond the Arch: A Keene State College Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Vickers-Sivret sits down with David Flener, Vice President of Operational Performance at Quanta Services and a graduate of Keene State’s Safety program. David shares his journey from Southern California to Keene State, how an internship launched a 26+ year career in the electric power industry, and why he believes the United States is entering a new industrial revolution fueled by energy infrastructure, data centers, AI, and construction growth.
In this conversation:
- Why safety professionals are in greater demand than ever
- How leadership and culture drive workplace safety
- The role AI will play in the future of safety and business
- Why relationship-building matters
- The growing need for construction management and safety graduates
- How Keene State is helping shape the next generation of industry leaders
- Lessons on networking, leadership, and career growth
🎓 Beyond the Arch celebrates the stories, accomplishments, and impact of Keene State College alumni. #KeeneStateCollege #BeyondTheArch #SafetyManagement #Leadership #AI #ConstructionManagement #EnergyIndustry #Infrastructure #CareerAdvice #HigherEducation #QuantaServices #AlumniPodcast #FutureOfWork #OccupationalSafety #KeeneStateCollege #constructionsafety

In this episode of Beyond the Arch, host Andrea Vickers-Sivret sits down with Keene State College alum Emma Hamilton (Class of 2018), now an Emmy-winning anchor and reporter at WJCL ABC in Savannah, Georgia. Emma shares how she made the most of her time at Keene State—from co-anchoring Inside Owl Athletics to working with KSC-TV and The Equinox—and how those hands-on experiences helped launch her career in broadcast journalism. They talk about: -Breaking into the news industry -Building confidence on camera -Lessons from college that actually matter in the real world -The journey to becoming an Emmy-winning journalist About the Podcast: Beyond the Arch highlights the stories, careers, and impact of Keene State College alumni. Like, comment, and subscribe for more alumni stories and career insights.
#KeeneState #KeeneStateCollege #KSCAlumni #BeyondTheArch #AlumniStories #Journalism #BroadcastJournalism #NewsAnchor #ReporterLife #TVNews #MediaCareers #JournalismStudent #CollegeToCareer #CareerJourney #EmmyNominated #WomenInMedia #WomenInJournalism #Storytelling #OnAir #BehindTheScenes #Newsroom #StudentMedia #Podcast #CareerAdvice #Inspiration #wjcl

What can soccer, teaching, and leadership teach us about overcoming challenges and unlocking our potential?
On this episode of Beyond the Arch, we sit down with Dr. Brandon Beck ’05, an award-winning educator, soccer coach, leadership expert, keynote speaker, and author of Into the Fire: Five Rules for Igniting a Leadership Legacy and Unlocking Unlimited Potential.
Brandon shares how his experience as a Keene State soccer goalkeeper and student shaped the leader and educator he would become. He talks about the mentors who changed his life, including Keene State faculty, his journey from the classroom to leadership coaching, and how a challenge in his teaching career ultimately led him to pursue his doctorate and develop his work around leadership self-confidence.
He also discusses his work with athletes, coaches, educators, and organizations—and why he believes every person has the potential to be a leader.
Plus, Brandon shares the story of Peaches, the classroom dog who became an unexpected catalyst for connection, mentorship, and social-emotional learning.
In this episode:• Turning challenges into opportunities for growth• The connection between soccer and leadership• Why your story, why, and purpose matter• The mentors who shaped Brandon’s journey• Returning to Keene State as a leadership coach• Building confidence and connection in teams• How Peaches transformed Brandon’s classroom• Finding purpose in teaching, coaching, and service
Beyond the Arch is a Keene State alumni podcast celebrating the stories, experiences, and impact of Keene State graduates and inspiring pride throughout the Owl community.
#KeeneState #KeeneStateCollege #BeyondTheArch #Leadership #Soccer #Education #Alumni