Bob Alston

When navigating a large community of both digital and in-person learners, it’s essential to find out how to translate essential student support components to everyone equally, leading with a true passion for the work that you do. 

Bob Alston recently joined Jack Eagle, Co-Host of The Interview, to discuss his journey in Student Affairs, his role at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), and strategies for engaging students in creating a positive campus experience. As a leader in the field, Bob shared valuable insights into fostering community, leveraging peer learning, and navigating the challenges of engaging both in-person and digital learners.

Bob’s Journey

Jack: Let’s start with an introduction to your role and institution.

I’m Dr. Bob Alston, and I serve as the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at NKU. NKU is a public comprehensive university located about seven miles southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio. Although we’re a Kentucky state institution, we serve a broader region that includes southwestern Ohio and eastern Indiana. Our mission is to support the goals of nearly 16,000 learners both locally and nationwide.

As a student-ready university, we meet students wherever they are. We pride ourselves on our personalized approach – our professors know our students' names – and our innovation as an institution. One of our distinguishing features is the return on investment we provide. Students who attend NKU see a meaningful increase in their social capital and opportunities after graduation.

Jack: What has your journey into Student Affairs been like?

My journey into this work began during my undergraduate years at the University of West Florida. I was deeply involved in campus life as a student leader with our campus activities board, organizing events and fostering community. That experience showed me the impact of creating spaces for students to connect and grow.

I carried that passion into graduate school, where I realized that Student Affairs could be a career. I started in housing and residence life, eventually transitioning to student conduct. I found that it was an area where I could make a real difference for students, and that’s what inspired me to pursue this path.

Jack: A big part of Student Affairs is creating a positive campus experience – how do you engage students in that?

I’m fortunate to work with an amazing team of professionals who make this possible. One of our main focuses has been expanding and creating more peer-led learning opportunities. We have fantastic pockets of care on our campus, including strong partnerships with a few academic programs that we’re working to scale.

Our Norse Violence Prevention Center is one example, where we emphasize bystander intervention and build systemic strategies to prevent interpersonal violence. We’re also enhancing mental health education, which includes individual and strategic work through our counseling center and wellness education office. However, we’re always looking for ways to scale these efforts to an institutional level.

Additionally, we recognize that some of our students never set foot on campus, so we’re focused on engaging digital learners. It’s about creating a sense of connection no matter where our students are taking their classes.

Jack: How do you make that push to engage students who are harder to reach?

It’s a challenge, but also an opportunity. We’ve found that the key is understanding what works within our pockets of care and translating those lessons into broader strategies. At the other end of every digital connection is a person, so our goal is to meet them where they are and be a resource when they need it.

To achieve this, we train our staff to make meaningful connections and ensure that our resources are accessible. Whether it’s through direct outreach or digital tools, we want students to know that NKU is here to support them.

Jack: I’m sure peer-led learning plays a big part there. How are you looking to integrate that across the institution?

Absolutely. One of our starting points has been partnerships with external organizations to scale up quickly. For example, we’ve collaborated with Togetherall, an anonymous online peer-support platform where students can share their experiences and offer each other support. This complements the resources we provide on campus.

We’re also relaunching our Peer Wellness Ambassador Program. External funding is allowing us to rebuild the program into a peer educator model, creating more opportunities for digital learners to connect and engage.

Another initiative I’d highlight is our Help a Norse initiative. This program provides a clear pathway for faculty, staff, student leaders, and peers to make informed referrals to NKU resources. It ensures that students get the help they need when they need it, creating a consistent and supportive network across our campus community.

Jack: What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that you’d like to pass on to others in the sector?

One piece of advice that has stayed with me comes from Dr. Debbie Ford, who was one of my instructors during grad school and is now a seasoned chancellor and university leader. She told me, “The plan should drive the budget, not the other way around.” That insight has been a guiding principle for me.

If we’re not focused on our shared values and goals, our budget won’t serve us effectively. It’s an approach that may sound idealistic, but it’s invaluable when making difficult decisions. Whenever I’m faced with a challenge, I revisit the plan, and that’s where I find direction.