From Transactional to Transformational: Advancing SEM Through the Pedagogy of Real Talk

Article Abstract

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SEMQ Volume 14, Issue 3 (October 2026)

This study examines Middlesex Community College’s implementation of the Pedagogy of Real Talk (PRT) through a Staff Academy as part of its strategic enrollment management approach. Students with documented PRT interactions reported stronger belonging and higher fall-to-spring retention, suggesting relationship-rich professional learning may support student persistence and enrollment stability.

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Article Type

SEMQ Article

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Data Reporting & Analysis, Service Excellence, Strategic Professional Development, Student Success & Enrollment Management

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Author(s)

Kayla Boyd Caron, M.P.H., serves as the Dean of Enrollment Management at Middlesex Community College (MCC) in Massachusetts, where she leads with a strong commitment to equity, belonging, and student success. A proud first-generation college graduate, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her role, shaping her deep empathy for students navigating higher education—particularly those facing financial, social, or systemic barriers. Caron holds a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from the University of New England and has also served as an adjunct faculty member for the past three years, teaching Introduction to Public Health, which keeps her closely connected to the student experience.

Paul Hernandez, Ph.D., is the author of The Pedagogy of Real Talk: Engaging, Teaching, and Connecting with Students At-Promise and a nationally recognized leader in college access and success, belonging, and pedagogy. He is an experienced educational leader, practitioner, and researcher who has served as a senior advisor to CEOs and vice president of academic and student affairs, and who was an Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow. A former faculty member and nonprofit administrator, he has received national and state-level awards and recognition for his work.

Beth Kelley, M.Ed., is the Coordinator of Academic Success Programs and an Adjunct Chemistry Instructor at Middlesex Community College. She employs the relational engagement strategies of PRT in her work with students, Peer Tutors, and SI Leaders in MCC’s tutoring centers. In 2022, she joined MCC’s first Pedagogy of Real Talk (PRT) Staff Academy and is currently one of the co-leads for PRT Staff Academy Cohorts at MCC. Kelley has presented on the work of MCC’s PRT Staff Academy at multiple professional conferences. Kelley received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Trinity College (Hartford, CT), a master’s degree in education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Bridgewater State University.

Christine Bell, M.Ed., is a dedicated professional in higher education at Middlesex Community College, where she plays a key role in Academic Success Programs and the Pedagogy of Real Talk (PRT) initiative. Her work focuses on student belonging, engagement, and academic support through programs like Supplemental Instruction, where she trains and develops student leaders to foster peer learning communities. Bell’s research expertise includes assessing institutional effectiveness and student connectivity. Through her collaborative leadership and commitment to evidence-based practice, Bell works to ensure all students have the support and sense of belonging they need to succeed. Bell earned a B.A. in Sociology from William Smith College, and a M.Ed in Education with a Literacy Specialization from Lesley University.

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