Eric Einspahr is the Director of Academic Navigators at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is in his 18th academic year supporting student success through advising and retention work at UNL. Grounded in the Ecology of Validation, his approach emphasizes proactive, student-centered support that helps students overcome barriers, build belonging, and connect with the resources they need to persist and succeed. Eric is especially interested in student retention, holistic support, and the ways institutional systems, partnerships, and timely intervention shape the student experience. With a background in academic advising and student affairs leadership, he is passionate about aligning people, data, and support structures to remove barriers and strengthen persistence across the university.