Talent Wars Podcast: The Secret to Retaining College Students: A Framework from Campus Philly

In this episode of Talent Wars, host Patience Fairbrother sits down with Jennifer Kebea, president of Campus Philly, to discuss the organization’s transformative impact on Philadelphia’s student talent retention over the last 20 years. Jen, who started as an intern with Campus Philly when it first launched, comes from an extensive background in higher education and talent development, and as a Philly native who never left the city, she has a unique, personal connection to its growth and challenges.  

Jen shares how Campus Philly has leveraged key partnerships across higher education, corporate and civic sectors to boost Philadelphia’s talent retention from 25% to over 50%.  

In the early 2000s, Philadelphia was facing a significant challenge—despite being home to over 120 colleges and universities, it was losing its young talent to other cities. Graduates were leaving in droves, seeking opportunities elsewhere, and the city’s ability to compete economically was at risk. Recognizing this problem, a group of community leaders and stakeholders came together with a bold vision: to transform Philly into a destination where students wouldn’t just come for school, but where they’d stay to live and work. That vision led to the creation of Campus Philly, an organization dedicated to connecting students with the city’s employers and the community, showcasing its vibrant culture and building pathways to long-term careers.  

In this episode, Patience and Jen discuss how Campus Philly became the bridge between the classroom and the community, helping Philadelphia grow into a city that not only educates talent but also retains it. 

Listen in to learn:  

• How to engage higher education, corporate, civic and public sector partners for talent retention success 

• Innovative ways to fund an initiative like Campus Philly  

• The importance of creating strong local connections and sharing local job opportunities 

• The impact of an effective website—DCI’s Talent Wars data shows that 47% of talent uses the internet to assess relocation opportunities 

• Campus Philly’s latest initiatives and actionable advice for cities looking to improve talent attraction and retention 

Looking for even more insights? Attend the Young, Smart & Local conference or join Campus Philly’s 20th Anniversary Celebration for a chance to connect with the Campus Philly team, as well as other experts in the talent attraction and retention space.  

Listen and subscribe to Talent Wars on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. To submit guest or episode topic ideas, email patience.fairbrother@aboutdci.com.