Leading Gen Z: Insights and Strategies for Managing, Parenting, and Teaching Generation Z is an essential guide for anyone seeking to better understand and effectively engage with Generation Z. Organized into 23 focused chapters—referred to as ‘The ABCs of Gen Z’—the book delves into the latest research and provides tailored strategies for connecting with Gen Z in various contexts, from the workplace to the classroom and home. Each chapter begins with up-to-date data, followed by specific recommendations designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities of engaging with this dynamic generation. Whether you’re motivating young employees, guiding your children, or inspiring students, “Leading Gen Z” empowers you with research-backed strategies to build meaningful relationships and help Generation Z thrive. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/cjBwjGi

Control The TRAP (Student Edition): Overcoming Mental Barriers for Gen Z and Gen Alpha Student-Athletes Most student-athletes spend hours training their body, but almost no time training their mind. Control the TRAP gives you a simple, powerful system to take control of the mental side of your game so you can perform with confidence, stay focused under pressure, and bounce back from mistakes faster. Built specifically for student-athletes, this book breaks down the mental game into four key areas: Think – Master your mindset, focus, and self-talk; Respond – Handle pressure, mistakes, and adversity; Act – Build discipline, habits, and strong character; Perform – Prepare, compete, and execute when it matters most. Through situations, practical tools, and simple exercises you can actually use, you’ll learn how to stop overthinking, stay composed, and play with confidence, no matter the moment. Whether you’re trying to make the team, earn more playing time, or compete at a higher level, this book will help you develop the mental strength that separates good athletes from great ones. Train your mind. Control your TRAP. Elevate your game. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/0j3DAN5C

Control The TRAP (Coach Edition): The Coach’s Playbook for Building a High Performance Mindset Culture Among Gen Z and Gen Alpha Student-Athletes Most coaches spend years learning strategy, systems, and skill development. But the difference between good teams and great ones often comes down to something else: The mental side of the game and the environment you create. Control the TRAP (Coach Edition) gives you a simple, powerful system to develop confident, coachable, and resilient Gen Z and Gen Alpha student-athletes who can perform when it matters most. Built for today’s athlete, this book breaks coaching down into four critical areas: Think – Your mindset, expectations, and coaching philosophy; Respond – How you handle mistakes, pressure, and adversity in real time; Act – The culture you create through your standards, habits, and leadership; and Perform – How you coach in practices, games, and high-pressure moments. Inside, you’ll learn how to: Build confidence without creating fear; correct mistakes without causing hesitation; develop athletes who take ownership and respond under pressure; communicate in a way that creates buy-in, not just compliance; design practices that translate to game performance; and lead effectively through adversity, slumps, and tough stretches. This is not just theory; instead, it’s a practical playbook with tools, language, and systems you can apply immediately with your team. If you want athletes who think better, respond faster, and perform more consistently…it starts with you. Control your TRAP. Transform your environment. Elevate your team. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/08sAUT2R

Control The TRAP (Parent Edition): Raising Mentally Strong Gen Z and Gen Alpha Student-Athletes Most parents want the same thing: confident, resilient kids who love the game and reach their potential. But in today’s world of pressure, comparison, and constant competition, it’s easy to unintentionally create stress, overthinking, and burnout, despite the best intentions. Control the TRAP: Parent Edition gives you a simple, practical system to support your student-athlete in the moments that matter most. Using the TRAP framework, you’ll learn how to: Think – Understand your role, expectations, and how today’s athletes are different; Respond – Handle wins, losses, mistakes, and emotions in a way that builds confidence; Act – Model the habits, communication, and behavior your child needs; and Perform – Show up the right way on game day, during slumps, and in high-pressure moments. This book goes beyond theory and gives you real tools you can use immediately, including: What to say (and what NOT to say) after games; How to help your athlete handle failure and criticism; How to build confidence without creating pressure; and How to support without over-parenting. Whether your child is just starting out or competing at a high level, this guide will help you create an environment where they can grow, stay confident, and enjoy the game. Support them the right way. Control your TRAP. Help them thrive on and off the court and field. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/03ypL6pZ

Control The TRAP (Team Edition): A System for How We Think, Respond, Act, and Perform – Together Most teams practice hard. But not every team knows how to handle mistakes, stay focused under pressure, and stay connected when things get hard. That’s where games are won or lost. Control the TRAP: Team Guide is a practical, interactive workbook designed to help teams build the mental side of their game—together. This is often used as a supplement to the Student Edition and/or Coach Edition of Control The TRAP. Using the TRAP system, athletes and coaches learn how to: Think – Stay focused, confident, and mentally strong; Respond – Handle mistakes, pressure, and adversity the right way; Act – Show up with consistent effort, habits, and accountability; Perform – Compete with confidence when it matters most. This is not just a book, it’s a tool teams use throughout the season. Each chapter includes team discussions, interactive activities, practice applications, and reflection tools. Designed for coaches and team leaders to use with their teams, this guide helps create a shared language, stronger culture, and more consistent performance. If you want a team of Gen Z and Gen Alpha athletes that communicates better, responds faster, plays with confidence, and competes together, this is your system. Control your TRAP. Control the game. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/07LnCmGr

Time Mastery for Teens: Overcoming the 12 Common Time Wasters is a practical and empowering guide designed to help teens take control of their time and achieve more with less stress. This book begins by uncovering the invisible obstacles that silently steal time and introduces the “Dirty Dozen,” the most common time wasters teens face. From there, it dives into actionable strategies to overcome each challenge, including procrastination, fear of failure, digital distractions, perfectionism, and more. Finally, it equips readers with lasting time management skills, such as setting priorities, building effective habits, and bouncing back from setbacks. Packed with relatable examples and easy-to-follow advice, Time Mastery for Teens gives young readers the tools to reclaim their time, boost their productivity, and unlock their full potential. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/dD9nVrR

EQ Unlocked: A Guide to Emotional Intelligence for Teens, College Students, and Parents is the ultimate guide to understanding and mastering your emotions to thrive in every aspect of life. In four engaging sections, this book breaks down the essentials of emotional intelligence (EQ), starting with understanding emotions, the teenage brain, and how EQ shapes your world. Learn to develop powerful EQ skills like self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills, and discover how to apply these skills in everyday life—whether at school, in friendships, or at home. Finally, explore how to navigate technology’s role in emotions, tackle common challenges, and unlock the lifelong benefits of EQ. Packed with relatable insights and practical strategies, EQ Unlocked empowers teens and college students (and their parents) to take charge of their emotions, build stronger relationships, and pave the way for a happier, more successful future. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/4wsUyDv

Lead the Way: A Guide to Leadership Essentials for Teens and College Students is your go-to handbook for unlocking your leadership potential and making an impact in your world. This engaging guide takes you through four practical sections, starting with what you need to know about leadership traits, styles, and self-discovery. Learn actionable steps like building strong relationships, setting goals, inspiring others, and leading by example to put leadership into practice. Dive into developing key skills like problem-solving, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and resilience to grow as a leader. Finally, explore how to apply your leadership skills in school, the community, and even the digital space. Packed with relatable insights and strategies, Lead the Way empowers teens and college students to lead with confidence, make a difference, and set the stage for lifelong success. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/0EztGQZ

Own Your Voice: A Guide to Building Confidence and Assertiveness for Teens and College Students is the ultimate resource for young adults who want to find their voice, stand tall, and communicate with clarity and respect. This empowering guide begins by breaking down the essence of confidence and assertiveness, helping you understand what holds you back from speaking up. It then walks you through building self-confidence with practical steps like cultivating a positive self-image, mastering body language, and overcoming fear and self-doubt. Learn how to communicate assertively by setting boundaries, saying no with confidence, and navigating tough conversations with ease. Finally, discover strategies to sustain your growth by building a support system, practicing daily, and staying respectful while expressing yourself. Packed with relatable advice and actionable tips, Own Your Voice gives you the tools to be heard, respected, and confident in any situation. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/9rU8bgv

ASCEND to Higher Retention Rates is a comprehensive guide designed to help educational institutions improve their retention rates, a critical metric reflecting academic success, financial health, and institutional reputation. This book delves into the importance of retention, analyzing past efforts to identify what works and what doesn’t, and offering practical strategies to enhance student support, affordability, engagement, and cultural transformation. With actionable advice and a focus on measurable results, this book equips institutions with the tools to achieve academic excellence and sustained success. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/gpTSwqF

ASCEND to Higher Retention Rates Volume 2 provides more strategies introduced in the inaugural edition of ASCEND, offering a comprehensive array of supplementary approaches tailored to bolster retention and support first-year students on their educational path. Readers will uncover a treasure trove of innovative ideas and best practices meticulously curated to address the challenges unique to student retention. From navigating the ‘sophomore slump’ to confronting the unprecedented hurdles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kirby and Tippets provide insightful guidance on adapting and thriving in the face of adversity. This volume expands upon the foundation laid in the first edition, offering a wealth of strategies aimed at propelling institutions toward historically high retention and completion rates. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/0t0ohwH

ASCEND to Higher Retention Rates Volume 3 is a comprehensive guide designed to equip higher education leaders with practical, innovative strategies for improving student retention, completion, and success. Edited by Dr. Jared Tippets and Dr. Eric Kirby, this volume builds on the success of volumes 1 and 2, offering new insights tailored to the evolving challenges faced by colleges and universities. Rooted in the proven ASCEND model—Affordability, Support, Culture, Engagement, Nudges, and Data—this book highlights actionable approaches for fostering institutional success. Each chapter delves into key components of the framework, presenting case studies, practical examples, and data-driven solutions contributed by 89 experts across diverse institutions. Readers will explore strategies such as affordability initiatives to reduce barriers, holistic student support programs, culture-building activities, and innovative engagement methods. To purchase or learn more, please visit Amazon: https://a.co/d/0svnOoz

Other publications:

Grant, D.M., Kirby, E.M., & Hawkins, S.R. (2024). Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: To Statutorily Organize or Not? Wyoming Law Review 2024, 24, 59-88. 

Kirby, E.M., Tolstikov-Mast, Y., & Walker, J.L. (2020).  Retention challenges for indigenous Peruvian college students on Beca 18 scholarship and strategies to improve their experiences and academic success. Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education, DOI: 10.1080/15595692.2020.1740980

Kirby, E.M., & Tippets, J. (2017). Improving retention by fostering positive identities among minority students through situational cues. Peer-reviewed paper, National Symposium of Student Retention. 

Tippets, J., & Kirby, E.M. (2017). Shifting the campus culture: Moving from transactional academic advising to transformational holistic student success coaching. Peer-reviewed paper, National Symposium of Student Retention. 

Upcoming Books – planned for 2025-2028:

(1) The 365 Day Leadership Challenge: Daily Steps to Transform Yourself and Your Team

(2) Leadership Awakening: Your Guide to Building a Leadership Identity

(3) ASCEND to Higher Retention Rates Volume 3: Expert Strategies for Elevating Student Success

(4) Grow Your Mind: A Guide to Harnessing the Power of Grit and Persistence for Teens and College Students

(5) Thrive Together: A Faculty Guide to Enhancing Student Success

(6) Lead True: A Guide to Finding Values, Motivation, and Authentic Leadership for Teens and College Students

(7) The Gospel of Leadership: Timeless Leadership Lessons From the Sermon on the Mount