EmpowerED to Lead: Recent Episodes
Wayne State University
EmpowerED to Lead is a podcast hosted by Sara Kacin, assistant provost for faculty development and faculty success and director of the Office for Teaching and Learning at Wayne State University. In each episode, Kacin speaks with academic leaders to learn how they have developed their careers while empowering themselves and others.
Anthony Holt is associate vice president and chief of police for the Wayne State University Police Department (WSUPD), where he’s been a member of the force for more than 40 years. Using a community focused approach to policing, WSUPD officers patrol campus and the surrounding Midtown area 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Under Chief Holt’s leadership, the WSUPD’s work has resulted in Wayne State being named one of the 50 safest college campuses in the country. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Chief Holt reflects on how the WSUPD has played an integral role in the continued growth of Wayne State and how he’s seen his own leadership style transform as well.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e8 for the full show notes from this episode.
Loraleigh Keashly, Ph.D., is a professor of communication, distinguished service professor, and associate dean of curricular and student affairs in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University. Her work focuses on conflict and conflict resolution at the interpersonal, group, intergroup and organizational level, with recent research revolving around uncivil and bullying behaviors in the academic environment. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, she shares her wisdom on building healthy working relationships and reveals the social skill that everybody should have in their repertoire.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e7 for the full show notes from this episode.
Randie Kruman is the director of Wayne State University’s Student Disability Services (SDS), which works to ensure academic access and inclusion for all Wayne State students. SDS achieves this through a range of services such as alternative testing accommodations, alternative text format, assistive technology, interpreting, note taking, captioning and housing support. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Kruman speaks to the importance of mindful listening and shares how flexibility and comfort contribute to achievements.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e6 for the full show notes from this episode.
De’Andrea Matthews, Th.D., is the director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. In this role, she oversees the outreach, recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff who are underrepresented in medicine, supporting students from K-12 through graduation from medical school as they pursue their dreams and become licensed physicians. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Matthews — a self-described “recovering perfectionist” — shares how she continues to stay invested at the ground level and reveals why she believes in curating a personal board of directors.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e5 for the full show notes from this episode.
Mary Zatina is the general manager of WDET 101.9 FM, Detroit’s NPR station. In this role, she leads operations for the 48,000-watt public radio station — a community service of Wayne State University — to provide programming for listeners in the Detroit metro area and beyond. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, we’ll discover how Zatina has seen public radio evolve and hear her take on what effective leadership really entails (hint: it’s not about creating followers).
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e4 for the full show notes from this episode.
Phillip Levy, M.D., M.P.H., is an Edward S. Thomas Endowed Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he currently serves as assistant vice president for translational sciences and clinical research innovation and associate chair for research in the Department of Emergency Medicine. A cardiovascular expert, Levy centers his research on heart failure and hypertension. Earlier this year, Levy added a new role as chief innovation officer of the Wayne State University Physician Group, where he’s led mobile COVID-19 testing efforts in Detroit and Dearborn. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, we’ll learn how Levy is changing lives — both as a medical leader, and as a dedicated mentor.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e3 for the full show notes from this episode.
Kafi Kumasi, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Wayne State University’s School of Information Sciences, where she teaches in the areas of school library media, urban librarianship, multicultural services and resources, and research methods. She has her finger on the pulse of how today’s youth live and learn using best practices in library science. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Kumasi outlines the opportunities and challenges that come with teaching in an online environment — something that many of us are experiencing now. We also learn how Kumasi embraces an ethos of collaboration and where she draws inspiration as a lifelong learner.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e2 for the full show notes from this episode.
M. Roy Wilson, M.D., is the president of Wayne State University. Since assuming this role in 2013, President Wilson has pursued his vision to transform Wayne State into a preeminent, public, urban university known for academic and research excellence. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, President Wilson joins us for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, race and the importance of lifelong learning. During this discussion, he shares his insight on Wayne State’s next goals and explains why flexibility is a critical component of the decision-making process.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e1 for the show notes from this episode.
Sara Kacin is the director of the Office for Teaching and Learning at Wayne State University. Beginning July 1, 2020, she is also the university's assistant provost for faculty development and faculty success — and the new host of EmpowerED to Lead. In this special episode, Kacin explains how kindness is key to leadership and emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they are. Departing host Annmarie Caño also shares her parting thoughts as she prepares for a new chapter on the West Coast.
Learn more at provost.wayne.edu/empowered. (This episode was recorded May 25, 2020)
Kidada Williams is an expert in African American history and an associate professor of history in Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She sits down with EmpowerED to Lead to reveal how learning the past can help leaders understand the present — and make a big impact on the future.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e8 for the full show notes from this episode.
Clay Walker is a senior lecturer in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, he shares how developing academic literacy skills is critical to success. He also reveals why it’s better to listen to understand than to respond, and shares how his pursuits outside of the classroom help him stay in the moment professionally.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e7 for the full show notes from this episode.
Katie Turner is the academic initiatives coordinator for Housing and Residential Life at Wayne State University. Angela Zanardelli Sickler is the associate director of the Academic Success Center’s Study Skills Academy at the university, and a self-described “gregarious academic.” Together, they join EmpowerED to Lead to share why it’s important to trust the process in creative collaborations.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e6 for the full show notes from this episode.
Kristen Chinery is a reference archivist at the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs at Wayne State University. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, she’ll share the rewards and resilience of doing “detective work” at the largest labor archive in North America. She’ll also explain why mentorship is key — and also how there’s a special place for hair bands, color-coded paperclips and even gossip — in the workplace.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e5 for the full show notes from this episode.
Marquita T. Chamblee is the associate provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer of Wayne State University. Leonard Savala is the director of the university’s Office of Multicultural Student Engagement. They join EmpowerED to Lead to shine a light on how diversity and inclusion complement each other, and share a bit of their “secret sauce” for how they authentically collaborate.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e4 for the full show notes from this episode.
Ashley Flintoff is the director of planning and space management at Wayne State University. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Flintoff sits down to discuss her empathic approach to leadership. She’ll share how leadership is a lesson in expertise and humility, and why creative tension can strengthen professional relationships.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e3 for the full show notes from this episode.
Ricardo Villarosa is the coordinator of student life at Wayne State University. A self-described “solution-finder,” he joins EmpowerED to Lead to offer his unique perspective on collaborative leadership. Villarosa, who follows the appreciative inquiry approach to leadership, will also share how a mix of in-person and electronic communications contributes to his dynamic style.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e2 for the full show notes from this episode.
Wei-Zen Wei is a leader in cancer research and a professor of oncology at Wayne State University. Dr. Wei joins EmpowerED to Lead to shine a light on the knowledge she’s gained throughout her 30-plus years heading a research lab — where, as she puts it, “we encounter questions that we cannot solve ourselves.”
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e1 for the full show notes from this episode.
Beena G. Sood is a neonatologist and a Wayne State University School of Medicine professor. She sits down with EmpowerED to Lead to discuss the many hats she wears as a physician, researcher, educator and leader. She also offers her insight for keeping teams motivated and reveals why leadership is a two-way street.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/8 for the full show notes from this episode.
Kenya Swanson is the coordinator of Wayne State University’s Warrior Vision and Impact Program, where she focuses on helping incoming freshmen feel a sense of belonging and community as they start their college careers. Swanson sits down with EmpowerED to Lead to discuss the culmination of her different roles at Wayne State, talk about the art of listening and explain why it’s tricky to define “success.”
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/7 for the full show notes from this episode.
Nicole Trujillo-Pagan and Tamara Serrano Chandler engage in collaborative leadership that revolves around student success at Wayne State University. They sit down with EmpowerED to Lead to share how their heritage has contributed to their professional development and discuss the importance of learning in and out of the classroom.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/6 for the full show notes from this episode.
Daren Hubbard is the chief information officer and associate vice president for computing and information technology at Wayne State University. Hubbard’s as tech savvy as they get. He visits EmpowerED to Lead to share how he’s able to translate his technical know-how to meet the needs of others who might not share the same skill set. He also talks the importance of day-to-day tasks contributing to the bigger picture and why empowerment isn’t merely a “one-and-done” situation.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/5 for the full show notes from this episode.
Meet the dynamic duo of Monica Brockmeyer and Dawn Medley, Wayne State University’s senior associate provost for student success and associate vice president for enrollment management, respectively. They sit down with EmpowerED to Lead to discuss how leadership is a team sport and reveal why it’s important to always trust the process.
Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/4 for the full show notes from this episode.
Marcus Dickson is a professor of psychology at Wayne State University. He sits down with EmpowerED to Lead to talk all things leadership, and how culture, context and trust play key roles. He also offers a sage reminder that not everyone who leads is perfect 100% of the time. Leaders — they’re just like us!
For the full show notes from this episode, visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered.
Geralyn Stephens is a professor of education at Wayne State University, where she is an expert in online teaching and learning. She sits down with EmpowerED to Lead for a spirited discussion on mentorship, where she reveals how she’s worked to empower others, whether on campus or on the golf course.
For the full show notes from this episode, visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered.
Keith E. Whitfield is the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs for Wayne State University. He sits down with EmpowerED to Lead to talk about the different hats he wears at the university. He also shares some of the challenges he’s faced in his work and why dreaming big pays off, even if there are missteps along the way.
For the full show notes from this episode, visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered.
EmpowerED to Lead is a podcast hosted by Annmarie Caño, associate provost for faculty development and faculty success at Wayne State University. Each episode, Caño will speak with academic leaders at Wayne State to learn how they have developed their careers while empowering themselves and others. Tune in for a preview of what to expect this season. Learn more at provost.wayne.edu/empowered.