Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute: Recent Episodes
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice is proud to present the “Varying Viewpoints” podcast. Our podcast series highlights recent and relevant work of emerging and established scholars and provides an engaging way to share innovative scholarship that focuses on diversifying leadership, enhancing equity, and fostering justice in higher education.
Justice at Rutgers University, they discuss her latest book, Unlearning the Hush. Drawing on the rich tradition of Black memory work, the book features oral histories of Black women educators who taught in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, before and after school desegregation. Together, they explore the power of memory, storytelling, and oral history to preserve hidden histories and deepen our understanding of Black educational experiences. Listen as they discuss the importance of oral history and Black memory work in documenting and preserving the lived experiences of Black educators.
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice is proud to present another episode of the “Varying Viewpoints” podcast. In an interview led by Monica Hernandez, 2026 John Smartt Summer Scholar, featuring Mario Vela, Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s University Career Center, they explore the role of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in building workforce pathways for students. Through a discussion of organizational strategies, career readiness, and employer partnerships, they highlight how HSIs are positioned to support the career development of Latinx students and how they access the labor market. Listen as they examine the organizational strategies and practices that HSIs employ (or can employ) to support job-market readiness, particularly for first-generation Latinx students who largely attend these institutions.
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice is proud to present another episode of the “Varying Viewpoints” podcast. This episode explores how institutions that serve large undergraduate populations, and often those who fall into historically marginalized categories, strengthen their research enterprises. In an interview led by Kailyn Gilliam, 2026 John Smartt Summer Scholar, featuring Sherine Obare, the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement at UNC Greensboro (UNCG), they discuss Obare’s efforts to cultivate research capacity at an institution with nearly 75% undergraduate enrollment and close to 50% Pell-eligible students, while maintaining focus on the institution’s student-centered missions.Obare approaches this work as a faculty-researcher, a mentor, a former dean of an institutional partnership between two different Minority Serving Institutions, and as the Director of Broadening Participation for a National Science Foundation convergence-research center. Her extensive experience in this space enables her to offer an expert perspective on the components of a successful institutional research environment, including faculty development, student engagement, and strategic partnerships. The most distinctive element of institutions like UNCG is their focus on undergraduate students; therefore, this podcast focuses on the role of undergraduate research opportunities as a bridge to develop student potential and achieve institutional goals.Listen as this episode celebrates the uniqueness of student-centered institutions and the significant contributions they bring toward the area of broadening participation in research experiences for all students, especially those historically-excluded. Through an open and honest conversation, this episode uncovers the realities, in both the successes and the opportunities for growth, around building research infrastructure from a current higher-education research administrator.
In this episode of Varying Viewpoints, Leslie Ekpe sits down with 3 ELEVATE fellows from this year’s cohort to engage in dialogue about their experiences during the ELEVATE program, in which early-career MSI faculty discussed the challenges, opportunities, and resources involved in navigating their tenure-track journeys. Listen as they discuss the opportunities the program offers fellows and their individual future academic goals.
In this episode of Varying Viewpoints, we sit down with Kira Matthews—known as “Kira the Bold”—to talk about what it really takes to turn ideas into opportunities. Kira is a UK-based coach and speaker who has built her work around helping people move past self-doubt to learn how to pitch themselves with clarity and confidence. Whether that’s pitching for brand partnerships or building thriving businesses online. Her fun, high-vibe energy is a hallmark of her practical, results-focused approach to coaching, which uses mindset tools with real-life and business applications.Listen as we discuss how to pitch your ideas with confidence and make the most of the resources available to you.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities have long been essential to producing Black scholars and leaders yet they continue to face an uneven playing field when it comes to recruiting and keeping faculty. Today, HBCUs often hire professors trained at large research universities, while their own graduates are less likely to land those same kinds of positions. This gap raises real questions about fairness, opportunity, and what it takes for HBCUs to grow and thrive in a system that wasn't always designed with them in mind.In this episode, we discuss findings from The Pipeline Paradox, a national study of faculty hiring and placement at research-intensive HBCUs. The research reveals a striking pattern in how academic careers are shaped and who gets to move up. The conversation explores why these patterns matter and what leaders and policymakers can do to change them.While this research focuses specifically on HBCUs, its implications reach across higher education. When institutions that serve the most underrepresented communities are strengthened, the entire academic ecosystem benefits.Listen for data-driven insights on faculty hiring, honest conversations about structural barriers in academia, and practical steps that institutional leaders and policymakers can take to build stronger, more equitable faculty pipelines now and in the years ahead.
and so-called color-blind practice can reinforce anti-Blackness and other structural inequities in mental health. As the inaugural DEI Officer at Columbia University's Center for Practice Innovations, Kim brings together research and lived experience to illuminate what liberation-informed, culturally responsive care looks like in real clinical and institutional settings.Listen for a candid examination of what authentic allyship looks like in practice, tools for shifting clinical language and decision-making toward justice-rooted approaches.
The contemporary workplace in 2026 is defined by disruption, recalibration, and the lasting aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hybrid and remote work models, evolving conversations about inclusion, rapid technological advancement, and growing organizational distrust have fundamentally reshaped how we lead, live, and work. While moments of progress have emerged, recent trends reveal setbacks, performative practices, and widening gaps in advancement, raising urgent questions about leadership, power, and performance in uncertain times. In this episode, we spoke with Joanna Jenkins and Marybeth Gasman about their latest research report, “Reimagining Leadership Through Self-Advocacy Networks and Feedback,” which explores how power operates in professional settings and where leadership systems fall short. Revealing strategies from the three critical levers for growth and advancement: self-advocacy, strategic networks, and feedback. These areas emerged as essential tools for building influence, cultivating meaningful relationships, and creating environments where talent can thrive and inclusive leadership can advance.While this work centers on the experiences of women of color, the insights are widely applicable. When workplaces design systems that support those most marginalized, organizations become healthier, more creative, and more effective for everyone. Listen for individual strategies for advancement, tools for more collaborative professional relationships, and a collective blueprint for reimagining leadership and organizational culture in 2026 and the years ahead.
In this episode, we speak with Musu Davis, author of Black and Smart (Rutgers University Press), to discuss strategies for supporting Black women’s success in college. Drawing from her book and professional experience, Davis explores how families, students, and university leaders can work together to recognize talent, foster belonging, and dismantle barriers that often hinder achievement in higher education.The conversation highlights the unique challenges Black women face in campus life—ranging from underrepresentation in leadership to navigating stereotypes—while offering practical, research-informed approaches to create inclusive environments where brilliance thrives.Listen as we examine what it takes to move from potential to power and why intentional support systems are critical for equity, leadership development, and institutional excellence, especially for Black women in college.
In this episode, we speak with Erjia Yan (Drexel University), Robert Palmer (Howard University), and Chaoqun Ni (University of Wisconsin–Madison) to discuss their upcoming research brief on the challenges HBCUs face in recruiting and retaining faculty. They highlight the 8% decline of faculty at HBCUs between 2013 and 2022, despite the national numbers rising. The podcast explores the reasons why they leave, citing low pay, heavy workloads, limited research support, and bureaucratic hurdles, particularly when Predominantly White Institutions offer better salaries, lighter teaching loads, and stronger infrastructure. Despite the downsides, many remain deeply committed to HBCUs’ mission of educating marginalized students, strengthening the black community, and fostering close connections with colleagues and learners. Listen as we discuss the faculty retention issues at HBCUs and their implications for educational equity and institutional sustainability.
African American males face significant challenges in pursuing quality education, often encountering systemic barriers that result in disparities in academic achievement, economic opportunities, and social outcomes. From high suspension and dropout rates to underrepresentation in gifted programs, the traditional education system frequently overlooks their potential.In this episode, we speak with Kenneth Jones, author of "African American Males & Video Games" and explore how video games serve as more than just entertainment—they offer a method to motivate and enhance the engagement of academic growth and development, a mental escape, and a source of resilience. Through the voices of four African American male college students, we delve into their experiences navigating education, the impact of negative media portrayals, and how gaming provides a sense of community, competition, and creativity.Listen as we discuss intersection of education, gaming culture, and social equity, challenging stereotypes and highlighting innovative ways to support Black male success in the classroom and beyond.
In this episode, our JSSS 2025 Scholar, Victoria Parker, spoke with Anne Edwards, Director of Purdue University’s Black Cultural Center, about navigating the higher education landscape while dealing with uncertainty. Anne shares her journey from the hospitality industry to academia. Describes how she managed personal and professional challenges during her transition. She also provides guidance for professionals as they navigate through higher education. Learn about career transitions in higher education and gain advice on navigating uncertainty.
In conversation with a first-generation Latinx scholar, this episode centers on how identity, culture, and care shape mentorship and research, and how this pushes back against academic norms not built with us in mind. In this episode, Lupita Romo, JSSS 2025 Scholar, and Sergio González, Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Pittsburgh, reflect on what it means to bring one’s full self into academic spaces, create counterspaces that center identity and belonging, and hold space for care. They discuss how mentorship and research become acts of resistance and healing, how scholars navigate tensions while staying grounded in community values, and what possibilities exist when we center joy and cultural reclamation in our work. This episode is an invitation to reimagine the university as a place of transformation, where counterspaces are not just for surviving but for thriving.Learn how scholars of minoritized identities are creating intentional counterspaces that affirm student identity and challenge traditional academic spaces.
In this episode, Nathaly Santos, JSSS 2025 Scholar, and Stephanie Aguilar-Smith, Assistant Professor at the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education, unpack the recent legal challenge to the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation in Tennessee and explore its broader implications. What does this lawsuit mean for the future of HSIs, other MSIs, and MSI-focused research? They discuss the stakes, the rhetoric, and the potential impact on equity in higher education.Learn about the stakes of the lawsuit, why it matters for the future of equity in higher education, and how challenges to HSI designation may influence other MSIs across the nation.
Although the population of Latinx student-athletes is growing in the NCAA, they face unique challenges when navigating higher education structures, which until now have been overlooked in research. In this episode, Saul López, JSSS 2025 Scholar, and Guillermo Ortega, 2025 Elevate Fellow at the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions, discuss Latinx student-athlete experiences in higher education. Within the current context of college athletics, there are inequities for Latinx student-athletes navigating the recruitment process, accessing the necessary resources, and familial familiarity with higher education as an institution.Learn about the often-overlooked experience of Latinx student-athletes and how athletic programs reproduce inequalities in the form of limited access, confusing policies, and a lack of culturally relevant practices when working with Latinx student-athletes.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we explore the growing crisis of healthcare access in rural America with Tashuna Albritton, Associate Medical Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Medicine in the Department of Community Health and Social Medicine. From hospital closures and provider shortages to transportation barriers and the digital divide, rural communities face unique and worsening challenges that impact health outcomes and quality of life. We break down the key issues and discuss innovative solutions that could help bridge the gap. Whether you live in a city, suburb, or small town, this conversation shines a light on a critically underserved population, and an often-overlooked part of our healthcare system — and why it matters to us all.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Sifu Karl Romain, a Certified Master Coach, World Martial Arts Champion, Hall of Fame Member, and Best Selling Author to talk with us. Sifu Karl shares lessons he learned in his journey, from overcoming adversity and experiencing many drastic life changes to coming out on top and dedicating himself to coaching others through their own struggles. Sifu notes how “Our emotions, our responses, our nervous systems are actually conditioned” and teaches us the steps to winning the battlefield within our mind in four stages: 1) awareness, 2) practice & repetition, 3) emotional wins, and 4) habit. Sifu encourages us to take a look at our own lives and schedules and see if we are making room for habits and values that align with our goals and higher selves and put the effort in to take action to capture the life we dream of.
In this episode of Varying Viewpoints, we explore the complex landscape of parental involvement in education, focusing on families from diverse backgrounds. Schools have become focal points for some of the most contentious debates in the United States, centering on civil rights and curriculum content. In classrooms nationwide, educators battle with presenting narratives to students that address complex historical and contemporary issues such as indigenous removal, segregation, sex education, gender identity, and intersectionality. The involvement of parents, through political and social networks, increasingly influences these narratives, impacting both the content shared and the discussions that occur.The decisions made about educational content have profound implications for shaping our cultural landscape and the future of our democracy. More recent debates have focused on how to address racism in educational settings, including controversies over the inclusion of critical race theory, which links historical slavery to modern inequities. There is also significant contention surrounding book bans, particularly those involving LGBTQIA+ characters, with some advocating for censorship in school libraries by removing these books from collections. The increase in parental activism, marked by its intensity and scope, is reshaping educational instruction. It reflects broader societal conflicts over what American children should learn and challenges the portrayal of certain knowledge as “divisive concepts”. These debates are not just about educational policy but are deeply intertwined with the values and vision for the future of the country and our families.
The influence of HBCU homecomings stretches far and wide as many PWIs have taken heed in replicating similar experiences for their Black students and alumni. In our final episode highlighting HBCU homecomings, Brandon Kitchin speaks to the influence HBCU homecomings have on Black alumni homecoming experiences at PWIs. Kitchen, an alumnus of Texas Christian University (TCU), talked about his experiences as a student and its influence on him returning to ensure that Black students can commune with alumni. Additionally, Kitchin speaks about making space for Black students and alumni through the ‘Black Alumni Alliance Tailgate’ celebration as their presence contributes to the overall sustainability of TCU and its institutions. Listen to this episode to hear Brandon's insights on the influence of HBCU homecomings on PWIs, his experience at TCU, and his efforts to foster connections between Black students and alumni.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Alvin Schexnider, Managing Principal at Schexnider & Associates, LLC, to discuss his book Confessions of a Black Academic. He reflects on his experiences growing up in the segregated South, navigating academia and advocating for greater support for Black faculty and students. Alvin describes Confessions of a Black Academic as a deeply personal and reflective account of his journey through higher education and leadership. He shares his motivation for writing the book, emphasizing the responsibility of leaders to document their experiences to inspire and guide others. Alvin also shares how mentorship has shaped his career and his challenges, from being overlooked in academic spaces to navigating biases against research focused on African American studies. Alvin highlights the critical role of HBCUs in fostering upward mobility and the importance of self-care and emotional intelligence in succeeding in professional settings.Listen to this episode to learn more about Alvin’s unique journey, his challenges, and his insights on creating more supportive environments in higher education.
“So maybe things we haven’t processed, that we haven’t written up that are, perhaps, universal in some way that anyone who reads the book can maybe start to feel courageous enough to say “maybe let me look at my own life.’’ In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we sit down with the Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity, and Professor of Education at Virginia Tech, Menah Pratt to discuss her powerful book, blackwildgirl, a lyrical exploration of Black Girlhood and Womanhood that blends poetry and prose. Follow her as she reclaims her superpower through a series of journals, poems, and letters that tell her life story -- and discover a road map for girls and women seeking to become warriors in the world. Listen to this episode to learn more about the inspiration behind BlackWildGirl, the significance of the title, and its intended impact on the future of women navigating the world.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Chef Camerron Dangerfield, an alumnus of Alabama A&M University, for a conversation with Leslie Ekpe, Proctor Institute Visiting Scholar. They discuss the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses within the homecoming experience. Camerron shares how these businesses enriched his student experience and laid the foundation for his success as a chef and entrepreneur. Building on the first episode of this series, which explored alumni homecoming experiences, this conversation explores how homecoming blends family, education, and business. They also touch on the legacy of Alabama A&M University and how the community cultivates the next generation. In celebration of the university’s 150th anniversary, Camerron and Leslie discuss ways to highlight local businesses through social media, reflecting on how they strengthen HBCU communities.Listen to this episode to learn more about how HBCU homecomings fuel individual success and strengthen the lasting legacy of love, family, and service at institutions like Alabama A&M University.
"The HBCU homecoming experience is unmatched - every year seems to be something that we've never seen before in some of the best ways ever."Homecomings are an important part of the HBCU experience as they contribute to the university's culture. Accordingly, alumni voices play a significant role in the longevity of these traditions. In this episode, we invited Frederick Engram, Assistant Professor of Higher Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Raeshan Davis, Research Scientist & HHMI Program Manager in conversation with Leslie Ekpe, Proctor Institute Visiting Scholar, to discuss their homecoming experiences at their respective alma maters. In addition, Engram and Davis describe their homecomings as "Black" and "unmatched" and discuss various philanthropic efforts and opportunities.Listen to this episode to learn more about the unique joy and significance of HBCU homecomings, the various ways alumni preserve and strengthen their institutional communities, and how these traditions continue to evolve while maintaining their core purpose of fostering connection, celebration, and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Booked and Busy is a limited podcast series sponsored by The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice. This series explores the dynamic world of library archives; and dives into the incredible work the HBCU Library Alliance is doing.In this episode of Booked and Busy, we chat with Shaneé Yvette Willis, the program manager at HBCU Library Alliance, and Darshai Hollie, a recent preservation intern at the Library of Congress. This episode highlights the summer conservation preservation internship program, a unique HBCU library alliance program offering fully funded internships to students since 2008. These internships served as a gateway for talented students into library preservation, enabling the establishment of a more diverse and inclusive entrance to this profession. In this episode, Darshai Hollie recalls her recent experience as a preservation intern at the Library of Congress Conservation Department. She details her experiences, the skills she has gained, and how this experience transformed her career and enriched the library she returned to. Learn about her challenges, mentorship, and the legacy she is helping to build.Listen to this episode to learn more about Darshai’s positive and insightful experience as a preservation intern and the importance of keeping these programs open and available.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Paul Bigby, a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech, to serve as our podcast facilitator for our guests, including Marla Franco, Vice President for Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives at the University of Arizona (UA) and co-founder of the STEM in HSI working group, and Sarah L. Rodriguez, an Associate Professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. They discussed how HSIs attempt (and sometimes fail) to serve their Latine and other minoritized students in STEM. Hear perspectives on making the designation work for STEM students, faculty, and staff, as well as how different institutions can make similar transitions and futureproof their institutions to continue to serve minoritized students despite growing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) bans. Listen to this episode to learn more about how HSIs can leverage their designation to create inclusive pathways in STEM and ensure equitable support for all students, especially amidst evolving DEI challenges.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series one of our John Smartt Summer Scholars, Genoveva Vega, hosted an episode with Romeo Garcia, an Assistant Professor of Writing and Rhetoric Studies at the University of Utah. They discuss Garcia’s experiences as a Latino scholar in the fields of studies critical theory, cultural studies, Latino/a and Latin American Studies, and decolonial studies. They also share advice to enact anti-oppressive and decolonial practices in the writing classroom. The goal of this podcast is to teach students to be reflective and critical when engaging and learning about writing and language in the U.S. (Western) context. Listen to this podcast to learn more about how rhetoric and composition instructors can forefront their students' knowledge in the writing classroom.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, one of our John Smartt Summer Scholars, Meiyah Hill, hosted an episode with KaJéza Hawkins, an alumni of Wilberforce University and current multimedia journalist at WDTN in Dayton, Ohio. They discuss the myth that students who study at HBCUs are not adequately equipped for professional environments, drawing on Hawkins’ own undergraduate experience. Hawkins shared specifically how resources and mentorship, both academic and professional, allowed her to succeed as a journalist.Listen to this podcast to learn more about the experiences of undergraduate students at HBCUs and how these institutions foster academic and career readiness.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, one of our John Smartt Summer Scholars, JaMareous Thompson hosted an episode with Timmy Bridgeman, an alumnus of Tougaloo College and current PhD student at the University of Maryland – Graduate School. They discuss the experiences of queer black students at HBCUs, and how these experiences influenced views on themselves. The goal of this podcast is to make HBCU faculty, staff, and students aware of the culture and climate for all of their students and employees.Listen to this podcast to learn more about how HBCUs are empowering black queer students to embrace their identities and set themselves up for future success.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Ahira Smith, Grief Coach and Speaker, Founder of From Grief to Life, LLC. Ahira shares her background on becoming a grief coach and how her work differs from therapy, as grief coaches focus on the present rather than going backward. Ahira highlights that grief is more than someone who passed away; it is a relationship with a person, place, thing, or experience. She discusses the different stages and types of grief: anticipatory grief, complicated, and disenfranchised. She describes how you must permit yourself to grieve and be aware of the support system around you. She concludes by discussing that we all grieve differently and that there is always joy at the end of the tunnel. Although grief is challenging, this open and transparent conversation with Ahira emphasizes that the greatness in grief stems from the lessons you gain from it.
In this episode of the "Varying Viewpoints" podcast series, host Alice Ginsberg, Associate Director for Research and Grant Development, talked with Natalie Passov, the Assistant Director of Communication and Research at the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions. Natalie discusses best practices for MSIs for advertising and promoting registered apprenticeship programs to students. She emphasizes the importance of creating clear and accessible web pages that explain what registered apprenticeships are, the benefits they offer students, and how to apply. Natalie also recommends using multiple marketing channels, such as social media, information sessions, academic advising, and career fairs to raise awareness of these programs. Additionally, she highlights the value of featuring testimonials from apprenticeship program alumni and partner employers. These real-world perspectives can be very compelling for prospective students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds who may not have considered these types of career-connected learning opportunities before.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Leah Lattimore, Forté’s Director of Undergraduate Programs. Leah shares her work with Forté Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to women, providing access to business education, career development, and more. Leah highlights their Undergraduate Woman of Color leadership symposium, an in-person conference with panels and skill-building workshops that deliver students tangible takeaways and connections. She discusses the numerous barriers for college and professional women, and how Forté aims to address them. Leah concludes by discussing the organization's goals for the next 20 years, emphasizing its commitment to developing a strong pipeline of women for business leadership. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, she encourages women to trust in themselves and make use of the resources available to them.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast, two of our Visiting Scholars, Joanna Jenkins – consultant and affiliate professor at St. Joseph’s University – and Natascha Saunders – certified career coach – discuss the importance of equity in career coaching. Joanna and Natascha take us through the challenges faced by young people, including family expectations and lack of support. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the need to teach students how to build and leverage their cultural capital using existing relationships, passions, and resources. They conclude that the future needs inclusive leadership, active listening, and optimism to drive problem-solving in the modern workplace.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, two university presidents, St. Edward's University President Montserrat Fuentes and Huston-Tillotson University President and CEO Melva K. Wallace, share about their ongoing collaboration as university leaders and as close friends. When faced with a university housing crisis, Montserrat and Melva came together and partnered to address the issue. They talk about the power of collaboration and how they continue to work on uplifting their institutions and the entire community alike.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited John Silvanus Wilson Jr., author of Hope and Healing: Black Colleges and the Future of American Democracy and Visiting Lecturer at Morgan State University. John shares his background and higher education – having attended both Morehouse College and Harvard University. John emphasizes the need for higher education institutions to maximize and leverage both capital and character. He calls for a collective effort to save American Democracy, and segments this task into three parts: the Democracy Legacy, the Endowment Legacy, and the Encore Imperative. His core message emphasizes academic freedom, educational reform, and societal progress, highlighting the transformative potential of higher education exemplified by the HBCU tradition.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, Anna-Kaye C. Rowe, the Assistant Director for Career and Employer Engagement at Ohio University invited Hayley Haywood, an equity-centered Solutionist & Identity-Conscious Coach to explore issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in career development and the need for identity-conscious career planning in higher education. Anna-Kaye and Hayley dive into the research and value behind having representation, accountability, a sense of belonging, and measures to enhance retention and success in the workplace. Anna-Kaye and Hayley highlight the importance of equity-centered career design in higher education and discuss ways to prepare and support student populations as they transition into the global workforce.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Paul LeMahieu, Senior Advisor to the President at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Marisol Morales, Executive Director of the Carnegie Elective Classifications (CEC) at the American Council on Education to explore the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement and its impact on community engagement in higher education. Paul and Marisol uncover the origins of the CEC and touch on their significance within higher education. They take us through the Community Engagement Elective’s longevity, how the elective can bring institutional transformation, as well as the future of the elective classifications – including the development of an Indigenous Serving classification. Paul and Marisol emphasize the importance of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) participating in the process and the various benefits it can bring to these institutions.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, one of our Visiting Scholars, consultant, and affiliate professor at St. Joseph’s University Joanna L. Jenkins, discusses her new book Insecure, Awkward and #Winning. Her book offers a fertile space to investigate how contemporary issues intersect, encouraging audiences to contemplate meaning and impact within their own lives, society, and cultural identities. Joanna emphasizes the importance of research, work and publications created from the perspective of historically excluded communities and how representation matters.
Episode 54: Research v. Teaching: Dissecting the First-Gen Graduate Student of Color Experience by Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Carla Ortega-Santori, Strategic Initiatives Manager at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University and Stefanie Johnson, Director at the Doerr Institute. In collaboration with the American Council on Education, they launched the Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose (CEC LPP). Throughout the episode, they explore CEC LPP and its impact on leadership development in higher education. Carla and Stefanie discuss the motivations behind its creation, eligibility criteria, success stories from participating institutions, and its intersection with goals of diversifying leadership, enhancing equity, and fostering justice. They also look ahead to the future of the CEC LPP and how MSI leaders can get involved.
Episode 52: "How to Start a Registered Apprenticeship" with Ginger Allison by Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, guest host and Visiting Scholar Bianca Neal invited Shetay Ashford-Hanserd, Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University, to talk about her journey in impacting diversity and cultural wealth of STEM academics. Inspired and encouraged by the successful women in her life, Shetay aims to foster a more diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment for students and scholars of color – especially Black and Latina women. She sheds light on the need to broaden the participation of women of color and historically underrepresented groups in the U.S. P-20 (preschool, K-12, undergraduate, graduate) STEM (science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, mathematics) and Computing (STEM+C) workforce ecosystem.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, guest host and Visiting Scholar Bianca Neal invited Raphael Travis, professor and the MSW Program Director at Texas State University in the School of Social Work, to talk about his research and practice in social work and public health for social minority communities. His work is rooted in bringing Hip Hop culture into academia. Raphael dives into the impact of Hip Hop on personal development and self expression. He also emphasizes the significance of Hip Hop education in improving juvenile justice. Shedding light on higher education, his CREATE Lab at Texas State brings opportunities for professional collaboration and creative engagement with music.
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Morteza Mahmoudi, Assistant Professor of Radiology and Precision Health Program at Michigan State University and Co-Founder of the Academic Parity Movement, to speak with us about his work in academic bullying. Morteza tells us of his decision to co-create the Academic Parity Movement, as the organization attempts to create a platform of support for academics in all sectors that face academic bullying. Having dealt with the issue himself, Morteza explains the multi-level issue in the context of funding, differences in disciplines, and the differential treatment of international academics. He emphasizes the role of all stakeholders in academia, how their actions can enable this behavior, and how they need to change to create a safe space that protects the rights of academics at all stages in their careers.
In this episode of the “Varying Viewpoints” podcast, we invited Glennis Daniels Bacchus, ADA/higher education consultant, and Katherine C. Aquino, assistant professor at Saint John's University, to highlight their recent surveys on how Long COVID and COVID-related mental health challenges have been affecting students in higher education. The surveys also explored how disability service offices have been serving students at MSIs – and beyond – during this difficult time. By focusing on the experiences of disability resources and support during the pandemic, they have uncovered that supporting individuals with disabilities experiencing the effects of Long COVID and COVID-related mental health concerns has been a challenge for both students and professionals. Glennis and Katherine emphasize the importance of enhancing mental and physical disability accommodations. For higher education institutions, it is crucial to understand and implement counseling and faculty collaboration to support student and faculty groups alike.
In this episode, we spoke with Camille Z. Charles, Walter H. and Leonore C. Annenberg, Professor in the Social Sciences in the Departments of Sociology and Africana Studies, at the University of Pennsylvania. Camille discusses her new book, Young, Gifted, & Diverse: Origins of the New Black Elite. Camille highlights diversity among the new educated Black elite—those graduating from America’s selective colleges and universities in the early 21st century. This internal diversity alongside political consensus complicates assumptions about both a monolithic Black experience and the future of Black political solidarity. In addition to highlighting diversity among the newly educated Black elite, she offers advice to individuals exploring career and educational opportunities in Africana studies who want to address racial inequity in the education system to support all of their students.
In this episode, Leah Hollis, Visiting Scholar at the Proctor Institute spoke with Raquel Muñiz, Assistant Professor at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. Due to familial obligations, women often take jobs or proceed through their careers constrained by numerous responsibilities. Raquel shares her experience “inheriting” a large family during her J.D./Ph.D studies and how she was able to navigate juggling several aspects of her life. Her unique story provides strategies for work life balance while seeking her degrees and progressing to a tenure track position.
In this episode, we invited Ellen Schrecker, Professor Emerita of History at Yeshiva University, to discuss her new book: “The Lost Promise: American Universities in the 1960s.” Ellen provides an overview of higher education in the 1960s and how contemporary American higher education compares. She highlights the historical and social context of universities and their involvement in major historical developments of the time period such as the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movements, and economic crises. Ellen emphasizes the distinction between academic freedom and freedom of speech, and how it has been lost over time.
In this episode, we invited Cassidy Puckett, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Emory University and author of Redefining Geek: Bias and the Five Hidden Habits of Tech-Savvy Teens. Cassidy describes her research findings on digital equity and how these sexist, racist, and classist assumptions about “natural ability” and “natural differences” shape tech participation. She notes how to best support young people of all backgrounds as they navigate technology, and recommends that parents, educators, and researchers reframe their understanding of the “pipeline problem” that funnels the dominant group into technology fields. Finally, Cassidy provides tangible tips for recognizing the emerging practices of tech-savvy teens.
In this episode, one of our 2022 John Smartt Summer Scholar interns, Lesley Rivas, spoke with Joseph Soares, Professor of Sociology at Wake Forest University. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic higher education institutions were forced to rethink their admissions processes, specifically in terms of standardized exams. As a result, many institutions adopted test-optional policies which has carried over into present day admission practices. Throughout the episode, Joseph defines “college-readiness” for high school students, evaluates the inequities of standardized testing, and proposes a space to re-imagine college preparation in K-12 classrooms. Joseph concludes the conversation by looking at a unique opportunity for educational leaders to critically examine the necessity of the high-stakes assessment.
In this episode, we invited Julie Wu, Maya Patel, and Alexis Vanderhoof to speak on the one major tactic used by students at college and university campuses across the country – action planning. Julie Wu is the Youth Programs Manager & Creative Design Lead at Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote). Maya Patel is a graduate student getting a master's in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Alexis Vanderhoof is a junior at Georgia Gwinnett College and she is a democracy fellow with the Campus Vote Project. They are all affiliated with the Student Learn Student Vote Coalition (SLSV). Julie, Maya, and Alexis shed light on what action planning is, why it is important, and how it has supported their campus civic engagement efforts.
In this episode, Alicia Nani Reyes, a 2022 John Smartt Summer Scholar, spoke with Theresa Stewart Ambo, an assistant professor of educational studies at the University of California, San Diego. The majority of higher education institutions in the United States are settled on stolen Indigenous Land, which has led to those colleges and universities reckoning with their past in the form of land acknowledgments. These settler land acknowledgments address the historical dispossession of Indigenous Peoples, but often forget to recognize that these very communities are still here. Theresa speaks on her experience in engaging in research around critiquing the usage of land acknowledgments and gives her perspectives as an Indigenous person. Theresa also discusses how institutions can refrain from their statements being performative and take direct action, which will advance justice for Indigenous peoples, communities, and students.
In this episode we spoke with Deja Joi Brewster, Program Coordinator at Student Veterans of America (SVA). The conversation reflects on CMSI and SVA’s year-long partnership, which included podcast episodes and a robust social media campaign, how the partnership has benefitted student veterans at MSIs, and what SVA has planned next.
In this episode, Alexis Weatherspoon, a 2022 John Smart Summer Scholar intern, spoke with Ajamu Webster, a professional engineer and president of Du Bois Consultants. Ajamu started his own structural and civil engineering firm in 1988, and has volunteered countless hours to serve Black students and the Black community through his firm. With the majority of civic professionalism research focusing on education professionals shaping the community, there has been an argument that “professionalism” is inaccessible to other communities, thus giving them less agency to solve systemic injustices. What happens when professionals within the community take on the responsibility to promote civic engagement and create a “third space” that allows for unlearning, critical consciousness, and exposure to different career outcomes? Ajamu shares his personal and professional experiences while starting his career as an engineer.
In this episode, the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institution (CMSI) has a conversation with their new partner Fordham Center for Cybersecurity’s -Cybersecurity Education Diversity Initiative (CEDI). In this introductory discussion, we spoke with CEDI Co-Chairs, Thaier Hayajneh and Amelia Estwick. Thaier and Amelia provide an overview of CEDI’s mission, accomplishments, and goals. They address the importance of diversification in cybersecurity, the pathways to cybersecurity success for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), as well as the necessity of constructing a professional pipeline within the cybersecurity workforce. In part of this partnership, CMSI is conducting targeted outreach via social media to increase awareness of CEDI’s programs. Additionally, CEDI offers MSIs the opportunity to develop cybersecurity programs through an application process you can find here. The conversation concludes with the mutual benefits for MSIs considering these programs and the importance of the innovative and cross-sector partnership between CMSI and CEDI.
In this episode, Naziema Jappie, a visiting scholar at the Proctor Institute and the Director of the Center of Higher Education at the University of Cape Town, talks with Marybeth Gasman, the Executive Director of Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute and Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions, about the complexity of social justice, diversity, and inclusion in South African higher education systems. Naziema delves deep into the history of South Africa and how it has played a significant role in the formation of higher education institutions today. She also discusses her journey in higher education, her justice-oriented research on Black women collegians, and the critical systemic change that leaders in higher education must make within colleges and universities in South Africa.
In this episode, Leah P. Hollis, a visiting scholar of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice, invited Tara Blackshear, Assistant Professor at Towson University, Equity Scholar, and Educational Consultant of Health, Physical Activity, and Education, to join her for a conversation. The discussion explores physical, social, and economic structures impeding health and physical activity in Black communities, specifically among Black girls and women, across the United States. Tara provided insight into the intricate connections between racial inequities, physical engagement, and success in academics. Their conversation concludes with Tara discussing her upcoming book Critical Race Studies in Physical Education with co-author, Brian Culp. Inspired by true events, Critical Race Studies in Physical Education depicts the joy, humanity, and prosperity of Black youth in educational settings based on teacher pedagogical practices and beliefs through various case studies. The publication is designed for students and teachers in education programs as well as a tool for professional development.
In this episode, Anna-Kaye, one of our Visiting Scholars, invited Tierney Bates, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Special Projects and Executive Director at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to join us. Anna-Kaye and Tierney discuss career mapping for professionals that work in higher education and why colleges are having trouble retaining employees. In the conversation, Tierney challenges the often bureaucratic policies in higher education and unpacks why he believes the policies are preventing talent advancement within the field. When advising those on the job market, Tierney breaks down performance and relationship currency and how they both benefit candidates pursuing careers in higher education. He begs the question “what does your success look like?” and advises the audience to be intentional when career mapping and go where people and talent drive the culture.
In this episode, we invited Elliot Felix, founder and CEO of brightspot strategy, to join us. Higher education has changed dramatically over the last decade. Specifically when it comes to defining student success, from an academic standpoint, a social stance, and a career stance. Building on Elliot Felix’s new book, How to Get the Most out of College, this podcast explores the concept of higher education today and how students can design their college experience and tailor it to fit their needs.
In this episode, we continue our discussion with the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions’ (CMSI) new partner, Student Veterans of America (SVA). In this discussion, Marybeth Gasman, CMSI and Proctor Institute Executive Director and Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education, spoke with Jared Lyon, SVA President and CEO. During their conversation, Jared provides intimate insight into the student veteran experience on college campuses, specifically at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The conversation addresses SVA’s mission to foster veteran inclusivity, veteran representation, and leadership for active student veterans and alumni. Jared emphasizes SVA’s various services, strong alumni network, professional opportunities, and the strength of a powerful student veteran collective at MSIs. Along with their CMSI partnership, SVA is focused on diversifying the organization to accurately reflect the broad spectrum of active duty service members.
In this episode, we invited Chris Span, historian, Chief of Staff, and Associate Chancellor for Administration and PreK-12 Initiatives at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, to join us. Chris emphasizes the power of using our history as a strategic tool to dismantle racism by educating our family members, our students, friends, and colleagues of past events. Additionally, Chris delves into how the Black Lives Matter movement echoes the same fight as the Civil Rights Movement, but generations later. We often see history repeating itself, which means that little has changed. To combat this, Chris touches on the importance of emphasizing history in our K-12 and postsecondary education curricula to nurture the next generation of leaders and community members and create meaningful, long lasting social change.
In this episode, Naomi Simmons-Thorne and Latrice Johnson, two of our 2021 John Smartt Summer Scholars, invited Jonathan Wesley, Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion in Academics at Southern New Hampshire University. Jonathan is an interdisciplinary practitioner, artist, academic, and activist with huge dreams of leading inclusive and safe communities for LGBTQIA+ students. He shares his experience migrating from New Jersey to pursue his education in the south and talks about his research on the LGBTQIA+ community, intersectionality, religion, education, and sociology. Jonathan further discusses the importance of having inclusive institutional leaders who advocate for LGBTQIA+ issues, the importance of community building amongst faculty, and discusses the importance of HBCUs having cabinet-level positions that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Overall, while highlighting recent developments and innovations related to LGBTQIA+ communities at HBCUs, this episode explores the contributions HBCUs should make to LGBTQIA+ student affairs using a “cultural wealth” perspective.
In this episode, Deja Joi Brewster, Program Coordinator at Student Veterans of America (SVA), invited Siobhan Norris, Associate Vice Chancellor of Military Affairs at Fayetteville State University (FSU), veteran, mentor, and SVA advocate, to talk about the significance of student veteran support on college campuses. The interview highlights FSU, an Historically Black University based in North Carolina, and its robust and innovative degree programs rooted in the liberal arts tradition. Siobhan talks about FSU, which is recognized as a Purple Heart Institution, and shares the institution’s rich military history. As FSU is home to over 1,700 military connected students that make up 30% of its student population, Siobhan discusses how the institution has strove to meet the educational, career, and personal aspirations of its students from military backgrounds so that they are equipped with practical knowledge to serve their communities as enlightened citizens and globally astute leaders.
In this episode, we invited Tina Fletcher and Trina Fletcher to join in a conversation about Black women in the academy. Tina is a Ph.D. Candidate in Education Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Trina is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at Florida International University. The twins, who grew up in a small town in Arkansas, share the lessons learned on their academic journeys as well as anecdotes about the supportive influences they had throughout their lives. This interview illuminates the importance of encouraging Black women to pursue Ph.Ds and the factors institutions must consider to retain emerging Black women scholars. Tina and Trina share the need for institutions to have more Black women Ph.D. representation. Both scholars also share tips for Black women interested in earning a Ph.D.
In this episode, we are celebrating a new partnership between the Proctor Institute and the Student Veterans of America (SVA). We spoke with Program Coordinator at SVA, Deja Joi Brewster, about SVA’s mission, her experience working with student veterans, and the resources that are available to all student veterans, specifically those at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Joi highlights the many chapters and policy achievements of SVA and the student veterans already on MSI campuses that have the power to orchestrate tangible change with the help of SVA.
In this episode, Ariadna Manzo and Alex Reyes, two of our 2021 John Smartt Summer Scholars, invited Monte Randall, president of The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) and one of our MSI Aspiring Leaders, to discuss the graduation and retention efforts that CMN has engaged in to support their Native American/Indigenous student population. The goal of this episode is for higher education professionals to gain awareness of the support they can offer to student success efforts of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Monte spoke about the trauma and experiences that Native populations face and how that impacts their approach to learning. He also shared the hindrances TCUs encounter as they try to support their students and how higher education stakeholders can help support graduation and retention efforts for Indigenous students.
In this episode, Bianca Neal, Visiting Scholar at the Proctor Institute, hosted an interview with Laura Castañeda, an award-winning professor of professional practice in the USC Annenberg School of Journalism. Before joining USC Annenberg, she taught at Temple University and worked as a staff writer, editor and columnist for The San Francisco Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, and The Associated Press in San Francisco, New York, and Mexico. In an effort to inform and equip the younger generation of Latinas navigating through academia, Laura talks about her progressive interest in journalism studies and how it shaped her adventurous career path. She also discusses how important it is to create a network and find a group of people who will always be there for you.
In this episode, Bianca Neal, Visiting Scholar at the Proctor Institute, hosted an interview with Gloria Martinez, Professor in the Department of Sociology at Texas State University. Having mentored over 30 undergraduate and graduate students, she is also the Director for Center for Diversity and Gender Studies and the inaugural Director of Latina/o Studies minor at the institution. In an effort to amplify the voices of Latinas in the professoriate, Gloria talks about her experience growing up in a small, rural village in Pine Canyon, California, where school was a bit more isolated than others. She shares how much of an impact her mother had on her educational upbringing, and talks about how much she looked up to her professors as role models, who encouraged her to go further in higher education and to obtain a Ph.D.
In this episode, we invited Thomas Hudson, President of Jackson State University (JSU), to join us. As only the second alumnus of JSU to become president, President Hudson stepped into the role in early 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was ramping up. President Hudson speaks to Proctor Institute Executive Director Marybeth Gasman about his journey toward becoming president of Jackson State, what leading during COVID looks like, and what his future goals are for the institution.
In this episode, Visiting Scholar Tanishia Williams spoke with Aaron Griffen and Angel Jones, two critical race theory (CRT) scholars. Throughout the episode, Tanishia, Aaron, and Angel, with the help of founding CRT scholars, provide a definition of CRT, an explanation of the role CRT plays in education, and a recourse to debunk myths about CRT.
In this episode, Hunter Hornsby, one of our research interns, invited Gavin Steiger, Director of Disability Services at Texas State University, to join us. They unpack what it means to have a disability and how to ensure proper accommodations at higher education institutions. Gavin shares his personal experience with disability and how this has influenced his work on accessibility at colleges and universities. Hunter and Gavin emphasize the importance of mental and physical disability accommodations and eliminating unintentional barriers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, for overall student success in higher education.
In this episode, Leah Hollis, Visiting Scholar at the Proctor Institute, hosted an interview with Joseph Angel de Soto, STEM Professor at Diné College, a tribal college in Tsaile, Arizona. Joseph shared that he decided to teach in the Southwest at a tribal college because he saw it as an opportunity to work with individuals with a similar culture to the culture he grew up around. He also discusses how tribal law is a major part of tribal college culture, and how Diné operates within the Navajo concepts of thinking, planning, living, and assuring when it comes to decision making. Joseph also examines how “white laws” often criminalizes the culture of other people.
In this episode, Bianca Neal, Visiting Scholar at the Proctor Institute, hosted an interview with Aida Isela Ramos, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. In an effort to offer guidance for Latinas navigating academia and the professoriate, Aida talks about her academic experiences growing up in harsh educational environments as well as the challenges, the struggles, and the beauty that were all associated with her journey. Being a daughter of Mexican immigrants living on the border of Mexico in El Paso, Texas, Aida shares the steps she took to build confidence to dive deeper into her academic journey and discusses how important it is to never give in to the stereotypical culture of academia.
In this episode, Leah Hollis, one of our fabulous visiting scholars and Associate Professor at Morgan State University, invited Joseph Drew, a professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus and a former professor at the University of District of Columbia, to join us. They unpack what it means to be a Jewish scholar at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and the general relationship between Jewish people and African American people. Joseph highlights his experience growing up during the Civil Rights Movement and how this shaped him into the person he is today. Additionally, Joseph notes the inherent similarities between Black and Jewish culture that has made HBCUs a safe and nondiscriminatory space for Jewish scholars.
In this episode, we invited Frederick Shegog, founder of The Message, LLC and notable keynote speaker, to join us. During the interview, Frederick talks about how his challenging, yet eye-opening experiences inspired him to become the leader he is today. He shares how important it is to empower communities and encourage self-awareness in students who often experience self-doubt. Frederick speaks about how crucial it is to obtain effective mentorship in college professors who encourage your growth and help to increase your network. He also shares how essential it is to practice meditation, surround yourself with positive people, exercise, and have a healthy diet. One of his greatest takeaways for students is to focus on mental, physical, and emotional health just as much as academic studies and graduation requirements.
In this episode, we invited Sarah Todd, social work professor and the director of Carleton University’s School of Social Work to join us and interview with our Communications Intern, Sharaya Morrison. Sarah’s background includes research in many areas related to social work and community practice. She touched on how broad social work in communities can be and further discusses what whiteness and privilege look like in marginalized communities. Sarah also shares how important it is for white people to take full advantage of their privilege by using it to advocate for economically disadvantaged communities.
In this episode, we invited Michael Hicks, assistant professor of education at Centenary College of Louisiana, to join us. Michael talks to us about his role as an educator of future educators and how he teaches leadership techniques. He created the “Teach, Speak, Create” model in an effort to inspire himself and others to be effective leaders, especially through the lenses of diversity, inclusion, and equity in K-12 and higher education. Michael concludes with a discussion about the experiences and the values that continue to propel him to be authentic, to champion fairness, and to advocate for justice.
In this episode, we invited Karen Gross, a consultant to non-profit schools, organizations, and governments, to join us. Karen’s work focuses on strategies for vulnerable student success across the K-20 pipeline, with a focus on the impact of trauma on educational outcomes. A frequent author, speaker, and commentator on issues in education, she is the author of the newly released, award-winning book Trauma Doesn’t Stop at the School Door, where she addresses the omnipresence of trauma in education. Throughout this episode, Karen takes us through theories of trauma and highlights some of the tools and strategies to combat trauma for students and educators alike.
In this episode, we invited Yolanda Wiggins, an assistant professor of sociology at San Jose State University, to join us. Yolanda highlights her research on educational inequality and explores the role that families play in students' feelings of inclusion at higher education institutions. Additionally, Yolanda digs deeper into how diversity initiatives are often surface-level interventions that don't solve students' problems and her recommendations for how to mitigate this issue on college campuses. She mentions how Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) can learn from Historically Black Colleges and Universities' (HBCUs) models for student support, among other propositions, to help students of color succeed. Yolanda also notes how this moment of political uprising will, hopefully, change how higher education institutions address racial equity and justice.
In this episode, we invited Ivory Toldson, a professor of Counseling Psychology at Howard University, president of Quality Education for Minorities (QEM), and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Negro Education to join us. Ivory highlights his substantial work around harmful repercussions of "B.S.," or bad statistics, and misinformation on Black people often found in media sources and sometimes 'reputable' research. Ivory also notes several common misconceptions about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
In this episode, we invited Loraleigh Keashly, a professor of Communications at Wayne State University to join us. Loraleigh talked about the topic of workplace bullying and how prominent this issue is becoming today, as people are becoming more open to sharing their experiences with bullying. Loraleigh notes how the generational shift in work culture has been a huge help towards addressing workplace bullying especially since the younger population tends to be more focused on the quality of their work environments. She also offers some helpful tips and strategies for navigating workplace bullying within and outside of academia.
Episode 11: "The Presence of Workplace Bullying: Effects of Chronic Stress" with Ingrid Tulloch by Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute
In this episode, we invited Philo Hutcheson, professor, higher education historian, and author of the book “A People's History of American Higher Education,” to join us. In this interview, Philo talks about the importance of studying the history of higher education and why it is important to understand the foundations on which our colleges and universities are built upon. Philo argues that issues such as race, class, and gender cannot be ignored within higher education and encourages administrators to glean lessons from our past to gain more knowledge on approaching present challenges related to student support and equity.
In this episode, our John Smartt Summer Scholars Steffi Huynh, Tiyana Herring, and Miranda Febus invited Roderick Ferguson, Professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and American Studies at Yale University, to join them. Roderick talks about police presence on campus and the impact it has on students, especially as it relates to race, gender, and sexuality. Roderick briefly discussed the Jackson State Massacre that occurred in 1970, during which Black student protestors were shot and killed by police officers, and shared how student protestors, particularly Black students, are still regarded and labeled as criminals and thugs on college campuses.
In this episode, we invited Kate Slater, Associate Director and Manager of Programs for the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) and lecturer at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Kate tells us of her work with the IRT, as the organization attempts to move towards racial equity in the educational sector, and her passion for engaging in anti-racist work, both as a scholar and an educator. Kate highlights the course that she teaches at UNH, “Teaching Race,” and the ‘unlearning/relearning’ approach that she has developed for White students to conceptualize and deconstruct their White privilege. Kate aims to reconstruct the ways that White folks perceive race, American history, and American exceptionalism so the next generation of educators can positively influence generations after them and actively work towards true racial liberation.
In this episode, we invited Levon T. Esters, Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication at Purdue University, to talk about how he approaches mentoring students and strategies for positioning graduate students of color for career advancement. Levon is also the Director of the award-winning Mentoring@Purdue program (M@P) and discusses how he uses his mentoring philosophy and sponsorship to support underrepresented graduate students in the STEM-based agricultural and life sciences disciplines in Purdue University’s College of Agriculture.Listen to this episode to learn more about how Levon helps foster excellence in his advisees, and what he believes mentors can gain from adopting sponsorship as a strategy to help position graduate students of color for career advancement.
In this episode, we collaborate with the National Center on Institutional Diversity (NCID) at the University of Michigan to share research and provide insight into the American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) designation. Thai-Huy Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Education at Seattle University, and Bach Mai Dolly Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Education at Oregon State University, discuss the significance of the AANAPISI designation and how the designation is a signal of support and resources provided for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) collegians. Both researchers also talk about their role in recent series produced by NCID, What Are AANAPISIs? A Series on the Opportunity and Equity of Asian American Pacific Islander College Students, and how they hope the series along with their ongoing scholarship can move the conversation on the AANAPISI designation forward.
In this episode, we invited Evan Marlbrough, Vote Everywhere Ambassador for the Andrew Goodman Foundation and Student President for the Young Democrats at Georgia State University, to join us. Evan talks about his experience as a student voting rights activist on campus and his involvement with the Andrew Goodman Foundation as an outlet for advocating for increased student voting on campus. As a student leader, Evan encourages students to become more democratically engaged and seeks to educate young people on the power and value of their voice in policy implementation and change. Listen to this episode to learn more about Evan’s journey in advocating for voting rights on campus and gain some insight on why student voting advocacy is essential on college campuses.
In this episode, we invited Josue Falaise, CEO of GOMO Educational Services, to join us. GOMO Educational Services is an organization that provides professional development and executive-level training that focuses on equity to build the capacity of adults in fostering student agency. Josue highlights his professional career, where he started as an elementary school teacher and later became a middle and high school educator. There, he was able to see K-12 curricula and methods of socialization first hand, which led him to seek and create tangible change.
In this episode, we invited Elmira Mangum, the founder and CEO of EM Plus 3 LLC and the former president of Florida A&M University, to join us. Though it was never a goal of hers, Elmira shares her journey to becoming the first woman president of the university, what she has learned from holding various leadership positions, and how she applies leadership lessons to all of her professional endeavors. As the current CEO of EM Plus 3 LLC, Elmira focuses on leadership training, efficiency analysis, revenue enhancement, and financial planning in higher education. Elmira has also worked as a mentor for our “MSI Aspiring Leaders” initiative and has worked closely with her mentee to impart relevant knowledge on how to persist through the presidential process. Elmira speaks of how she holds herself in public spaces, owns her identity, regardless of what others may perceive, and triumphs as a result of her tenacious spirit.
In this episode, we invited Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College, a Historically Black College, to join us. President Sorrell talks to Proctor Institute Executive Director Marybeth Gasman about his journey toward becoming president of Paul Quinn, his transformative efforts to restructure higher education so as to better serve the needs of under-resourced students and communities, and how other institutions can implement similar changes.
In this episode, we invite Marcheta Evans, President of Bloomfield College, an institution that is dually designated as a Predominately Black Institution (PBI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). President Evans talks about her road to becoming president of Bloomfield, the factors that have influenced her interest in leading the 150-year institution, and some of the initiatives she plans to enact as president. Listen to this episode to learn more about President Evans' journey to becoming the first Black woman to be president of PBI/HSI Bloomfield College.