Pokes PodCAS

Fall 2025 CAS Orange Gown Graduate Olivia Morgan jumped into research the first chance she got. After taking a microbiology class with Dr. Matthew Cabeen, Olivia pivoted away from her plans to become a medical doctor and is now on her way to graduate school to eventually earn her Ph. D. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS she shares details of her OSU experience, including the foundational researc...

Oklahoma State University’s Dr. Daniel Sznycer, an assistant professor of psychology, published two papers in recent months: one about the origins of laws concerning bodily damage, and the other about emotional tears and how they work. We sat down with Dr. Sznycer to get a better understanding of his research — which ultimately gives us a better understanding of ourselves as humans! Recorded in th...

Spring 2025 CAS Orange Gown Graduate Jordan Burks is completing a bachelor's degree in theatre this May and taking with her a passion for the stage that she developed while at OSU. Jordan isn't an actor, though. She's a stage manager. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, she sat down with graduate assistants Adeola Favour and Kierstin Pigg to share more about her OSU experience, including working...

When sports media major Steve Spears came to Oklahoma State University as a sophomore, it was only three weeks before he was on camera. “It didn’t go great,” Spears said with a laugh. Luckily he’s had many more opportunities to not only hone his craft, but also help future and incoming journalists along the way: for two years, Spears has been president of OSU’s National Association of Black Journa...

The College of Arts and Sciences' Fall 2024 Orange Gown Graduate, Paige Nguyen sat down with OSU Brand Management graduate assistant Kierstin Pigg and CAS graduate assistant Allie Putman to discuss her experience at OSU as a studio art and art history double major, including how she draws inspiration for her artwork and what it took to become the Orange Gown Graduate. Recorded in Stillwater, Oklah...

OSU political science professors Eve Ringsmuth and Joshua Jansa are on a mission to increase civic engagement among high school- and college-age students. They sat down with CAS students Payton Little and Ashton Tate to discuss their research and instructional efforts surrounding political efficacy. The professors also dive into what can — and cannot — be gleaned from polls, demographics, voter tr...

Dr. Melinda Cro officially stepped into her role as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University on July 1, 2024. In this interview, she talks about her first few months meeting with students, faculty and staff; she dives into the responsibilities we have at a land-grant institution; and she gives us a glimpse into her passion for theatre and languages. Listen in for all t...

The transition to college life is filled with lots of exciting new opportunities. How do you decide which ones to take and which ones to pass on? How do you pick which clubs and organizations will propel your professional portfolio to new heights while still catering to your hobbies? Jenn Conner, CAS coordinator for student engagement and leadership, joined us on this episode to talk about taking...

We were joined on this episode by the recently crowned Mr. and Miss Black OSU. Albony Bryles and Tony Purnell, who are both CAS students, took us through their journeys of winning the pageant — from their involvement in the Black community to their career goals to the opportunities for growth their Mr. and Miss Black OSU platforms will help them achieve. This episode was hosted by OSU graduate stu...

The College of Arts and Sciences is home to the OSU Ethics Bowl Team, a group hosted by the Department of Philosophy that competes in matches by applying ethical theories to real life scenarios. In this episode, we sat down with three students who are involved in the organization to discuss all things ethics — from their favorite theories to real world applications — and the work that goes into pr...

According to strategic communication senior Katelyn Woods, competing in pageants is like interviewing for a job; which means in February, Katelyn landed her dream job. As the 2024-25 Miss OSU, Woods is spreading kindness and awareness on OSU’s campus while preparing to graduate, compete in Miss Oklahoma and begin her master’s program (in that order!).     Katelyn joined us on the show to talk abou...

In recognition of Black History Month, OSU graduate student Jade Dudley sat down with fellow student Azariah Lang to talk about Black History Month, OSU’s Center for Africana Studies, Stand United and more, giving insights into Black and multicultural students' experiences here on campus. This episode of the Pokes PodCAS — the official podcast of OSU’s College of Arts and Sciences — was recorded i...

Hands-on experience is crucial for future careers, which is why the annual National Student Advertising Competition is a great opportunity for strategic communications students here at OSU. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, we sit down with professor Asya Cooley and students Annemarie Chaney and Jaiden Daughty to discuss all things NSAC. Co-hosting is NSAC alumna and current graduate student Al...

In just three and a half years at OSU, David Steichen has accomplished quite a bit. All of his accolades have led him to be named the College of Arts and Sciences Orange Gown Graduate for fall 2023 undergraduate commencement. David has blended his passions for medicine and sustainability to leave a legacy of research, a new club and a garden that gives back. Hosted by Erin Weaver, CAS Communicatio...

In this episode, history’s Dr. Francisco Beltran and CAS prospective students coordinator Karla Gutierrez discuss Hispanic heritage, identity and the role these elements played in the civil rights movement. Recorded on Oct. 5, 2023, on OSU’s Stillwater campus.

College of Arts and Sciences faculty members are bringing the classroom to inmates at the Payne County Jail. Thanks to a CAS Community Engagement Grant and in a collaboration with Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, Drs. Kathryn Weinland, Melissa Mills and Eric Howerton are volunteering their time to prepare inmates for the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) to earn high school diplomas. In...

Looking for some advice on how to have a great semester? Need to know where the best bathroom on campus is? Look no further! Political science student Adam Shuck and political science alumna Kallie Quintero (who also happen to be OSU tour guides!) sat down to give their best advice for incoming freshmen. Whether it’s your first day on campus or you graduate this May, Adam and Kallie have the insid...

No Oklahoma State Football game day would be complete without the Cowboy Marching Band. They lead the team into Boone Pickens Stadium, entertain the crowd at halftime and hype up fans and athletes alike in between plays. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, we talk with 2022-23 Cowboy Marching Band director Dr. Phil Vallejo and two members of the band, Alleyn Campbell and Rosalyn Hodge, who also h...

Dr. Brandy Thomas Wells, a professor in OSU’s Department of History, is turning her students into history detectives through research projects centered on Tulsa’s Greenwood District. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, we talk with Wells and two of her Oklahoma History students, Nicki Hammack and Brett Smith, about their work expanding what we know about residents of Black Wall Street. A collecti...

Jacqueline “Jackie” Harsha and Kaitlyn Taylor have been selected as Orange Gown Graduates for the May 2023 OSU commencement ceremonies. Harsha, a triple major in geospatial information systems, geography and Spanish, will be wearing the orange gown at the College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony. Taylor, a double major in animal science and political science, will wear the orange gown at...

There’s a whole lot of buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots lately — you’ve probably heard the names ChatGPT, Bing AI, Google Bard and others — and that’s no different in the world of education. We sat down with three Oklahoma State University professors to discuss this oft-times polarizing new technology, including its effects on education and the ethics of its use. We even had ChatG...

On this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, we sit down with Dr. Tommy Poole, associate professor and director of jazz studies at OSU, and OSU students Kyle Fisher and Aidan Evano. We packed a lot into our conversation, including a discussion of the OSU Jazz Orchestra (Kyle and Aidan are members, Dr. Poole is the director), the orchestra’s 2021 album Room 118, a not-so-successful trip to Orlando, Dr. Poo...

Booker T. Washington School in Stillwater, Oklahoma has sat vacant for years. Several OSU departments are now collaborating to preserve and improve one of the few remaining, formerly segregated school buildings in the state of Oklahoma while offering a great opportunity for students to learn. Thanks to a donation from a *secret* donor, the history of the Washington School will remain in the Stillw...

Ever wondered what it’s like to deep sea dive, going miles below the ocean surface to collect micro fossils at the sea floor? Boone Pickens School of Geology professor Dr. Ashley Burkett gives us her firsthand experience of doing just that, including *ahem* how they use the bathroom down there. (“Down there” meaning aboard the Alvin, a deep-sea submersible owned by the U.S. Navy.) An expert in the...

In this episode of the PodCAS, we have special guest Bailee Augustino, one of four Honorary Graduate Commencement Marshals for Fall 2022 and the only CAS student among the honorees. Augustino is graduating with her master’s in integrative biology and has dedicated her time to researching how environmental conditions affect the structure and dynamics of communication between and among American toad...