At the Edge of it All

When a desert stream dries up, what do aquatic insects that live in the area do? And, when they can't survive a drought, what happens to our environmental ecosystem? Kate Boersma, associate professor of biology, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to answer these questions and share why the health of the insects at the bottom of the food chain impacts everyone.

This week, "At the Edge of It All" was joined by Ali Gibson, Associate Athletic Director for Finance and Administration at USD. Gibson may work behind the scenes at USD, but for years she's also competed at the highest levels of women's basketball -- including the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Gibson talked about her background as a college athlete and how she was able to make it onto the Puerto Rican...

This week, "At the Edge of It All" was joined by James Bolender, associate provost of international affairs and a professor of chemistry at the University of San Diego. He talked about his early love of science and how that led to opportunities to travel the globe while using his chemistry expertise. He oversees USD's International Center, and explained how traveling abroad can be an enriching lea...

This week, "At the Edge of It All" was joined by Kyle Brooks, assistant professor of theology and religious studies. He talked about the  history of Black History Month, some of the lesser-known figures behind it, and why it was started in the first place and what it's become. He also talked about Black artists' unique place in American culture, including a discussion about Kendrick Lamar's Super...

This week on "At the Edge of It All: The Athletics Edge", we were joined by USD Baseball coach Brock Ungricht and senior, two-way player Austin Smith. Ungricht talked about his career before coaching, what he learned from Tony Gwynn, and how he coaches today. Smith discussed going from under-recruited out of high school to an All-American at USD. He talked about his approach to pitching and battin...

This week, on "At the Edge of It All", Bart Thompson, head coach of USD Men's Rowing, joined us to talk about his love of coaching. Thompson was a rower in college, and explored a career in medicine and taught high school before returning to the sport as a coach. He talked about his philosophy -- pushing athletes hard while they're on the water, but going the extra mile to connect with them emotio...

Michael Morse sat down with "At the Edge of It All" for a conversation about his nearly 40-year journey as an electrical engineering professor. Not only is he a seasoned engineer, but he’s also a lawyer, consultant on court cases, licensed pilot, scuba diver, and sailor. In this episode, Morse shares fascinating stories from his diverse career, including his groundbreaking discovery of a rare elec...

In this episode of "The Athletics Edge," a special series of "At the Edge of It All," we talk with Kimya Massey, Athletic Director of the University of San Diego, about the mental health challenges student-athletes face. Massey discusses the pressures of balancing academics, sports, and personal life, the importance of support systems, and how athletic departments are evolving to prioritize mental...

In honor of Mental Wellness Awareness Month, this episode of "At the Edge of It All" features Nicholas Boyd, Assistant Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of San Diego. Boyd shares his journey to USD, his military service, and how it influenced his career in mental health. He discusses the urgent mental health needs within the military community and the imp...

In this episode of "The Athletics Edge," we sit down with Kimya Massey, Athletic Director of the University of San Diego, to explore the pivotal role of college athletics within campus communities. Massey dives into how athletic programs are far more than just a competitive pursuit — they shape campus culture, create bonds among students and contribute to a sense of belonging.

Philip Gamaghelyan, associate professor of conflict resolution at the University of San Diego, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to talk about his life living in Armenia during Soviet Union rule, and how war impacted his career trajectory. Gamaghelyan also talks about how conflict resolution has changed over the last few decades, and why. 

In the latest episode of The Athletics Edge, Kimya Massey, Athletic Director of the University of San Diego, breaks down the ins and out of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, and what they mean for student athletes today. Massey talks about the legalities involved, the way it impacts large and small schools, and how big a factor social media is in it all. 

Diane Hoffoss, mathematics professor at the University of San Diego, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to talk about how she found a love for math at a young age and how that love continues to guide her passion for teaching students. Hoffoss also discusses how she collaborates with other professors, from different disciplines, on a project called Art Builds that creates art installations...

In the latest episode of The Athletics Edge, Kimya Massey, Athletic Director of the University of San Diego (USD), shared how his childhood sports experiences shaped how he makes DEI initiatives a part of the athletics programs he oversees. Massey also discussed how leaders can similarly implement DEI programming both on and off the sports field -- to generate a community of belonging within their...

Nicole Whitner, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, and Leilani Youmans, Civil Discourse Ambassador - both at the University of San Diego - joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to talk about the importance of civility and how to approach difficult conversations, specially on a college campus and among young adults. 

When Kimya Massey was a standout pitcher in college, things were different. This week, on “The Athletics Edge” USD’s athletic director explains how the student-athlete experience has evolved over the years, some of the opportunities — and pitfalls — that today’s student-athletes face, and what young athletes should know as they embark on their college experience.

This week, “At the Edge of It All” was joined by James Fabionar, associate professor of teacher education, who discussed the nuances of ethnic studies. He talked about his background, coming from a family of immigrants, and how that led him to explore his culture and ethnic studies. He also talked about the history and evolution of ethnic studies, what it is and what it is not, and why it plays an...

Krystn Shrieve thought something was off with her body, but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. After a while, when she didn’t feel any better, she got tested. It turned out she had colon cancer. This week, “At the Edge of It All” was joined by Shrieve, the director of brand marketing and communication at USD, who’s cancer-free today. She shared her inspiring journey from diagnosis to recovery an...

Sports shaped the person Kimya Massey is today. “At the Edge of It All” was joined by USD’s new Athletic Director to kickoff a special series that will provide an inside look at the world of college sports. In today’s episode, listeners will be introduced to Massey, a former student-athlete who’s helping the next generation succeed in his current role. He talks about his background as an athlete,...

Emotions are likely to be raw across the country this morning, following a months-long, polarizing march to Election Day. Now, how do we move forward together, regardless of the results? “At the Edge of It All” was joined by Sarah Federman, associate professor of conflict resolution at USD and author of the award-winning book  Transformative Negotiation.  She explained the impulse to become tribal...

This week, USD is commemorating Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, alongside communities around the world. On the latest episode of "At the Edge of It All," communication professor Antonieta Mercado and her student Georgina Duran join the conversation to explore the cultural significance of this celebration in Latin America and the U.S. They also delve into Mercado's Latin American Studies co...

Esta semana, USD conmemora el Día de los Muertos, junto con comunidades de todo el mundo. En este episodio de "Al Borde de Todo", la profesora de comunicación Antonieta Mercado y su alumna Georgina Durán se unen a la conversación para explorar el significado cultural de esta celebración en América Latina y Estados Unidos. También profundizan en el curso de Estudios Latinoamericanos de Mercado. “Dí...

Evan Crawford, assistant professor of political science and international relations at the University of San Diego, joined "At the Edge of It All" to talk about his journey from high school history teacher to expert on school board politics. Crawford discussed the evolution of school boards, recent partisan shifts, the impact of COVID-19 on decision-making and the importance of community engagemen...

Dr. Niki Elliott, director of the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at the University of San Diego, joined the "At the Edge of It All" team to share her passion for supporting the needs and strengths of neurodivergent individuals, and why its a personal fight for her. Elliott also talks about her new role at the recently created Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at the Univ...

Join "At the Edge of It All" as we chat with Brian Quinn, head coach of the University of San Diego men's soccer team. We explore his early love for soccer in Ireland and his extensive professional playing career, including with the U.S. National Team. With USD’s recent back-to-back conference championships and a strong focus on academics and community, Coach Quinn shares insights on building a su...