Community Conversations: From local to global engagement

Featuring Jade Stoltz, Director of Development, Goodwin Foundation In this inspiring episode of Community Conversations: From Local to Global Engagement , we welcome Jade Stoltz, Director of Development for the Goodwin Foundation , for a conversation about education, personal growth, and the value of global experiences. Jade shares her college journey and reflects on the experiences that helped sh...

In this episode, Dr. Jaria C. Bush shares her journey through higher education—beginning as an academic advisor and rising to Assistant Provost for Student Management at the University of Bridgeport. She reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped her leadership approach and how she intentionally supports and empowers her staff along the way. Since the recording of this episode, Dr. Bush has t...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Brian A. Dixon , a cultural studies scholar and college English professor with over twenty years of teaching experience. Dr. Dixon shares insights from his work at Goodwin University and his research on popular culture, literature, and media—from comic book archetypes and detective fiction to British sitcoms and the cultural legacy of James Bond. Blending scholars...

Michael Murphy, Program Director of Respiratory Care at Goodwin University, shares his journey from practicing respiratory therapist to professor and academic leader. He reflects on the experiences that shaped his career, his transition into teaching, and his passion for preparing the next generation of respiratory care professionals.

In this episode, we sit down with Aubrey Roscoe, a passionate public health leader whose career has been driven by one purpose — putting people and communities first. From her beginnings in community health to her leadership at the Institute for Hunger Research and Solutions at Connecticut Foodshare, Aubrey has dedicated her work to tackling one of our most pressing challenges: food insecurity. Jo...

In this inspiring episode, Professor Heather Jimenez shares her powerful journey as a first-generation college student. From key moments in her childhood to her academic path and eventual transition into a professional career, Professor Jimenez opens up about the challenges and triumphs that shaped her path to becoming a professor. She also dives into her impactful work in public health, where she...

Animator, creator, and changemaker Joe Young takes us behind the scenes of his incredible journey—from student to award-winning artist. Discover how he turned passion into purpose, built a career in entertainment, and stayed grounded by giving back. From youth programs to educational characters, Joe shares powerful lessons on creativity, community, and staying true to your mission.

In this captivating episode, host Dr. Lisa Wiśniewski sitsdown with Dr. Sarah Silverman, educator, independent faculty developer, and passionate advocate for neurodiversity in higher education. Dr. Silverman shares her deeply personal and professional journey from her early academic experiences as a neurodivergent student to her transformative work supportingfaculty and graduate students in inclus...

In this informative episode, Dr. Lisa Wiśniewski interviews Stephen Morris, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford (LVGH), who highlights the challenges and opportunities for literacy education and advocacy in Connecticut. Morris shares the mission, advocacy, and programming of this amazing organization that serves adult students to build and strengthen their literacy skills...

Dr. Lisa Wisniewski’s latest interview is with immigration attorney and Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut, Dana Bucin. Dana speaks of her journey from her birth in the Transylvanian region of Romania to leaving her country at eighteen to study in the U.S., eventually obtaining a law degree. She discusses her role as an honorary consul as one of advocacy and building political, economic, an...

Dr. Lisa Wisniewski has the honor of interviewing Mr. Craig Jordan, Veteran’s Coordinator at Goodwin University. Craig grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut and was inspired by his parents’ service and commitment to the community. Taking that inspiration with him to Providence College, he joined the ROTC and was sent to Vietnam after graduation as a second lieutenant. He became a platoon leader af...

In this latest podcast, Dr. Lisa Wisniewski interviews Dr. Vivienne Friday, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Goodwin University. From her early years in Jamaica where Dr. Friday’s life was one of “not having a lot but just enough,” she was inspired by nurses coming into her tiny community to pursuing nursing. Dr. Friday speaks of her work in hospitals where she learned from her...

This podcast series is dedicated to the memory of Ken Marion. He was a friend and supporter of the series since the beginning. May his memory be a blessing.