H.E.A.R.D., An AACRAO Podcast

Recorded at the 2023 AACRAO Annual Meeting, Portia, Tashana, and Ingrid asked AACRAO members to take the mic and share what work is being done at their institutions and offices to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. There’s so much good work happening out there! If you’d like to highlight some good work, send us an email at heard@aacrao.org so we can feature it on a future pod. 

Tashana, Portia, and Ingrid sat down with Kylie Borges, Associate Registrar for Degree Progress and Audit at Stanford University and Vice President of Diversity Development for PACRAO. This episode digs deep into the power of state and regional associations in DEI work; institutional commitment to DEI; and how policies reflect commitment or lack thereof to DEI. The conversation also dips into repr...

The ladies talk with ASCEND graduates Johnika Dreher from Kent State University, Malia Jones from Elon University, and Ria Woods White from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University about their experiences participating in AACRAO’s ASCEND program and their reflections on how it has helped them think about their current and future professional opportunities. AACRAO’s ASCEND program, “. . .aims to divers...

Portia, Tashana, and Ingrid are joined by Rakin “Rock” Hall, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Chief Enrollment Officer at Arcadia University. We talked with Rock about his experience as a higher education professional working in Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) at a variety of different institutions, randing from R1s, to medium size state schools, and now a small university. Throug...

This episode was suggested by Katie Brown, Assistant Vice President for Student Success and University Registrar at Aspen University. Katie asked how those of us in positions that oversee hiring can make a concerted effort to increase DEI initiatives at our institutions and how to remove barriers in interviewing, hiring, and onboarding. To tackle this subject, the ladies talk to Simone Brown Thund...

In this episode, Portia, Tashana, and Ingrid reflect on their first HEARD interviews and discuss what stood out; the diversity, equity, and inclusion ground they have yet to cover; and set some intentions for 2023. This candid conversation covers the gamut of topics, including complicated first impressions, tea time vs. happy hours, and one very nerdy joke from Portia. 

When you’re the first person of color in your role, how do you promote a culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? H.E.A.R.D  host, Tashana Curtis invites Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Administration and University Registrar Patricia A. Scott to the pod to talk about her experience building a culture of belonging in the workplace as the first person of color to serve as University Reg...

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion feel ubiquitous now in higher education, but where did it all begin? The H.E.A.R.D. hosts speak with Dr. Keith Mayes from the University of Minnesota about the roots of DEI in the Civil Rights Movement, intersectionality, and what is (and isn’t) possible to accomplish through DEI committees and initiatives within higher education. Dr. Mayes talks about the importan...

When you’re not an expert but need to take action, it’s important to seek advice from trusted mentors. Portia, Tashana, and Ingrid seek some help from Dr. David Graham, Assistant Vice Provost for Student Academic Success at The Ohio State University about how to navigate the complexities of DEI topics on the podcast. Dr. Graham shares his perspective on building community, giving grace, and settin...

In the first episode of HE.A.R.D., the three hosts share how their identities and experiences have shaped their professional journeys and involvement with DEI work. Learn about what brought them together and what they hope to explore as they learn and grow in real time with the AACRAO community.  Hosts  Portia LaMarr - Product Manager in Information Technology, The Ohio State University  Tashana C...