Real Talk: A Diversity in Higher Ed Podcast

KC and Jamil are joined by three student activists who helped raise awareness towards gun violence in the New Haven area. How can it be prevented? And how can more people go out there and make a difference?

KC and Jamil are joined by guest Andreina as they talk about the highs and lows of working in Congress, and the best ways to navigate current issues talked about on the Hill.

School is back in session! KC and Jamil are here to welcome you all to a new season and a new semester; with some tips and tricks to keep you sane along the way.

Don't worry, we'll be back in a month. But it's that time of year for reflection, and we're doing our due diligence here at Real Talk. See you in the spring semester!

When you don't have someone to guide you, transitioning to college can be a stressful and isolating process. From finding resources and navigating the college admissions process to learning to ask for help, this week we unpack the hidden pressures and burdens on students who are the first in their family to attend college, and get some advice from fellow first gens Dr. Diane Ariza and a variety of...

This week, we take on a big question: What does it mean to be American? KC and Jamil invited twelve people from around campus to answer this question. In this episode, you'll hear the diverse voices of folks from many perspectives and walks of life—immigrant and U.S. born; younger and older; determined and despairing. Here to have the conversation with them in the studio is Nivonchel Bramble, a ju...

We’ve all heard both sides of the argument, and have likely felt the humanity in pro-life and pro-choice perspectives. But this week we talk about what’s often left out of the conversation, and why it’s more complicated than any of us actually thought… Dr. Abigail Adams received her PhD from the University of New Mexico and is a medical anthropologist who focuses on human rights, global health, th...

KC and Jamil visit with President Joe Bertolino to discuss the return to campus, the future of vaccinations and COVID-19, and the state of social justice at the university. Appointed as the university's 12th president in July 2016, President Joe Bertolino oversees an institution of about 10,000 students, 440 full-time faculty, and 1,100 staff. His first day at Southern was Aug. 22, 2016. President...

Love em or hate em – Halloween is coming and we're here for the horror movies. Renea DaCosta from the podcast team joins KC and Jamil this week to talk about Get Out, Candyman, The Conjuring, and more...

What is Academic Freedom and why does it matter? What's the big deal with tenure - and who, other than faculty, even cares? Professor Tony Rosso shares concerns over the future of academic freedom at universities and what's at stake if it's lost. Dr. Tony Rosso received degrees in English from Ohio State University, San Francisco State, and the University of Maryland. He's been teaching at Souther...

After talking with Ala and Dr. Meyerhoffer last week, we couldn't wait to continue the allyship conversation at the student level. Today we hear from recent Southern grads about their experiences while students and perspectives on allyship since graduating. Gabriela Vazquez is a first-generation student-turned-graduate and graduate intern for Southern's Office of University Access Programs. Born a...

BUT who comes out just once? Honestly... Here's a hot take on National Coming Out Day 2021!

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”                                                           &...

It's Season 3. We're back. And we're all in a bit of a weird place as we work toward a new campus "normal." Oh -- and Jamil got a new job! Let us know your thoughts and questions for this season at RealTalk@SouthernCT.edu and @realtalkscsu on Instagram .

Connecticut high schools will be required to offer African-American, Black, Puerto Rican, and Latino studies beginning in Fall 2022 – becoming the first state in the nation to do so. Here to discuss the significance of this new law, signed into effect in December 2020, is Carlos Torre, professor of curriculum and learning and former president of the Board of Education for New Haven Public Schools....

The podcast team debriefs last week's conversation on transgender rights and adds some personal experiences from the college campus.

You keep using that word... I do not think it means what you think it means... Yes. We're pulling from our good friend Inigo Montoya to help us spell out the "T" in LGBTQIA+, because some of the misconceptions we're hearing today are truly inconceivable... As the transgender community continues to fight for public space, at least 28 state legislatures are weighing measures that would bar transgend...

The podcast team debriefs last week's conversation on cancel culture and adds some personal experiences from the college campus.

Afraid of being cancelled for saying the wrong thing? Our podcast guest D Howden thinks that's much less likely to happen than you think... Today we'll explore the deep roots of cancel culture and its displaced meanings in the modern media landscape. We'll also talk about the real victims of cancel culture, how the tables can be turned, and the close relationship between platforms, power, and acco...

The concept of home is fluid for many undocumented students in America, especially in today's political climate. What role can higher education play in helping to stabilize policy for students? And more broadly, why do policy decisions change from administration to administration? All that and more on today's episode, featuring: Dr. Carmen Coury is an Assistant Professor of Latin American History...

Jamil and Renea explore the the invisible labor and emotion it takes to progress social justice. Being an activist, it takes emotional, intellectual, and physical work. They cover the concept of "reverse racism," affirmative action, and the normalization of Black trauma in our everyday lives.

By day, Dr. Jaye Gardiner is working as a postdoctoral fellow in pancreatic cancer research, mentoring up-and-coming STEM students, and teaching in the Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) Initiative through the Fox Chase Cancer Center. But believe it or not, that still leaves plenty of time for her other passion: increasing science exposure, access, and literacy through comics. Joined by SCSU...

Six Asian women were murdered in Atlanta this week amidst a surge of anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes. While investigations are still underway in Georgia, we couldn't miss this opportunity to have some real talk. In this bonus episode, you'll also get a first look at our behind-the-scenes crew! #StopTheHateAAPI

Early Drop 📩 If social justice and inclusion are top priorities on campus, then where is the money? As we strive to strengthen our footing as a social justice university, Dr. Lin and Dr. Carter-David discuss the hidden costs and burdens placed on people - specifically women - of color to meet student and academic demands.

Yes. We have (and love) the Sage Center. But it still seems like some things are missing... Listen in and add your suggestions @realtalkscsu on Instagram!