Real Talk: A Diversity in Higher Ed Podcast

After an inspiring conversation last week with Dr. Evans about the evolution of black culture and faculty on university campuses, we return with students Renea and Antione to talk about black student experiences - from seeing yourself reflected (or not) in your professors to codeswitching, navigating the college experience, and creating spaces for black joy.

Dr. Marian Evans, professor of public health at Southern Connecticut State University, breaks down her years working in the medical field and higher education, and the changes she's seen in multiculturalism and professional support for black faculty on campus. We'll also break down some of today's news about Cornel West, Smith College, and more.

What keeps us from having authentic, meaningful conversations about racism, discrimination and bias in the classroom? Learn about the foundations of diversity conversations in higher ed and how they are actually experienced by people of color. Meet your hosts: KC Councilor Jamil Harp

Dr. Joe Bertolino joins Diane and Shanté to look back at how far higher ed has come, how far we have to go, and what his experience has been leading the university during challenging times.

Dr. Randolph Brooks joins us again to talk about the prevailing mental health stigmas across cultures and why they're more important than ever to break.

This week Diane and Shanté bring in Dr. Tekisha Dwan Everette to discuss healthcare access and utilization amongst minority communities, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed long-standing health inequities. Dr. Everette is the executive director of Health Equity Solutions, an organization that advocates for change through legislation and regulatory actions, and ensures that decision-makers ar...

People are hurt. People are in trauma. We have two presidents and no idea when we will only have one.... COVID is spiking, families are in dire economic straits... so how are YOU doing? Dr. Randolph Brooks is the Multicultural Programming and Outreach Coordinator in the Counseling Center at Southern Connecticut State University. His research focuses on increasing marginalized and underrepresented...

As we round the corner on one of the most contentious political season of our times, many of us are left to wonder what's next. Dr. Jonathan Wharton helps us break down what's going on in the world and what to expect (and not expect) after election day.

In 2020, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officers are rapidly becoming the real MVPs at colleges and universities across America. As Southern Connecticut State University's first chief DEI strategist, Dr. Diane Ariza brings more than two decades’ experience of administrative leadership in social justice and a background of teaching and research in ethnic studies to address issues of documenting a...

The role of journalism as a non-partisan checkpoint has been largely called into question during the rise of social media and accusations of fake news, with conversations often curving back to the question of, “Who gets to own the truth?” Professor Frank Harris, III, joins us this week to discuss how this criticism is affecting conversations on diversity, and the ability of news media to be seen a...

Diane and Shante talk with two student activists, Jamil Harp and Elijah Ortiz, about the ongoing work to move past performance activism and into the realm of effecting systemic change, beginning at their own university.