Diverse & Creative Voices Episodes

Welcome back to America's leading higher education podcast! This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #62. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Christina Royal, President at Holyoke Community College! Christina talks to us about the myriad of issues students are dealing with including mental health, access to services, and food insecurities. As the first queer female person of color as President of Holyoke Community College, she is passionate about affordability...

Welcome back to America's leading higher education podcast! This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #61. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Sean Decatur, President at Kenyon College! With a recent 100M gift, Sean and Kenyon College are doubling down on the residential experience. Sean believes that liberal arts institutions are critical to a bright future - these institutions teaching writing skills and self-efficacy development. To Sean, the benefits of a s...

Welcome back to America's leading higher education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by Element 451, we talk with Dr. Alyssa Nota, President/CEO, University Studies Abroad Consortium USAC! Apologies for the spotty audio in this episode. According to Alyssa, there is still tremendous demand for studying abroad. Despite covid, study abroad is still possible - USAC prepares students to go abroad and Alyssa and team understand their responsibility to ensure student...

In this amazing episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we have the honor of speaking with Ruby Veridiano, Paris Ambassador, Remake! Ruby talks to us about the fashion industry - how workers in some countries are exploited, and why sustainable fashion is a necessary piece of education that colleges and universities need to deliver to students. The fashion industry includes materials/textiles, human resources, supply chain management, product marketing, sales, and general busi...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #54. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Carlos Penaloza, Chancellor at Leeward Community College! The Island of Hawaii has seen ups and downs during COVID. Carlos talks to us about how they have handled the pandemic, but how his focus is now shifting to sustainable systems and workforce development. On the sustainability front, Leeward Comunity College is at net-zero energy. Accessibility is a huge focus for Leeward, as th...

In this amazing episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we have the honor of speaking with Allan Golston, President of US Programs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation! Allan speaks very plainly about what must be done within higher education and society to eliminate race, ethnicity, and income as predictors of success for students. The Gates Foundation looks at creating tangible results economically disadvantaged populations, particularly in the black and latino communities, hav...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #53. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Yves Salomon Fernandez, President, Greenfield Community College. Yves talks to us about the challenges and opportunities that exist in operating a rural community college. She talks about how to bounce back from challenges in order to look into the future - at GCC, it's all hands on deck and when Yves is all in, she is all in! Yves has learned to be comfortable with failure, chan...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #52. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Shirley M. Collado, President, Ithaca College! Shirley talks to us about how the original financial plan for Ithaca College has not worked. Simply put, Shirley tells us that CV-19 has completely accelerated the "Ithaca Forever" 5-year strategic plan. She is working to align the infrastructure of the college with the enrollment - which isn't easy when you consider traditionalism a...

In this episode of The EdUp Experience, we talk with Jamie Gardner, VP of Workforce Readiness with the San Diego Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Jamie and Joe have a one-on-one discussing the changes to the field of HR in 2020, which were significant. With Covid, social unrest, work-from-home, and a myriad of other challenges to employees, HR has never been hotter and more needed. Jamie also discusses why he is so passionate about our military servicemen and women t...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #51. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Anthony Jenkins, President, Coppin State University! Anthony talks to us about how CSU is student-centered and why a commitment to the finish line is a necessity. In their challenge and support environment, CSU is passionate about providing the best opportunity for the best quality of life. The scholarly work that HBCU students produce needs to continually discussed and recognize...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #50. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Jack Thomas, President, Central State University! Jack talks about faculty being the heart and soul of the university - they are responsible for providing students with a world-class education! Students need more counseling and mental wellness services than ever - learn how Jack focuses on building CSUs academic profile that helps with recruitment efforts.


Dr. Jack Thomas took...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #47. In this episode of The EdUp Experience, we welcome Sandra Doran, President, Bay Path University. Sandra talks to us about using predictive analytics and wraparound services to create the best student experience possible - whether that's online or on-ground. Bay Bath University is a women's undergraduate college - they serve the traditional 18-22 yr old and the very important adult woman who wants to secure her bachelor's degree to create ...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #39 - In this episode of The EdUp Experience, we talk with Frank Wu, President of Queens College. As the second Asian-American ever to lead a City University of New York campus, find out why Wu only has eyes on Queens College. From his time teaching at Howard University, which comes with a very interesting set of circumstances, to the passion Frank has for dispelling Model Minority Theory, Wu takes us on a journey of commitment and focus as he...

In this BONUS The EdUp Experience episode, Elizabeth Leiba talks one-on-one with Dr. A.D. Carson, Assistant Professor of Hip-Hop, Department of Music, University of Virginia.

A.D. talks about his super interesting origin story. He and Liz also discuss the need for higher education to provide more diverse course offerings and the story behind A.D.’s dissertation, which is unlike any other!

A.D. Carson is an award-winning performance artist and educator from Decatur, Ill. His work focuses on rac...

In this episode of The EdUp Experience, we talk Dr. Mayen B. Udoetuk, Director, Program and Partner Development at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension. Mayen literally job crafted her role to be involved with diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work of extending UCSC SVE in the credit and non-credit space. She champions the role of professional and continuing education for adult learners by designing relevant curriculum and through extending diversity in advisory boards so those that are informing...

Episode 100! Can you believe it? In this 100th episode of The EdUp Experience, The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #33, we welcome Dr. Daria J. Willis, President of Everett Community College. As Everett CC's first African American President, Daria discusses why saying "yes" to opportunity and keeping it real underpinned her meteoric rise through the ranks. Though diversity, equity, and inclusion are important, so is authenticity and disrupting the traditional nature of higher education ...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #32 - In this episode, we welcome Lee Lambert, Chancellor and CEO for Pima Community College. Pima has grown to be one of the largest multi-campus community colleges in the nation. Lee talks to us about a variety to topics including the four tech superpowers, industry 4. 0, the community college as the hub of a community, and Pima's focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

A U.S. Army veteran, Chancellor Lambert was born in Seoul, South Kore...

In this episode of The EdUp Experience, we talk with Senior Vice President of Everfi, Rob Buelow. Rob talks to us about how today's students demand more from their campus experience, evaluating institutions on their commitments to safety, health and wellness, and inclusion. Rob enlightens us about Everfi's Social Impact Index ranking and why there is a necessity to look at emerging factors which are key indicators for the future of higher education's relevance.

Rob Buelow is the Senior Vice Pre...

Here is a summary of the key points from this podcast episode:

Dr. Dwuan Warmack, President of Claflin University, discusses leadership and issues in higher education.
Claflin University is the oldest HBCU (Historically Black College/University) in South Carolina with a mission focused on diversity, equity and developing visionary leaders.
COVID-19 forced difficult but necessary pivots to online/hybrid learning to keep students and community members safe. Claflin took an inclusive approach to planning for various scenarios.
HBCUs like Claflin intentionally nurture the whole student and see higher rates of retention and graduation, especially for disadvantaged students. More diversity and student-centered cultures are needed at predominantly white institutions.
Claflin recently partnered with Zoom for internships, faculty exchanges, and to expand educational access and opportunities for students.
Effective higher education leadership requires courage, mission-focus over ego, li…

**We had just a few audio challenges in this episode, but hope you will stick with it in a few spots because the content is amazing**

This is The EdUp Experience President Series, Episode #25 - In this episode, we welcome Dr. Christopher Brown, President of Kentucky State University.

In this episode, Dr. Christopher Brown talks to us about how the public is rediscovering the role and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. HBCUs have been known for producin...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series, Episode #25 - In this episode, we welcome Dr. Claudia Schrader the President of Kingsborough Community College.


Dr. Schrader describes her student-first, success and retention model with a focus on the diverse student body she serves, that consistently ranks among the leading community colleges in the country in associate degrees awarded to minority students.


As the first Black woman President in the 56-year history of the college, she is defin...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series, Episode #24 - In this episode, we welcome the Chancellor of the City University of New York, Dr. Felix Matos Rodriguez. There are some guests that we could talk to forever, and Dr. Rodriguez is one of those people. He talks about how CUNY is an anchor in the New York community - not only do they provide a cost-effective and workforce ready education, but CUNY is doing the work of advancing humanity through diversity, inclusion, equity, and responsibi...

In this episode of EdUp Embedded, Dr. D-L Stewart, Professor and Co-Chair at Colorado State University talks to Elizabeth about Justice as a central element in the fight for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He provides practical definitions and actionable strategies on the key essential concepts for social justice warriors, allies, individuals and organizations committed to change.

He also describes how the "Language of Appeasement" has been counterproductive to advancing meaningful and measura...

This is The EdUp Experience President Series, Episode #21 - In this episode, we welcome the President of the University of Puerto Rico, Dr. Jorge Haddock. Jorge talks to us about the resistance of the island of Puerto Rico and how the people have come together given significant challenges. He highlights how the University of Puerto Rico is serving BIPOC populations and how changing quickly, enrollment trends, and financial implications are impacted by the pandemic and by competition.


Dr. Hadd...