Real Talk: A Diversity in Higher Ed Podcast

KC, Saieda, and Danielle talk with stand up comedian Linda Belt about the importance of comedy to society, cancel culture, and what teachers can learn from comedians.

KC, Danielle, Saieda, and Zoe talk with Miros Gonzalez about her journey to reconnect with her Yaqui roots and the possibilities of filmmaking to share these stories. You can contact Miros via www.yaquiland.com. In the episode, she mentioned Kin Theory, an initiative of Nia Tero, which is a global network of indigenous media creators; they host free online monthly office hours: https://www.kintheory.org/. 

KC and Danielle talk with two educators and changemakers about the public school system, with a focus on underfunded schools. Guests Patricia Gagliardi, Director for Inclusion and Restorative Justice Education Development at SCSU and Alva Hanson, First Year Experience and Environmental Science instructor at Tunxis Community College, bring their rich experiences to the conversation.

KC and Danielle talk with Sahmah Nah, CEO of Gateway U in Newark, about new models of higher ed and ways to break down barriers that keep students of color from being able to complete degrees.

This season, Real Talk is heading in a fresh new direction with multiple co-hosts joining KC in the studio. Our cross-generational team includes Danielle Campbell, a graduate student, Zoe Pringle, an undergraduate student and Saieda Lataillade-Lewis, a post-grad. Join us for hot takes, fresh insights, and a lot of laughs as we test the waters together.

In this season finale, KC talks with two young leaders, Alex Grant and Abdul Osmanu, about leadership, running for office, role models, and what it’s like to serve in political office. Osmanu was elected to the Hamden, CT Town Council in 2021 at the age of 19. 

KC and guest co-host Jess Holman talk with Nicole Lynn Lewis, founder and CEO of Generation Hope, and author of memoir Pregnant Girl: A Story of Teen Motherhood, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families. Join our discussion on the stigma and myths of teenage pregnancy and motherhood, and learn how you can help change the narrative about student parents, see them for the full, complex people they are, and encourage institutions to recognize the asset they are on campus.

This week, KC talks with two passionate people behind the soon to open PROUD Academy (Gr 7-12) in New Haven—Patty Nicolari, the founder and executive director, and Brandon Iovene, graduate student and board member. The school’s mission is to provide a safe and affirming learning environment for all students, but particularly for LGBTQIA+ students. It is one of only a few schools like it in the country, and in this conversation, they talk about what it’s like for queer youth and teachers in schools and the challenges and possibilities in creating an affirming school from the ground up.

The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond has been training people and leading effective community change through its Undoing Racism workshop for four decades. In this episode, KC is joined by three undergraduate students who recently experienced the workshop: Tatiana Jackson (Sociology ‘23), Shoshana Mahon (Social Work ‘24) and Zoe Pringle (Psychology ‘23). Listen in to hear students' perspectives on the most impactful moments, opportunities at the campus and community levels, and the way forward from here. To learn more about bringing the Undoing Racism workshop to your campus or community, visit www.pisab.org.

There’s some big news from the team at the top of today’s episode! Then, KC and guest co-host Dr. Kelvin Rutledge talk with Dr. Natasha Flowers about systems of power within education, and the challenges to and opportunities for sustained change. 

Dr. Flowers is the assistant dean for anti-racism, equity, and inclusion at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education, Health and Human Behavior.

Dr. Kelvin Rutledge is the Associate VP for Institutional Inclusive Strategies & Change Management at Southern Connecticut State University.