This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Sophia Kruz, CEW+’s 2015 Twink Frey Visiting Social Activist, documentary producer and director, and U-M alum. Sophia shares her insights into the impact of art on social reform, and filmmaking as a tool for justice. Make sure to listen to the end to hear Sophia talk about her upcoming projects and the power of filmmaking.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Lauren Schandevel, a U-M alum of the Ford School of Public Policy and creator of the crowd-sourced document, “Being Not-Rich at UM”, which serves as a guide for low-income students on campus. Lauren shares her experiences as a first-generation, low-income student, and speaks about public policy and community organizing.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra, artistic director at Healing Bells, a U-M Lecturer in Carillon, and affiliate faculty at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender and at the Center for World Performance Studies. Pamela shares her experiences with music, playing the carillon, and her insights into arts and healing.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Erika Murcia, a 2016 CEW+ Scholar and MSW alum. She shares her insights into her work with poetry and trauma, as well as her own podcast, Somos Semillas, We Are Seeds (listen on Spotify at https://spotify.link/IhYSA4edLyb)

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Schinella D’Souza, a PhD student in mathematics and a 2022 recipient of the Irma M. Wyman CEW+ Scholarship. Schinella shares her insights into inclusivity and equity in teaching, and compassionate mentorship. You can download and subscribe to Strength in the Midst of Change from — Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Subscribe, listen, and enjoy!

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Liz DeBetta, Advocacy Program Manager at CEW+. Dr. DeBetta is an interdisciplinary scholar-artist-activist whose work is grounded in creativity and social justice to help create social change for individuals and communities that have been marginalized and oppressed. Liz shares her insights into storytelling, the experiences of being a nontraditional student, and her excitement at taking over as the host of Strength in the Midst of Change.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Anne Ladky, CEW+’s 2006 Twink Frey Visiting Social Activist. She is a lifelong advocate for economic justice, committed to expanding opportunities for women and people of color in the Chicago region. Anne shares her insights about equal pay issues, workplace discrimination, and her time as a Twink Frey Visiting Social Activist at U-M.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Anastasia Marie, a 2022 recipient of the CEW+ Joan P. Ireland Scholarship. She is a master’s student in the School of Environment and Sustainability studying Landscape Architecture, an alumnus of the University of Vermont and UNC School of the Arts’ music school, and a vegan. Anastasia shares her insights into the connections between ecology, architecture, structural and systemic racism, and music, as well as her experience as a scholar.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Courtney Reid, MSW, LMSW, and counseling program manager at CEW+. Courtney aims to help others define their concept of well-being, identify meaningful goals and accomplish them while honoring their inner resiliency by giving consideration to one’s biopsychosocial circumstances. Courtney shares her insights about imagining possibilities and mindfulness for those seeking to further refine their educational and professional pursuits. Make sure to listen to the end to hear Courtney talk about holding broader perspectives for yourself and her advice about making time for self-care.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Mina Hernandez Garcia, a 2022 CEW+ Scholar and the first Amy Mecozzi Cho and Lawrence Cho Family Scholar. Mina is a PhD candidate in Educational Studies with a focus on “translanguaging,” or teachers’ and students’ use of multiple languages to make meaning in subject-matter classrooms. Mina shares her insights about supporting bilingual and multilingual students to thrive through the use of culturally sustaining practices in the classroom.