In this special reflection episode, we revisit the highlights and transformative moments from our first season that launched on March 3rd, 2018 all the way to its tenth season. Hosts, Chisa Uyeki and Ivan Sanchez reflect, along with the podcast’s long-time producer of eight and half years since the podcast’s inception, Christina Barsi, on how the show evolved to bring listeners into real experiences on campus.

From capturing live in-person events to becoming a key resource component in keeping the campus connected during the swift changes that took place during covid to finding our way back to capturing in-person experiences on campus in our most recent season - the podcast has served as both a recorded history of the resiliency Mt. SAC faculty and students alike have shown and as a way to connect to current events and resources that help our students succeed.

As we celebrate the journey so far, we also mark a heartfelt transition, wishing our producer, Christina Barsi, all the best on her new endeavours as life shifts and her time with us comes to an end. Join us as we look back, reflect, and gear up for future seasons together!

A note from our producer:

This project allowed me the unique opportunity to learn so much about myself, what I’m capable of, and the craft of audio storytelling, along with how to gently guide others in a process that often asks you to step out of your comfort zone for the bigger goal of creating the space and platform for others to shine, to share or to simply cover much needed information.

When this project began, it asked me to step out of my comfort zone at every turn but in doing so - I discovered a version of myself that I didn’t know was there. It shaped my professional career and craft with a unique skillset that is hard to find in podcast production these days and it opened me up to a world of issues that I now deeply care about and embed in my approach to my work, how I hire and how I advocate for others who are a part of my industry or want to be. I attribute so much of the person I’ve evolved into over these past eight and a half years…to my work with this podcast. I am forever grateful and I will miss it. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey.

Run Time: 20 min, 24 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of systemic and individual violence, including sexual assault and rape. Please listen with care.

On March 18, 2026, Dolores Huerta, distinguished farmworker rights activist and feminist, published a statement sharing her personal story of surviving sexual abuse and rape perpetrated by Cesar Chavez. In her statement she shared that she, “carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was my life’s work.” She put the movement ahead of herself because of her commitment to improving the lives of farm workers and their families.

In this episode we will be talking with April Tellez, Mt. SAC professor of History and of Ethnic Studies, who authored the book, Dolores Huerta: A Life in American History. Join us as we reflect on the message of Dolores Huerta’s work, the repercussions of intersectional oppression, and how we can contribute to providing safe learning environments for students.

Resources:

Huerta, Dolores. “A Statement from Dolores Huerta.” Medium. 18 Mar. 2026, https://medium.com/@dolores_huerta/march-18-2026-e74c20430555?

The Dolores Huerta Foundation For Community Organizing. “Sexual Assault Resources.” https://doloreshuerta.org/sexual_assault_resources/

Mt. SAC Behavioral Health (for students) multi-disciplinary, multilingual, and multiethnic team of licensed professionals that offer short-term confidential mental health counseling and crisis intervention.

Mt. SAC Behavior and Wellness Team (BW&T) Non-emergency multidisciplinary campus team that guides the campus community in effectively assessing and addressing concerning and/or threatening behavior. The B&WT aims to support students who may be experiencing an emotional problem or before their behavior reaches a potentially dangerous level. Mt. SAC employees can submit referrals to B&WT when they are concerned about a student. The team will follow up to provide support and resources.

Mt. SAC Employee Counseling Center Offers free, voluntary and confidential counseling, workshops, information and referrals for Mt. SAC employees. Bilingual counseling in Spanish is also available.

Mt. SAC Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. If you have questions or concerns learn more on the Mt. SAC Title IX Contact Information.

AP3540 Sexual Misconduct, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking

End Rape on Campus Your experience is valid, it’s not your fault, and you are not alone. This organization works to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities; prevention through education; and policy reform at the campus, local, state, and federal levels. Survivor Resources are also listed on their website.

A Call to Men: Helping create a world where all men and boys are loving and respectful and all women, girls, and those at the margins of the margins are valued and safe.

Crisis Intervention Resources:

• Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255
• Text COURAGE to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Crisis Support: Text “HEARME” to 839863, available 24/7
• StrongHearts Native Helpline 1-844-762-8483 is a 24/7 confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans.
• Trevor Project1-866-488-7386, or text START to 678-678 offers immediate crisis support for LGBTQIA+ youth. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S via text, chat, or phone–100% confidential and 100% free.

After Hours Emotional Support: Just need someone to talk to?

• LA County Department of Mental Health 24/7 1-(800) 854-7771, press 2
• California Peer-Run Warm Line 855-845-7415

Run Time: 35 min, 19 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

Today, we are highlighting student research from Mt. SAC's Sociology Research Showcase!

The Sociology Research Showcase is a campus wide event that gives students an opportunity to share original empirical research in STEM, Social Sciences as well as developing research projects and literature reviews. The event includes projects from multiple areas of study and serves as a way to celebrate the wonderful research being done by our students right here on our campus . During this event, our cohost Ivan Sanchez, spoke to many student participants, some who brought family, friends, and significant others to celebrate their work.

At its heart, the showcase is about giving students a space to be seen as researchers, giving them a chance to take the questions they have been developing in class or in partnership with a faculty mentor and present them in a public academic setting.

One of the most exciting things about the showcase is the range of topics students explore (which we've listed for you below). While the diversity in projects is always pleasant to see, they all show how student research can connect classroom learning to real public issues and topics.

In partnership with the Sociology department, psychology, the honors center, the equity center, the humanities and social sciences division, and many more partners across campus we put together this event every year. Enjoy!

Resources:

Event Website: https://www.mtsac.edu/sociology/research_showcase.html

Undergraduate Research Librarian-created guide to undergraduate research including what research is, resources and strategies for successful research, and opportunities for sharing what your findings.

Some examples of student project titles include:

Socioeconomic Dental Health Inequality and Self-Esteem Across the Lifespan

The Politics and Bioethical Standards of Gene Therapeutics Shaped by Organizational Influence

The Perception of Happiness in a Relationship on Social Media Among College Students

The Cognitive Bias of Anchoring Effect in Quantitative Estimation

How to Improve Transfer Experience of a First Year Engineering Student?

International Surrogacy and the Necessity of U.S. Prohibition

The Pollution Weather Balloon Experiment

Labor Protection in Fast Fashion

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Prehospital Analgesic Intensity and Pain Relief for Adult Musculoskeletal Trauma: A NEMSIS Study

The Influence of Suggestion on Memory

The Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Ethnocultural Identity and Campus Engagement in College Students

Run Time: 24 min

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

Since the 1980s, Father Greg Boyle has embraced his parish community with the radical approach of love, compassion, and humanity. He founded Homeboy Industries' gang rehabilitation and re-entry programs to engage former gang members and others in need, in their own healing through building kinship and connection.

At Mt. SAC, the Rising Scholar's program fosters the potential and promise of formerly incarcerated or system-impacted students by providing wrap-around support through pathways at Mt. SAC. In today's episode we are featuring a talk by Fr. Greg Boyle that was sponsored by Mt. SAC Equity Center and Rising Scholars.

Our host, Chisa Uyeki, also had the opportunity to sit down with Father Boyle before he spoke to the campus audience while he was signing posters and copies of his book, The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness.

As you listen, consider where you see applications for Father Boyle's approach to our work at Mt. SAC - Enjoy.

(Please note: You may also notice some distortion and feedback from the mic Father Boyle was using that we were not able to fix in the production of this episode - but we felt that the conversation was valuable to share with you.)

Resources:

The Rising Scholars Program at Mt. San Antonio College seeks to assist students directly impacted by the criminal justice system through education. Students can choose between four educational pathways that would best fit their strengths, desires, & educational/ career goals: High School Diploma/GED Completion Pathway, Career & Technology Pathway, Associates Degrees Pathway, and Four-Year College Transfer Pathway.

Homeboy Industries is the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. For over 30 years, we have stood as a beacon of hope in Los Angeles to provide training and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community. You also can learn more about Father Greg.

At Mt. SAC Library:

Boyle, Gregory. The Whole Language : The Power of Extravagant Tenderness. Avid Reader Press, 2021. Print. General Collection; 259.5 B6971w

Fremon, Celeste. G-Dog and the Homeboys: Father Greg Boyle and the Gangs of East Los Angeles. University of New Mexico Press, 2004. Print. General Collection; 259.5 F886f 2004

Lester, Terence, and Gregory Boyle. When We Stand : The Power of Seeking Justice Together. InterVarsity Press, 2021. Ebook. [requires Mt. SAC sign-in]

Boyle, Gregory J. "The Voice of those Who Sing." Spiritus, vol. 5, no. 1, 2005, pp. 79-87. ProQuest [requires Mt. SAC sign-in]

https://login.mtsac.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/abidateline?accountid=12611

Run Time: 42 min, 12 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

Ensuring equity of access is core to the mission of Librarians- whether that is access to information, physical access to materials, digital access, or access to technology. So it is a natural fit for Librarians to provide leadership in creative methods to support student access to textbooks.

In today's episode we'll talk about the many ways that faculty can impact student access to textbooks and instructional materials–including Open Educational Resources (or OER), zero textbook cost (ZTC) courses and pathways, as well as the long-standing library reserves textbook lending program for students to use textbooks in the library.

You'll hear from:

• Esteban Aguilar, Electronic Resources Librarian, and Mt. SAC Liaison for the Statewide Open Educational Resources (commonly referred to as OER) Initiative, and Zero Textbook Cost (or ZTC) Library Coordinator, and Co-lead for the Library Initiative for Equitable & Affordable Learning, or LIEAL

• Monika Chavez, Mt. SAC's Career and Tech Ed Librarian, also a LIEAL leader, Co-chair of the Textbook, Instructional Materials, & Digital Equity Committee, and LIbrary Department Chair.

Resources:

• Library Initiative for Equitable & Affordable Learning: Empowering Faculty. Supporting Students. Advancing Equity. Learn more about OER and ZTC, ZTC Pathways, related professional development and funding opportunities, and how to get support exploring our options.
• Faculty Resources at the Library including Course Reserves (textbook collection), OER, and Class Sets Explore the many ways the Library and Librarians can help students in your classes access materials, improve student research experiences and outcomes, and that you can partner with the Library. https://www.mtsac.edu/governance/committees/tide/
• Mt. SAC Textbook, Instructional Materials, & Digital Equity (TIDE) Committee purpose, function, and additional support materials.
• Zero Cost and Low Cost Designations in the Schedule FAQ
• Recommendations for Adoption of Required Instructional Materials by TIDE
• California Community Colleges Open Educational Resources provides links to searchable OERs by discipline, transfer curriculum, C-ID, and identified gaps in OER availability
• Research:
• Jenkins, J. Jacob, et al. "Textbook broke: Textbook affordability as a social justice issue." Journal of Interactive Media in Education 1.3 (2020):1.
• Swain, B.K., Pathak, R.K. Benefits and challenges of using oer in higher education: a pragmatic review. Discov Educ 3, 81 (2024).
• Hughes, Jennifer, and Joseph Taylor. "Textbooks 101: What You Really Need to Know about Textbook Access Codes, Inclusive Access, Open Access, and More!." Association Supporting Computer Users in Education (2022).

Run Time: 44 min, 24 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

In this episode we'll hear from Michelle Newhart, Instructional Designer, that features a Spring Flex Day Session that she originally presented with Hugo Aguilera, Applications Training Specialist called Accessibility By Design-Preparing Accessible Courses to Meet ADA Title II Deadline. The session focuses on why accessibility matters, what the April 2026 deadline means for Mt. SAC, and how accessibility in Canvas is crucial to meeting this deadline.

Some of the themes that are explored are the difference between accessibility and accommodations, how meeting the deadline can be approached in a manageable way, and how the main priority is to make actively used digital content more accessible.

The ADA Title II deadline is not just a legal requirement but related to our commitment to DEISA+ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and Access Plus). This work is important in creating an equitable and just learning environment for all students, and not just for those without disabilities.

We hope the session helps you get a clearer sense of the deadline, as well as what compliance involves, and helpful pointers on how to take small steps towards accessibility in your Canvas course shells. Enjoy!

Resources:

ADA Title II 2026 Regulation Changes: Documentation, Training and Other Resources, Collected by Members of the California Community Colleges Council of Chief Librarians

https://www.mtsac.edu/accessibility/ Mt SAC's accessibility website

https://mtsac.instructure.com/courses/96251 Canvas Hub called "Faculty Accessibility Center" available to Mt SAC Faculty only (requires log-in).

https://mtsac.instructure.com/enroll/9R7PTJ Canvas Course called "Accessibility Challenge" again only accessible by Mt SAC Faculty. Meant to help us meet the deadline.

Run Time: 52 min, 25 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

If you're like many faculty, you've probably noticed the sharp increase in courses being offered online. This shift into the online learning space, especially after the pandemic, has made it possible for students to learn in more ways than just sitting in a classroom. It opens the door for students balancing work, family, and other responsibilities, but it has also brought new challenges for faculty as we think about how to design engaging and effective courses.

Thankfully, here at Mt. SAC we have a small but dedicated team called the Faculty Center for Learning Technology, or FCLT. In this episode we talk with them about course design tools, video options, and strategies that help make online and hybrid learning work well for students.

While teaching online can be challenging, it is also worth the effort when it expands access and supports student success. The FCLT team also invites faculty to stop by, connect, and take advantage of the support they offer.

Resources:

Canvas Faculty Center: https://mtsac.instructure.com/enroll/RLCAAP

FCLT Website: https://www.mtsac.edu/fclt/

FCLT Appointment Maker: https://outlook.office365.com/book/[email protected]

Accessibility Canvas Center: http://bit.ly/MtSAC-Fast5

Canvas Studio Guide: https://community.instructure.com/en/kb/canvas-studio-guide

Cidi Labs Guide: https://www.mtsac.edu/studio13/dlmd/canvas_themes_templates.html

Run time: 18 min, 08 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

In our ever-evolving work to increase access to college education, Mt. SAC is one of seven California Community Colleges to pilot a new learning modality, Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education, or CBE. Through Mt. SAC's Chancellor's office approved and ACCJC accredited CBE program students will be able to earn an AA in Kinesiology at their own pace. CBE is outcomes-based so students learn and then demonstrate their knowledge and abilities through direct assessment. Although the modality and assessments are different, the classes and the rigor are the same.

In today's episode we are joining Mike Hood, Astronomy Professor and CBE Faculty Lead, Lani Ruh, Co-Coordinator Kinesiology Professor, and Eva Figueroa Morales, Instructional Designer, at their Spring Flex Day session, to learn more about this new modality and the opportunities it offers for those who have not been able to fit traditional classes into their lives.

Resources:

California Community College Chancellor's Office, (2025). Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education. "DA CBE aims to create equitable access to educational pathways and career opportunities. It accommodates diverse abilities, and backgrounds through flexibly-paced learning that focuses on what students know and can do rather than the time spent in the classroom."

California Community College Chancellor's Office, (2025). Direct Assessment: Competency-Based Education, Implementation Blueprint. Resource co-developed with eight early innovator colleges to support the design and implementation of direct assessment CBE programs across California.

Competency-Based Education Network

Access guides, research, case studies, and blogs on CBE.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• DA-CBE Update 5/8/2025 Academic Senate Meeting

Run time: 35 min, 13 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

As Educators, we know that cultivating a sense of belonging and a supportive environment contribute significantly to student success. As you'll hear, Women of Color have high graduation rates in STEM fields, but lower retention in employment - mentorship is one way to ensure support for women of color STEM students as they enter into STEM careers.

In today's episode, three women of color in STEM share their experiences, challenges, successes, and advice with the Mt SAC community. We will hear from Dr. Reegan F. Patterson, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental engineering at UCLA and Principal investigator at the Engineering Environmental Justice Lab, Milan Foston, Civil Litigation and Environmental Lawyer at Skane Mills, LLP; Janielle Cuala, Ph.D. Candidate in Medical Biophysics at USC Keck School of Medicine.

Listen in for ways these stem leaders bring their diverse perspectives, authentic selves, courage, and tremendous expertise to their research and work to solve broad problems, and how mentorship has impacted their achievements. Enjoy.

Resources:

Engineering Environmental Justice Lab: https://engineerejlab.com/

*Advancing research on (de)infrastructuring to reduce air pollution exposure and enhance community resilience.

Almost Half of Americans Breathe Unhealthy Air, Report Finds | NY Times, April 2025

• Mega-warehouses Heap More Pollution on Hard-Hit Illinois Neighborhoods | The Guardian, April 2024
• Science Leads in Addressing Climate Crisis | US Black Engineer, April 2024
• EPA Tightens Rules on Some Air Pollution for the First Time in Over a Decade | National Public Radio, February 2024
• Reckoning 375: How New Orleans Prioritized People Over Pavement | WDET 101.9, October 2023
• Biden's Big Plan for Environmental Justice May Actually Increase the Racial Pollution Gap | Capital B News, July 2023
• Four Professors Receive 2023 Chancellor's Award for Community-Engaged Scholars | UCLA Newsroom, July 2023
• Driving Toward Justice: Transportation and Equity, with Regan Patterson | Resources Magazine, June 2022

Mt. SAC MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) Program The MESA Program is a state-funded program that enhances the educational experiences of under-resourced students majoring in math, science, and engineering. This program supports first-generation college students by offering academic assistance, career development activities, and opportunities for community building. MESA is a collaborative STEM community dedicated to fostering scientific curiosity and growth—personally, professionally, and academically.

MESA's fall 2025 newsletter includes pictures from the Women of Color in STEM event (p7).

The aim of the Mt. SAC Equity Center is to create an inclusive space where all students can thrive and succeed. We are the home to four programs: Arise, Dream, First Peoples Native Center, and NextUp/REACH.

More on the Engineering Environmental Justice Lab https://engineerejlab.com/ UCLA Dr. Patterson's lab: The Engineering Environmental Justice Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (UCLA CEE) explores (De)Infrastructuring, Equitable Energy Transitions, and Sensor Technology & Community-Engaged Research to understand the air quality and equity implications of transportation and infrastructure policies.

Through community-engaged, research-to-action projects, we aim to support health-promoting communities that prioritize transportation equity, reduce automobile dependency, and are climate resilient. EEJL is led by Dr. Regan F. Patterson, an Assistant Professor at UCLA CEE.

More about our Panelists:

Dr. Regan Patterson, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at UCLA:

Dr. Regan F. Patterson is an Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles and the Principal Investigator of the Engineering Environmental Justice Lab. She was previously the Transportation Equity Research Fellow for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. Dr. Patterson earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley. Her research focuses on air quality, sustainable transportation, community engagement, and environmental justice. More specifically, she examines and models the impacts of transportation and infrastructure policies, alongside place-based, community-driven interventions, on air pollution exposure disparities and environmental justice outcomes. Fun Fact: I love line dancing (where them fans at?👢)

https://samueli.ucla.edu/people/regan-patterson/

Milan Foston, Civil Litigation & Environmental Lawyer at Skane Mills LLP

Milan Foster is a Civil Litigation and Environmental Law Attorney and board member of Aquatic Futures Foundation. Milan is a PADI certified Rescue Diver and PADI Divemaster Candidate. Milan grows coral in her home reef aquarium and regularly scuba dives in the Pacific Ocean. In addition to her law degree, Milan has certificates in: Aquarium Maintenance, Global Warming, Marine Biology and Harvard Business School's Business and Climate Change course. Milan is trained in the ways businesses are adapting their customs and standards in response to the current climate environmental impacts on land and oceans. Milan uses her legal and scientific education to generate sustainability methods for private businesses while supporting marine conservation programs and providing insight into Ocean and Coastal Law and Policy. Fun fact: I am a PADI certified Mermaid!

Janielle Cuala, Ph.D. Candidate in Medical Biophysics at USC Keck School of Medicine

My name is Janielle Cuala. I started at LA Community College before transferring to Cal State LA, where I earned my BS in Biochemistry. Now, I am a PhD Candidate in Medical Biophysics at USC's Keck School of Medicine. At the Children's Hospital, I conduct research to find a cure for diabetes. I'm also the President of the Graduate Student Government, representing nearly 30,000 students and trying to enhance graduate life. I'm passionate about bridging science and leadership through biotech startups, nonprofits, science communication, and mentoring. Fun Fact: I was born and raised on Guam and am a certified scuba diver.

Run Time: 1hr, 10min

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

Today's episode comes from a campus film screening and panel focused on Nurses Unseen, a documentary about the courageous efforts of Filipino American nurses who played a key role during the Covid 19 pandemic as they faced a resurgence of Asian hate and cultural invisibility.

Following the screening, Mt SAC's Equity Center hosted a panel discussion with the film's director, Michele Josue, alongside Mt SAC's nursing faculty Sophie Boquiren, Victoria Abatay Motoyer, as well as sociologist Dr. Anthony Ocampo from Cal Poly Pomona, who also appears in the film.

The film is a testament to cultural resiliency and highlights the historical and social forces shaping Filipino migration and nursing experiences. You'll hear panelists share the moments that resonated with them most and reflect on the spiritual and physical toll of being on the frontlines of a pandemic. Other themes touch on the embeddedness of care work within Filipino communities, and how the film itself represents a grassroot act of resistance in support of acknowledging Filipino contributions and encouraging the growth of Filipino media more broadly.

We hope this offers you a concrete example of how films, and film screenings can facilitate impactful dialogues that support learning. And we hope this encourages you to attend future screenings and use film to invite your students into these learning spaces.

Resources:

Nurse Unseen: https://www.nurseunseen.com/

Watch the live stream replay of this event of Nurse Unseen presented by Mt. SAC Arise - Equity Center - Technology Health Division & Library: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyXWtWEVAeI

Mt. SAC Arise, https://www.mtsac.edu/arise/ Mt. SAC's Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program (AANHPI SAP), provides a dedicated success team to support and empower Arise students to achieve their goals both inside and outside of the classroom.

Mt. SAC Nursing Program https://www.mtsac.edu/nursing/ Mt. SAC has a two-year program designed to prepare individuals at the Associate Degree level for entry into the practice of registered nursing.

Learn more about Director, Michele Josue, and her other award-winning films https://www.michelejosue.com/

Run Time: 43 min, 55 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE