In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the DC's Simone Melvin talks to Dallas-based author Alex Temblador about her newest gritty fantasy, "Half Outlaw." Motorcycles, magical realism, and a main character with a mixed identity – Temblador about these themes and more in her debut into Adult Fiction. 

The start of a college school year often means meeting new people and exploring new relationships. Ali Drucker, author and former sex and relationships editor at Cosmo and Maxim, offers a judgment-free guide to sex and relationships for young women in "Do As I Say, Not Who I Did." The DC's Simone Melvin talks to Drucker about consent, sexual health, and feeling in control of one's own bodily decisions.

SMU alumna Averie Bishop makes history as the first Asian American to be crowned Miss Texas. The Daily Campus talked to Bishop about everything from her experience in the competition, to her favorite Filipino food, to her next steps as a Miss America competitor.

Hunter S. Thompson's "The Rum Diary" is, in many ways, the Wolf of Wall Street for journalism. Its hedonistic, alcohol-drenched characters are allegedly based off Thompson's real-life escapades as a young reporter - and the book's 2011 movie adaptation was the catalyst for Johnny Depp (a close friend of Thompson) and Amber Heard's relationship. 

For the season finale of Book Blab, Simone and Audrey dive into Thompson's story of freelance American journalist Paul Kemp in 1950's Puerto Rico and all of its rum-induced, outrageous, and often reprehensible glory.

CW: Discussion of sexual violence

Few books are as enduring as Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" – first published in 1813. The DC's Simone Melvin and SMU Senior Elizabeth Hamill dive into why Austen's most-loved book refuses to fade into obscurity, the best Pride and Prejudice movie (Keira Knightley isn't everyone's favorite), and why series like Bridgerton keep pulling us back in to the world of Regency England.

Pearl S. Buck’s “The Good Earth” – the story of a turn-of-the-century Chinese farmer's tumultuous rise to luxuriant prosperity – attracted readers of all kinds during the book’s 1931 publication.

The DC's Simone Melvin speaks with DC Editor-in-Chief Audrey McClure about the novel's ability to inspire solidarity between its protagonist Wang Lung and readers across borders, race and time. 

James Baldwin’s “Giovanni’s Room” routinely tops lists of Baldwin must-reads – and yet, it seems to be the work that the 21st century is least interested in.

The DC’s Simone Melvin speaks with SMU Senior Caroline Roman about “Giovanni’s Room’s” powerful treatment of self-discovery and queer identity through its protagonist David, a young, closeted American in France who enters into a relationship with an Italian bartender, Giovanni. 

Tanya Foster talks about what it means to be an influencer and reflects on the pandemic. Wardrobe stylist and personal shopper Tenni King discusses her role as a personal shopper, and Jeremy Edge, LPC explains the effects behind increased screen-use and online shopping addiction.

College admissions are more competitive than ever, and SMU is no exception. So, who gets into SMU and why?

SMU’s dean of undergraduate admission Elena D. Hicks gives a behind the scenes glimpse into admitting the newest classes of incoming Mustangs and how diverse classes come together at SMU each year. Hicks, who has over 30 years of admissions experience, points out that there are many types of diversity.

As SMU strives to be a global university, Hicks and her team seek to bring in students that represent a range of ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic diversities. Hicks also touches on the recent affirmative action Supreme Court cases, which is once again drawing into question the role of race-conscious admissions practices and their value to college campuses across the United States.

SMU celebrates its 57th annual Women’s Symposium on March 2 in celebration of Women’s History Month. The Symposium is organized by members of CORE, the student planning committee. This year’s theme is “Lift As We Climb,” a phrase that originates with Black women’s fight for the right to vote. The keynote speaker this year is Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too movement.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, Simone Melvin talks with CORE chair Sylvia Bloom about her role and insight on the Symposium.

Sylvia is a senior transfer student at SMU. She served as the Community Outreach Coordinator for CORE last year and is currently working with the Women and LGBT Center director, Dr. Sidney Gardner, and the rest of the student organization to plan the event.

Simone and Sylvia discuss the importance of understanding the history of the phrase, “Lift As We Climb.” They consider the role that Tarana plays in the theme, and what this phrase means for the future of the Symposium.

Simone Melvin is a member of CORE.

Recorded in Fondren Library at SMU.