In this episode, Sherry and Laurie take us behind the scenes of the Women of IU Portrait Collection, a powerful campus initiative that honors the legacy and contributions of women connected to Indiana University. They share how the collection began, the research and storytelling process behind selecting honorees, and the importance of making historically overlooked contributions visible through art. 

Together, we explore remarkable stories from the collection, including trailblazers who transformed residence life, broke racial barriers, and shaped the student experience in ways still felt today. Sherry and Laurie reflect on the emotional impact of portrait dedications, the role of artists, many of them women, in telling these stories, and how families, students, and alumni continue to connect with the collection in meaningful ways. 

Beyond the portraits themselves, the conversation highlights broader themes of leadership, visibility, and legacy. Laurie discusses how the collection helped shape conversations during IU’s Bicentennial Campaign and contributed to long-term efforts to recognize women’s impact through endowments, portraits, and public art. Sherry emphasizes the power of curiosity, inviting listeners to slow down, look up, and notice the stories embedded in the spaces we move through every day. 

The episode closes with reflections on inspiration, community, and the importance of preserving the relationships and stories that shape who we become, personally, professionally, and institutionally. 

 Sherry Rouse is Indiana University’s longtime curator of campus art, responsible for preserving and managing artwork across all eight IU campuses. Her career spans decades in arts leadership, including directing the Bloomington Area Arts Council and serving with the National Endowment for the Arts. Through her curatorial vision and deep institutional knowledge, Sherry has played a central role in shaping and sustaining the Women of IU Portrait Collection, ensuring that the stories of women who have shaped the university are preserved, honored, and made visible to the campus community. 

Laurie Burns McRobbie is Indiana University’s eighteenth First Lady and a nationally recognized leader in women’s philanthropy, leadership, and technology. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education at the University of Michigan and Internet2, she helped found the Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council and the Center of Excellence for Women & Technology at IU. Laurie continues to serve on influential boards at the state and national level, advocating for women’s visibility, leadership, and access to opportunity across higher education and beyond. 

 About the Center of Excellence for Women & Tech 

The Center of Excellence for Women & Tech is a welcoming community on Indiana University’s campus that strives to empower women students, faculty, and alumni to expand their leadership skills, build confidence with technology, and foster community and collaboration across all fields of study and industry. 

Follow the Center on Instagram at @IUwomenandtech to stay up to date on events, programs, and future podcast episodes. 

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Dr. Angie Burks, Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Kelley School of Business, whose work bridges business, law, and engineering. Together, we explore a question most people never think to ask: What happens to the things you type into AI — and can they become legal evidence?

Dr. Burks breaks down the hidden permanence of digital communication, why “deleted” rarely means gone, and how your AI chats can be subpoenaed in court. She also shares her P.A.C.E.D. framework — a simple, powerful tool to help students and professionals pause before hitting “send.”

We also discuss the moral crossroads created by AI, the role of intuition in a tech-driven world, and what it means to lead with clarity and character in fields where women remain underrepresented.

If you use AI in school, at work, or in your daily life, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, Jinji Tserennadmid of the Sustainability and Tech Team sits down with Stephanie Hayes Richards, founder of Gnarly Tree Sustainability Institute. Stephanie shares how a report from the IPCC in the ’90s sparked her journey into environmental policy, and how she later combined her passions for sustainability and business to launch her consulting firm. They explore the value of integrating academic and real-world experience, the role of inclusivity and communication in leadership, and how students can best prepare for global careers in sustainability. Tune in to hear Stephanie’s insights on the future of the field—and how professionalism, not just technical skill, can shape tomorrow’s climate leaders.

What does it mean to design technology that supports independence, dignity, and connection as we age? In this episode, host Anshu Roja Selvamani sits down with Dr. Aqueasha Martin Hammond—associate professor of Human-Computer Interaction at IU Indianapolis—to explore how AI and voice technologies can empower older adults while navigating critical concerns around privacy, trust, and accessibility. Dr. Hammond shares how her grandmothers inspired her career, why mentorship matters, and the ethical frontiers she's exploring next.

How do our brains learn? Can artificial intelligence help us unlock the mysteries of the human mind? In this episode of the Women of IU Podcast, Dr. Samantha Wood, assistant professor at Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, joins host Anshu Roja Selvamani to discuss her groundbreaking research at the intersection of AI, cognitive science, and neuroscience.

Dr. Wood shares how she uses digital twins, neural networks, and psychology models to understand how newborn brains build knowledge. She also explores the advantages and risks of AI in cognitive science, the future of women in tech, and overcoming imposter syndrome in male-dominated fields. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a student, or just curious about the origins of intelligence, this conversation is sure to inspire!

🎧 Tune in now to learn how AI is helping us "build a mind"!

💡 Follow IU Women & Tech: @iuwomenandtech
🌐 Learn more about Dr. Wood’s research: www.buildingamind.com

In this episode of the Women of IU Podcast, Mahasin Ameen interviews Donnell Probst, Deputy Director for the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE). Donnell shares her expertise on media literacy, the challenges of navigating today’s media landscape, and how to empower individuals through media education.

Key topics discussed:

In this episode of the Women of IU Podcast, Anshu Roja Selvamani interviews Tara Aggarwal, an AI lead at Microsoft for Outlook and an IU alumna. Tara shares her insights on the world of AI, her experiences as a woman in tech, and her advice for aspiring professionals.

Key topics discussed:

Tara's inspiring story offers valuable insights into the world of AI and the importance of pursuing your passions, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone.

This episode of the Women of IU Podcast features Tiana Iruoje, the Director of Student Engagement and Success at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering. Tiana discusses her rewarding career journey in higher education and her passion for creating opportunities for students. She offers valuable advice for underrepresented students in tech and shares her thoughts on the future role of women in the industry.

Here are some key points from the conversation:

This episode is an inspiring listen for anyone interested in student success, diversity in tech, and the power of mentorship.

This episode of the Women of IU Podcast features the IU student-run Ethical AI Team interviewing Dr. Alexis Pierce Caudell, a lecturer at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Dr. Caudell dives into her work teaching about ethics in technology and generative AI, preparing students for the rapidly evolving world of AI. She also offers insights on being a woman in this dynamic field and shares advice for aspiring women in tech.

You'll hear Dr. Caudell discuss:

This episode is brought to you by the Center of Excellence for Women & Technology (CEW&T).

Don't forget to:

Graphic Designer Avrie Allen joins the show to discuss her experience studying design at IU, how tech influences her design process, and some of her personal design inspirations.