Democracy’s College: Research and Leadership in Educational Equity, Justice, and Excellence for All

Office of Community College Research & Leadership, University of Illinois

This monthly podcast focuses on P-20 education pathways with a focus on research and leadership that promotes educational equity, justice, and excellence for all students. This podcast is a product of the Office of Community College Research and Leadership, or OCCRL, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Learn more about OCCRL at occrl.illinois.edu. read less

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Participants' Perspectives on OCCRL's Illinois Community College Leadership Institute

Participants' Perspectives on OCCRL's Illinois Community College Leadership Institute

In this episode, OCCRL research assistant H.M. Kuneyl, who coordinates the yearly OCCRL Illinois Community College Leadership Institute (ICCLI), talks with two individuals who were a part of the institute’s first cohort. They are Andy Hynds, dean of math, science and business and the executive dean of academics at Richland Community College; and Brianna McClay, associate dean of student services at Kennedy King College in the City Colleges of Chicago. Hynds and McClay discuss their work as community college leaders and how the ICCLI they attended in May of 2023 influenced their outlooks and careers.

Episodes

Participants' Perspectives on OCCRL's Illinois Community College Leadership Institute

Participants' Perspectives on OCCRL's Illinois Community College Leadership Institute

In this episode, OCCRL research assistant H.M. Kuneyl, who coordinates the yearly OCCRL Illinois Community College Leadership Institute (ICCLI), talks with two individuals who were a part of the institute’s first cohort. They are Andy Hynds, dean of math, science and business and the executive dean of academics at Richland Community College; and Brianna McClay, associate dean of student services at Kennedy King College in the City Colleges of Chicago. Hynds and McClay discuss their work as community college leaders and how the ICCLI they attended in May of 2023 influenced their outlooks and careers.

Developmental Education Reform in Illinois

Developmental Education Reform in Illinois

In this episode, OCCRL senior research associate Stacy Bennett talks with Joe Saucedo and Lee Roe, from the Partnership for College Completion in Chicago, to discuss developmental education reform in Illinois.

The Use of OER as An Equity Initiative in Illinois Community Colleges

The Use of OER as An Equity Initiative in Illinois Community Colleges

In this episode, OCCRL senior research assistant Nina Owolabi talks to several guests about the use of open educational resources, also known as OER, as an equity initiative in Illinois community colleges. In addition, OCCRL research assistant Aidana Sirgebayeva relates the findings of the OER research project that has been taking place at OCCRL for the last several years. The shows guests are Dr. Eboni Zamani-Gallaher, Magnus Noble, Heather Blicher, and Dr. Lorenzo Baber.

Critiquing the 'Critiques for Transformation' Book with Heather McCambly, Erin Doran, and Sergio Gonzalez

Critiquing the 'Critiques for Transformation' Book with Heather McCambly, Erin Doran, and Sergio Gonzalez

This Democracy's College podcast episode is the fourth one in a series featuring contributors to the book Critiques for Transformation: Reimagining Colleges and Communities for Social Justice, edited by Drs. Lorenzo Baber and Heather McCambly. In this episode, Dr. McCambly talks to Drs. Erin Doran and Sergio Gonzalez about how their chapters for the book originated. The scholars also discuss the topic of ethnic studies and the subject's role in community colleges, talk about the evolution of positionality statements and more.

Critiquing the 'Critiques for Transformation' Book with Heather McCambly, Rosemary Perez, and Aireale J. Rodgers

Critiquing the 'Critiques for Transformation' Book with Heather McCambly, Rosemary Perez, and Aireale J. Rodgers

In this episode, OCCRL affiliate member Heather McCambly talks with Dr. Rosemary Perez and Dr. Aireale J. Rodgers about the chapters they contributed to in the volume Critiques for Transformation: Reimagining Colleges and Communities for Social Justice, a book that was co-edited by Dr. McCambly and Dr. Lorenzo Baber.

Critiquing the ‘Critiques for Transformation’ Book with Lorenzo Baber and Isaac Gottesman

Critiquing the ‘Critiques for Transformation’ Book with Lorenzo Baber and Isaac Gottesman

In this episode, OCCRL Director Lorenzo Baber talks with Isaac Gottesman about the chapter that Dr. Gottesman contributed to the volume titled Critiques for Transformation: Reimagining Colleges and Communities for Social Justice, which was co-edited by Dr. Baber and Dr. Heather McCambly.

Critiquing the 'Critiques for Transformation' Book with Lorenzo Baber and Heather McCambly

Critiquing the 'Critiques for Transformation' Book with Lorenzo Baber and Heather McCambly

In this episode, Drs. Lorenzo Baber and Heather McCambly provide context on the origin and content of their book proposal and the eventually published volume, Critiques for Transformation: Reimagining Colleges and Communities for Social Justice, which they and their colleagues developed during the trying years of the pandemic. Baber and McCambly also discuss their overarching goals for the book, the pre-pandemic conversations they had on the way to getting it published, and how others might use it in their courses and in policy-development discussions.

Strategies to Cultivate a Foster-Friendly Culture on Community College Campuses final

Strategies to Cultivate a Foster-Friendly Culture on Community College Campuses final

In this episode, Chequita Brown talks with Kate Danielson of the organization Foster Progress, as well as with Anna Wandtke and Tricia Wagner of Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois. The group discusses how to cultivate a foster-friendly culture at Illinois community colleges.

The Importance of the Humanities in Community Colleges for Student Learning, Mobility, and Employability

The Importance of the Humanities in Community Colleges for Student Learning, Mobility, and Employability

In this episode, Dr. Francena Turner talks with humanities educators at community colleges in California and North Carolina about the importance of the humanities to community colleges and to community college students. The guests also share the challenges they've faced during COVID-19, as well as the challenges they've experienced in introducing students to skills learned through the humanities that contribute to student learning, mobility, and employability.

Key Elements to Successfully Connecting Foster Care Youth to Educational Resources for Postsecondary Success

Key Elements to Successfully Connecting Foster Care Youth to Educational Resources for Postsecondary Success

In this episode, Nathaniel Stewart talks with Mauriell Amechi, Regina Gavin Williams, and Blayne Stone Jr. about how the transitions and pathways to postsecondary education are similar and different for Black former foster care students. The scholars also discuss key elements to successfully connect foster care youth to educational resources that help advance the postsecondary education opportunities for this student population.

Working Together to Create a Transfer-Receptive Culture

Working Together to Create a Transfer-Receptive Culture

In this episode, José Del Real Viramontes talks with Santiago Bernal, Alfred Herrera, and Dimpal Jain about how community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities can work together to develop and enhance a transfer-receptive culture.

Critically Examining Whiteness and Explaining and Addressing Racism

Critically Examining Whiteness and Explaining and Addressing Racism

In this episode, Dr. Nolan L. Cabrera joins OCCRL Director Eboni Zamani-Gallaher to examine whiteness and discuss various areas of racism. Dr. Cabrera is an associate professor of educational policy studies and practice at the University of Arizona.

Working Toward Equity for Underrepresented Individuals in Career and Technical Education and the CTE Workforce

Working Toward Equity for Underrepresented Individuals in Career and Technical Education and the CTE Workforce

In this episode, OCCRL Director Eboni Zamani-Gallaher talks with Rita Ali and Jennifer Foster about implementing paths toward equity for underrepresented individuals in career and technical education and in the CTE workforce. Ali is the vice president of workforce and diversity at Illinois Central College, and Foster is the deputy executive director for the Illinois Community College Board.

The Possibilities and Challenges of Open Educational Resources

The Possibilities and Challenges of Open Educational Resources

In this episode, Nina Owolabi, a research assistant at OCCRL, talks with Heather Blicher about the many possibilities as well as the challenges of open educational resources for instructors and institutions. Blicher is a coordinator of librarian services for two campuses at Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Virginia.

Racial justice, Educational Philanthropy, and the Needs and Roles of Community Colleges in the Postsecondary Landscape

Racial justice, Educational Philanthropy, and the Needs and Roles of Community Colleges in the Postsecondary Landscape

In this episode, Heather McCambly and Lorenzo Baber talk about the intersections of racial justice, educational philanthropy, and the needs and roles of community colleges in the COVID-19 postsecondary landscape. McCambly is a doctoral candidate at Northwestern University who is studying the intersections of racial justice and educational philanthropy. Dr. Baber is an associate professor of higher education and the program chair of higher education at Loyola University.

College Readiness in Math and Curricular Alignment

College Readiness in Math and Curricular Alignment

In this episode, OCCRL Director Eboni Zamani-Gallaher talks with Dr. Ann Edwards about college readiness in math and about curricular alignment. They also discuss issues related to placement and developmental mathematics courses, guided pathways, math pathways, and student participation in STEM. Dr. Edwards is a senior research associate and the director of learning and teaching at West Ed.

The Multiple and Nuanced Ways Universities Perpetuate Settler Colonial Aims of Erasure for Indigenous Students

The Multiple and Nuanced Ways Universities Perpetuate Settler Colonial Aims of Erasure for Indigenous Students

In this episode, OCCRL Director Eboni Zamani-Gallaher talks with Dr. Heather Shotton about the multiple and nuanced ways that universities perpetuate settler colonial aims of eraser for Indigenous students. Dr. Shotton is an associate professor in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and the director of the Indigenous Education Initiatives at the University of Oklahoma.

Conceptualizing ‘Sense of Belonging’ Among Students From Historically Minoritized Racial Groups Within Higher Education

Conceptualizing ‘Sense of Belonging’ Among Students From Historically Minoritized Racial Groups Within Higher Education

In this episode, Colvin Georges Jr., a research associate at OCCRL, talks with Dr. Nidia Ruedas-Gracia about what it means to have a sense of belonging and discusses her research in this area. They also discuss how a sense of belonging affects college students from historically minoritized racial groups.

How Youth-in-Care in Illinois Can Access Educational Resources to Pursue a Postsecondary Education

How Youth-in-Care in Illinois Can Access Educational Resources to Pursue a Postsecondary Education

In this episode, OCCRL research assistant Chequita Brown continues the conversation about foster care youth by talking with Patricia Palmer about accessing available resources in Illinois for youth-in-care who want to pursue a secondary education.

The Impact of Campus-Based Support Programming on Foster-Care Collegians’ Postsecondary Access and Retention

The Impact of Campus-Based Support Programming on Foster-Care Collegians’ Postsecondary Access and Retention

In this episode, OCCRL research assistant Chequita Brown talks with Maddy Day about the Fostering Success Michigan initiative and the impact of campus-based support programming on foster-care collegians' postsecondary access and retention. Day is a consultant for the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative at the Annie E. Casey Foundation.