In this episode of Policy Chats, host Dori Pham sits down with Assistant Director Marisol Torres and Policy Intern Germaine Ho from The Well, UC Riverside’s student health promotion department. Together, they explore the topic of menstrual equity, the challenges students face in accessing period products, and how policies are working to address period poverty on college campuses.

From research-based policy briefs to creative programs like Flow Into Summer, this episode looks at how public health, education, and equity come together to make a difference. Additionally, Marisol and Germaine will discuss the barriers created by stigma, the difficulty of getting policies implemented effectively, and why collaboration between departments matters.
This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a reminder that institutions have a responsibility to support their students in every way. Tune in to hear how advocacy, empathy, and education are helping to bring real change to UCR and beyond.

Topics Covered:

What is period poverty?
How menstrual inequity impacts student wellbeing
Current UC and CSU policies, including AB 367
Data-driven approaches to policy writing
Institutional strategies to provide free menstrual products
The importance of stigma reduction and faculty training
Visions for a future of comprehensive menstrual access

📍 This episode is produced by the UCR School of Public Policy and features research-informed insights that align with our motto: “Solutions for the Region, Solutions for the World.”

🎧 Guest Speakers:

Marisol Torres, Assistant Director at The Well
Germaine Ho, Policy Intern at The Well
Interviewed by Dori Pham, UCR Public Policy Student and incoming host of Policy Chats

🎵 Music by: Vir Sinha

🔗 More on the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast

📱 Follow us on Instagram: @ucr_spp

👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and stay tuned until the end for bonus reflections from the new host and ongoing research updates!

Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty in Higher Education