Reinventing U

Deborah A. Santiago, Co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education, shares her journey from policy analyst in DC to leading initiatives for Latino student success. She discusses the social mission of Excelencia and emphasizes the need for diverse representation in education policy. Santiago advocates for viewing Latino enrollment as an opportunity rather than a crisis. She also highlights practical steps for institutions to support Latino students and the importance of community action in creating a better educational landscape.

In this engaging conversation, Eric Waldo, Executive Director of Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative, dives into the transformative power of education. He emphasizes the need for colleges to be student-ready and discusses how lifelong learning is key to success. Waldo advocates for democratizing education and addressing socioeconomic gaps in graduation rates. He shares innovative approaches like mastery-based credentialing and highlights how platforms like YouTube can reach first-generation college students. His insights challenge elitism and call for courageous changes in the educational system.

Dr. OiYan Poon, an Associate Professor and director at the RISE Center, delves into crucial insights on education and equity. She stresses the importance of adaptability in lesson plans to address collective student precarity. OiYan argues for racial literacy in STEM, challenging the myth of 'math neutrality.' She unpacks intersectionality and its role in admissions, advocating for the elimination of standardized testing due to its inequitable impacts. Finally, she highlights the mission of the RISE Center to promote campus equity and racial literacy.

Dr. Debie Rudder Lohe, a respected educator and director at the Policy Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, shares her insights on the nuances of language and pedagogy. She passionately discusses the role of Jesuit education in shaping empathetic, socially conscious individuals. Debie emphasizes the importance of integrating storytelling with data, as well as fostering excellence in writing through intentional teaching methods. Additionally, she explores the tension between disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary learning, advocating for a balanced approach in education.

Dr. Michael Dennin serves as Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning at UC Irvine, with a background in physics education. He discusses the importance of coaching and creating safe spaces for students to learn from mistakes. Dennin emphasizes the role of public research universities in social mobility and advocates for a student-centered approach to teaching. He also highlights the need to reinvigorate the humanities, proposing interdisciplinary programs to address complex societal questions. His passion for education and innovation shines throughout the conversation.

In this engaging conversation, DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Vice Provost at the University of Kansas, shares her extensive background in higher education and the Foreign Service. She explores the challenges of 'busy-ness' in leadership, revealing how effective time management can transform productivity. DeAngela advocates for carving out time for innovation and how leaders can model healthier work habits. She also discusses teaching students vital time-management skills while emphasizing the importance of self-care for sustained effectiveness. Dive into her practical strategies for improving both leadership and student success!

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Anne Cleary, a cognitive psychology professor at Colorado State University, unpacks the intricacies of learning. She busts myths, revealing why popular beliefs about learning styles often mislead. Anne emphasizes the importance of metacognition and introduces innovative techniques like the 'delay-and-test' method. She also highlights how collaborative learning can enhance creativity when done right, while advocating for spaced study techniques to boost retention. A must-listen for anyone looking to refine their learning strategies!

Charlie Nutt, Executive Director of NACADA, shares his extensive experience in academic advising and leadership in higher education. He emphasizes the crucial role of advisors in fostering student success and how shifting campus cultures toward collaboration can close achievement gaps. Nutt advocates for addressing institutional risks instead of labeling students as 'at risk.' He also discusses the importance of research in advising practices and calls for international collaborations to enhance student support, highlighting the need for a unified voice in higher education.

Join hosts as they unveil their mission to reshape undergraduate education. Discover the essence of the Reinvention Collaborative and its inspiration from the Boyer Report. Unpack the crucial role of research universities in shaping STEM and professional education. Ideal for faculty, staff, and anyone eager for innovation in higher education, this conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration and change. Tune in to learn how to contribute to a brighter future for students.