In The Margins

In this episode staff writer Sara Weissman shares a story that focuses on the digital divide for Native Americans by bringing in voices of tribal college leaders and their students during the COVID 19 pandemic. Many don't know but Native American colleges and universities have long struggled with the worst internet connectivity in the nation while ironically paying the highest rates for service. Hear first-hand how students from Diné College and other institutions are currently affected. Carrie Billie (Big Water Clan), President & CEO of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and Dr. Cynthia Lindquist (Star Horse Woman), President of Cankdeska Cikana Community College in North Dakota, break down the data and lay out critical next steps necessary to address the digital divide.

In this episode your host, David Pluviose checks-in on the latest ideas, coverage and hot topics from the Diverse newsroom. As Native American Heritage Month comes to a close we cannot lose focus on the experience and rights of the indigenous Native American nations. David also talks about a new certification program—DOIT—that was launched in our Nov. 12th print edition. It’s a new mechanism that will certify an institution’s progress on diversity and inclusion which is key in identifying the Universities and Colleges taking massive action during this time to create change. Most importantly, David discusses the changes in our administration that are underway and what we can expect for HigherED with the new secretary of education and the Biden Administration.

In this episode Sara Weissman of Diverse, will interview Dr. David Payne of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) on issues related to testing, bias and diversity. Dr. Payne will also discuss paths forward, both for ETS and the graduate community. Topics of discussion include:  the role of standardized testing in admissions; the meaning of test bias and ETS’s mission to stamp it out, how standardized testing can be a benefit rather than a barrier to ensuring equitable access for marginalized students and ETS’s plans for providing greater support to the graduate community.

Amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Black Lives Matter movement bringing attention to the truth about injustices and inequality, many colleges and universities are working hard to achieve faculty diversity goals. But how? In this episode your host, David Pluviose, talks about proven strategies that work and tips for side stepping the challenges that inevitably arise. For example, as the student population across U.S. campuses grows more diverse, university faculty remain overwhelmingly white. Amid this paradoxical trend many schools are adopting a “grow your own” model. David breaks down some of the numbers behind this increasingly popular model and addresses many other ways that professionals are fostering inclusivity for today’s college campus.  

Have you heard of “zoom-bombing?” It’s something that has become an unforeseen issue during the recent pandemic. In this episode, Sara Weissman uncovers the story of a recent incident that took place at San Diego State University.  This episode contains an audio story about the Zoombombing of Andres Bonifacio Samahan, the Filipino American student group at San Diego State University, and the discrimination taking place against Asian American students in general.

Welcome To “In The Margins” brought to you by Diverse Issues In Higher Education (diverseeducation.com). In The Margins is here to bring you the latest, most relevant thought leadership as it pertains to the never ending goal of achieving equality in higher education. This is important work that can’t be taken lightly, so regardless of our current circumstances Diverse wanted to keep you in the know. As the national expert we’ve been doing this for almost 40 years in print and on the web and now, a podcast. Your host David Pluviose kicks off our inaugural podcast with our first episode focusing on the evolution of hispanic identity, terms used, celebrating hispanic heritage month, and best practices in serving hispanic students. Whether you are faculty, staff, leaders, or students this podcast was created to help bring you the truth and help you identify, strategize, and assist in a movement to help bring diversity and inclusion to higher education. Check out more up to date news and info at diverseeducation.com