Reinventing U

In episode 2, we interview Dr. Anne Cleary, Professor of Psychology at Colorado State University and co-author of A Guide to Effective Studying and Learning. Topics include effective learning techniques, dispelling myths about learning, and helping students manage cognitive load. Thanks to The Rubbish Zoo for theme music. 

In episode 4, we talk with Dr. Michael Dennin, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Dean of Undergraduate Education at the University of California, Irvine, a long-time member of the RC's UVP network and a professor of physics and astronomy. Some topics included administrative structure, coaching through mistakes and goal setting, social mobility, role of public research universities, Learning Assistants, and reinvigorating the humanities.

In episode 3, we interview Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Kansas about changing the culture of busy-ness and meetings that many university administrators face. Topics include managing email, maintaining schedules that allow administrators to be effective change agents, and how to help students cope with information overload and over-scheduling. Thanks to The Rubbish Zoo for theme music.

In episode 8, we talk with Deborah A. Santiago, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelencia in Education. Before Excelencia, she was Vice President for data and Policy Analysis at the LA County Alliance for Student Achievement, a policy analyst at the Library of Congress’ Congressional Research Service on legislative issues in higher education, and informed programmatic and budgetary efforts in the Office of Post-secondary Education at the US Department of Education. She also served as the Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Topics discussed include the basic mission of Excelencia in Education and how to frame the proverbial big picture, the social mission of Excelencia, and how educators can prepare themselves for the Latino students of today and tomorrow.

In episode 7, we talk with Eric Waldo, Executive Director of Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative and Chief Access and Equity Officer at The Common Application. Before joining the White House, Waldo was Deputy Chief and Staff at the Department of Education, where he helped lead the initiatives for The Recovery Act under former president Barack Obama. Waldo also helped manage the Department of Defense global K-12 school system as the co-chair for the Advisory Council for Dependence Education and served as Deputy Staff Council for Obama’s presidential campaign. Through policy, advocacy, and community engagement, Waldo encourages all students to strive for a post-secondary education. Topics discussed include A Student’s Guide To Your First Year of College, the importance for colleges to be student-ready, the key to success is being a lifelong learner, higher education credentialing, making education the great equalizer, the role of socioeconomic status in equity and diversity, democratizing education, bettering teacher compensation, fixing a broken accrediting system in higher education, and popping the bubble of elitism. You can listen to Waldo’s educational podcast, SwampED, or follow him on twitter @ewwaldo or @swampEDpod