Community Conversations: From local to global engagement

Community Conversations: From local to global engagement

by Dr. W.
Education
Season 1
From Advisor to Assistant Provost: Dr. Jaria C. Bush’s Journey in Higher Education Leadership
In this episode, Dr. Jaria C. Bush shares her journey through higher education—beginning as an academic advisor and rising to Assistant Provost for Student Management at the University of Bridgeport. She reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped her leadership approach and how she intentionally supports and empowers her staff along the way. Since the recording of this episode, Dr. Bush has transitioned from her role at the University of Bridgeport and relocated to Atlanta, marking an exciting new chapter in her professional journey.
S1 · E11
Feb 19, 2026
45:52
From Bond to Comic Books: Exploring Culture with Dr. Brian A. Dixon
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Brian A. Dixon, a cultural studies scholar and college English professor with over twenty years of teaching experience. Dr. Dixon shares insights from his work at Goodwin University and his research on popular culture, literature, and media—from comic book archetypes and detective fiction to British sitcoms and the cultural legacy of James Bond. Blending scholarship, teaching, and creative writing, Dr. Dixon reflects on how cultural studies helps us better understand storytelling, identity, and the world around us.
S1 · E10
Jan 16, 2026
47:50
From Practice to Professor: Lessons from a Respiratory Care Leader
Michael Murphy, Program Director of Respiratory Care at Goodwin University, shares his journey from practicing respiratory therapist to professor and academic leader. He reflects on the experiences that shaped his career, his transition into teaching, and his passion for preparing the next generation of respiratory care professionals.
S1 · E9
Dec 18, 2025
30:35
Feeding Hope: Aubrey Roscoe’s Journey to End Food Insecurity in Connecticut
In this episode, we sit down with Aubrey Roscoe, a passionate public health leader whose career has been driven by one purpose — putting people and communities first. From her beginnings in community health to her leadership at the Institute for Hunger Research and Solutions at Connecticut Foodshare, Aubrey has dedicated her work to tackling one of our most pressing challenges: food insecurity. Join us as Aubrey shares the pivotal moments that shaped her journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the hope she finds in communities coming together to ensure every family has access to nutritious food. Her story is a reminder that lasting change starts with compassion, collaboration, and the courage to act.
S1 · E8
Nov 13, 2025
40:27
From First-Gen to Faculty: Professor Heather Jimenez’s Journey
In this inspiring episode, Professor Heather Jimenez shares her powerful journey as a first-generation college student. From key moments in her childhood to her academic path and eventual transition into a professional career, Professor Jimenez opens up about the challenges and triumphs that shaped her path to becoming a professor. She also dives into her impactful work in public health, where she supported patients and helped them access critical resources. Throughout the episode, she highlights how transferable skills played a vital role in her growth and career evolution. Tune in to hear how resilience, purpose, and adaptability can open unexpected doors.
S1 · E7
Oct 9, 2025
40:47
Drawing from Experience: Joe Young on Art, Impact, and Giving Back
Animator, creator, and changemaker Joe Young takes us behind the scenes of his incredible journey—from student to award-winning artist. Discover how he turned passion into purpose, built a career in entertainment, and stayed grounded by giving back. From youth programs to educational characters, Joe shares powerful lessons on creativity, community, and staying true to your mission.
S1 · E6
Sep 23, 2025
42:13
Neurodiversity, Inclusive Teaching, and the Power of Advocacy: A Conversation with Dr. Sarah Silverman
In this captivating episode, host Dr. Lisa Wiśniewski sitsdown with Dr. Sarah Silverman, educator, independent faculty developer, and passionate advocate for neurodiversity in higher education. Dr. Silverman shares her deeply personal and professional journey from her early academic experiences as a neurodivergent student to her transformative work supportingfaculty and graduate students in inclusive teaching practices. Listeners will gain insight into how Dr. Silverman’s background in entomology evolved into a career centered on faculty development, disability studies, and the social dimensions of teaching. She discusses the importance of peer mentorship, the challenges of navigating academia with non-apparent disabilities, and the critical role of empathy and accessibilityin the classroom. Through anecdotes and reflections, Dr. Silverman highlights the concept of "access friction" and the theory of "double empathy" by offering a nuanced perspective on how educators can better support diverse learners. The episode also examines the impact of social media,particularly LinkedIn, as a platform for engaging public scholarship and community building. Dr. Silverman’s thoughtful approach to sharing knowledge and fostering dialogue has made her a widely respected voice in the field. Whether you're an educator, student, or advocate, this episode provides a richand thought-provoking exploration of how personal experience and academic insight can intersect to create meaningful change in education and beyond. References from Dr. Silverman: 16 Horizontal Mentoring: The Positive Impact of a DiverseGraduate Student Professional Development Community Peer Teaching Consultants: Design Principles for Instructional Development and Program Alignment On the ontological status of autism: the ‘double empathy problem’ To connect with Dr. Silverman: Dr. Silverman's website Dr. Silverman's LinkedIn Dr. Silverman's Substack
S1 · E5
Jul 12, 2025
57:20
Transforming Lives through Literacy Education in Greater Hartford
In this informative episode, Dr. Lisa Wiśniewski interviews Stephen Morris, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford (LVGH), who highlights the challenges and opportunities for literacy education and advocacy in Connecticut. Morris shares the mission, advocacy, and programming of this amazing organization that serves adult students to build and strengthen their literacy skills and career pathways. Stephen contextualizes the opportunities for literacy education in the Greater Hartford area with current data. He highlights alarming statistics, including that 19% of Greater Hartford residents have below second-grade literacy levels, and explains how these challenges impact employment, health outcomes, economic stability, and overall well being. Interwoven throughout this episode, Morris shares powerful stories of students who have faced incredible challenges and their successes through literacy education. At LVGH, Morris and his team are always exploring different solutions to remove barriers for students by providing adjacent supports, like childcare, social networking, and ongoing career assistance. Morris also explains how LVGH partners with other community organizations to promote health literacy, career pathways, and access to other resources to help students transition to the Greater Hartford area. He also details the specific programming at LVGH for adult students as well as volunteering opportunities for early career to retired professionals with and without education backgrounds. Morris highlights the mutual benefits for students and volunteers as they engage in tutoring sessions, including English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and basic literacy for native English speakers. Morris concludes with a call to action, urging community support through donations and volunteering to further LVGH's transformative impact that goes well beyond literacy. To support, volunteer, or learn more about Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford visit: https://lvgh.org/
S1 · E4
Apr 14, 2025
54:09
Immigration, Democracy, and Diplomacy: Dana Bucin’s Path from Romania to the U.S.
Dr. Lisa Wisniewski’s latest interview is with immigration attorney and Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut, Dana Bucin. Dana speaks of her journey from her birth in the Transylvanian region of Romania to leaving her country at eighteen to study in the U.S., eventually obtaining a law degree. She discusses her role as an honorary consul as one of advocacy and building political, economic, and artistic ties between Romania and Connecticut. Dana then goes on to explain in detail the immigration process and speaks to the barriers for those seeking legal status in this country, from DACA, those young people brought here illegally, to obtaining TPS (Temporary Protective Status). The conversation then leads to an emotional recollection of the Romanian Revolution and itsaftermath and the bloody collapse of the Ceausescu Regime. She relives the subsequent turbulent years and the move toward economic stability and the adoption of democracy, a free market, and memberships in the European Union and NATO. She shares her success in assisting in obtaining the Visa Waiver Program for Romania and completes the interview with a warning on avoiding political extremes and being alert to thesigns of tyranny and dictatorship.
S1 · E3
Mar 31, 2025
1:05:29
Veteran Voices: A Story of Service and Advocacy
Dr. Lisa Wisniewski has the honor of interviewing Mr. Craig Jordan, Veteran’s Coordinator at Goodwin University. Craig grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut and was inspired by his parents’ service and commitment to the community. Taking that inspiration with him to Providence College, he joined the ROTC and was sent to Vietnam after graduation as a second lieutenant. He became a platoon leader after his captain was killed and received the Bronze Star for his service. Leaving themilitary, he was a recreational director before beginning his long service as an educator, culminating in 14 years as principal of East Hartford High School. Upon retirement, he began collaborating with Congressman Larsen and met MarkScheinberg, president of Goodwin University who, along with others, convinced him to become the Veteran’s Coordinator at Goodwin. Craig oversees Veteran’s community events and Veteran’s Oasis at the university where he advocates andfor student veterans. His work and outreach on behalf of veterans earned him a spot on the Connecticut Veteran’s Hall of Fame. His work in student affairs and in the Oasis Center allows him to assist, support, and mentor veterans and their families who are using their benefits in completing an education. His recent efforts to make Goodwin University a veteran’s access center is opening the door to everyone. In service as an award-winning soldier, educator, mentor, and now veteran’s coordinator, Craig has left a legacy in his community, state, andcountry.
S1 · E2
Mar 24, 2025
32:19
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