196

Access Matters - Creating Supportive Academic Environments for All

Episode 196 Audio | Duration: 36:33

Are you doing all you can to support the needs of your students in and beyond the classroom? In this inspiring episode, host Tania Anders leads a powerful conversation with a dynamic group of faculty and students who delve into the realities and stigmas surrounding the Access Program at Mt. SAC. Students, Jason Chico, Jesus Ramirez, Joshua Flores, and Becca Garcia bravely share their personal educational journeys, highlighting their resilience and determination to overcome challenges such as incarceration, learning barriers, and a lack of support. 

April 16, 2024

195

Continuing the Conversation: Moving from Burnout to Resiliency with Chisa Uyeki, Collection Development Librarian Faculty at Mt. SAC

Episode 195 Audio | Duration: 26:12

The conversation of Burnout continues as our host Tania Anders catches up with Chisa Uyeki, Collection Development Librarian Faculty of 17-years, to have a deeper discussion about her recent presentation from Spring Flex day 2024, on her findings regarding Burn-out during her sabbatical. We revisit the defining factors of Burnout from how it feels to how to recover and  how we can take on the work of social and environmental justice and anti-racism in a sustainable manner. 

• Free, voluntary, and confidential counseling, workshops, and referrals.​
• In-person & zoom ​
• (909) 274-6211 www.mtsac.edu/ecc ​
• employeecounselingcenter@mtsac.edu ​

• Confidential counseling, phone consultation, and community referrals. ​
• (800) 882-1341 ​
• https://www.lacoe.edu/services/staff-support/ease

• 24/7 free and confidential support
• Dial 988​

April 2, 2024

194

Moving from Burnout to Resiliency with Chisa Uyeki, Collection Development Librarian Faculty at Mt. SAC

Episode 194 Audio | Duration: 32:07

What is burnout? What causes burnout? How can we recover from burnout? Howcan we take on the work of social and environmental justice and anti-racism in a sustainablemanner that won’t leave us burnt out?  While most of us have, unfortunately, seen the impact of burnout on ourselves, colleagues, and students, we may not have a shared understanding of the root causes or how to address burnout, manage stressors, and develop meaningful ways to break stress cycles and build resiliency. Additionally, the role and responsibility of individuals, institutions, and systems play a role in perpetuating a culture which leads to burnout. 

Chisa Uyeki, Collection Development Librarian Faculty of 17-years embarked on a year-long sabbatical research project during which she studied burnout, it’s causes, and how to recover, and she shared her findings with us at our 2024 Spring Flex Day to contribute to building a community of care at Mt. SAC. Enjoy 

Resources:

• Free, voluntary, and confidential counseling, workshops, and referrals.​
• In-person & zoom ​
• (909) 274-6211 www.mtsac.edu/ecc ​
• employeecounselingcenter@mtsac.edu ​

• Confidential counseling, phone consultation, and community referrals. ​
• (800) 882-1341 ​
• https://www.lacoe.edu/services/staff-support/ease

• 24/7 free and confidential support
• Dial 988​
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: www.namiurbanla.org/resources
• ​Black Mental Health Resources: https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American 
• Asian Mental Health Collective www.asianmhc.org​  
• Therapy for Latinx: www.therapyforlatinx.com
• Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission-Health & Mental Health: https://lanaic.lacounty.gov/covid-19-resources/covid-19-health-mental-health 

• Robert M. Sapolsky, Ph.D., is the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor of Biological Sciences and a professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University. In this clip from his talk for the Science of a Meaningful Life series, Sapolsky explains why the stress response, which evolved for short-term physical crises, can become a long-term, chronic problem for human beings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEcdGK4DQSg  
• Madhumita Murgia: How Stress Affects your Brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuyPuH9ojCE&t=3  
• Well-Being Resources: Mt. SAC Exercise Science/Wellness Center: https://www.mtsac.edu/wellness/index.html  ​ 
• Greater Good Science Center: https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/  ​ 
• UC Berkeley center for studying the science of happiness - podcasts, meditations, articles, and more resources all backed by empirical studies, especially Stress Management for Educators: https://ggie.berkeley.edu/collection/stress-management-for-educators/
• The BIG JOY Over a week helps you identify what micro-acts of JOY work best for you: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/bigjoy 
• Guided Mindfulness & Meditation ​Andrea Torres, M.S., MFT, Counselor/Professor; Mindfulness, Meditation and Breath Work Guide: https://www.mtsac.edu/healthcenter/mindfulness/index.html   
• Healthy Minds free evidence-based app for learning about meditation and guided meditation ​Calm meditation app free to Faculty Association Members offers guided searchable databaseof guided meditation, music, sleep stories, and more: https://www.ctamemberbenefits.org/calm  
  

March 19, 2024

193

Spring FLEX Day 2024 Opening Session Recap - Catch What You May Have Missed!

Episode 193 Audio | Duration: 20:52

Welcome back to the Mt. SAC podcast, today we have a fun recap of the opening session highlights from 2024’s Spring FLEX Day, so you can catch up easily or recap easily and stay in the know. Here is Shiloh Blacksher to kick us off!

March 5, 2024

192

Mt. SAC Vault: Centering Students While Disrupting Inequity With Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud

Episode 192 Audio | Duration 55:00

“What do students of color need? The work of addressing inequity consistently, the consistent challenging of ourselves and our colleagues, and the creation of programs, classrooms and environments that foster: belonging, validation, support networks and cultural affirmation.”

This quote is taken from 2022’s Fall Flex Day’s keynote Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, which she shared during her presentation called “Centering Students While Disrupting Inequity”. This is only ONE piece of the multifaceted discussion Dr. Stroud shared during her keynote. Even if you caught this event live, listening again will only allow you to better absorb, process and apply even more of what Dr. Stroud shares within this imperative discussion. Enjoy!

*This episode was funded by the Title V and SEAP funds.

February 20, 2024

191

Mt. SAC Vault: Breaking Barriers to Black Student Success 

Episode 191 Audio | Duration: 37:03

Today we are revisiting one of our favorite episodes, originally released on May 18th, 2021. You’ll hear from Lance Heard and some amazing black student’s personal success stories as well as their hurdles along the way that were captured during Black Student Success Week. If there is one takeaway, let it be the question “What can we all do to break down the barriers to black student success?” 

• ASCCC Senate Rostrum Summer 2020
• Mt. SAC ASPIRE
• Black Student Success Week Webinar Recordings
• The Cost of Freedom: "Speaking Up To Diversify The Faculty Ranks"

February 6, 2024

190

Technology, Tango, and Teaching With Victor Zamora, Computer Information Systems Professor

Episode 190 Audio | Duration: 23:07

Thomas Edison said “The value of an idea lies in the using of it”. In this insightful episode, we sit down with Victor Zamora to explore his journey from a sales merchandiser to an influential educator and innovator in computer information systems at Mt. SAC. Victor shares his philosophy on the importance of human connections in education, the value of learning from failures, and how technology has shaped his teaching methods, including the pivotal role of online learning.

• Learn more: https://faculty.mtsac.edu/vzamora/
• Email: vzamora@gmail.com

Teaching with Technology, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

189

Meet Mt. SAC’s New President/CEO Dr. Martha Garcia

Episode 189 Audio - Duration: 31:56

Introducing Mt. SAC’s new president and CEO, Dr. Martha Garcia! In this episode our host Tania Anders, speaks with Dr. Martha Garcia to learn a little more about her vision. Dr. Garcia is the 10th President/CEO of Mt. San Antonio College, the first President of color for the College, as well as the second female President.

• Learn more about Dr. Garcia in Episode 184, LatinX Success: A Fall Flex Day 2023 Recap.
• President’s office page: https://www.mtsac.edu/president/ 
• Direct link to Dr. Garcia’s office hours: https://www.mtsac.edu/president/officeHours.html

January 9, 2024

188

Thirty Years of Excellence and Inspiration at Mt. SAC with Bruce Rogers, Director of Choral Activities

Episode 188 Audio | Duration: 23:49

This episode features an interview with the soon-to-be retiring Director of Choral Activities, Bruce Rogers. Bruce directs Mt. San Antonio College’s award-winning Chamber Singers and the elite vocal jazz ensemble, Singcopation. He was honored this year by the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO) with their Lifetime Achievement Award. This episode also features a captured recording of White Christmas by the Mt. SAC ensemble chamber singers, so stay tuned until the end!

• Music Department: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/index.html
• Audition information: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/audition_info/index-1.html
• SAC Chamber Singers: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/ensembles/chamber-singers.html
• Singcopation: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/ensembles/singcopation.html
• Golden Notes: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/goldennotes.html
• Bruce Rogers bio: https://www.mtsac.edu/music/staff/bruce-rogers.html

SAC Community, SAC: Our Campus

187

Women of Color Making Waves in the World of STEM

Episode 187 Audio | Duration 33:40

In this episode, we are diving into the world of STEM with a special focus on the brilliant women of color making waves in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Joining us are trailblazers in their field. Dr. Bao-Chi Nguyen, a faculty member at our very own Mt. Sac, in the Math department. Dr. Cathy Samayoa, biology professor and Health Research Director at San Francisco University, and Elizabeth Ondula, a PhD student of Computer Sciences at USC. Get ready for a dynamic episode as we celebrate and acknowledge these incredible women serving as role models for so many and shaping the future of STEM.

• Mt. SAC STEM page https://www.mtsac.edu/stem/ 
• Andrea Garcia Gonzalez - Program Specialist, Equity Center& Multicultural Center equitycenter@mtsac.edu 
• Dr. Maura Palacios Mejia - Professor of Biology https://www.mtsac.edu/biology/
• Dr. Bao-Chi Nguyen - Professor of Mathematics https://www.mtsac.edu/math/       
• Dr. Cathy Samayoa- Assistant Professor of Biology, San Francisco State University https://biology.sfsu.edu/ 
• Elizabeth Ondula, Computer Science Ph. D. student, USC https://www.cs.usc.edu/
  

186

Mt. SAC Becomes The FIRST AGZA Green Zone Certified Community College!

Episode 186 Audio | Duration 30:55

We are celebrating Mt. SAC’s efforts in earning the title of being the FIRST community college in the country to be certified as a Green Zone by the American Green Zone Alliance. This means a transition from gas-powered landscaping equipment to more sustainable electric or battery-powered alternatives and it's a remarkable accomplishment that paves the way to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future.

You’ll hear from Jill Dolan, the Director of Public Relations, Gary Chow, Mt. SACs Board President, Gary Nellesen, the Executive Director of Facilities & Management, Ruben Flores, Grounds Manager, Michael Cacciotti, the South Coast AQMD Vice Chair, Charles Trevino, Director of Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, Erik Diaz, the USC Landscape Supervisor & Campus Arborist, Eara Babtiwale & Tania Anders of Sustainability at Mt. SAC, Koji Uesugi, Dean of Student Services at Mt. SAC and Dan Mabe, Founder and President. Join us ALL as we celebrate this important milestone! Enjoy.

Sustainability, Mt. SAC Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community

185.5

Recognizing Mt. SAC Veterans - BONUS

Bonus Episode Audio | Duration: 1:06:27

This episode honors Veteran's Day. We showcase the work being done at the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). Our episode begins with Desiree Campos, the Manager of our VRC, highlighting the amazing work she has accomplished in her time on our campus. We also chat with two current Mt. SAC students, Jonathan Haggard who served in The Marine Corps and Edward Derbyshire who served in the Navy.

• Visit: https://www.mtsac.edu/veterans/
• Instagram: @mt_sac_vrc
• Email: veterans@mtsac.edu 

Mt. SAC Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community

185

The Happy Brain Workshop: Crafting Equitable Environments and Lowering Learning Barriers with Krislam Chin, Professor of Graphic Design

Episode 185 Audio | Duration 27:18

What if you could have a playbook to craft a more equitable learning environment for your students? Well that is what Professor of Graphic Design, Krislam Chin’s thesis was about and she shared it with us in a workshop during Fall Flex Day, 2023.  She covers three main topics that are chapters of her playbook, One: Be Present: Meet Your Students Where They Are, Two:  Be Intentional: Apply Universal Design for Learning to Reduce Barriers, and Three: Be Communicative: Enhance the Quality of Your Communication. If you missed the live workshop, enjoy this recap.

Flex Day, Mt. SAC Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community

184

Lat000000000000inX Success: A Fall Flex Day 2023 Recap

Episode 184 Audio | Duration 36:58

Welcome back to the Mt. San Antonio College podcast. In today’s episode you will be hearing from our new Mt. SAC President and CEO, Dr. Martha Garcia,  our new Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Melba Castro, as well as the Fall Flex Day 2023 presentations from TRIO ACES program and Faculty Coordinator for Title V Student Development & Counselor Diana Felix and the Acting Director of POD, Lisa Rodriguez. Enjoy this LatinX featured recap from Fall Flex Day 2023.

Flex Day, Mt. SAC Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community

183

Further Exploring Course Designing in the Age of Generative AI with Derek Bruff, PhD. 

Episode 183 Audio | Druation: 36:00

If you enjoyed our previous episode featuring Dr. Derek Bruff’s Keynote on Teaching and Learning In the Age of Generative AI captured at Fall Flex Day 2023, then today’s episode we have more on this topic for you. Listen in as Dr. Bruff does an even deeper dive in his follow-up discussion also taken from the 2023 Fall Flex Day. Enjoy.

• https://inworld.ai
• https://character.ai
• https://lmsys.org/blog/2023-03-30-vicuna/

• https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/chkue44f9tkma7qwuej5a/Teaching-and-Learning-in-the-Age-of-Generative-AI-Mt-SAC.pptx?rlkey=8ymeuinnnujq5mzsqszpipry7&dl=0

Flex Day, Teaching with Technology, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

182

Teaching and Learning in the Age of Generative AI with Derek Bruff, PhD.

Episode 182 Audio | Duration: 33:52

If you missed Fall Flex Day 2023 or just want a recap of the amazing presentation on A.I from Derek Bruff, PhD, then this is your chance to relisten and learn ways in which to leverage A.I in the classroom, along with some tools beyond ChatGPT, as well as the barriers they might pose. Enjoy.

• https://inworld.ai
• https://character.ai
• https://lmsys.org/blog/2023-03-30-vicuna/

• Teaching and Learning in the Age of Generative AI

Flex Day, Teaching with Technology, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

181

CAP Retreat 2023 Re-Cap: Mt. SAC Climate Action Plan

Episode 181 Audio | Duration: 51:15

If you missed the CAP Retreat 2023, then in this episode you’ll get a re-cap of CAP. 

The Climate Commitment and Environmental Justice Committee acts to advocate, guide and inform the campus community about the Climate Action Plan (CAP), the Carbon Commitment, and the sustainable and equitable implementation of the requirements of the CAP and Carbon Commitment. Enjoy.

• https://www.mtsac.edu/governance/committees/ccejc/
• https://www.mtsac.edu/sustainability/index.html

Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Sustainability

180

Creating An Equitable Environment For Our Students with Kelly Fowler, VP of Instruction

Episode 180 Audio | Duration: 29:08

Keeping connected to the “Why” that sits at the core of the many organizations and efforts created to support the success of students is essential.

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, Anti-Racism & Accessibility: https://www.mtsac.edu/deisaa/

Equity, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community

179

Students In Conversation: Learn More About Associated Students With An Ha, Associated Students President Episode

Episode 179 Audio | Duration: 29:08

Today our host Tania Anders speaks with An Ha, the Associated Students President to help us learn more about the work the Associated Students do, and how they fit into the ecosystem of Mt. SAC and An Ha’s role. Enjoy.

• Mt. SAC Associated Students: https://www.mtsac.edu/studentlife/as/

Equity, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community, Students in Conversation

178

Transforming Teaching & Learning: Applications of Sentipensante To Address Equity, Justice & Inclusion -Part Two: Inspired Teaching Day Spring 2023 

Episode 178 Audio | Duration: 28:35

Today we are featuring Part Two of Inspired Teaching Day Spring 2023, a segment taken from the second workshop created and led by Laura Rendon, this time focusing on Laura’s methodology called Sentipensante Pedagogy or Sensing & Thinking Pedagogy and how to apply Sentipensante to address equity, justice and inclusion. Enjoy!

• Strange Fruit By Nina Simon: https://youtu.be/BnuEMdUUrZQ
• Sentipensante Pedagogy: https://www.laurarendon.net/sentipensante-pedagogy/
• Dr. Laura Rendon, Keynote Speaker: https://www.laurarendon.net/bio/

Equity, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community, Research and Data

177

Fostering Academic Success for First-Generation & Racially Minoritized Students - Part One: Inspired Teaching Day Spring 2023

Episode 177 Audio | Duration: 37:57

If you missed Inspired Teaching Day this Spring 2023 or are ready for a recap, this episode features an abridged version of Part One of Dr. Laura Rendon’s workshop called Fostering Academic Success for First-Generation & Racially Minoritized Students. Enjoy.

• Dr. Laura Rendon, Keynote Speaker: https://www.laurarendon.net/bio/
• Sentipensante Pedagogy: https://www.laurarendon.net/sentipensante-pedagogy/
  

Equity, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community, Research and Data

176

Let’s Talk Money: New Updates & Equity Data With The Money Management Center

Episode 176 Audio | Duration 23:31

Lisa Amos, Professor of Family Consumer Sciences and Faculty Coordinator of the Money Management Center joins us once again to share some updates and equity data – as well as an invitation to the campus community! Enjoy!

• Lisa Amos, Professor of Family Consumer Sciences & Faculty Coordinator of the Mountie Money Management Center (lamos1@mtsac.edu)
• Mountie Money Management Center: https://www.mtsac.edu/mmmc/index.html
• Mt. SAC Title V Grant: Creating an Equity-Minded Campus Culture to Improve Student Outcomes: https://www.mtsac.edu/titlev/

*This episode was funded by SEAP funds.

Equity, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community, Research and Data

175

The Heritage of Heritage Hall

Episode 175 Audio | Duration: 22:46

• Mt. SAC Heritage Hall: https://www.mtsacathleticscomplex.com/main-facilities/heritage-hall
• Mt. SAC Heritage Hall Ribbon Cutting: https://www.mtsac.edu/newsroom/news/heritage_hilmer.html
• San Gabriel Valley Tribune: Mt. SAC Hall of Fame induction ceremony held in new Heritage Hall: https://www.sgvtribune.com/2022/02/28/mt-sac-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-held-in-new-heritage-hall/
• Mt. SAC Foundation and Alumni Association: Heritage Hall: https://mtsacfoundation.org/community-connections-1/heritage-hall
• Mt. SAC Kinesiology, Athletics, and Dance Division: https://www.mtsac.edu/kinesiology/department/

Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community

174

Learn About The Mt. SAC Digital History Project!

Episode 174 Audio | Duration: 23:54

Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Mt. SAC Community

173

Students In Conversation: Spring FLEX Day Student Panel 2023

Episode 173 Audio | Duration: 21:39

Resources: 
Health Center: https://www.mtsac.edu/healthcenter/
Library: https://www.mtsac.edu/library/
Mindfulness and Meditation: https://www.mtsac.edu/healthcenter/mindfulness/
Mountie Fresh Food Pantry: https://www.mtsac.edu/basic-needs/mountiefreshfoodpantry.html
Tutoring Centers: https://www.mtsac.edu/tutoringcenters/
Student Laptop and Hotspot Loans: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/05c5576dc6864592bde8f1abe10593ef
Student Life: https://www.mtsac.edu/studentlife/
Student Services: https://www.mtsac.edu/studentservices/

Flex Day, Sustainability, SAC Community, SAC: Our Campus, Students in Conversation

172

Pillars of Sustainability: People, Prosperity, and Planet

Episode 172 Audio | Duration: 25:01

Flex Day, Sustainability, SAC Community, SAC: Our Campus

171

Opportunities In Professional and Organizational Development With Dr. Lisa Rodriguez

Episode 171 Audio | Duration: 29:00

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Professional Development 

170

Celebrating & Acknowledging Women of Color in STEM Professions

Episode 170 Audio | Duration: 1:12:00

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

169

The Power Of Podcasting & How To Begin Things With Mt. SAC Alum & Magic Mountie Producer, Christina Barsi

Episode 169 Audio | Duration: 34:00

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

168.5

Happy Holidays From The Magic Mountie Podcast!

Episode 168.5 Audio | Duration: 1:00

168

Introducing the NEW Academic Senate President Roger Willis!

Episode 168 Audio | Duration: 30:00

Episode 168 Transcript

Tania Anders talks with Communications Professor and New Academic Senate President Roger Willis about work of the Academic Senate, his vision as he steps into his new role on campus, and the critical importance of faculty participation in shared governance. Enjoy!

Mt. SAC Academic Senate

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

167

Everything You Need To Know About Mt. SAC’s Geographic Information Systems Program!

Episode 167 Audio | Duration: 27:27

Episode 167 Transcript

Magic Mountie Podcast co-host Tania Anders talks with Geography professor Dafna Golden and Mt. SAC alum Jessica Moritz about Geographic Information Systems, equity, and Mt. SAC’s GIS program. Enjoy!

Geospatial Revolution: https://www.geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/index.html

GIS (Geographic Information System) Certificate Program: https://www.mtsac.edu/geography/gis.html

Geospatial Revolution: https://www.geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/index.html

Sustainability, SAC Community, SAC: Our Campus

166

The Basics of Basic Needs - Hunger and Homelessness Awareness

Episode 166 Audio | Duration: 27:00

Episode 166 Transcript

Do you have the resources you need to help Mt. SAC students connect with critical basic needs resources? Host Sun Ezzell talks with Pauline Swartz, Librarian and Basic Needs Committee Co-Chair and Rigo Estrada, Director of Basic Needs Resources to talk about Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2022. We have updated information about what basic needs resources are available at Mt. SAC, and how YOU can help connect students with critical basic needs resources. Enjoy!

Mt. SAC Basic Needs Resources Program: https://www.mtsac.edu/basic-needs/ 

Mountie Fresh Food Pantry: https://www.mtsac.edu/basic-needs/mountiefreshfoodpantry.html

Basic Needs Research: https://www.mtsac.edu/basic-needs/research.html

Basic Needs Support, Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

165

Why Voting Matters and How You Can Become a Leader for Your Community 

Episode 165 Audio | Duration: 33:53

Episode 165 Transcript

In our previous episode we featured Mt. SAC’s Constitution Day event and today we have a special behind the scenes conversation with Kelly Rivera, Professor of Political Science and Gio Rodriguez, Student Activities Coordinator about the importance of this event and even more so, the importance of leadership and how you can get involved and be a leader for your community. Enjoy!

A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy’s Future: https://www.aacu.org/publication/a-crucible-moment-college-learning-democracys-future

Mt. SAC Associated Students: https://www.mtsac.edu/studentlife/as/

Mt. SAC Geography Department: https://www.mtsac.edu/geography/

Mt. SAC GIS Certificate: https://www.mtsac.edu/geography/gis.html

Mt. SAC Political Science Department: https://www.mtsac.edu/political-science/

Register to Vote: https://registertovote.ca.gov/

Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Act (AB 963) Requirements and Increasing Student Voter Participation: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/castudentsvote/civicengagetoolkit-final.pdf

Student Senate for California Community Colleges: https://ssccc.org/ 

Student Senate for California Community Colleges 2021-22 Legislative Priorities: https://ssccc.org/file_download/inline/929d4cfe-6458-47a4-8ec1-894a5df1d8bd

Mt. SAC Community and Mt. SAC: Our Campus

164

Constitution Day at Mt. SAC!

Episode 164 Audio | Duration: 40:00

Episode 164 Transcript

How well do you know our voting system? With mid-term elections just around corner when this airs and just for those of us who want a refresher...we’re sharing a slightly abridged version of Mt. SAC’s Constitution Day event that will help clarify exactly how it all works.

You’ll hear from presenters, Dafna Golden, Professor of Geography, Raul Madrid, Sierra Powell, and Kelly Rivera all Professors of Political Science who share on different topics from voter trends to GIS mapping. Enjoy!

Register to Vote: https://registertovote.ca.gov/

A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy’s Future: https://www.aacu.org/publication/a-crucible-moment-college-learning-democracys-future

Mt. SAC Associated Students: https://www.mtsac.edu/studentlife/as/

Mt. SAC Geography Department: https://www.mtsac.edu/geography/

Mt. SAC GIS Certificate: https://www.mtsac.edu/geography/gis.html

Mt. SAC Political Science Department: https://www.mtsac.edu/political-science/

Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Act (AB 963) Requirements and Increasing Student Voter Participation: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/castudentsvote/civicengagetoolkit-final.pdf

Student Senate for California Community Colleges: https://ssccc.org/ 

Student Senate for California Community Colleges 2021-22 Legislative Priorities: https://ssccc.org/file_download/inline/929d4cfe-6458-47a4-8ec1-894a5df1d8bd

Mt. SAC Community and Mt. SAC: Our Campus

163

And The Winner Is! One Book One Campus 2022-2023

Episode 163 Audio | Duration: 13:35

Episode 163 Transcript

Mt. SAC History Professor, Professional Learning Academy Coordinator, and One Book, One Campus Coordinator Rita Page talks with our host Sun Ezzell about this year's One Book One Campus winner “Illegally Yours: A Memoir” by Rafael Agustin, Mt. SAC alumni and writer on the hit TV show Jane the Virgin. Called “an alternatingly hilarious and touching exploration of belonging and identity, Illegally Yours revolves around one very simple question: What does it mean to be American?” 

We hope you’ll join us for this year’s One Book, One Campus Great Read! Resources:

Get the book: https://illegallyyoursbook.com/

NPR Feature -“Jane the Virgin’ writer recounts growing up undocumented in ‘Illegally Yours’”

The goal of Mt. SAC’s OBOC program is to unite students, faculty, and staff around a shared reading experience designed to promote discussion and understanding of issues in our campus community and beyond.  The program incorporates curriculum and campus-wide activities that build unity and contribute toward the achievement of the College’s mission. 

Every year members of the Mt. SAC community vote on a book to read together as part of the OBOC program. The winner of the 2022 - 2023 OBOC election is Illegally Yours: A Memoir by Rafael Agustin.

Illegally Yours: A Memoir is a heartwarming, comical look at how this struggling Ecuadorian immigrant family bonded together to navigate Rafa's school life, his parents' work lives, and their shared secret life as undocumented Americans, determined to make the best of their always turbulent and sometimes dangerous American existence. From using the Ricky Martin/Jennifer Lopez “Latin Explosion” to his social advantage in the ‘90s to how his parents—doctors in their home country of Ecuador—were reduced to working menial jobs in the US, the family's secret became their struggle, and their struggle became their hustle. An alternatingly hilarious and touching exploration of belonging and identity, Illegally Yours revolves around one very simple question: What does it mean to be American?

Rafael Agustin is a Mt. SAC alumnus, and a writer on the award-winning The CW show, Jane the Virgin. He is a Sundance Fellow for his TV family comedy, Illegal, based on his life as a formerly undocumented American. Rafael currently serves as Executive Director of the Latino Film Institute (LFI), where he oversees the Youth Cinema Project, their statewide project-based learning educational film program, and the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). In 2018, the LA Weekly named Rafael one of the fifty most essential people in Los Angeles. Also in 2018, the United Nations invited Rafael to speak at their 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Oct. 19 - pages 95-188

Nov. 16 - pages 189-284

For questions regarding One Book, One Campus 2022-23, contact OBOC Coordinator Rita Page at: rpage3@mtsac.edu

SAC: Our Campus, One Book, One Campus

162

What Is Banned Books Week? With Ernest Romero, Mt. SAC Librarian

Episode 162 Audio | Duration 17:53

Episode 162 Transcript

What is Banned Books Week all about at Mt. SAC? Our host, Sun Ezzell talks with Mt. SAC librarian Ernest Romero to learn more about this important week as well as the freedom to read, the importance of libraries and free access to information. Even though Banned Books Week comes just once a year, you can find resources celebrating the freedom to read all year long.

Mt. SAC Community,  SAC: Our Campus

161

Centering Students While Disrupting Inequity With Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud

Episode 161 Audio | Duration 55:38

Episode 161 Transcript

Equity, Flex Day

160

Episode 160 Audio | Duration 24:56

Episode 160 Transcript

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Title V Grant

159

Episode 159 Audio | Duration 20:00

Episode 159 Transcript

Today’s episode features Mt. SAC students in conversation with podcast host and professor of marine geosciences and geology Tania Anders about why students take online classes – or not! Thanks for joining us to hear directly from students about how they’re navigating their educational paths. Enjoy!

https://www.mtsac.edu/online/

https://www.mtsac.edu/research/ie-data.html

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Students in Conversation 

158

Episode 158 Audio | Duration 28:22

Episode 158 Transcript

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Students in Conversation 

157

Episode 157 Audio | Duration 18:25

Episode 157 Transcript

This year the Natural Sciences Division hosted the 10th annual Mt. SAC Discovery Science Day for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders and their parents. In this episode, podcast host  Dr. Tania Anders talks with biology professor Dr. Cindy Shannon about Science Discovery Day, sparking a love of math and science in children, and the inspiration for Debbie Day – Dr. Deborah Boroch. Enjoy!

Dr. Deborah Boroch Discovery Day 10th Anniversary: Earth Day Mt. SAC

Learn more about the Mt. SAC Natural Sciences Division

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

156

Join the Excitement at The Mt SAC Transfer Achievement Celebration 2022!

Episode 156 Audio | Duration 42:50

Celebrating key moments in our lives is always a special privilege. So in this episode we take you along with us to the Mt. SAC Transfer Achievement Celebration as Alana Bachor and I, capture the many voices of students, presenters, speakers and attendees who participated and were celebrated in this event.

First you’ll hear some familiar voices as we asked the many Mt. SAC faculty volunteers and attendees of this amazing Transfer Celebration event to share their wisdom and excitement with us. You’ll even hear a special interview I was able to capture with the Mt. SAC Alumni Keynote speaker Karen Osorio right before she left for the stage to present her speech. 

And most importantly, you’ll hear from some of the students who crossed the stage and their families as we share their names being called during the ceremony. If you joined us for this celebration, enjoy reliving the inspiring moments we captured and if you were unable to attend, we hope this inspires you to join us next time! 

Visit the Mt. SAC Transfer Center

Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Students in Conversation 

155

STUDENTS ASK THE QUESTIONS: Geology ADT With Student Host Sierra Ruiz & Professor of Geology & Earth Sciences Dr. Tania Anders

Episode 155 Audio | Duration 34:25

Today’s episode is hosted by former Mt. SAC student Sierra Ruiz, who is a former student of her interviewee, Dr. Tania Anders, Professor of Geology and Earth Sciences. Our guest host Sierra graduated with her associate's in English in January of 2021, and transferred to Cal State Fullerton, with one year left to finish her Bachelor in English degree. 

You’ll hear Sierra talk about her experience as the lead facilitator of the Girls in STEM Club for the Columbia Memorial Space Center. Also in this episode, Dr. Anders will help you grasp how to choose a path you’re passionate about, how cross disciplines can benefit each other and the classes you might take while at Mt. SAC and beyond if you’re thinking of exploring Geology.

Visit the Mt. SAC Transfer Center

Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC Campus, ADT, Resources for Faculty, Resources for Adjunct Faculty

154

Inspired Teaching Day Spring 2022: The Science of Curious Adaptation with Keynote Tanya Tarr, Founder of Cultivated Insights

Episode 154 Audio | Duration 37:07

Visit: https://www.cultivatedinsights.com

Keynote Speaker Tanya Tarr on Forbes

Secret to brain success: Intelligent cognitive rest

Taking a Break Doesn’t Always Mean Unplugging

Mirror Neurons- Come Together: Our Need to Cooperate

"When we sing, our hearts beat together"

Flow State

Mt. SAC Developmental Education Study Team

Teaching Conferences, Resources for Faculty

153

Students In Conversation: “Stop Kiss” A Play Presented by The Mt. SAC Theater in Collaboration with The Pride Center

Episode 153 Audio | Duration 30:57

Mt. SAC Theater Current Season

Mt. SAC Pride Center

Theater on Social Media

Instagram: @mtsacpridecenter 

Students in Conversation, Equity, Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus,

152

Believe You Can Achieve! With Upward Bound

Episode 152 Audio | Duration 24:44

Equity, Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Resources for Faculty

151

STUDENTS ASK THE QUESTIONS: Child Development ADT With Student Host Akemi Velasquez & Professors of Child Development Shireetha Gethers and Anthony Henry

Episode 151 Audio | Duration 36:31

Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC Campus, ADT, Resources for Faculty, Resources for Adjunct Faculty

Episode 150 Audio | Duration 23:22

Volunteer for REACH events

Community Garden Volunteer

Make a donation to help support REACH Foster Youth students (Under the Designation heading, click the down arrow to select the REACH Program)

Stay informed about legislation that support foster youth by going to the John Burton Website to learn more.

If you are interested, please contact the REACH office at 909.274.6556 or visit the REACH Program website

Foster Love

Foster Nation

Equity, Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Resources for Faculty

Episode 149 Audio | Duration 30:15

Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC Campus, ADT, Resources for Faculty, Resources for Adjunct Faculty

Episode 148 Audio | Duration 19:42

Equity, Mt. SAC Community

Episode 147 Audio | Duration 40:16

The benefits of talking with the Psychology department, is that we also get many life lessons and tools along the way as we explore this multi-faceted career path. Guest hosted by Mt. SAC student Obet Campos, we listen in as he interviews his psychology professor John Pellitteri. They discuss life choices, pursuing higher education, and what to expect when pursuing an ADT in psychology. Enjoy!

Visit the Mt. SAC Transfer Center

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 146 Audio | Duration 22:17

Magic Mountie Podcast host Tania Anders joins the REACH Program at a very special celebration. The REACH Program supports current and former foster youth on their educational journey at Mt. SAC and beyond. Join us for a snapshot of this special event as the Mt. SAC Community celebrates the grand opening of the REACH Community Garden!

Basic Needs Support, Mt. SAC Community, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 145 Audio  |  Duration: 33:17

Today we spend time with the engineering department at Mt. SAC with our guest student host Marie Galvan who interviews Eugene Mahmoud, Professor of Physics and Engineering. Listen in as Marie shares about her pivot from accounting to engineering and Professor Mahmoud talks all things engineering and the pathways it has to offer. 

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 144 Audio  |  Duration: 45:14

This Sabbatical Share Out was hosted by Faculty Professional Development Coordinator, Sustainability Coordinator, and Oceanography Professor Tania Anders and taken from a Faculty Panel Discussion from Mt. SAC’s 2022 Spring Flex Day.

Thanks for joining us for this conversation with your colleagues across campus about their sabbatical experiences in English, Robotics, Geology, and more!

Sabbatical Leave Request

Equity, Flex Day, SAC: Our Campus, Resources for Faculty, Resources for Adjunct Faculty

Episode 143 Audio  |  Duration: 63:35

Equity, Flex Day, SAC: Our Campus, Teaching and Learning Online

Episode 142 Audio  |  Duration: 37:06

Today we explore the multifaceted department of Theater Arts with today’s guest host Mt. SAC student Yanira Loera as she interviews Mathew Burgos, Chair of Theater Arts at Mt. SAC. They chat about all of the opportunities Mt. SAC’s Theater department has to offer as well the many translations & applications a Theater degree has in the workforce.

Visit the Mt. SAC Transfer Center

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 141 Audio  |  Duration: 1:01:41

In today’s episode we bring you a Faculty Panel Discussion from Mt. SAC’s 2022 Spring Flex Day. This conversation on Engaging Student Participation Online was hosted by Academic Senate Co Vice-President and Legislative Liaison, student Club Advisor, and Political Science Professor Kelly Rivera.

Thanks for joining us for this conversation with your colleagues across campus about discoveries, growth, best practices, and updated regulations for student academic engagement in online courses. Enjoy!

Equity, Flex Day, SAC: Our Campus, Teaching and Learning Online

Episode 140 Audio  |  Duration: 23:20

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 139 Audio  |  Duration: 30:31

Mt. SAC Our Community

Episode 138 Audio | Duration: 40:09

Mt. SAC Our Community, Sustainability

Episode 137 Audio | Duration: 1:00

Mt. SAC Our Community

Episode 136 Audio | Duration: 35:39

Equity,  Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 135 Audio | Duration: 32:22

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 134 Audio | Duration: 35:31

Equity, Resources for Faculty

Episode 133 Audio | Duration 43:44

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 132 Audio | Duration 26:20

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 131 Audio  |  Duration: 19:00

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 130 Audio  |  Duration: 33:23

Classified Professional Development Day, Health and Wellness, Mt. SAC Community

Episode 129 Audio  |  Duration: 32:21

Equity, Students in Conversation, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Episode 128 Audio  |  Duration: 33:23

Flex Day, Mt. SAC: Our Campus, Resources for Faculty, Resources for Adjunct Faculty, Equity

Episode 127 Audio  |  Duration: 31:04

If you’ve ever wondered about Sociology as a major and what that pathway might look like then our guest host Ajana Orozco & Mt. SAC Sociology professor Jean-Pierre Gatillon have a candid, honest and information packed conversation about what that might look. Ajana is a Mt. SAC Alumni who received her AA in Sociology and is now a pre-law student at UCLA. She talks with her former Sociology professor JP about their own moments that sparked their passions for this discipline, how they are using it today, how it’s changed their lives and perspectives for the better and of course the practical things you need to know about classes to take and how to apply for a degree in Sociology in the real world.

Learn more about the Sociology AAT Degrees & Certificates 

Contact Jean-Pierre Gatillon: jpgatillon@mtsac.edu  

Visit the Mt. SAC Counseling Department

Visit the Mt. SAC Transfer Center

Mt. SAC Our Campus

Bonus Episode Audio | Duration 6:00

STUDENTS ASK THE QUESTIONS- An Associate for Transfer Degree Mini-Series is coming to you starting Fall 2021!

Tune-in during our usual Tuesday releases to occasionally catch this special series featuring students as your host.

Each episode you'll hear from a different student as they ask the questions they want to ask of their professors and alumni in the majors they are most interested in. 

The departments being featured in this mini-series are of the 25 ADT-certified at Mt. SAC. Be sure to catch our first release of this mini-series on Tuesday September 28, 2021. 

Episode 126 Audio  |  Duration 22:33

We invite you to a Call to Action to participate in the Societal Education for Equity Challenge also known as the SEEC initiative. We have Dr. Bill Scroggins, the president and CEO of Mt. SAC to talk with us today about what this initiative is, why it’s so important and how you can engage. Listen in as our host Sun Ezzell talks with Dr. Scroggins. 

Learn more about the SEEC Call To Action

Mt. SAC Our Campus, Equity

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Equality

Equity

Equity Fluent Leader

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

In this episode we feature an opportunity to up your teaching game and it’s free! The program is called The American Association of College and University Educators Course in Effective Teaching Practices or ACUE in which you will learn teaching techniques for face-to-face and online instruction in the following areas: Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Environment because Equity is a foundational principle of ACUE, Designing Student-Centered Courses, Promoting Active Learning, Inspiring Inquiry & Preparing Life-Long Learners. All faculty are welcome to apply for the 2021-22 ACUE cohorts!

Hear from Lisa Amos, ACUE Coordinator, and ACUE course completers, Tania Anders and Catherine McKee as they share their ACUE experiences.  

Sign up: ACUE 2021-22 Faculty Application Form (deadline to apply June 21, 2021)

ACUE Coordinator, Lisa Amos: lamos1@mtsac.edu  

Equity, Resources for Faculty, Resources for Adjunct Faculty, Teaching and Learning Online

We are happy to announce that Mt. SAC has a brand new Sustainability Director and we are so excited to share this conversation with you. Her name is Eera Babtiwale and one of the goals of the Climate Action Plan, which was approved in 2018 – was for the campus to create a position for and hire a Sustainability Directors and though It has taken until now to accomplish this goal, we are so excited the moment has finally come. Tania Anders sits down with Eera to talk about her background, her goals and so much more. 

Contact Eera Babtiwale: ebabtiwale@mtsac.edu

Sustainability, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Dominant Social Group

Equal Employment Opportunity

Employee Resource Group

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Diversity Debt

Domestic Partner

Dominant Culture/Hegemony

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

Curious to learn more about Professional Growth Increment (PGI) & Professional Growth Hours (PGH)? Tania Anders sits down with Faculty Association member Tamra Horton to talk about how you can earn your hours, how and when to submit them, as well as a brand new system the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) team together with other campus groups has worked on to make the submission and approval process more streamlined. 

Visit Faculty Contract Professional Growth & Information

Email Tamra Horton: thorton@mtsac.edu 

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Resources for Faculty, Resources for Adjunct Faculty

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Discrimination

Diverse Supplier

Diversity

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

In this episode we wanted to highlight the Black Student Experience at Mt. SAC as we hear from Lance Heard and some amazing black student's personal success stories as well as their hurdles along the way that were captured during Black Student Success Week. If there is one takeaway, let it be this question “What can we all do to break down the barriers to black student success?” 

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity, Mt. SAC Our Community

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Demisexual

Disability

Disability Owned Business Enterprise

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

In honor of May being Mental Health month we wanted to once again open the Magic Mountie Vault and bring you a guided meditation lead by Professor Andrea Torres who is a certified mindfulness teacher. So if you’re feeling stressed or just needing a moment of self-care, find a comfortable spot and enjoy. 

We recommend that you listen with headphones on so you can fully immerse yourself into relaxation.

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Health and Wellness

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Cultural Appropriation

Cultural Conditioning

Culture

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

Today we are talking with Chief Sustainability and resiliency officer, Doug Walters of the Department of Sanitation & the Environment in Los Angeles and he shares with us an overview of the green new deal and the environmental goals it harbors to create a more sustainable existence worldwide. Doug also shares the many environmental issues that are being faced and addressed locally and how you can get involved now and in the future by choosing a career path that supports these efforts. 

City Plans: https://cityplans.org

Theodore Payne Foundation: https://theodorepayne.org

Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Sustainability

Ever wonder how you can help add trees to your neighborhood or how to bring your energy bill down or maybe how to attract more birds and butterflies to your yard? Our speaker today is Isabelle Duvivier, she is a Los Angeles architect by trade but has a passion for sustainability and in particular…trees. In honor of Earth Month we hope you learn a little more from Isabelle about how you can get involved locally around this endeavor. Enjoy. 

City Plans 

Theodore Payne Foundation 

L.A Sanitation & Environment

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Cross Dressing

Cross-Cultural

Equity

In honor of Earth Month 2021 we wanted to feature one of our favorite episodes from our Nature Series, harkening back to the innocent days of 2019, here is Sun Ezzell & Jared Burton as they talk about bird watching and the flora & fauna found on the Mt. SAC campus. Enjoy.

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Sustainability efforts have much more to it than what meets the eye. The new LEAF course developed for faculty at Mt. SAC does a stellar job at encompassing methods that apply to basically every area of our lives and of course our courses. 

Professor Beta Meyer of the Biological Sciences Dept., Professor Daphna Golden of the Geography & Political Science Dept., Professor Jaishri Mehta of the Computer Information System in the Business Division, and Professor Mark Boryta of the Earth Sciences & Astronomy Dept. share their experience, what they’ve learned and how they're embedding sustainability in their respective curriculum with Tania Anders. 

https://sdgs.un.org/goals 

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Sustainability, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Classism

Colorblind

Collusion

Equity

Change Agents

Cisgender

Cisnormativity

Equity

Bisexual

Black American

Bropropriating

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity 

Sustainability, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Equity, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Biracial

Bias

Bigotry

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

Equity, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

Ageism

Asian

Benevolent Sexism

Equity

Keynote Powerpoint

The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice

Mt. SAC Basic Needs Resources

Mt. SAC Counseling

Mt. SAC Library

Mt. SAC Student Health Center

Mt. SAC Tutoring Centers

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Flex Day, Basic Needs Support

Anti-Racism

Anti-Semitism

Asexual/Ace

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

Equity

Affinity Groups

Affirmative Action

Ageism

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

In this part One segment, Dr. Goldrick-Rab outlines the  misnomers we as institutes have regarding expectations of students and the difficulties they face as they aim for completion. Make sure to stay tuned next week for the outline of solutions in Part 2.

The Hope Center for College Community and Justice

Mt. SAC Basic Needs Resources

Mt. SAC Counseling

Mt. SAC Library

Mt. SAC Student Health Center

Mt. SAC Tutoring Centers

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Flex Day, Basic Needs Support

Writer George Eliot aka Mary Ann Evans once said “It’s never too late to become what you might have been”. But what if the only messages you’ve ever received were ones that left you feeling stuck and there were systems in place that tried to keep you there? Our host Sun Ezzell talks with Victor M. Rojas, Jr., MS. Ed., the Director of the Rising Scholars Program and Joe Louis Hernandez, Coordinator of the Rising Scholars Program who are doing the amazing work in eliminating those barriers and limiting beliefs by creating support systems to empower formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students in their educational paths. 

Visit the website for The Rising Scholars 

Equity, Mt. SAC: Our Campus

This is the Magic Mountie Bonus series we’re calling Equity Demystified. Each week our host Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D  will be sharing with you 3-4 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Has School of Business has created. You can follow along if you’d like by accessing this document online at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business’ website.

Plus Sign (+)

Ableism/Ablism

Advocate

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Equity

The Magic Mountie podcast is proud to present a new bonus series called Equity Demystified with Lisa Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Each week we will be sharing with you 3 terms from the EQUITY-FLUENT LEADERS GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS that the UC Berkley Haas School of Business has created to keep you equipped with an up-to-date vocabulary to better navigate the diverse intersections of our students and each other. 

Look forward to new episodes every Thursday starting next week on February 18th.

It has now been almost a year since COVID-19 has been recognized in the United States and the country joined the rest of the world in shut-downs.

We’ve been experiencing life in a way that has somehow connected our lived experience by COVID-19’s global impact in ways we’ve never before seen in history, yet it has also pulled us apart. Figuratively through racial divides, digital divides and political unrest to name a few as well as physically divided us through mandatory orders of isolation. 

It’s now 2021 and we are still in it. Sun Ezzell talks with Psychology professor and Psychology Dept. Chair, Stacy Bacigalupi and Psychology professor, Ginger Klee about what it is exactly that we are experiencing, what we can be aware of about ourselves and our own experience and how we can realize that we may be separate in many ways but we are surely…not alone.

The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino

Health and Wellness, Mt. SAC Community

In this episode Sun Ezzell explores the Welding Department with adjunct faculty and Mt SAC Alum Bella Jhin and her former welding instructor Dan Garcia, who is also the Welding Department Co-Chair. Bella is the first female welding instructor at Mt. SAC and both Bella & Dan share the love they have for the program, how they each got involved and the legacy that the community the Mt SAC welding department has built over the many years of its existence. Plus, its one of the few courses that was deemed essential and able to instruct with in-person labs during the still on-going pandemic.

Check out this Mt. SAC Media article featuring Bella Jhin "First Female Welding Instructor Blazes the Trail"

Mt. SAC: Our Campus

In this episode you’ll be hearing from Mt. SAC's Research and Institutional Effectiveness department. Our host Sun Ezzell talks with Daniel Berumen, Senior Research Analyst and Vera Froman, Educational Research Assessment Analyst all about a COVID-19 Student Survey they conducted. 

COVID-19 Student Survey: Online Learning Experiences and Challenges Experienced Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Spring 2020

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

There are many things to consider when thinking about sustainability, such as the long term plan of the choices being made in new construction. What types of materials chosen to use can determine long term waste or long term conservation. It can also have a big impact on campus culture and the student experience itself. In this episode Tania talks with Brian Scott, Ruben Flores and Cesar Castaneda about the grounds at Mt. SAC.

We learn that there are innovative technologies that have been implemented thanks to the Water Conservation Grant from the State of California that allows for better more precise planning when it comes to how we use our resources. Listen in to hear all that goes into making these types of decisions at Mt. SAC in the name of sustainability and students.

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Mt. SAC Climate Action Plan (CAP)

The AASHE

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

There have been a lot of opportunities where help was needed this year and though this initiative wasn’t born out of the pandemic, it sure came in handy once everything went online. I’m talking about a special student services job called The Canvasadors. Listen in to learn more about what they do, how they help build bridges between students and all things campus related and who they are.

Check out there link tree for quick access to video tutorials & more

In this episode Sun Ezzell talks with Julie Cortez, who works at Access as a writing strategy professor. She shares some ideas and steps we can take to create strategies in the classroom to be an effective student. She emphasizes that “The goal for Universal Design or UDL is to be inclusive and the way we do that is to take baby steps”.

The UDL Guidelines

The Center for Universal Design of Instruction: Definition, Principles, Guidelines, and Examples

UDL Syllabus Example and Toolkit

Additional Universal Design Resources

Teaching with Technology, Teaching and Learning Online, Resources for Faculty, Resources for Adjunct Faculty, and Pedagogy

How do we create language around discovering our first generation population at Mt SAC as well as a consistent definition of what it means to be a first gen college student? Well, Yadira Perez, Program Specialist for the Aces program and Victor Rojas who oversees the Trio programs has created an initiative to try to answer those questions. And if there’s one thing you takeaway from this episode, it’s to know that your story has power and by sharing it, you might be providing the motivation that a student needs to keep going. 

First-Generation Mt. SAC Initiative:  https://www.mtsac.edu/firstgeneration/ 

Mt. SAC is known for a lot of amazing things and students come here for so many diverse and inspiring reasons, in fact, they love it so much that sometimes it makes it hard for a student to leave. So finding ways to make the transfer process easier and more informed is what this episode is all about.

We have a very special show for you today. In honor of our 100th release we’ve created a compilation of some of our favorite episodes that feature the students of Mt. SAC. From Veterans to bus riders, from summer school hustlers to Catalina Island speech hikers, from the Pride center to Access and the Dream program, we bring a fun and touching overview of the last 100 episodes of those voices that speak to the Mt. SAC experience best…the students.

Ever wonder why you’re not feeling rested or how you can get better sleep? Well we have some surprising answers for you that Livier Martinez and Tim Leslie from Student Health Services share during this episode that could change not only how you feel as you go through your day but also might increase the quality of your productivity. You may want to write this down. So get comfy, use this listening time as a moment of self-care and enjoy.

Contact the Mt. SAC Health Center    https://www.mtsac.edu/healthcenter/      (909) 274-4400

Self-Care Videos                         https://www.mtsac.edu/healthcenter/blog-videos/

 Mindfulness and Meditation                     https://www.mtsac.edu/healthcenter/mindfulness/index.html 

Free Personal Counseling                        https://www.mtsac.edu/healthcenter/mentalhealth/index.html 

Ever wonder if the word diversity might be too broad to describe a gap you want to close? What terms should we be using and what do they really mean? In this episode Eric Lara the Associate Dean for Student Success and Equity breaks these things down for us as well as highlights the centers and programs at Mt SAC that are designated in helping achieve equity on campus. 

Sun Ezzell hosts a conversation between Gary Vasquez, a licensed clinical social worker and Diana Chou with a background in clinical psychology who both work with the student health center. They share with us explanations as to what we might be experiencing during this chaotic time and how we can be mindful of what our needs are. 

Mt. SAC Health Center

Personal Counseling

Mindfulness & Meditation

The Mindful Child: How to Help Your Kid Manage Stress and Become Happier, Kinder, and More Compassionate

Why Therapy Works, Using Our Minds to Change Our Brains

As we know community and connection this year has become  especially needed and we have had to find unique ways to find it, in this episode Herschel Greenberg talks about how One Book One Campus can be a way to connect and find community. The selection this year is The House On Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. I hope you enjoy this discussion on how the book was selected, how it’s being used and how you might connect with the One Book One Campus community. 

OBOC Canvas Shell

FCLT website

Canvas Faculty Center

FCLT News Bytes Blog

24/7 Canvas Live Chat Support

24/7 Canvas Faculty Hotline: (833) 345-2892

Mt. SAC Faculty Facilitators

Mt. SAC IT HelpDesk (use portal username and password to login if prompted)

Canvassadors (Canvas Student Support Center)

Mountie Student Hub

24/7 Canvas Live Chat Support

24/7 Canvas Student Hotline: (844) 303-4499

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance 

Koji Useugi, Dean of Student Services, Rigo Estrada, Basic Needs Coordinator, Pauline Swartz, Library Faculty and Basic Needs Committee Faculty Co-Chair

Visit the Basic Needs Website

Learn more about the #RealCollege survey by visiting The Hope Center

To access scanned text book chapters visit Library Resources

Learn more about how to help students access text books by visiting the Open Educational Resources Guide

Learn more about the CalFresh Program

Apply to CalFresh easily and on your own

Contact Estrada Rigo if you are a student wanting a consultation.

Instagram: @mtsacbasicneeds 

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Student Health Center

Andrea Torres' Mindfulness page  

Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana

How to Train a Wild Elephant by Jan Chozen Bays, MD

Meditation for Beginners by Jack Kornfield

Revolution of the Soul by Seane Corn

Welcome back to the third and final episode of our summer mini-series on nature. In this episode we continue a conversation that we started last summer with Yolanda Haro. Yolanda shares how noticing, enjoying, and caring for the natural world around us can be part of a repertoire of healthy and compassionate self-care practices. So, find a comfy spot, take a deep calming breath, and let’s get started!

Deepak Chopra

Eckhart Tolle

CALM App

Yoga

(*the Magic Mountie Podcast & Mt. SAC are not affiliated and does not endorse any of these products or beliefs but they are listed here only as a reference to support the conversation in this episode) 

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

July 28, 2020

Welcome back to our summer mini-series on nature! In this episode we continue a conversation with Lance Heard that we started last summer. Lance shares some ideas for staying connected to nature in our increasingly online work lives, guides us through how to forest bathe--and why--, and walks us through some of his favorite resources for discovering more about the natural world around us. So put on your forest bathing shoes, and let's get started! 

Your Guide to Forest Bathing 
by M. Amos Clifford

The Joy of Forest Bathing 
by Melanie Choukas Bradley 

Law's Guide to Nature Journaling 
by John Muir Laws 

The Naturalist's Notebook 
by Nathaniel Wheelwright 

The Secret Life of Trees 
by Peter Wohlleben 

The Nature Fix 
by Florence Williams 

Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs 

"These Nine Wildlife Web Cams Offer Access to your Favorite Animals"

Lonely Planet

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant. 

Most of us have been working from home for about 4 months due to the corona virus. Many of us have spent more time than ever before at home. Maybe you’re growing a veggie garden or taking time to watch the sunset — or noticing a lot more bird activity in your neighborhood recently.  This week our host Sun Ezzell checked in with Jared from last summer’s nature mini-series. He shared some bird watching tips, some thoughts about how connecting with nature connects us with our communities, and some resources for learning more about the natural world around us. Put on your bird watching hat and let’s get started!  

Check out Bird Notes Podcast.
Watch Jason Ward on YouTube .
Read Wishtree by Katherine Applegate 

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Mt. SAC student Amy Truong shares with us her journey at Mt. SAC while she prepares to transfer to UC Davis, what it means to lean into available resources, groups and clubs on campus and how powerful the student voice actually is in creating tangible change to better serve the student population.  

Follow Associated Students of Mt. SAC on Instagram: @mtsacas

Follow Mt. SAC Inter-Club Council on Instagram: @mtsac_interclubcouncil

For info on The Mt. SAC Associated Students visit:https://www.mtsac.edu/studentlife/as/

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Host Sun Ezzell talks with Kristina Alvarado-Grassman, Director of ASAC and Gizelle Ponzillo, supplemental instruction coordinator about the changes in operations after moving all resources and functions online and the importance of maintaining the culture of the center while operating virtually. With serving students at the core of the academic support & achievement center, Kristina, Gizelle and their colleagues have taken great care in creating as seamless a transition as possible.

Visit the ASAC Website

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

David Charbonneau, Nicole Blean, and long-time tutor Jackie from the Mt. SAC Writing Center share how the Writing Center is supporting students during this time of online learning and social distancing. They talked about the journey of moving a Writing Center online, the discoveries they made along the way, and how those discoveries are fostering connections with students.

Visit The Writing Center's Website

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Host Sun Ezzell talks with the President Chisa Uyeki, Vice President Lance Heard, and Vice President-Elect Kelly Rivera of the Academic Senate to discuss the college’s commitment to affirming that Black Lives Matter, the actions that our campus is going to take moving forward, and the role of the Academic Senate in doing this crucial work.

FLEX Your Equity Approach With Dr. Frank Harris Episode 60

FLEX Strategies To Address Inequity In The Classroom With Dr. Frank Harris Episode 63

Dr. Frank Harris was the Keynote speaker for Mt. SAC’s Fall 2019 Flex Day. Dr. Harris and Dr Wood’s Racial Equity and Education certificate programs are designed to provide college educators with an introduction to racial microaggressions and unconscious bias and their numerous manifestations in educational settings. These programs offer both live sessions with CORA facilitators and opportunities to dialogue with your Mt. SAC certificate program cohort and are open to all Mt. SAC faculty, classified, and managers. You can learn more, and register, on the POD Connect Calendar.

Resources:

Mt. SAC United Against Racism

Anti-Racism Resources for all ages A Project by the Augusta Baker Chair | Dr. Nicole A. Cooke | The University of South Carolina 

Black Lives Matter

Reading about policy solutions to improve policing in our communities

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

American Civil Liberties Union

Know Your Rights

How to Protest Safely During a Global Pandemic

26 Ways To Be In The Struggle Beyond The Streets

This episode is being recorded and released during a time that is isolating in nature, that being a result of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine that we are experiencing as a result. This has been taking a toll on our mental health and may be bringing up feelings of loneliness and many other emotions and stressors. So we decided to bring on some amazing mental health staff members from the Mt. SAC community, Dr. Seth Meyers and Livier Martinez, to have a poignant conversation about how we can help ourselves through any feelings of loneliness and beyond. 

Host Sun Ezzell had the pleasure of talking with Mt. SAC librarians Esteban Aguilar, Monika Chavez, and Kolap Samel to find out how the Library is supporting the campus during this time of online learning. The Library has a wealth of support for online learning. In addition to the online databases, e-books, and 24/7 chat with a librarian that the Library has always had, they are now offering reference workshops ONLINE and an all new option to book a half hour research appointment with a Mt. SAC Librarian!

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

This episode we had the pleasure of talking with Carol Impara, Distance Learning Coordinator and Catherine McKee, Assistant Distance Learning Coordinator to get a perspective on their version of what the transition to online teaching and learning has been like for them while they also share some details about SPOT training.

We are back! Like everyone on campus, we at The Magic Mountie Podcast have had to transition to working remotely. For us, this included new equipment and new processes for remote podcast interviews. 

We have been so inspired by the incredible work of the Mt. SAC community to transition online in a very short period of time. Folks all over campus are pulling together and doing amazing work to every day, especially now, and we are excited to bring you some of those resources and stories through the podcast. 

Now more than ever, we hope The Magic Mountie Podcast will be a way to connect and celebrate the Mt. SAC community. 

We talk with Michelle Newhart and Hugo Aguilera from the Faculty Center for Learning Technology. Part of the Library, Learning Resources, and Distance Learning Division, the FCLT is a resource for teaching with technology and home to distance learning at Mt. SAC. The FCLT offers workshops in teaching and technology, including teaching online. As you can imagine, the FCLT has been working around the clock to support the College's transition to online instruction.

Visit the FCLT website: www.mtsac.edu/fclt/  

To access a "Canvasador", A Peer Mentor on using Canvas and other learning technologies for students you can visit here.

Today we captured the keynote speaker from our very own spring Flex Day, Dr. Lindsay Masland. She is an associate professor of psychology at Appalachian State University and she does a deep dive with us on the topics of how to motivate students, what motivates student achievement, and engagement and what can we do about it?

Questions she addresses are “what is learning, what teaching strategies lead to effective learning, and what is the role of the student in the teaching and learning relationship”.

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant. 

This episode is all about data--how data is being used on campus by faculty in their research and decision-making processes. Tania Anders speaks with Daniel Berumen of the Research department as well as Lisa Rodriguez (Assistant Director in the POD office and The Title V grant) about how data coaching is a tool in creating a “culture of inquiry." Learn what a data coach is, how to work with one, and how this can influence your processes and outcomes in the classroom. More specifically, learn how data has helped secure our Title V grant, “Creating am Equity-minded Campus Culture to Improve Student Outcomes.”

To learn more about Using our Data, Becoming a Data Coach, and Listening to Student Voices, attend “The Power Of Our Data” on Friday, March 13th from 8:00 am-12:30 pm in Founders Hall and in addition there will be a celebration of faculty who recently received their sabbaticals.

Welcome to the second episode in our mini-series on Getting a Full Time Job at a Community College. Hosted by Julie Laverty, Professor of Communication, this workshop series demystifies the hiring process--from the paper screening to the interview to the teaching demo.

In this episode we'll hear from Derek Dokter, Professor of Business Management who attended last year's workshop, What to Expect When You're Applying as an adjunct, and returned to this year's workshop as a new full-time, tenure-track faculty member to share his journey from adjunct to full time.

Join us as Derek shares Do's and Don'ts of applying for a full time faculty position, including how he gave his Cover Letter and Resume a complete makeover and got 17 interviews, 5 final interviews, and multiple job offers before he landed his full time position right here at Mt. SAC.

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Today's episode kicks off the first annual series on Getting a Full-Time Job at a Community College. Hosted by Julie Laverty, Professor of Communication, this workshop series demystifies the hiring process--from the paper screening to the interview to the teaching demo.;

In today's episode we'll hear from HR Deputy Director Sokha Song and Faculty Association President Joan Sholars as they discuss the application process, including tips and recommendations -- and top mistakes to avoid.

There have been some changes in the process since last year, so if you've already listened to our series What To Expect When You're Applying, you can expect to learn even more about how to put your best foot forward to land that full-time position.

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant.

Taking learning outside of the classroom can have beneficial effects to a student in ways that impact not only their understanding of the class material but to their lives as a whole. Hands-on, interactive excursions encourages students to ask more questions, engage in teamwork and digest application at a deeper level. 

Join Tania Anders and her Oceanography classes as they take two field trips, one to Dana Point and one to the Southern California Marine Institute on the Pacific Coast on the RV Yellowfin.

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant. 

Happy holidays from the Magic Mountie Podcast, we hope you join us again in 2020 when we come back with some fresh episodes to start your New Year off on an informed foot beginning January 14th. We would also love to hear from you by way of a review and rating on Apple Podcasts or iTunes so we can keep creating episodes that resonate with you. Happy Holidays & we’ll see you soon!

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant. 

Staying curious allows us to stay engaged and what better way to practice curiosity than asking questions. We have our last installment episode of The Question Formulation Technique and this time you’ll hear from your very own Mt. SAC colleagues who have bravely tested this technique in the classroom. Here we have a panel discussion of observations, challenges, and discoveries they made while going through the process. And if YOU’D like to try it out in your classroom you can reach out to them to help get you started. 

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant. 

In this episode we spend just a little more focused time unpacking the Question Formulation technique, exploring why it's useful. As you’ll hear Luz say in the episode, QFT “offers a little more joy in a demanding profession” and she quotes journalist Clive Thompson when he says “How should you respond when you get powerful new tools for finding answers? Think of harder questions”.

The Harvard Education publishing group says….

[The] Right Question Institute have developed [a technique] called the Question Formulation Technique (QFT). This technique helps students learn how to produce their own questions, improve them, and strategize on how to use them. In the classroom, teachers have seen how the same process manages to develop students’ divergent (brainstorming), convergent (categorizing and prioritizing), and metacognitive (reflective) thinking abilities in a very short period of time.

**For more information visit Right Question Institute (https://rightquestion.org)

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant. 

Captured during Fall Semester, Inspired Teaching Day, the DEST team brought in some amazing facilitators to take us through the process of The Question Formulation Technique. 

Luz Santana, the co-director of Right Question Institute and Andrew Minigan director of strategy for the Education Program of The Question Formulation Technique all the way from Boston. They introduce us to the process and emphasize why there is such an importance to asking questions, especially good ones. You can even follow along with the exercises at home!

The Harvard Education publishing group says: 

[The] Right Question Institute have developed [a technique] called the Question Formulation Technique (QFT). This technique helps students learn how to produce their own questions, improve them, and strategize on how to use them. In the classroom, teachers have seen how the same process manages to develop students’ divergent (brainstorming), convergent (categorizing and prioritizing), and metacognitive (reflective) thinking abilities in a very short period of time.

Typically, questions are seen as the province of teachers, who spend years figuring out how to craft questions and fine-tune them to stimulate students’ curiosity or engage them more effectively. We have found that teaching students to ask their own questions can accomplish these same goals while teaching a critical lifelong skill.

The Right Question Institute (RQI) [rightquestion.org] began its work with a dropout prevention program in Lawrence, Massachusetts, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, when parents told [them] they were not participating in their children’s education because they “don’t even know what to ask". Parents had identified an obstacle that prevents many people from learning, from thinking for themselves, from doing their own problem solving, and from becoming more self-sufficient.

*This episode was funded by the Mt. SAC Title V Grant. 

Today rather than releasing a full episode we just have a small announcement for you. As we head into the busy holiday season, we decided we would release bi-weekly rather than weekly going forward until further notice. You can expect a full episode next week, with the following week November 26th off.

We at the Magic Mountie Podcast hope you are enjoying you Fall semester as we thank you so much for being dedicated listeners for the course of over 70 episodes so far!

We’ll see you next week.  

November 12, 2019

In this week's episode we bring you Meme Madness--an amazing collaboration between Professor Cynthia Flores, tutor Dianna Velasco, along with Mt. SAC Librarians Eva Rios-Alvarado and Pauline Swartz AND the Summer Bridge Students! 

The goal of this collaboration was to get students into the library and engaged in the concepts they were working with in their multicultural literature class, such as ethnic identity, cultural pluralism, assimilation, acculturation, and gender and family roles. 

And what better way to do so than create an engaging, fun and interactive assignment that allows students to learn how to utilize the library’s resources, collaborate with their classmates and have fun competitively creating their very own original memes. 

Welcome to Meme Madness!

The Mt. SAC campus honored Indigenous Peoples Day on October 14th and if you missed the celebration that took place at the Indigenous Peoples Fountain in front of the Mt. SAC Library, here is your chance to hear from those who participated talk about their message and why Indigenous Peoples Day is important.  

According to the SAC Media article "Why Mt. SAC Dropped Columbus Day," "In 2016, the Mt. SAC Associated Students voted 16 to 2 and passed a resolution to change Christopher Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day....thanks to the hard work and activism of Mt. SAC MEChistas and the Mt. SAC Native American Intertribal Student Alliance." According to the article:

"Mt. SAC renamed the holiday before the city of Los Angeles did. It wasn’t until 2018 that LA celebrated their first Indigenous Day that included all-day celebrations of Native American history and culture. Other states such as New Mexico, Maine and Wisconsin have also voted to rename Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day.

Since the change, both MEChA and NAISA celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day yearly. The celebrations grow every year, and more student organizations have joined in collaboration."

MEChA and NAISA club members in collaboration with American Indian Movement and  Environmental Action Group for a Liable Earth (EAGLE) were involved in organizing this year's event, particularly student leader, Julian Ibanez Mandujano.

The cost of textbooks can have a negative effect on students' budgets. Faculty who use OER (Open Educational Resources) can help. OER is a way to use free textbooks in the courses you teach.

In this episode find out how you can be part of the library's initiative to increase the number of faculty at Mt. SAC who use and create OER text books. Participants in this initiative can receive up to $5000 in monetary support.

Learn more at the OER Kick off on Oct 23, 2019 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm in the POD LOFT. This initiative is funded by the Improving CTE Online Pathways Grant.

This episode features the stories of our dedicated alumni who have come full circle to continue adding to the culture of Mt. SAC by accepting jobs as faculty members and classified employees. Their stories and words of wisdom reflect on their personal journey’s of attending Mt. SAC as students and finding themselves in the process

If you want to take your connection with students to the next level, you may want to consider the Monthly Mentoring program. Eric Lara and Tannia Robles breakdown what it means to students to get this type of interaction with Mt. SAC faculty, what the typical framework of a monthly mentor meeting is like and you’ll even hear first hand from a student mentoree. Taken from the Fall FLEX day session, here is a sneak peak into Monthly Mentoring.

We want to share with you some clarification around different types of academic support as well as some first hand experiences from faculty, students who have worked in the academic support programs and one student who decided to invest in himself to further his success in his class. Taken from the FALL FLEX Day breakout session “ASAC and ET’s, Oh My! Navigating the Waters of Academic Support, here are some first accounts. Enjoy!

In this episode we are following up on Dr. Frank Harris’ keynote featured in episode 60 FLEX Your Equity Approach With Dr. Frank Harris, go check out that episode if you haven’t yet. In today’s show we have some actionable steps outlined during Dr. Harris’ breakout session called Employing Culturally-Affirming Teaching and Learning Practices to Advance Institutional Equity. You’ll hear some great dialogue from your colleagues and lots of strategies to consider bringing into your classroom to address inequity and disproportionate impact. Enjoy!

This week is the Library's Welcome Week! It’s a perfect time to learn about the services the library offers and how they are partnering with faculty across campus to proactively reach students in their classes.

So much is happening at the Library from the super fun Library Welcome week, Library Workshops, new technology, OER: Open Educational Resources (including zero cost textbooks), and the library’s GPS grant.

The Library is a fun and happening place so tune in to this podcast to learn about the Zombie Apocalypse workshop, the Sweet Sixteen Meme Battle, Library Bingo and more!

In today's episode, we are talking about validation. It turns out that feelings of validity can heavily influence how we do at the things we attempt -- like attending college. Therefore, establishing a validating environment in the classroom can be life changing.

Presenters Emily Versace and Richard Meyers facilitated a breakout session at Fall FLEX Day called Change Your Students’ Lives in the First Two Weeks of Class based on what they learned from Laura I. Rendon’s theory. Stick around and discover what is behind that catchy title.

And just a quick note that there were many interactive exercises in this session that we couldn’t capture on audio for the podcast but I hope you enjoy this abridged version of this very validating session.

We are bringing you what you might have missed at FLEX day starting with Dr. Frank Harris’ stellar keynote presentation on Advancing Equity in A Climate of Resistance. And even if you attended this is a great way to revisit the content after having some time to process the info packed FLEX Day you experienced. 

Dr. Harris is a professor of postsecondary education and Co-Director of the Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL) at San Diego State University. He is best known for his expertise in racial [in]equity in postsecondary education. You definitely want to listen until you get to the Q&A in this episode because Dr. Harris said himself, Mt. SAC asks the BEST questions.  

Guest keynote Kevin Walsh amazingly breaks down situations we encounter in all parts of our lives on and off campus and offers techniques to grow our emotional intelligence and in turn foster a growth mindset overall. I think you’ll really enjoy this special CPD Day episode to kick off Fall semester 2019. 

From all of as at The Magic Mountie Podcast, whether you have been in an episode or two of the podcast or if you have dedicatedly listened, we want to THANK YOU! 

We will be taking a short break, returning on August 27th with brand new episodes! Now is a great time to catch up on any that you may have missed! 

And in this episode we announce a few fresh faces and voices you'll see and hear joining the podcast street team, headed up by Sun Ezzell.

We're back with our final episode in our summer mini-series featuring favorite nature spots on campus. We'll go barefoot in the grass and join Yolanda Haro from POD under her favorite tree on campus. 

In this episode, Yolanda shares a childhood memory of spending time in nature with her grandfather--as well as how teaching mindfulness classes at Mt. SAC impacts her own mindfulness practice, tips for busy people for finding a few minutes to soak up some sunshine, and how mindfulness can support us and our students.

We're back with another episode in our summer mini-series about favorite nature spots on campus. In this episode, we'll go birdwatching with Jared Burton from the Library, and learn more about the flora and fauna at Mt. SAC.

 We'll also have a chance to think about how the natural environment on campus is meaningful for students, the importance of "Vitamin N" in all our lives, and how we as a campus community might explore the concept of the natural world as a Library and why.

Enjoy!

Inspired by Lance Heard’s previous episode How To Walk It Off With Nature: An Introduction To Forest Therapy, we decided to explore a few faculty member’s favorite nature spots across campus. As well as how they make the time to connect with nature and its impact on their work with students.

In up-coming episodes we’ll take a bird watching walk with Jared from the library, we’ll sit under a favorite tree with our toes in the grass with Yolanda from POD, but on this hot summer day Sun Ezzell sits with Lance Heard by one of his favorite spots, the Koi pond located north of the Mt. SAC farm. Enjoy!

Get a summer sneak peek into Mt. SAC's July celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing and human's first steps on the moon! The on-campus planetarium hosted and professor Jim Uranga and his students reveal the 80% scale model replica of the lunar module. Enjoy!

Thanks for joining us for another episode in our ongoing series: Students In Conversation. 

Students in Conversation offers the opportunity to hear directly from students about their lives, educational journeys, and what it's like to be a student here at Mt. SAC.

During 2019's summer session, Sun Ezzell talked with a few students who were willing to share their experiences taking summer classes, at a time when many of their friends are taking time off and enjoying the heat. One thing they all seemed to have in common was a full plate of obligations and that juggling life along with classes is always a feat.

It's important to note that many facilities to aid students are still open during the summer like the tutoring centers, the library, the financial aid offices and careers services. So if you happen to be teaching this term, make sure to tell your classes about these opportunities. 

We hope you enjoy this episode as students share what it's like taking short term classes and why it's worth it

Retiring interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Virginia Burley is a professor emeritus and retired Vice President of Instruction. She is also a lifelong learner who went back to school for her doctorate. She was called out of retirement this year to serve as interim Vice President of Instruction.

Before she left, she sat down with Sun Ezzell to share her reflections on a life in education—as a teacher, a manager, and as a student. Join us as Dr. Burley shares her reflections on the importance of listening, the value of dissenting voices, how courage can open doors, and the simple thing everyone can do that just might change someone’s life. Enjoy!

We are proud to present a sneak peek into the DREAM Program’s unique, heartwarming and supportive graduation of 2019, as our last episode for the season. We’ll be taking just a small break so you can focus on your last days of the semester and catch up on episodes you may have missed. 

The DREAM Program provides support services to DREAMers (undocumented students) at Mt. SAC. Its purpose is to increase the personal growth and development of DREAM students through academic, career, and personal counseling, peer mentoring, assistance in applying for the California Dream Act/Financial Aid, scholarship opportunities and workshops regarding DACA and other issues relative to this student population. And we learn in this episode that they will also have the help of a dedicated lawyer, who speaks to the graduates at this very special event. Enjoy. 

As the school year begins to wind down we created a unique and very special episode for you. Captured by Sun Ezzell we bring you Mt. SAC’s Lavender Graduation.

Lavender Graduation is a special annual graduation ceremony that is conducted on numerous campuses, in which it recognizes and honors the accomplishments of graduating/transferring LGBTQ+ students. In our case we also highlight the contributions and successes of the Pride Center, Mt. SAC staff and student employees, and our allies across campus and in the community. This year the ceremony was led by the Pride Center Director Melinda Bowen. Mt. SAC’s President and CEO Bill Scroggins also delivers a special message to the new graduates.

The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish Lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her own sexual orientation.

Why Lavender? It is a combination of the pink triangle that gay men were forced to wear in concentration camps and the black triangle designating lesbians as political prisoners in Nazi Germany.  The LGBTQ civil rights movement took these symbols of hatred and combined them to make symbols and color of pride and community.

The first Lavender Graduation began at the University of Michigan in 1995, with three graduates.  Today, over 200 colleges and universities offer lavender graduation ceremonies for their students.[6]

These events are so important because they provide a sense of community for minority students who often experience tremendous culture shock at their impersonalized institutions. For many students they are the payoff for staying in school. Here is a glimpse at Mt. SAC’s third annual Lavender Graduation.

Sun Ezzell, a member of the DEST team and a facilitator of the Inspired Teaching Day as well as the facilitator of the breakout session you are about to hear captured on Inspired Teaching Day takes us through a Question Formulation Technique. 

The Harvard Education publishing group says….

[The] Right Question Institute have developed [a technique] called the Question Formulation Technique (QFT). This technique helps students learn how to produce their own questions, improve them, and strategize on how to use them. In the classroom, teachers have seen how the same process manages to develop students’ divergent (brainstorming), convergent (categorizing and prioritizing), and metacognitive (reflective) thinking abilities in a very short period of time.

Typically, questions are seen as the province of teachers, who spend years figuring out how to craft questions and fine-tune them to stimulate students’ curiosity or engage them more effectively. We have found that teaching students to ask their own questions can accomplish these same goals while teaching a critical lifelong skill.

The Right Question Institute (RQI) [question.org] began its work with a dropout prevention program in Lawrence, Massachusetts, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, when parents told [them] they were not participating in their children’s education because they “don’t even know what to ask.”…Parents had identified an obstacle that prevents many people from learning, from thinking for themselves, from doing their own problem solving, and from becoming more self-sufficient.

So here is a peak at what that technique looks like in action. Enjoy!

In this episode we have Part 2 of Jennifer Imazeki’s keynote taken from Inspired Teaching Day which was hosted by the DEST TEAM.

You’ll hear more of the discussion they had around active learning and employing pedagogy techniques for a flipped classroom. Professor Imazeki is the director of the center for teaching and learning at San Diego State University, a Senate Distinguished Professor and Professor of Economics with a passion for teaching and education at all levels. Enjoy!

We have another mini-series for you taken from what we captured on Inspired Teaching Day. We heard from a wonderful keynote, Jennifer Imazeki who is the director of the center for teaching and learning at San Diego State University, a Senate Distinguished Professor and Professor of Economics with a passion for teaching and education at all levels.

She is an advocate for active learning, especially with the use of team-based learning and technology in the classroom. And this is what we will be exploring in this episode. The goal is to learn how to engage our students more and therefore increasing their success by increasing retention.

In part one of the Inspired Teaching series we will go over some pedagogy that Professor Imazeki uses to employ active learning with the participation of the faculty in attendance.

This episode is our last segment of the One Book One Campus mini series. We eaves drop on the breakout session hosted by Dr. Seth Myers and Herschel Greenberg where they have an exploratory discussion around how to incorporate the program into your curriculum and how to broach the subject of depression with students. But first a quick mini interview with Dr. Seth Meyers.  

This episode is part 2 of a mini series highlighting the One Book One campus program as well as the topic of depression, all captured from this year's Spring Flex Day 2019. We hear from our very own Dr. Seth Meyers, a licensed psychologist, who spoke at Spring Flex on the topic, offering us great overview as well as signs to look for and some points of action faculty can take when facing the issue of depression in our students. 

Today’s episode kicks off a 3 part series focusing on the topic of depression in tandem with our commencement of the One Book One Campus program. The book Hyperbole and A Half by Allie Brosh, is a first-person honest telling of what it feels like to have depression. 

In this series we’ll be diving a little deeper with featured content captured from Spring Flex Day. Beginning with an excerpt from the book turned award winning live performance by Shannon Ustatis, a Mt. SAC Forensics national winner and alumni.

This episode is another capture from Spring Flex Day taken from Equity Inclusion with Universal Design for Learning presented by Art History Professor Deana Hight. The very nature of universal design for learning or UDL is to develop pedagogy for creating equity and inclusion in the classroom environment that all students will benefit and become engaged in the learning process. 

Deana speaks of her own experience when having to adapt her classroom to accommodate a blind student that not only embraced the subject but in turn was embraced by his fellow classmates. Here’s professor Hight.

In this episode focused around Student Success, we captured a presentation from Spring Flex Day lead by Patricia Maestro and George Bradshaw. They cover everything from the types of degrees awarded to why students are denied completion. Learn the intricacies of the process of awarding degrees, how a student might accomplish more than one award and how it relates to their financial aid, as well as the ins and outs of registration dates. Enjoy!

Mt. SAC has made getting ahead even more accessible recently by opening it’s door to the Mt. SAC Early College High School. Hear from the President himself, Bill Scroggins, about his goals and future plans for this endeavor. And learn more about what a first-hand experience is like, as Liesel interviews an ambitious student of the high school, Jaythan.

Join us in a discussion recorded LIVE on Spring Flex Day addressing how to best introduce Forest Therapy to students and faculty. Lead by Lance Heard, Professor of Administration of Justice, we learn how he discovered Forest Therapy within his own life, what a Forest Therapy session might be like, the health benefits and how to employ our very own Wildlife Sanctuary that is a part of the Mt. SAC campus.

A panel discussion about topics full-time faculty need to know about Guided Pathways, Shared Governance, and Curriculum.

Slides from this episode can be found with episode 37.

How to prepare in advance for likely questions in your full-time faculty interview, including an approach to writing excellent icebreaker answers. Slides from this session can be found in the notes for episode 37.

A continuation of our seminar about how to get a full time faculty job at a California Community College. This episode features Professor Julie Laverty and includes tips that made one attendee remark, “Mind blown."

Taped live at a sold-out on campus seminar. This is the first in a series of multiple episodes to support people interested in full-time faculty jobs at community colleges. This episode contains an overview of full-time faculty responsibilities and tips for completing the online faculty application. Upcoming episodes will address cover letters, interview preparation, and critical responsibilities and initiatives you may be asked about in an interview.

Getting a Full-Time Faculty Job at a Community College

Full-Time Faculty and Curriculum

Cover Letters - More than Just the Facts

Alum Danee Pye and her company have been consulting with the Mt. SAC Foundation to improve connections with and between other alums. We talk with Danee and the Foundation team to learn more about how we can keep the 1.5 million former Mt. SAC students feeling like they are all in the family.

A brief overview about the hilarious book Hyperbole and a Half and the plan to get everyone on campus to read it.  Herschel Greenberg from the English Department shares the plan and the thinking behind this creative campus-wide initiative that will start in Spring 2019.

Interview with Hyperbole and a Half author Allie Brosch>

The podcast is taking a short holiday break but wanted to take a moment to give thanks to everyone who has been part of bringing to it fruition. See you back again on 11/26 with a full episode!

As part of our ongoing exploration of field and experiential learning, we invite our audience to come along as a public speaking class spends a day on Catalina island. We’ve got wildlife, surprise guests, and - hopefully - some motivation for faculty who are wondering if getting students out of the classroom makes a big enough impact to justify the all effort required. Spoiler: it does!

Listeners in the Mt. San Antonio Community College District will be asked to vote on November 6, 2018 on a large bond measure for the college. Learn a bit more about the projects that would be covered by the bond. Whether you support it or plan to vote against it, it's fair to say that the outcome of this election will be highly consequential in the education experience of thousands of future students.

Transfer deadlines are approaching soon. Your words of advice or referral to on-campus resource might forever change a student’s future. We talk with campus experts, current students, and alum Sona Movsesian, who shares her wild transfer story and somewhat unexpected career journey to a job with talk show host Conan O’Brien.

Transfer Services Website

Transfer Events Calendar

Transfer Updates

Sona's Podcast with Conan O'Brien

To request an in-class transfer presentation, email Krystle Bybee kbybee@mtsac.edu

Who says learning about technology can't be fun? Join Liesel and Christina for a walk through of a carnival of creative teaching tools at the 2018 Mt. SAC Teaching with Technology Fair. With so many great new resources and helpful colleagues to help us implement them, everyone will leave a winner.

It sold out months in advance, but we were able to capture some highlights of the October 2018 RP Group Student Success Conference for you. More than a dozen attendees share their top takeaways with us from the 78 breakout sessions and multiple keynote speakers at one of the largest and most popular academic conferences in California.

Information about the 2018 RP Group Student Success Conference:

RP Group Student Success Conference

Conference and Travel funding for Mt. SAC employees:

POD Conference and Travel Funding

Our planned episode about the RP Group Student Success Conference is postponed this week to address the topic of sexual assault and need for faculty to support students who may be triggered by recent events and/or may disclose to them privately or in class. In some cases discussed here, faculty may also be required to report.

Mt. SAC Police and Campus Safety Sexual Violence Information Page

Mt. SAC Public Safety Guidelines for Sexual Assault

Mt. SAC Title IX Policy

Websites:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) rainn.org Information resource and live chat (on web)

Love is Respect A great web resource aimed at teens & young adults on relationships Call: 1.866.331.9474 TTY: 1.866.331.8453 Text: loveis to 22522 loveisrespect.org

Reviews and clips from several podcasts that may be of additional interest to community college educators, from highly structured interviews to conversations over cocktails.

ice Company to Keep: Meet Other Six Higher Ed Podcasts

Personal wellness is central to our efficacy as educators; We need to be at our best so we are fully able to serve our students. In her popular Healthy Habits talk, Mt. SAC's own K.C. Kranz offers immediate and fun steps we can all implement while at work - and beyond.

Wellness Center

Slides for this presentation may be requested from the presenter at kkranz1@mtsac.edu.

Important information about working with foster youth, recorded live at a FLEX Day session presented by Bricella Maciel and Rigo Estrada from the REACH program. Also features additional interviews and a special conversation with former Mt. SAC student Christian Green.

Reach Program

UCLA Interview of Christian Green

A group of students were gathering on 9/11 and Liesel happened to be there with her microphone.

Many college students do not have access to affordable, nutritious food, stable housing, and other basic needs – impacting their academic success. Pauline Swartz, Koji Uesugi and Eric Lara from Mt. SAC’s Homelessness and Basic Resources Committee and Student Equity team provide an excellent overview of the issue, including surprising resources we can start sharing immediately with students in need. We also hear from two Mt. SAC alums, Rikiesha Pierce and Michael DeCarbo, who remind us that – despite immediate challenges - every student’s potential is limitless.

Basic Needs PowerPoint

Mountie Fresh Food Pantry Flyer

Rikiesha Pierce’s “Scholar Story” page

SAC Media article about Mt. SAC’s first Mountie Fresh Day

Refer your students to join the Mt. SAC Nutrition Club

Emotions can negatively impact students, but can also unlock their brains and support greater learning. Several strategies to activate positive emotions are shared in the Fall 2018 Flex Day session “Brain-Based Teaching Strategies to Enhance Student Engagement” by ESL faculty Laura Jacob and Rita Van Dyke-Kao.

Interesting video presentation by Zoltan Dornyei (referenced in this episode) about engaging language learners:

Video Presentation

Faculty Association

This workshop developed for Mt. SAC’s New Faculty Seminar was the winner of the 4CSD Innovative Activity Award for Excellence in a Professional Development Activity or Event. It features an honest discussion with four Mt. SAC students about their experiences during the first few weeks of school and the factors that influenced their decision to drop a class. Research about building engagement trust, and community during the first class session is also shared.

Better Beginnings

Start the academic year with some tools to help manage the stress in your life. One of Mt. SAC’s most popular – and funny - presenters provides research, does a revealing live demonstration, and shares some great personal anecdotes. Recorded live at CPD Day.

Stress!

As she retires from Mt. SAC, Dr. Irene Malmgren shares some of her formative experiences as a teacher and perspectives on lifelong learning for all educators.

Books referenced in this episode:

Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach (Various Authors)

The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer

The Heart of Higher Education by Parker J. Palmer, Arthur Zajonc, and Megan Scribner

Redesigning America’s Community Colleges: A Clear Path to Student Success by Thomas Bailey, Shanna Smith, and Davis Jenkins

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffery Zaslow

On a very hot summer day, we talk with students who use public transportation to commute to campus to learn about their different reasons for using mass transit and how, if at all, it impacts their educational experience.

About the Class Pass

A moving and revealing conversation with a few of the 500 students pursuing their college education with the support of the Mt. SAC DREAM Program.

DREAM Program

Letter from Mt. SAC's President on DREAM DACA Students

Our co-hosts make an enlightening visit to the ACCESS Technology Center, or ATC, a state-of-the art center for assistive technologies, professional experts, and a variety of great student resources.A useful guide to help faculty refer a struggling student to ACCESS services.

Accessible Technology Center

Liesel and Christina make an inspiring visit to the VRC - a student support center located at the heart of the Mt. SAC campus.

For students who are the first in their family to attend college, the process can be confusing and discouraging. Learn about the ACES program at Mt. SAC that – among their many services – helps fill practical, emotional, and motivational gaps “first gen” students may face as they try to beat the odds and earn that college degree.

More info at www.mtsac.edu/aces/

Our summer series hopes to enrich faculty through better understanding of some of the amazing people, places, resources, and initiatives on campus. This week learn about one of the only community college LGBT+ centers in the country and meet their inspiriting students and faculty coordinator.

Pride Center Website

Pride Center Facebook Page

How do we build community at community colleges? We visit a special new event to talk with faculty, staff, and a member of the Board of Trustees, and the VOICES committee about the role of recognition in both professional development and creating more positive work environments.

Voices information and the “shout out” online form: https://www.mtsac.edu/governance/committees/voices/

Episode 15 Photos

The first in a series of discussions with groups of Mt. SAC students about challenges they are facing and ways faculty can support them in achieving their personal and academic goals. In this episode, Liesel talks with select members of her night class about their complicated lives as evening students.

We took some time to connect with the Mt. SAC Developmental Education Study Team, or DEST, to learn about the philosophy and activities of this high-impact community of educators.

A visit to the 2018 Inspired Teaching Conference where we learn about a new technique for helping your students - and possibly yourself - better understand course textbooks.

A jam-packed episode that includes a “Leading for Equity” pre-lecture talk, a performance by the national championship Mt. SAC forensics team, discussion about supporting equity in an era of guided pathways, and a few moments with Colson Whitehead himself.

Language advisory: sensitive language used in this episode.

History Professor Kim Earhart offers insight into the mingling of fact and fiction in Whitehead's award-winning book, and ways in which our work with students might be influenced by this remarkable text.

North Carolina Runaway Slave Advertisements

How Fictionalizing the Past Might Help Change the Future - Handout

In a continuation of a popular previous episode, Professor Julie Laverty explains how to refer Mt. SAC students to a surprising array of no-cost services, as well as how to report instances of student misconduct.

Professors Chisa Uyeki and Christopher Briggs premiere a faculty professional development talk about our campus climate commitment and efforts to support sustainability at Mt. SAC. Later in the episode, we join for part of the campus sustainability tour given by student Rene Jimenez. To schedule a tour for your students or department, go to:

The Campus Sustainability Tour

Professor Julie Laverty explains her motivation to create a special web-based resource just for adjunct faculty at Mt. SAC . Julie also details the various topics covered on the site, many of which will be surprisingly useful to all faculty - even if they have been at the college for a while.

Co-producers Liesel and Christina take a beat to discuss the reasons for this experimental approach to professional development, some of their discoveries so far, and Christina’s recent Mt. SAC workshop on podcasting for educators.

A multi-part episode featuring Marco Benassi for the College of DuPage’s Field and Experiential Learning Program. Part 2 travels into the field for a Palm Springs hike with faculty participants.

Episode 5 Photo Slideshow

A multi-part episode featuring Marco Benassi for the College of DuPage’s Field and Experiential Learning Program. Part 1 captures some of his on-campus workshop at Mt. SAC, while Part 2 travels into the field for a Palm Springs hike with faculty participants.

Episode 4 Photo Slideshow

Mt. SAC Counselor Emily Versace leads a workshop at 2018 spring Flex Day based on an inspiring workshop that changed her teaching forever. Her method is based on Sharon Bowman and her Training from the Back of the Room model, derived from brain science.

To enroll in her up-coming 2-day workshop May 11 & 18, visit POD CALENDAR.

Faculty Toolkit

Christina and Liesel discuss the upcoming calendar of free professional learning activities available on POD CALENDAR including:

March 27 Christina's Podcasting for Faculty Level 1 Course

April 13 Campus Sustainability at the ReNew Faculty Seminar

March 16-20 Learning Technology Week

April 26 & 27 Inspired Technology Conference

May 8 Colson Whitehead lecture

In this episode, hosts Liesel Reinhart and Christina Barsi discuss what "FLEX" day is and then meet some of the faculty, staff, and students who are attending it. The second half of the podcast includes an interview with Sonia Nazario about her perspectives on immigrant students and what faculty can do to help serve them. The podcast concludes with suggestions for faculty about how to best support immigrant and "dreamer" students.