U Rising Podcast
On the "U Rising" podcast, President Ruth V. Watkins engages in insightful conversations with students, staff, faculty, alumni and community stakeholders who are at the center of the state's flagship research university. President Watkins also connects with other leaders to give listeners a fresh take on top issues and innovations in higher education in Utah and across the country. You can subscribe to U Rising via iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and other podcast streaming services.
The justice lab at the u's college of law partnered with salt lake county to find answers to a big problem
Osher Institute makes lifelong learning easy — and fun!
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Utah is for people ages 50 and older who have a deep and abiding love of learning — and socializing! The program brings people from all backgrounds together to learn from subject matter experts about topics ranging from Persian cooking to politics. In this episode of U Rising, you’ll hear from three people about the program’s purpose, its shift to virtual during the pandemic and why that is working so well, and about the friendships developed and other benefits of by being involved in the Osher Institute. Recorded on Feb. 18, 2021. Thanks to Brooke Adams, Emily Black and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.
HOPE CORPS PUTS STUDENTS, BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS ON PATH TO SUCCESS
The Hope Corps is connecting our students with business and community organizations with the aim of mutually beneficial experiences. Our students gain on-the-job experience and participating organizations get much needed help from our students — which has proved vital to many of them during the pandemic. In this episode, Morgan Lyon Cotti, associate director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and director of the Hope Corps program describes the program and the difference it is making in the community. Students Natalie Winward and Erick Garcia share their experiences working with Hope Corps and as interns at United Way and with the Ivory Foundation. Recorded on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. Thanks to Brooke Adams, Emily Black and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.
HElping faculty — and students — navigate a pandemic
Our faculty really pivoted in remarkable ways last March when the pandemic required us to change our approach to education. Sarah Projansky, the U’s associate vice president for faculty in Academic Affairs, has been at the forefront of efforts to help faculty navigate this new “normal,” develop best teaching and support practices and keep their own careers on track. In this episode, Sarah explains some of the lessons learned, why we’ve added mental health days and a return-to-remote learning period this spring and offers advice to make the semester run smoothly. Recorded on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Thanks to Brooke Adams, Emily Black and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.
A conversation about civility with Gail Miller
Gail Miller is one of the most trusted and respected leaders in Utah and when she stood center court at a Utah Jazz game in March 2019 to deliver a message about courtesy, civility and showing respect for all, her words went far beyond the state. Months later, Gail’s message was at the center of an anti-racist initiative called “Lead Together.” And this summer, as the Black Lives Matter movement focused our attention squarely on racism, she gathered employees and Utah Jazz players to listen as they shared experiences and views on changes needed. In our conversation, Gail shares why she has stepped up, spoken out and done what she can to make this a more welcoming, accepting and tolerant community — and her hopes for how young people will drive change. Recorded on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. Thanks to Brooke Adams, Emily Black and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.
A "Good Trouble" conversation with Emma Houston and Nubia Peña
Emma Houston puts it this way: "This is not just a one day or one month or one-week event. This is 365 days, every day, that we are intentional" about what equity, diversity and inclusion looks like. So how do we do that? In this episode, Houston, special assistant for engagement and program development in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Nubia Peña, director of the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, share their thoughts on events of the past year and how the principles and practices of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and former Rep. John Lewis — who coined the phrase "Good Trouble" — can guide us in diversity work and racial healing. Recorded on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Thanks to Brooke Adams, Emily Black and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.
Here's what a key lawmaker is thinking about as the 2021 Legislature gets to work
In this episode of U Rising, Utah Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard shares what she wants to hear from leaders of higher education institutions in the state as they prepare to present their funding requests in the 2021 Utah legislative session. The U’s priorities, according to Vice President Jason Perry? Compensation for faculty and staff and funding for the renovation of the Applied Sciences Building. Rep. Ballard also shares how students, in particular, can work proactively and productively to make their voices heard. Record on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. Thanks to Brooke Adams and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.
keeping you digitally connected during the pandemic
Many Utahns not realize the key role the University of Utah plays in providing the digital network infrastructure and tools used by education, telehealth, families and commerce throughout the state. This network and the available tools were significantly upgraded over the past year, thanks to the vision of the Utah Legislature. In this episode, Utah State Sen. Jerry Stevenson joins Steve Hess, chief information officer at the University of Utah and for the Utah Board of Higher Education, and Ray Timothy, executive director of the Utah Education Network, to explain how they’ve worked to ensure Utahns have robust access to the internet and other digital tools during the pandemic, when online access became so critical. Recorded on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Thanks to Brooke Adams and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.
EXPERIENCE CURATORS HELP STUDENTS BELONG, CONNECT, ENGAGE AND TRANSFORM
Tressa Parkes and Alexander Langenwalter are experience curators—a cool title for their work helping other students build social connections, engage on campus and get the most out of their time at the U, all virtually during the pandemic. The two students are featured on a new website launched by the Office of Undergraduate Studies as part of the exceptional educational experience initiative. In this episode, Tressa and Alexander join Martha Bradley-Evans, Jim Agutter and Brandon Marshall to explain the new initiative and how other students can get involved. Recorded on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. Thanks to Brooke Adams and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.
TWO NURSES SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WORKING WITH COVID-19 PATIENTS
Christy Mulder and David Marple work in the medical ICU at University Hospital. These long-time nurses share what it is like to be on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19, from the complex safety gear they must wear to trying to help patients breathe and keeping family members informed about what’s happening. We are so grateful for the work of our healthcare employees and this episode of U Rising gives listeners a little insight into what they are experiencing. Recorded on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. Thanks to Brooke Adams and Dave White for technical assistance. Original music by Taylor Hartley. Read the full transcript.