UConn 360: The UConn Podcast

Perception Matters: Supreme Court Edition

This week, we sit down with UConn School of Law Dean Eboni S. Nelson for a wide-ranging discussion on everything from the U.S. Supreme Court to the future of legal education. Dean Nelson, who arrived at UConn in July 2020, says that the growing public impression of the nation's top court as essentially a political body doesn't bode well for its ability to fulfill its mission as ultimate arbiter of the country's laws. She also talks about an anticipated Court decision that could radically change the college admissions process, the importance of diverse viewpoints and backgrounds on the Court, and what she wants to see happen at UConn Law as it enters its second century.

 

After that, the band gets back together when Ken Best returns, IN STUDIO, to talk about a new exhibition he curated at Homer Babbidge Library on the history of rock and roll. Ken has forgotten more about rock music than most of us will ever learn, so don't miss either this conversation or the exhibit, which runs through June. 

A Big Mountain to Climb: Neurodivergency and the Workplace

“Neurodiversity” has become a familiar term across American society, but mere awareness of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, and other neurological differences doesn’t mean much for the people who live with these – especially when it comes to finding work.

Studies differ on exact numbers, but the unemployment rate among neurodivergent people (a more precise term than neurodiversity) is definitely higher than among the overall population, probably by a double-digit factor.

“It’s not just awareness,” says Judy Reilly, Judy Reilly, the director of the Werth Institute’s Center for Neurodiversity & Employment Innovation at UConn. “The heavy lift is really in, Ok, so now what do we do? How do we build a process to include these candidates better for the jobs they’re talented enough to do, and then how do we support them when we hire them?”

The new Center, under Reilly, is at the forefront of a growing move in higher education and the American workplace to appreciate the skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, and create environments where they can succeed.

In this episode of UConn 360, Reilly talks about the shifting landscape in employment, the challenges of culture change in the workplace, and the reasons she’s so passionate about her work.

Then, in this episode's installment of Tom's History Shelf, Tom and Julie discover which building is the oldest on the UConn campus, and explain why it isn't the one you might be thinking of.

The Person Who Makes Sure UConn is Picture-Perfect

If you've ever looked at a copy of UConn Magazine, visited the UConn Today website, or received any UConn-related material in the mail, you've probably seen the work of Peter Morenus. University photographer for nearly three decades, Morenus has photographed everyone from first-year students on their first day moving in to U.S. presidents. Here, he talks with UConn 360 about some of his most memorable assignments, the changes he's seen in photography since he started out as a freelancer in New York putting rolls of film on Greyhound buses, and even a little bit of K-Pop. Also, Julie and Tom discuss where on campus you can find a really old bog. 

First Year Programs and the Limo Code

In this episode, we sit down (finally in our real studio!) with Leo Lachut '89, Director of Academic Support and Assistant Director of First Year Programs and Learning Communities. A first-generation college student himself, Leo talks about how, while student needs have remained roughly the same since his undergraduate days, the resources to help them succeed have vastly expanded.

 

But there's another side to Leo Lachut: a limousine-driving side. Moonlighting as a limo driver since he was in graduate school, Leo tells us about the 'Limo Code,' and the time he almost found himself on a Broadway stage by accident.

 

Tom and Julie round out this episode by reminding people not to spell "UConn" in all capital letters, in hopes of furthering a surprisingly intense online debate. 

The Case for Not Despairing Over the Fate of the Earth

We're joined by Michael Willig, executive director of the Institute of the Environment and a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, who talks about why he doesn't lose hope even in the face of grim news about the climate and environment. One of the things that encourages him is the work that UConn is doing on a number of fronts, which he tells us about. He also discusses what it was like to start his field career in a remote corner of Brazil, and how that taught him about more than just evolutionary biology. Afterwards, we travel back to the Golden Age of Radio to meet a UConn professor reluctant to relive his childhood celebrity.

The ’Black Superwoman’ Dilemma

In this episode, Dr. Loneke Blackman Carr discusses the multiple caregiver role experienced by many Black women. She describes this as "The Black Superwoman Phenomenon,” which essentially means they keep their families and communities afloat, but to the detriment of their own health.  Her research is the first study to examne this role specifically in the context of a weight loss intervention. We also talk about the culture around weight loss more broadly, and how it fits into our evolving understanding of holistic health and body positivity. Then, in the latest installment of the History Shelf, Tom and Julie discuss the origin of a singles club strictly for UConn employees. 

Folks, We Are 100

It's been a little over four years since UConn 360's humble origins in a conference room on North Eagleville Road, and now we have 100 episodes under our award-winning belts. Join us for a star-studded celebration that includes such beloved characters from the UConn 360 Cinematic Universe as co-founder Ken Best, who tells us about an exhibit he's working on that will be on display in Homer Babbidge Library; former student worker extraordinaire Maxine Philavong '20, who fills us in on her life in the Big Apple and delivers the stunning news that UConn 360 was actually helpful in pursuing a post-graduation career; and Steve Winchell '08, podcaster, artist, all-around great guy, and UConn 360 super fan, who offers some sure-to-be provocative thoughts on which dorms on campus are the best. 

 

Online archive of Ken's WHUS radio show "Good Music": https://spinitron.com/WHUS/show/6021/Good-Music

 

Maxine's podcasting work: https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/author/maxine/

 

Steve Winchell on Twitter: @SAWinchell 

 

What’s in Your Medicine Cabinet?

Many people probably think they know exactly what's in the dietary supplements and even prescription medications they take. Many people are WRONG. Professor C. Michael White, head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, drops by to tell us about flaws in the FDA oversight process when it comes to medications, counterfeit drugs, and how dietary supplements can pose real risks to people. And, in this installment of Tom's History Corner Cabinet, Tom and Julie unearth a letter from an alumna that details what it was like to play basketball in cumbersome bloomers.

 

Some of Professor White's articles and commentary can be found here: C. Michael White – The Conversation

Park Week

Hartford native Frederick Law Olmsted is famous for his work in designing Central Park, but he was also a driving force behind human-shaped landscapes from Niagara Falls State Park to Smith College to the Institute of Living. Sohyun Park, assistant professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, recently cohosted a symposium on Olmsted as part of a year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth. Park tells us about the lessons Olmsted's work holds for landscape architects today, from public accessibility to social justice. 

 

Tom and Julie also spend some time pondering the difference between AM and FM, and Tom makes a rash promise to file a public records request. 

Pursuing History, from Israel to Eastern Connecticut

Stuart Miller, a professor of Hebrew, History, and Judaic Studies and Academic Director of the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life, has been a force at UConn since 1982. Professor Miller is an expert in the history and literature of the Jews of Roman and Late Antique Palestine and throughout his career has worked closely with archaeologists, having served for many years on the staff of the Sepphoris Regional Project in Israel. Now, as he prepares to retire, we get a chance to talk with him about his remarkable career, touching on everything from the evolution of Judaic studies to the essence of the professorship to the peculiar thrill of being associated with an ancient toilet.

 

Read the article about the excavation in Chesterfield here.