Today’s sociopolitical climate has been drastically influenced by the rise of digital media and 24-hour news sources. Unfortunately, a gradual decline in civics exposure in our classrooms has also contributed to an unsettling polarization in our society.

Joe Kahne">Joe Kahne, Co-Director of the Civic Engagement Research Group">Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG) and Professor at the University of California-Riverside">University of California-Riverside, is fighting to re-engage students at all levels in the civics conversation.

Through initiatives like Connecting Classrooms to Congress">Connecting Classrooms to Congress, Joe hopes to give the next generation a desire to get involved in American democracy and challenge their own perspectives.

Join us as we discuss:

- The impact of affective polarization on democracy (4:11)

- Digital media’s influence on the civics discourse (16:32)

- A lesson in civics leadership and political word association (25:19)

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

- joekahne@ucr.edu">joekahne@ucr.edu

- Civic Engagement Research Group">Civic Engagement Research Group

- Connecting Classrooms to Congress">Connecting Classrooms to Congress

- University of California-Riverside">University of California-Riverside

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts">Apple Podcasts, Spotify">Spotify, or our website">our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Any number of socioeconomic roadblocks may prevent underserved college students from fulfilling their higher education dream. As someone with a disadvantaged upbringing himself, Galen Dehay">Galen Dehay, President of Tri-County Technical College">Tri-County Technical College, believes circumstances shouldn’t define potential.

His administration has partnered with multiple nonprofits to give under-resourced students a chance at meaningful careers.

Galen shares how community collaboration and authentic engagement are setting up under-resourced students for success.

Join us as we discuss:

- Wraparound services, I-BEST, and SC Thrive(8:03)

- DACA and other policies impacting underserved students (21:04)

- Designing an educational experience that benefits students (29:03)

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

- Gdehay@tctc.edu">Gdehay@tctc.edu

- Galen Dehay">Galen Dehay

- The Future of Education">The Future of Education

- Tri-County Technical College">Tri-County Technical College

- Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training">Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST)

- SC Thrive">SC Thrive

- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals">Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

- Aspen Institute">Aspen Institute

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts">Apple Podcasts, Spotify">Spotify, or our website">our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Some in higher ed assume that colleges and university information technology departments are simply tasked with fixing computer glitches and resetting passwords. But IT does far more than just “keep the lights running.” IT leaders are pioneering innovation in real-time, even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Johnston">Dave Johnston, Director of Information Technology at Mendocino College">Mendocino College, and Andy Specht">Andy Specht, Director of Information Technology Services at Allen Hancock College">Allen Hancock College.

Dave and Andy talk about their first 90 days in IT leadership roles, keeping the human connection in technology, and their upcoming presentation at the CISOA 2023 Technology Summit">CISOA 2023 Technology Summit.

Join us as we discuss:

- Becoming an accidental IT leader through attrition (2:22)

- Getting colleagues and cabinet members on board in innovation (20:06)

- An intentional focus on advancing projects with “10% time” (23:21)

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

- CISOA 2023 Technology Summit">CISOA 2023 Technology Summit

- Dave Johnston">Dave Johnston

- djohnston@mendocino.edu">djohnston@mendocino.edu

- Mendocino College">Mendocino College

- Andy Specht">Andy Specht

- aspecht@hancockcollege.edu">aspecht@hancockcollege.edu

- Allen Hancock College">Allen Hancock College

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts">Apple Podcasts, Spotify">Spotify, or our website">our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.