In this episode, we sit down with PUC’s academic dean to talk about women in leadership and what it means to lead well within higher education. Drawing from her own journey, she reflects on the importance of visibility, mentorship, and support for women, while also challenging the idea that leadership only comes with a title. Together, we explore how leadership can be practiced from anywhere on campus.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Her path into academic leadership and lessons learned along the way
• Why leadership isn’t limited to formal roles or titles
• Common challenges women face in leadership—and how to navigate them
• How faculty and staff can encourage and support women leaders
• The role of mentorship, representation, and everyday influence

Why Listen

This conversation offers thoughtful insight for anyone shaping campus culture. Whether you lead from a formal position or through daily influence and service, this episode invites faculty and staff to reflect on how leadership is modeled, shared, and supported—and how we can create space for women to lead with confidence and purpose.

In this episode, we sit down with Kurt Sollanek, PUC’s newest biology professor, to talk about what it’s like to join the campus community, step into the classroom, and begin shaping student experiences. Our conversation explores his journey into biology, how he approaches teaching and learning, and the ways he hopes to support students both academically and personally. We also talk about collaboration, mentorship, and the excitement—and challenges—of starting fresh at a new institution.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• What drew him to biology as a discipline and a teaching vocation
• The courses he’s teaching and the strategies he’s excited to use in the classroom
• How he connects lab and lecture work to real-world application
• His approach to mentoring students and supporting their growth beyond academics

Why Listen

This episode offers a thoughtful introduction to a new faculty voice on campus and a reminder of how teaching, mentorship, and collaboration shape the student experience. Whether you work directly with students or support learning behind the scenes, this conversation highlights the shared work of helping students find confidence, direction, and meaning in their education.

Episode Summary In this episode, we sit down with a new member of the PUC community whose work bridges music education and student recruitment. As a faculty member in the music department and part of enrollment and marketing efforts focused on music students, our guest shares what it looks like to support students both inside and outside the classroom. We talk about rebuilding the symphonic wind ensemble, navigating today’s recruitment landscape, and the role music plays in shaping confident, connected students—and a vibrant campus culture.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How this dual faculty/recruitment role came to be
• Restarting a symphonic wind ensemble after a two-year pause
• Recruiting music students in a shifting higher-ed landscape
• Music as both a discipline and a transferable skill set
• Why outreach and collaboration matter for creative programs

Why Listen This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how programs are rebuilt and students are supported through collaboration, adaptability, and advocacy. Even if you don’t work in music, the episode highlights how faculty and staff across campus play a key role in helping students thrive.