WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.219 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: And so, what I hope for all of us is that 00:00:02.219 --> 00:00:04.410 our podcasts make people better. 00:00:04.979 --> 00:00:06.990 They make people feel more affirmed. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:10.620 They make people feel more knowledgeable, and that's the power that we 00:00:10.620 --> 00:00:11.820 use with the words that we have. 00:00:15.330 --> 00:00:18.660 Neil McPhedran: Welcome to Continuing Studies, a podcast for higher education 00:00:18.660 --> 00:00:20.605 podcasters to learn and get inspired. 00:00:20.895 --> 00:00:26.145 I'm Neil McPhedran, founder of Podium Podcast Company, and Higher Ed Pods. 00:00:27.345 --> 00:00:29.895 Jennifer-Lee: And I'm Jennifer-Lee, founder of JPod Creations. 00:00:29.895 --> 00:00:31.755 Podcasting is broadcasting. 00:00:32.025 --> 00:00:33.765 We want you to know you're not alone. 00:00:33.765 --> 00:00:36.795 In fact, there are many of you higher ed podcasters out there, and 00:00:36.795 --> 00:00:38.235 we can all learn from each other. 00:00:39.480 --> 00:00:39.920 Neil McPhedran: That's right, Jen. 00:00:40.680 --> 00:00:44.265 And on that, we're gonna try something a little bit different today. 00:00:44.355 --> 00:00:48.600 We're gonna throw in each episode a question out to the audience, and 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:50.790 hopefully we can hear from some of you. 00:00:50.820 --> 00:00:52.500 So this is how we can learn from each other. 00:00:52.680 --> 00:00:54.960 And so you can submit your questions as well. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:57.660 But Jen, we're gonna start off with one that you and I had a 00:00:57.660 --> 00:01:02.010 conversation about with a podcast that we are helping to launch. 00:01:02.129 --> 00:01:06.930 And we had a conversation around do you launch with one episode, 00:01:06.930 --> 00:01:10.380 do you launch with two episodes, do you launch with three episodes? 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:11.850 What's the answer? 00:01:11.850 --> 00:01:12.360 What do we think? 00:01:12.380 --> 00:01:14.360 Jennifer-Lee: I don't know, because there's always so many 00:01:14.360 --> 00:01:17.060 difference in opinions out there. 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:20.780 And usually a lot of people say three, but now it's kind of changing. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:25.250 So we want your feedback because podcasting as we're learning 00:01:25.250 --> 00:01:27.200 is not a one size fits all. 00:01:27.590 --> 00:01:31.280 Neil McPhedran: I'm kind of in the launch with one and then move into your cadence. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:34.770 I think, Jen, you're in the camp of launch with more than one. 00:01:35.010 --> 00:01:37.560 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah, I think maybe not three now. 00:01:37.620 --> 00:01:39.870 And, and again, I think it's podcast dependent. 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:44.370 I think launching with two, especially if you're not gonna have another 00:01:44.370 --> 00:01:49.230 episode for a little bit, like say you're gonna do it biweekly or monthly 00:01:49.230 --> 00:01:52.590 or wherever, I think it's important to have two because people will get more 00:01:52.590 --> 00:01:56.175 of a taste of what you're all about. 00:01:56.820 --> 00:02:00.180 Neil McPhedran: What you're saying is if you're being introduced to 00:02:00.180 --> 00:02:03.750 this brand new podcast, having more than one, like obviously you have a 00:02:03.750 --> 00:02:07.530 trailer there, but having more than one episode out of the gates, it 00:02:07.530 --> 00:02:10.080 gives you, oh, kinda like the Netflix. 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:13.870 You start watching a show and it moves into the next episode and 00:02:14.010 --> 00:02:15.180 you just kind of keep watching. 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:17.520 So that's your thought on that front, right? 00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:17.790 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah. 00:02:17.820 --> 00:02:21.000 Because if you get excited about a podcast, like for example, I, this 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:24.959 podcast was established and I didn't find out about it till later, but I 00:02:25.079 --> 00:02:28.500 listened to the kill list and I feel like if I only listen to one episode, I 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:29.730 probably wouldn't have kept listening. 00:02:30.149 --> 00:02:30.630 Neil McPhedran: There you go. 00:02:30.720 --> 00:02:32.459 Okay, well, let's throw it out there. 00:02:32.459 --> 00:02:35.250 Both Jen and I have our email addresses in the show notes. 00:02:35.489 --> 00:02:37.290 Send us a note. 00:02:37.320 --> 00:02:38.700 We like to hear from people. 00:02:38.700 --> 00:02:42.329 If you have a question, you want us to throw it to the audience, send it our way. 00:02:42.359 --> 00:02:46.470 We would love to hear from you and your experience on this. 00:02:46.649 --> 00:02:48.179 Do you launch with one episode? 00:02:48.269 --> 00:02:49.829 Do you launch with two episodes? 00:02:50.220 --> 00:02:51.390 More than two episodes? 00:02:51.510 --> 00:02:52.109 What do we think? 00:02:52.109 --> 00:02:52.799 What have we seen? 00:02:53.250 --> 00:02:53.679 Love to hear it. 00:02:53.700 --> 00:02:56.010 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah, and feel free to reach out to us on LinkedIn. 00:02:56.040 --> 00:03:00.359 I've been contacted by a lot of higher education podcasters recently 00:03:00.359 --> 00:03:03.839 that I've never met, or they're just finding us and it's nice to 00:03:03.839 --> 00:03:05.429 all be connected to each other. 00:03:05.790 --> 00:03:07.290 Neil McPhedran: Yes, do please. 00:03:07.380 --> 00:03:07.950 That's great. 00:03:08.100 --> 00:03:10.770 Okay, so Jen, today we've got a great episode. 00:03:10.830 --> 00:03:18.840 We are interviewing Dr. Aisha El-Amin, and she is the executive Associate 00:03:18.870 --> 00:03:24.240 Vice Prevost of Student Success and Belonging at the University of Illinois 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:29.580 Chicago, which is where we hosted the PodCon, PodCon number one, right, Jen? 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:30.240 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah. 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:31.320 And she did the intro. 00:03:32.145 --> 00:03:35.955 We're very grateful for her and everyone at the institution 00:03:35.955 --> 00:03:37.125 for allowing us to be there. 00:03:37.545 --> 00:03:37.965 Neil McPhedran: That's right. 00:03:38.025 --> 00:03:44.565 Now Aisha is also the host of, and this is what we get into a bunch in 00:03:44.565 --> 00:03:50.505 this episode, of the Black Excellence Podcast, which features the powerful 00:03:50.505 --> 00:03:56.024 and inspiring stories of University of Illinois, Chicago black students, 00:03:56.024 --> 00:03:58.935 faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. 00:03:58.994 --> 00:04:00.554 So I won't keep going. 00:04:00.674 --> 00:04:03.345 We'll just save it all for the interview. 00:04:03.345 --> 00:04:04.905 Why don't we just jump into it? 00:04:05.325 --> 00:04:06.105 Jennifer-Lee: Let's jump in. 00:04:06.855 --> 00:04:07.484 Neil McPhedran: Welcome, Aisha. 00:04:07.484 --> 00:04:11.505 It's great to have you joining us here on this episode of the 00:04:11.505 --> 00:04:13.035 Continuing Studies podcast. 00:04:13.185 --> 00:04:17.445 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Well, thank you Neil, and Jen and Katherine for having me. 00:04:17.445 --> 00:04:19.815 I certainly appreciate being in community with you all and 00:04:19.815 --> 00:04:21.105 having some conversations. 00:04:21.570 --> 00:04:26.909 Neil McPhedran: Yeah, we met you at a Higher Ed PodCon and you are, as we 00:04:26.969 --> 00:04:32.609 introduced you off the top vice provost at the University of Illinois, Chicago, 00:04:32.849 --> 00:04:40.485 where you hosted the PodCon and, and you gave just a wonderful opening remarks to 00:04:40.485 --> 00:04:44.505 the audience, and I know that was really well received, so thank you for that. 00:04:44.505 --> 00:04:49.095 And thank you for hosting what is the first of, we thought quite a 00:04:49.095 --> 00:04:52.155 successful event, and it was lovely having you attend as well too. 00:04:52.575 --> 00:04:53.925 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: No, I absolutely agree. 00:04:53.985 --> 00:05:00.075 It was great to be in a space with so many higher ed podcasters, right? 00:05:00.075 --> 00:05:03.405 You kind of feel like when you're talking into the microphone that you're talking 00:05:03.405 --> 00:05:07.890 into a void, you know, you don't know how it's being received and it's not 00:05:07.890 --> 00:05:12.150 like, you know, live and you've got an audience and you can see reactions. 00:05:12.150 --> 00:05:15.960 And so to be in community with other folks doing that is really good. 00:05:16.169 --> 00:05:18.679 And I'm the Executive Associate Vice Provost of Student 00:05:18.679 --> 00:05:20.580 Success and Belonging at UIC. 00:05:20.729 --> 00:05:25.785 I've had such a great, I think I've been here 21 years in different roles. 00:05:25.785 --> 00:05:25.845 Neil McPhedran: Wow. 00:05:25.875 --> 00:05:26.445 Congrats. 00:05:26.595 --> 00:05:30.585 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Yeah, so I got my PhD here and I kind of never left. 00:05:30.585 --> 00:05:31.665 That's the story, right? 00:05:32.925 --> 00:05:35.835 You know, it's like, okay, why leave a good space, right, so. 00:05:36.525 --> 00:05:38.505 Neil McPhedran: Well maybe that's a good jumping off point. 00:05:38.505 --> 00:05:43.455 Like maybe you could just sort of explain for us your role, because I think that's 00:05:43.455 --> 00:05:48.165 interesting how your podcast, which we're gonna get into, plays into that role. 00:05:48.675 --> 00:05:49.275 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Absolutely. 00:05:49.275 --> 00:05:56.925 So my role really does oversee the Student Success enterprise at UIC, and 00:05:56.925 --> 00:05:59.025 that includes seven different units. 00:05:59.895 --> 00:06:01.484 We have the CHANCE program. 00:06:01.484 --> 00:06:04.905 We have Latino American Recruitment and Educational Services Program, 00:06:05.145 --> 00:06:08.924 Native American Support Program, our Asian American Student Academic 00:06:08.924 --> 00:06:13.664 Program, our African American Academic Network, our Academic Center for 00:06:13.664 --> 00:06:15.494 Excellence, and our TRIO program. 00:06:15.734 --> 00:06:20.145 And all of these spaces are spaces where students can go and get the supports that 00:06:20.145 --> 00:06:22.455 they need and have those barriers removed. 00:06:23.325 --> 00:06:25.484 We have about 36,000 students. 00:06:25.484 --> 00:06:29.745 And so we wanna make sure that each of those students have a space where they can 00:06:29.745 --> 00:06:34.395 go to talk to an advisor, to get coaching, to find out where there's mental health 00:06:34.395 --> 00:06:40.965 resources available to answer a question around housing insecurity or food needs. 00:06:41.174 --> 00:06:42.914 So these are spaces that do that. 00:06:42.914 --> 00:06:46.635 Also offer tutoring, academic support, high impact practices. 00:06:46.965 --> 00:06:49.815 And so that is part of the work that I do. 00:06:50.145 --> 00:06:52.365 The funny part of this story is. 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:57.600 I started the podcast when I was Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and 00:06:57.600 --> 00:07:00.090 Belonging in the Office of Diversity. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:04.080 I started it because what I heard from students and the, the podcast 00:07:04.080 --> 00:07:06.330 is UIC's Black Excellence Podcast. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:12.780 I started it because what I heard from students was that they really needed to 00:07:12.780 --> 00:07:19.530 see and hear more of how it looked to be a black student at UIC and to succeed. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:23.250 And one thing that kind of pushed me to do it was a student was graduating 00:07:23.880 --> 00:07:26.700 and said, it's really funny. 00:07:26.790 --> 00:07:31.080 I had this series that I started where I was highlighting faculty members and 00:07:31.080 --> 00:07:34.620 their scholarship and giving out free books to their works to students, right? 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:37.520 So that they can kind of have some interdisciplinary 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:39.280 understandings of different spaces. 00:07:39.730 --> 00:07:43.480 And a student came up to me after and said, it's funny, I didn't know 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:45.640 we had black professors at UIC. 00:07:46.450 --> 00:07:46.720 Neil McPhedran: Oh wow. 00:07:47.650 --> 00:07:48.375 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: And I said, what? 00:07:49.165 --> 00:07:49.735 Like where? 00:07:49.745 --> 00:07:50.535 Where have you been? 00:07:50.535 --> 00:07:51.655 Like, they're all over, right? 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:57.940 And so what I realized is that there could actually be a student that went 00:07:57.940 --> 00:08:01.150 through and did not get that connection. 00:08:01.510 --> 00:08:04.780 And so that's what made me start the Black Excellence Podcast. 00:08:04.780 --> 00:08:08.849 And of course, I get the best ideas at the very last minute. 00:08:08.849 --> 00:08:13.770 And so it was December of 2021 when I had this idea and I said, we're 00:08:13.770 --> 00:08:14.940 doing it for Black History Month. 00:08:15.270 --> 00:08:17.700 We're doing it every day, 28 days. 00:08:17.729 --> 00:08:19.260 I'm gonna have somebody else highlight it. 00:08:19.260 --> 00:08:20.669 And so we did it. 00:08:20.700 --> 00:08:23.219 It was a huge success and we continued it. 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:27.390 We did it for the next year as, as monthly. 00:08:27.390 --> 00:08:30.479 And then we went to quarterly one year with all of the things that were going on. 00:08:30.479 --> 00:08:34.049 And in between that time I switched into this role and this was an 00:08:34.049 --> 00:08:37.590 inaugural role, so they, it, it was not before, so there was a lot of work 00:08:37.590 --> 00:08:40.799 to do and now we're back to monthly. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:43.169 We have won awards for it. 00:08:43.174 --> 00:08:47.010 And it really, you know, it's really just them giving advice, them 00:08:47.010 --> 00:08:48.300 telling about their career paths. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:51.600 Them also saying, I had a child when I was in school. 00:08:52.260 --> 00:08:54.750 And this is how I navigated that. 00:08:55.140 --> 00:09:01.709 I did have housing insecurity and this is how that made me go into social work. 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:04.380 And so hearing those stories and knowing that, you know, all 00:09:04.380 --> 00:09:07.980 the paths are not straight, but they can lead to great things. 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:11.510 So that, that's a little intro into what started me. 00:09:12.300 --> 00:09:13.410 Jennifer-Lee: And they're very honest here. 00:09:13.410 --> 00:09:18.630 Like I was recently listening to the Ashley Blackwell one and she was, my mom 00:09:18.630 --> 00:09:24.780 was doing her education while I was in the womb, and then she's like, I'm now 00:09:24.959 --> 00:09:27.750 doing my masters while having children. 00:09:27.750 --> 00:09:31.560 And she also admitted too that she, at one point she dropped a program and 00:09:31.560 --> 00:09:35.475 she didn't wanna tell the person that was like, you need to do this program. 00:09:35.475 --> 00:09:39.645 And she's like, I was too scared to be, I'm actually out of it. 00:09:39.855 --> 00:09:41.175 And she said it was great. 00:09:41.175 --> 00:09:43.545 He was all of a sudden like, oh, that's fine. 00:09:43.545 --> 00:09:44.265 Let's pivot. 00:09:44.295 --> 00:09:47.355 And I was like, that's so relatable to everybody, because I think a lot of 00:09:47.355 --> 00:09:51.045 times they're like someone that believes in us so much, and then we don't wanna 00:09:51.045 --> 00:09:53.085 tell them that we think we failed. 00:09:53.505 --> 00:09:54.705 They're like, no, let's help you. 00:09:54.705 --> 00:09:55.995 Let's go for another one. 00:09:55.995 --> 00:09:57.285 So I thought it was great. 00:09:57.285 --> 00:10:00.105 So I could see why it spawned after 28 days. 00:10:00.465 --> 00:10:03.285 Maybe you guys could have kept going every day after. 00:10:04.155 --> 00:10:04.215 Neil McPhedran: Wow. 00:10:04.305 --> 00:10:04.815 Jennifer-Lee: Oh no. 00:10:04.815 --> 00:10:06.405 We could not have, I was 00:10:06.405 --> 00:10:07.125 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: already a saying. 00:10:07.125 --> 00:10:08.220 I was like, what did I do? 00:10:09.250 --> 00:10:10.995 Jennifer-Lee: 28 days is a commitment. 00:10:10.995 --> 00:10:14.715 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: It is, you know, because when I came up 00:10:14.715 --> 00:10:18.280 with it, then I talked to my partner in strategic marketing. 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:19.750 I'm like, okay, we gotta partner on this. 00:10:19.750 --> 00:10:21.580 And so we just kind of got together. 00:10:21.670 --> 00:10:23.650 Alumni give us some good folks. 00:10:23.710 --> 00:10:26.290 In no way was it me alone doing it. 00:10:26.290 --> 00:10:29.490 It was so many different partners, and I know the work that you all do. 00:10:29.490 --> 00:10:31.840 None of this could be done without partnerships, right? 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:36.160 In the collective understanding of, okay, this is your part, this is your section. 00:10:36.160 --> 00:10:36.730 If you could do this. 00:10:36.970 --> 00:10:39.700 I even had my husband who does podcasts as well. 00:10:39.970 --> 00:10:43.210 Because we had no one that did podcasts at the university, so 00:10:43.210 --> 00:10:44.950 I was like, I need an intro. 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:45.880 I need an editor. 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:48.100 So he is like, okay, pro bono, I got you. 00:10:48.130 --> 00:10:50.110 Now we have a whole podcast team. 00:10:50.410 --> 00:10:55.090 We have several podcasts that have launched recently as a university, so 00:10:55.150 --> 00:11:00.280 it was really kind of on the cutting edge of that space for our university. 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:03.780 Jennifer-Lee: So when you say podcast teams, are there different roles that 00:11:03.780 --> 00:11:08.400 people have within the university that are actual, like positions or is 00:11:08.400 --> 00:11:13.080 this also like side things in addition to other jobs that they're doing? 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:15.030 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: This is a great question, Jen, because 00:11:15.210 --> 00:11:17.340 for me it's in addition, right? 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:20.115 And it's additive and this, I think it's affirming. 00:11:20.115 --> 00:11:24.135 I think it's, you know, it, it does a lot of things, but my partner, Grace 00:11:24.135 --> 00:11:27.915 in strategic marketing communications, this is what she focuses on. 00:11:28.155 --> 00:11:29.025 This is her job. 00:11:29.205 --> 00:11:33.825 And so I, I just saw one is, this is UIC as a new podcast that it's come 00:11:33.825 --> 00:11:35.415 out, then they announced another. 00:11:35.415 --> 00:11:41.325 So she is building on those and also seeing where are the other spaces across 00:11:41.325 --> 00:11:44.625 the university that people are already doing this on their own so that they can 00:11:44.625 --> 00:11:46.770 get the supports, you know, in doing so. 00:11:47.010 --> 00:11:50.790 Because once she started editing and she's giving me people to, 00:11:50.790 --> 00:11:53.720 to interview, I'm like, oh, this is how I should be doing it. 00:11:53.790 --> 00:11:54.330 Neil McPhedran: That's great. 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:59.460 Your story, where you started it and then you reached out to your husband 00:11:59.910 --> 00:12:03.540 is not dissimilar to other stories we've heard from three, four years 00:12:03.540 --> 00:12:07.020 ago, which is what you're talking about, where there was less of a push 00:12:07.020 --> 00:12:09.090 on a lot of campuses with podcasting. 00:12:09.090 --> 00:12:10.500 You know, we're seeing that changing now. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:15.000 At Think Fast Talk Smart with Matt Abrahams, which he's five years in now. 00:12:15.349 --> 00:12:19.490 When he first started that he had both of his sons helping him edit that 00:12:19.490 --> 00:12:23.390 back then, and then the communications department at the Graduate School of 00:12:23.390 --> 00:12:25.040 Business at Stanford helped him out. 00:12:25.069 --> 00:12:28.729 So I think that that's a regular path where you sort 00:12:28.729 --> 00:12:30.829 of reach for other resources. 00:12:30.890 --> 00:12:31.640 So that's great. 00:12:31.670 --> 00:12:33.979 But partnering with the marketing and communications 00:12:33.979 --> 00:12:35.180 department makes a lot of sense. 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:39.229 They've got the skill sets and they can help someone in a role such as 00:12:39.229 --> 00:12:43.140 yourselves, because I would imagine there isn't someone in your direct 00:12:43.140 --> 00:12:47.460 department who would be able to help you do this normally, right. 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:47.790 So. 00:12:47.850 --> 00:12:51.210 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: No, and I think because you all did so much work in 00:12:51.210 --> 00:12:56.790 getting folks together for the conference, you really intimately understand 00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:59.070 what it is to kind of the history. 00:12:59.130 --> 00:13:02.790 You are making me think as you talk that there needs to be kind of a 00:13:02.790 --> 00:13:07.800 history article to mark the time, right? 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:12.450 Because when you are trailblazing and when you're amongst the first, you have 00:13:12.450 --> 00:13:13.920 to cobble together some things, right? 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:16.250 You have to figure out, okay, my son and my husband over 00:13:16.250 --> 00:13:17.980 here, we get this person right? 00:13:18.210 --> 00:13:24.150 And 10 years from now, people won't know that it didn't look the same. 00:13:24.150 --> 00:13:26.130 It's kind of like with my daughters, they're like, what do 00:13:26.130 --> 00:13:29.835 you mean you had be on the phone with a cord and stay in the room. 00:13:29.835 --> 00:13:31.575 Like, what are you talking about? 00:13:32.895 --> 00:13:35.595 So that will be the world of podcasts. 00:13:35.595 --> 00:13:38.595 They're like, what do you mean you were at a whole university and there 00:13:38.595 --> 00:13:42.345 wasn't like a team of folks who did this work in editing and everything, right? 00:13:42.645 --> 00:13:45.285 And so I think it's, it's a good piece of history there. 00:13:45.570 --> 00:13:45.840 Neil McPhedran: Yeah. 00:13:46.020 --> 00:13:50.100 Jennifer-Lee: Well, and that's the thing is because podcasting is still so young, 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:53.760 and because I come from a traditional background in radio and stuff, which has 00:13:53.760 --> 00:13:58.260 been around for so long, it's interesting because even now with Neil and I have 00:13:58.260 --> 00:14:02.190 businesses where we help different podcasts and universities are part of 00:14:02.190 --> 00:14:07.880 that, there's not really people that have a background in podcasting yet. 00:14:07.910 --> 00:14:10.790 You're starting to find one or two of those people that 00:14:10.790 --> 00:14:12.230 have been in it for six years. 00:14:12.650 --> 00:14:15.650 But like students can be like a normal career where people are 00:14:15.650 --> 00:14:19.850 like, oh yeah, I've worked on a podcast for like six, eight years. 00:14:19.850 --> 00:14:20.930 So it will be really neat. 00:14:20.930 --> 00:14:24.620 And like a lot of students who are in communications or broadcasting, 00:14:24.770 --> 00:14:27.650 they'll probably start lending their talents too, I guess. 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.950 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: It is really funny. 00:14:28.950 --> 00:14:32.820 I have a friend, you know, I'll shout her out Tenia Harris, who just opened 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:38.310 a bookstore Beyond the Literature in Homewood, Illinois, and she put a 00:14:38.310 --> 00:14:42.360 podcast studio in the back of the store. 00:14:43.199 --> 00:14:46.709 And when I say she's got it laid out, she just did a grand 00:14:46.709 --> 00:14:47.819 opening this past weekend. 00:14:47.819 --> 00:14:52.949 Like the best top of the line microphones, the cameras, the setting with the 00:14:52.979 --> 00:14:55.349 fireplace, and like all of the things. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:15:01.170 So, so I think in line with what we're talking about, the world is shifting, 00:15:01.270 --> 00:15:03.529 leaning in towards that, right? 00:15:03.529 --> 00:15:09.060 Where we see radio is different now 'cause you know, when I, I 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:12.180 was growing up with radio, you had to turn it on and listen to it. 00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:15.150 Now it's like, I'll listen to AHA radio, I'll listen to, you know, 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:16.680 like it's all of these spaces. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:21.300 And so we have to use the spaces that we have to pivot and respond in ways 00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:23.250 that make sense to our current times. 00:15:23.250 --> 00:15:28.650 And so bookstores, having podcast studios or you know, like all of the things, 00:15:28.650 --> 00:15:30.690 newspapers have podcasts now, right? 00:15:30.810 --> 00:15:35.325 I just listened to NPR this morning and they were saying how audio 00:15:35.325 --> 00:15:39.305 podcast is shifting to video podcasts. 00:15:39.725 --> 00:15:43.860 And part of that shift, uh, Netflix is teaming up with Spotify. 00:15:43.950 --> 00:15:44.100 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah. 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:46.140 They have podcasts on Netflix. 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:48.870 Disney Plus has podcasts already on it too. 00:15:48.870 --> 00:15:53.700 It's like rewatching the podcast with the celebs of those TV series. 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:57.695 There's so many different avenues, which is really neat to see. 00:15:57.695 --> 00:16:02.225 And so, but now you have a new podcast space to go into. 00:16:02.225 --> 00:16:05.015 You think that maybe you'll be using your friend's podcast space 00:16:05.015 --> 00:16:07.055 for video podcasts in the future? 00:16:07.205 --> 00:16:09.545 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Well, it, it's, it's opened up a lot of thought for me. 00:16:09.545 --> 00:16:11.120 I'm like, okay, this might look different. 00:16:11.710 --> 00:16:14.915 This might be really cool to try something different. 00:16:14.915 --> 00:16:20.195 And I think that's also when I do hear and meet different podcasters, 00:16:20.285 --> 00:16:26.810 I think there's something that's pretty amazing about 'em, right? 00:16:27.210 --> 00:16:32.625 To be able to get on and talk to folks, have dialogue that will bring 00:16:33.735 --> 00:16:37.305 the level of awareness, the level of knowledge, the inspiration, all 00:16:37.305 --> 00:16:39.405 the things that these spaces do. 00:16:39.465 --> 00:16:41.265 I think it's pretty amazing, right? 00:16:41.355 --> 00:16:43.605 And I guess some people who I want on the podcast like, 00:16:43.605 --> 00:16:44.895 yeah, I don't really do that. 00:16:44.925 --> 00:16:45.645 I'm like, do what? 00:16:45.645 --> 00:16:46.095 Talk. 00:16:46.725 --> 00:16:47.910 Like it's not, it's not a thing. 00:16:48.570 --> 00:16:52.530 Neil McPhedran: So you, I mean, you sit in the administration office. 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.839 I'm speaking metaphorically there. 00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:58.110 But you know, we've chatted with a lot of, Jen and I have been doing 00:16:58.110 --> 00:17:00.690 this for a little over two years now. 00:17:00.690 --> 00:17:03.480 So we're up into our 60th episode. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:07.170 So we've chatted a lot with different higher education podcasters. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:11.700 We haven't chatted with a lot of folks like yourself who are actually, who sit 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:16.920 in that administration office, which I think is a really interesting opportunity. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:21.630 Maybe you could speak a little bit to that of other administrators out there 00:17:21.630 --> 00:17:26.970 that are sort of thinking about using the podcast channel as part of, you know, 00:17:26.970 --> 00:17:28.950 the voice from your office, if you will. 00:17:29.010 --> 00:17:32.940 I just think it's such a powerful opportunity for folks such as yourself. 00:17:33.185 --> 00:17:36.150 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: I, I agree with you, and this is something 00:17:36.150 --> 00:17:37.230 that I have thought about. 00:17:37.710 --> 00:17:42.200 I have, and most folks in that administrative roles, leadership roles 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:47.730 they have open office hours or open door policies because they wanna make 00:17:47.730 --> 00:17:53.189 sure that folks have an opportunity to talk to them and hear from them. 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:57.270 What I have found is that people don't very often take advantage of that, 00:17:57.419 --> 00:18:04.260 and so I think there's a space for administrators to talk and inspire 00:18:04.350 --> 00:18:11.575 and inform in a way that someone may not click on that email, right? 00:18:11.575 --> 00:18:16.215 And so even a weekly team podcast, right? 00:18:16.425 --> 00:18:18.885 I got 63 members of my team, right? 00:18:18.885 --> 00:18:24.284 Like if, if I wanted to tell them all something, could I do a segment on, okay, 00:18:24.284 --> 00:18:26.024 here's what's going on in higher ed. 00:18:26.055 --> 00:18:27.645 Here's how it's impacting us. 00:18:27.705 --> 00:18:31.155 Here are the things that, you know, some inspirational quotes, 00:18:31.155 --> 00:18:33.014 like what does that look like? 00:18:33.074 --> 00:18:36.675 As opposed to, here's an email, or let me at our all staff 00:18:36.675 --> 00:18:38.175 meetings say these things, right? 00:18:38.175 --> 00:18:42.615 And so people, the ability for people to pop into a podcast when 00:18:42.615 --> 00:18:45.705 it's convenient for them, when they can listen, I think there's 00:18:45.705 --> 00:18:47.955 something pretty special about that. 00:18:47.955 --> 00:18:49.270 And it meets people where they are. 00:18:49.425 --> 00:18:52.389 And especially in a space where we talk about meeting students where they are. 00:18:53.080 --> 00:18:57.310 How do we as leaders and administrators meet our teams where they are, meet 00:18:57.310 --> 00:19:02.139 our students where they are, when oftentimes we are multiple levels 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:06.170 away from touchpoints with the daily lives of those students, right? 00:19:06.170 --> 00:19:10.659 So I think there's a lot of utility in podcasting for administrators as well. 00:19:10.665 --> 00:19:10.945 Neil McPhedran: Yeah. 00:19:11.260 --> 00:19:13.780 I've got two sons that are in university, and one of them 00:19:13.780 --> 00:19:15.159 just started in first year. 00:19:15.794 --> 00:19:20.685 And he's taking calculus as a prerequisite to a program he wants to get into. 00:19:21.165 --> 00:19:24.764 And he didn't get a very good mark on his first calculus exam. 00:19:24.794 --> 00:19:28.155 And so I'm encouraging him to go see his professor about it. 00:19:28.155 --> 00:19:29.595 And he's like, well, what do I talk about? 00:19:29.955 --> 00:19:31.575 Just talk about what you just told me. 00:19:31.575 --> 00:19:33.195 I tried to study and this is what it is. 00:19:33.195 --> 00:19:34.905 Like, what am I doing wrong? 00:19:34.935 --> 00:19:37.695 At the very least, you're gonna get face time with your professor. 00:19:37.725 --> 00:19:40.605 You're in a room of multiple hundreds of people. 00:19:41.040 --> 00:19:44.970 He's gonna recognize you and you'll have a bit of a connection point there. 00:19:44.970 --> 00:19:49.649 But as an administrator, you're that many more rungs removed. 00:19:49.710 --> 00:19:53.370 And I think your point about meeting them where the students are, it 00:19:53.370 --> 00:19:58.060 also speaks to the fact that the written word is less and less read. 00:19:58.335 --> 00:20:03.645 And I think that we've got this younger generation now that is more used to 00:20:04.005 --> 00:20:07.275 alternate forms of media, and I think this is the challenge of academia, 00:20:07.335 --> 00:20:09.105 that academia is based on this. 00:20:10.125 --> 00:20:14.175 I went to a talk at a symposium at NYU a couple of weeks ago about 00:20:14.175 --> 00:20:18.485 this, but just basically about the currency of academia is really the 00:20:18.485 --> 00:20:20.725 written word, it's publish or perish. 00:20:21.035 --> 00:20:24.965 Um, not only is there a level here of, as an administrator, how can you 00:20:24.965 --> 00:20:29.015 connect more with the students and have more sort of connection points. 00:20:29.015 --> 00:20:34.145 But there's also, I think, a challenge we have in academia that it, it, there's so 00:20:34.145 --> 00:20:38.195 much of a focus on the written word, but there's less uptake on that written word. 00:20:39.035 --> 00:20:39.305 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Yeah. 00:20:39.305 --> 00:20:42.215 And don't add AI into it. 00:20:42.335 --> 00:20:42.605 Neil McPhedran: Oh, right. 00:20:42.605 --> 00:20:42.845 Yeah. 00:20:43.385 --> 00:20:44.945 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: So what is the written word, right? 00:20:44.945 --> 00:20:45.630 And whose word is it? 00:20:46.710 --> 00:20:51.840 Yeah, that's a whole other layer and challenge and complexity and dynamic 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:59.640 that, uh, spaces that do have such a huge value placed on the written word, how 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:01.810 do we adjust to that shift, you know? 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:07.770 My nephew, he's in Delaware at school, and he said, first he started hating 00:21:07.770 --> 00:21:14.515 this professor because he, no computers, no phones allowed in this classroom. 00:21:15.215 --> 00:21:22.065 But you need to bring a notebook and a pen and all papers are due, handwritten, whew. 00:21:22.245 --> 00:21:28.155 Lots of time in class to write your paper, but he said, I want 00:21:28.185 --> 00:21:30.705 you to think, I want you to write. 00:21:30.764 --> 00:21:32.415 I don't want you to depend on anyone else. 00:21:32.565 --> 00:21:34.305 I don't want nobody else spell checking you. 00:21:34.305 --> 00:21:35.745 I don't want nobody else giving you thoughts. 00:21:35.985 --> 00:21:38.925 I want you to be able to do the work. 00:21:39.195 --> 00:21:42.165 And he hated it at first, but now he's at the point where this is 00:21:42.165 --> 00:21:43.725 the best class I've ever taken. 00:21:43.725 --> 00:21:47.325 It has stretched me in a way that I didn't know I had, right? 00:21:47.475 --> 00:21:51.720 Because there's muscles that we, if we don't use, we lose them. 00:21:52.020 --> 00:21:54.830 So handwriting used to actually be a class, right? 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:59.670 Like and writing things down and what that process and that thought looks 00:21:59.670 --> 00:22:05.715 like as opposed to asking ChatGPT to give you a summary of something. 00:22:05.865 --> 00:22:09.975 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah, I just feel like written word and communication skills 00:22:10.335 --> 00:22:14.625 is something lacking so much and it's something that we need to change. 00:22:14.625 --> 00:22:17.715 And university and podcasting is great because more people wanna do it. 00:22:17.730 --> 00:22:20.265 It is kind of strengthening that communication skills. 00:22:20.295 --> 00:22:23.535 And they're saying podcasting is helping with this, that a lot of 00:22:23.535 --> 00:22:29.235 students don't know how to communicate with their teachers and that that's 00:22:29.235 --> 00:22:33.135 affecting when they're going for a job and they can't communicate with 00:22:33.135 --> 00:22:34.995 their manager and anything like that. 00:22:34.995 --> 00:22:36.585 So I think it's very important. 00:22:37.065 --> 00:22:39.645 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: No, it's, I was telling my daughters, I have three 00:22:39.645 --> 00:22:44.505 daughters all in their twenties, all in school at different levels of 00:22:44.505 --> 00:22:47.790 schooling and I'm like, where you going? 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:49.199 Oh, so and so's out. 00:22:49.199 --> 00:22:51.159 I'm about to, you know, we're about to go here. 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:56.520 And I'm like, I remember when the person had to get out of the car, 00:22:57.600 --> 00:23:00.810 come to the doorbell, ring the doorbell, they would usually speak 00:23:00.810 --> 00:23:05.429 to everyone and then, you know, but now, you know, I think technology and 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:09.355 it helps us not have to communicate. 00:23:09.465 --> 00:23:12.495 And so again, with that muscle, if you don't use it, 00:23:12.585 --> 00:23:14.595 how do you know how to do it? 00:23:14.625 --> 00:23:17.955 We know that, you know, practicing something and doing something 00:23:17.955 --> 00:23:21.975 allows us to perfect it, and we are in a time of loneliness. 00:23:21.975 --> 00:23:26.085 And the time that we're most connected, the level of loneliness 00:23:26.085 --> 00:23:27.645 is the highest it's been. 00:23:27.645 --> 00:23:30.615 And so that tells you something like, we need to find points 00:23:30.615 --> 00:23:32.595 of connections in varying ways. 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.690 What do they say? 00:23:33.690 --> 00:23:35.460 If you wanna hide something, put it in a book. 00:23:35.670 --> 00:23:38.700 Unfortunately that is ringing more and more true today. 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:42.240 And so how do we get the same information to the folks that 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:44.130 we know would benefit from it? 00:23:44.550 --> 00:23:46.980 And so podcasting is definitely one of those spaces. 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.640 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah. 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:52.200 And everyone that you have on your podcast is such a great communicator 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:53.640 and a natural communicator. 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:56.610 Like it's such a relaxed environment, like I said, authentic. 00:23:56.610 --> 00:24:01.110 So I think more of us have to learn how to do that and to show our stories. 00:24:01.745 --> 00:24:05.555 Because that will help us communicate in the future too, and, and 00:24:05.555 --> 00:24:06.815 realize that we are all human. 00:24:07.145 --> 00:24:08.975 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: You know what's interesting too? 00:24:09.035 --> 00:24:13.145 And, and I, I tell all podcaster, you know, participants this in the 00:24:13.145 --> 00:24:17.345 beginning, I, I say, you know, it's a conversation with me and I want 00:24:17.345 --> 00:24:21.390 you to share anything that you feel comfortable with sharing, but knowing 00:24:21.390 --> 00:24:26.070 that your story will resonate with someone and will allow them to continue 00:24:26.070 --> 00:24:29.460 their educational journey in ways that maybe they didn't think were possible. 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:34.080 And so if you bring your full, authentic self, that possibility 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:35.850 is drastically increased. 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:41.640 What I found initially is that people, when I would push the record button 00:24:42.044 --> 00:24:45.134 there would be a different posture and then I would stop the record 00:24:45.134 --> 00:24:47.184 and they get a lot more relaxed. 00:24:47.205 --> 00:24:51.554 And you know, Grace, who edits for me now and is phenomenal and our 00:24:51.554 --> 00:24:55.695 strategic marketing communications, she said, I wanna change this a bit. 00:24:56.804 --> 00:25:00.405 When they come in, have the recording on, when they leave, have the recording on. 00:25:01.284 --> 00:25:05.355 And so don't have it, okay, ready, set, go. 00:25:05.355 --> 00:25:08.115 Instead, it's just the flow all throughout. 00:25:08.385 --> 00:25:14.490 And I think that also helps people just to feel like I'm talking and 00:25:14.490 --> 00:25:16.260 not to feel like I'm performing. 00:25:16.260 --> 00:25:22.590 So I think that, that tweak for me did help my participants feel 00:25:22.590 --> 00:25:27.360 a little bit like, okay, I can be a little bit more relaxed. 00:25:27.365 --> 00:25:29.530 Neil McPhedran: I like, yeah, I think that's a really great tip. 00:25:29.575 --> 00:25:34.345 And back to the video thing, this is where I think that video isn't always 00:25:34.345 --> 00:25:38.125 the solution either, because I think just to your point about hitting that 00:25:38.125 --> 00:25:43.735 record button, there's a certain level of I'm performing now and it's hard 00:25:43.735 --> 00:25:45.385 to have just a natural conversation. 00:25:45.385 --> 00:25:48.805 I think video complicates that even more, that I'm gonna now be 00:25:48.865 --> 00:25:50.905 self-conscious about how I'm looking. 00:25:51.505 --> 00:25:52.985 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Yeah, no, it is true. 00:25:53.225 --> 00:25:53.555 It's true. 00:25:54.135 --> 00:25:58.840 And, you know, when you can just hop on a podcast and not have to do your 00:25:58.840 --> 00:26:03.880 makeup, you know, it's a different kind of calm that you come with in the space 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:07.150 and the ability to, to just talk, right? 00:26:07.210 --> 00:26:07.750 Neil McPhedran: Yeah, you're right. 00:26:08.020 --> 00:26:11.350 Have you found that through your podcast, you know, beyond the great 00:26:11.350 --> 00:26:16.510 conversations and sort of the output, I guess, of the podcast itself, which is 00:26:16.510 --> 00:26:22.540 connecting with the community, have you found your role of having the podcast 00:26:22.540 --> 00:26:26.560 has opened up doors as well for people with different conversations that you 00:26:26.560 --> 00:26:30.220 might not have had the opportunity to if you hadn't had the podcast. 00:26:30.730 --> 00:26:31.990 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: You know, I do. 00:26:32.290 --> 00:26:38.080 It's very interesting because I oftentimes welcome groups of students, 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:42.970 you know, orientation, some of our president awards program scholars, you 00:26:42.970 --> 00:26:44.350 know, just kind of doing the welcome. 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:47.920 I had a student that came up to me after the welcome. 00:26:48.085 --> 00:26:50.905 And said, I knew I knew your voice. 00:26:50.905 --> 00:26:52.135 I just looked, looked it up. 00:26:53.245 --> 00:26:54.055 And I was like, what? 00:26:54.145 --> 00:26:56.185 They said, I listen to your podcast. 00:26:56.185 --> 00:26:56.695 I was like, what? 00:26:57.715 --> 00:27:01.465 And they said, yeah, I was trying to decide on where I was going 00:27:02.035 --> 00:27:07.705 to college, and my counselor sent me a link to your podcast. 00:27:07.765 --> 00:27:10.435 And I listened to them and I was like, what? 00:27:10.435 --> 00:27:15.040 And so just that interaction and knowing like actually, there was two 00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:16.570 people that listened to me, you know? 00:27:16.750 --> 00:27:20.140 That means it's the counselor thought enough to give it to a student to 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.879 help in their decision making process. 00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:26.379 And so I think those things, you don't know the rippling 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:28.360 effect it may or may not have. 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:35.470 And so it's always a pleasing moment to know that you had an impact, right? 00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:39.940 I don't look at helping someone make a decision on where they will go to 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:41.830 college as a small impact, right? 00:27:41.830 --> 00:27:45.160 That is a huge moment in transition and decision. 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:47.379 So yeah, that was pretty cool. 00:27:47.770 --> 00:27:48.370 Jennifer-Lee: That's great. 00:27:48.370 --> 00:27:48.820 Yeah. 00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:51.700 Again, a lot of times when I talk to people and they're like so focused 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:55.270 on how many lessons they're getting, and I'm like, you don't realize who 00:27:55.270 --> 00:28:00.190 you're impacting, and that's the really cool thing about podcasts. 00:28:00.190 --> 00:28:03.240 You touched a little bit, upon it at the beginning because you were talking 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:06.150 about like it's mainly alumni that are on your podcast, but how do you 00:28:06.150 --> 00:28:09.180 find the guests to be on your podcast? 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.860 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Well, really good question. 00:28:10.950 --> 00:28:17.400 That first 28 days, crazy, but I also graduated from UIC and so 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:21.030 I started calling folks that I know that had graduated and were 00:28:21.030 --> 00:28:22.770 out there to, to get started. 00:28:22.770 --> 00:28:25.170 And so I'm a researcher too, right? 00:28:25.260 --> 00:28:29.915 And so part of my, my research for my dissertation, I use a snowball method. 00:28:30.215 --> 00:28:33.815 And the snowball method is essentially you get the people, 00:28:34.265 --> 00:28:35.555 there's a first ring of people. 00:28:35.555 --> 00:28:39.035 And so those are the folks that I knew, and then I asked them, can you 00:28:39.035 --> 00:28:41.760 refer some folks that you know as well. 00:28:41.760 --> 00:28:47.070 And so I always ask folks that I do have, have as participants, can 00:28:47.070 --> 00:28:50.190 you tell me anyone else who you think could be beneficial to the 00:28:50.190 --> 00:28:52.230 community and then join the podcast. 00:28:52.230 --> 00:28:57.120 And so they also give me folks and I have a wonderful assistant who keeps track of 00:28:57.120 --> 00:29:02.945 all of these things and sends out invites with links and answers questions for them. 00:29:03.155 --> 00:29:10.805 And also, you know, we will Google popular or famous black alum from 00:29:10.805 --> 00:29:13.505 UIC and we'll reach out to them. 00:29:13.505 --> 00:29:17.645 And surprisingly, they respond and they wanna tell their stories. 00:29:17.825 --> 00:29:20.805 I think that's the other piece that I did not expect. 00:29:20.865 --> 00:29:25.815 That people appreciate having a space to tell their story. 00:29:26.295 --> 00:29:32.805 They appreciate being able to have an infectious space where they can inspire, 00:29:32.985 --> 00:29:37.815 they can be truth tellers, they can give advice, they can be looked at 00:29:37.815 --> 00:29:39.615 as you, you kind of made it, right? 00:29:39.615 --> 00:29:42.550 Like we don't, we get the diploma, we start the job. 00:29:43.250 --> 00:29:47.390 Then it's like, wow, someone has asked me to come back and talk about my journey. 00:29:47.450 --> 00:29:51.500 So I've gotten a lot of gratitude from folks just happy that 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:53.300 they could share their story. 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:58.280 And so the people on both sides of the microphone need connection and inspiration 00:29:58.280 --> 00:30:00.980 and a space to be affirmed, I think. 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:04.160 And I was just looking at the people on the, on the receiving end. 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:06.565 And not people who were talking and in dialogue. 00:30:07.650 --> 00:30:11.160 Neil McPhedran: What a win-win example, and I love how you put that all together 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:18.270 of not only the listening audience that is receiving all the benefit of 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:25.440 those stories that are being shared, but the opportunity for a proud UIC 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:28.380 alumni to be able to tell their story. 00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:32.110 And we kind of forget that they're all out there and they would really 00:30:32.110 --> 00:30:36.120 like to have that opportunity because even if they haven't set foot back 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:39.570 on that campus in years and years, it's still part of their makeup. 00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:41.670 It's still part of who they are. 00:30:41.760 --> 00:30:45.300 So yeah, that's a great lesson to share with the audience too. 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:47.280 Plus you're, like the snowball effect. 00:30:47.280 --> 00:30:48.360 That's a really good one. 00:30:48.780 --> 00:30:49.800 I'm gonna use that one. 00:30:49.800 --> 00:30:55.020 That's a good way to think about it and to keep the ball rolling as far as 00:30:55.020 --> 00:30:58.470 your next guest, that, that leads to the next one, that leads to that next 00:30:58.470 --> 00:31:01.155 relationship, and so on and so forth. 00:31:01.185 --> 00:31:05.535 It must just be also a great reason to be reaching out to some of these folks at the 00:31:05.535 --> 00:31:12.225 institution overall, would beyond sort of a financial ask, is just another way to 00:31:12.435 --> 00:31:14.655 reach out to some of these alumni as well. 00:31:15.435 --> 00:31:19.155 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: No, I think that's a, that's also a really good point, Neil. 00:31:19.635 --> 00:31:23.135 We know that we reach out to alumn for money, right? 00:31:23.325 --> 00:31:25.965 So it's nice to have these different spaces, right? 00:31:25.965 --> 00:31:32.295 Where they can be value added beyond the money that they can give, right? 00:31:32.335 --> 00:31:36.825 And so, that also makes them wanna give, if we're being honest, you know, 00:31:36.825 --> 00:31:38.655 they feel more of a connectivity. 00:31:38.715 --> 00:31:42.405 They have been remembered as part of that community that was memorable 00:31:42.555 --> 00:31:44.655 enough to come back and share. 00:31:45.105 --> 00:31:49.755 And so I think it's a set up an recipe for success on all ends. 00:31:50.385 --> 00:31:50.955 Jennifer-Lee: I agree. 00:31:51.105 --> 00:31:55.665 Neil McPhedran: I was gonna ask if your advice for another person out 00:31:55.665 --> 00:31:59.865 there who is an administrator or university, if your advice would be to 00:31:59.865 --> 00:32:01.940 launch a podcast with 28 straight days. 00:32:02.305 --> 00:32:06.705 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: If you are insane like me, absolutely, because it's exhilarating 00:32:06.705 --> 00:32:09.255 to me to do something new and go all in. 00:32:09.435 --> 00:32:14.445 One thing about me, I'm a all in kind of person, so if I focus on 00:32:14.445 --> 00:32:19.785 something, I'm like up to midnight, I'm putting all that I have in it. 00:32:19.785 --> 00:32:23.055 And so for me, that was the only way to do it. 00:32:23.445 --> 00:32:27.885 What it meant for us is that we needed to start immediately in December. 00:32:28.245 --> 00:32:31.185 So I did not take the Christmas holiday break. 00:32:31.185 --> 00:32:32.415 I did not do that. 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:35.485 I, I actually did recording over that timeframe. 00:32:35.485 --> 00:32:40.635 Because one, I needed enough time to get it out so that they can edit. 00:32:40.965 --> 00:32:44.205 Two, I didn't wanna mess around with people's schedules 00:32:44.205 --> 00:32:45.165 and not being available. 00:32:45.165 --> 00:32:47.775 Most people are off during the same period of time. 00:32:48.254 --> 00:32:50.595 And will give you 30 minutes, right? 00:32:50.595 --> 00:32:56.135 And so I really got most of my things done before we got back for the new year. 00:32:56.225 --> 00:32:58.065 That's how, I just knocked them out. 00:32:58.065 --> 00:33:03.165 And so that also gave the team enough time to advertise it, enough time 00:33:03.165 --> 00:33:07.065 to edit it, enough time to do all the things that needed to be done. 00:33:07.305 --> 00:33:10.335 So I had to be light and speed. 00:33:11.520 --> 00:33:15.660 Jennifer-Lee: Maybe not 28 days, but for someone thinking, hey, I'm gonna start 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:19.530 a university podcast, what would be your best piece of advice to give them? 00:33:19.830 --> 00:33:27.120 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: That storytelling is one of the best ways to both 00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:35.280 inspire and to inform, and that every perspective has a matching receiver. 00:33:35.340 --> 00:33:41.205 It's like going back to my old phone analogy, every phone had a 00:33:41.205 --> 00:33:45.255 receiver at one time, and so you couldn't hang it up without that. 00:33:45.255 --> 00:33:50.145 And so there is someone out there with a phone and there's a lot of receivers 00:33:50.145 --> 00:33:55.125 out there that need a phone to connect into so that they can make the decisions, 00:33:55.425 --> 00:34:00.405 have the information, and feel like there's other people who understand 00:34:00.705 --> 00:34:01.905 where they are and who they are. 00:34:01.905 --> 00:34:05.595 And so if you are thinking about it, do it. 00:34:06.135 --> 00:34:10.545 It is as simple as doing it, and it doesn't have to be 28 days. 00:34:10.545 --> 00:34:12.225 It doesn't have to be every week. 00:34:12.284 --> 00:34:14.984 It is also, what is your rhythm? 00:34:15.225 --> 00:34:18.585 I think, you know, and that can also change because life 00:34:18.585 --> 00:34:20.055 changes sometimes as well. 00:34:20.055 --> 00:34:21.465 And so it's all okay. 00:34:21.944 --> 00:34:25.965 And so, you know, I would say just dive in and find your community. 00:34:25.965 --> 00:34:30.194 You have other higher ed podcasters out here, so reach 00:34:30.194 --> 00:34:32.265 out, you know, with questions. 00:34:32.295 --> 00:34:35.564 Lean in on the community of folks that have been learning this. 00:34:35.569 --> 00:34:42.350 I think it's a very open community, very willing to give and talk to you and, you 00:34:42.350 --> 00:34:46.699 know, pour into you and applaud you and all the things you need to get started. 00:34:46.819 --> 00:34:47.269 Neil McPhedran: Very much so. 00:34:47.269 --> 00:34:47.390 Yeah. 00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:49.010 That was great. 00:34:49.010 --> 00:34:49.030 Jennifer-Lee: Loved it. 00:34:49.030 --> 00:34:51.019 That was great and we appreciate you so much. 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:54.059 Did you have like a secret broadcasting career that I don't know about? 00:34:54.569 --> 00:34:56.859 You're just so good. 00:34:57.750 --> 00:34:58.140 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: I love it. 00:34:58.140 --> 00:34:58.830 I'll accept that. 00:34:58.830 --> 00:35:02.130 I did not, but my background, you know, I used to be in the military, 00:35:02.220 --> 00:35:04.260 so I got out of high school. 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:07.950 I was a homeless teen at a point because of abuse in my family, 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:13.500 and I found myself at a crossroads where I was working a Blockbuster 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:18.240 video and I, I wanted something better and I needed a place to live. 00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:19.680 I had never left the city. 00:35:19.680 --> 00:35:22.410 It was, you know, and so I went into the military to meet my basic 00:35:22.410 --> 00:35:25.950 needs, and I stayed in for five years as a military police officer. 00:35:26.370 --> 00:35:30.840 I got out, I became a teacher because I did the DARE program, drug abuse 00:35:30.840 --> 00:35:34.439 resistance education as a police officer 'cause I was a military police officer. 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:38.310 And across the Department of Defense schools throughout Europe, because I 00:35:38.310 --> 00:35:39.779 was stationed there for four years. 00:35:40.109 --> 00:35:42.060 And I decided I really wanna teach. 00:35:42.060 --> 00:35:43.590 Like that's what I really wanna do. 00:35:43.620 --> 00:35:47.130 And I got out and got a, a Master's in teaching and learning and I 00:35:47.130 --> 00:35:48.480 taught fourth grade for a while. 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:52.140 And then I said someone who's making policies for this 00:35:52.140 --> 00:35:53.430 school does not teach here. 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:55.020 Like I gotta understand policy. 00:35:55.410 --> 00:36:02.775 And so I came to UIC as a veteran for free on a VA grant and I, I got my PhD 00:36:02.775 --> 00:36:07.095 in policy studies of urban education and that is what led me to higher education. 00:36:07.185 --> 00:36:08.655 Jennifer-Lee: That is so cool. 00:36:08.655 --> 00:36:12.165 I think you have the best background of anybody that we've interviewed. 00:36:12.675 --> 00:36:16.005 I think it leads to why your pockets is so successful, because that's something 00:36:16.005 --> 00:36:17.965 that I learned through listening podcasts. 00:36:17.985 --> 00:36:20.835 It's like just because you start one way doesn't need to 00:36:20.895 --> 00:36:22.935 mean you're gonna end that way. 00:36:22.935 --> 00:36:23.535 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Absolutely. 00:36:24.180 --> 00:36:24.930 Absolutely. 00:36:25.200 --> 00:36:29.130 And I always share my story, right, with my students, with my staff, with 00:36:29.130 --> 00:36:31.559 my folks, because it is absolutely true. 00:36:31.710 --> 00:36:35.340 I went to a vocational high school and I was told that I was not college material. 00:36:35.790 --> 00:36:37.319 Um, and I believed it. 00:36:37.890 --> 00:36:43.410 Uh, and honestly, words and, and this is really in alignment with podcasts. 00:36:43.439 --> 00:36:45.240 I, I do believe that words make people. 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:49.684 When I went to the military, the only way I could get ranked is if I went to school. 00:36:51.194 --> 00:36:53.925 And so I started going to college to get ranked. 00:36:53.984 --> 00:36:57.345 And I had other words whispered to me, you're brilliant. 00:36:57.345 --> 00:36:58.274 How did you think of that? 00:36:58.335 --> 00:37:01.064 And those words told me I could keep going. 00:37:01.245 --> 00:37:05.715 And so what I hope for all of us is that our podcasts make people better. 00:37:06.255 --> 00:37:08.295 They make people feel more affirmed. 00:37:08.444 --> 00:37:10.365 They make people feel more knowledgeable. 00:37:10.575 --> 00:37:12.500 That's the power that we use with the words that we have. 00:37:13.109 --> 00:37:14.880 Jennifer-Lee: That was like a perfect way to end it. 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:17.279 We appreciate you being on the podcast. 00:37:17.790 --> 00:37:18.840 Neil McPhedran: What a great way to, 00:37:19.359 --> 00:37:19.420 Dr. Aisha El-Amin: Yeah. 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:20.569 I appreciate you as well. 00:37:20.640 --> 00:37:21.060 Thank you. 00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:21.990 Jennifer-Lee: Thank you. 00:37:22.290 --> 00:37:23.220 Neil McPhedran: Yeah, that was great. 00:37:23.220 --> 00:37:23.880 Thank you so much. 00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:27.120 I really enjoyed chatting with Aisha. 00:37:27.120 --> 00:37:31.950 That was great to dig in and hear all about her experience with her podcast. 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:33.569 Jennifer-Lee: And her army career. 00:37:33.569 --> 00:37:35.609 She's just very amazing. 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.930 Neil McPhedran: Yeah, totally. 00:37:37.500 --> 00:37:39.600 Okay, so it's just to circle back off the top. 00:37:40.590 --> 00:37:46.260 Send us your questions, but also give us what you think about launching 00:37:46.290 --> 00:37:51.240 with one episode or two episodes or three episodes, like what would you 00:37:52.109 --> 00:37:53.939 recommend and what have you experienced? 00:37:54.750 --> 00:37:54.930 Jennifer-Lee: Yeah. 00:37:54.930 --> 00:37:55.890 Please contact us. 00:37:56.310 --> 00:37:59.040 Neil McPhedran: Well, Jen, why don't you read us out? 00:37:59.550 --> 00:38:02.609 Jennifer-Lee: Thank you for tuning into the Continuing Studies podcast and 00:38:02.609 --> 00:38:04.950 podcast for higher education podcasters. 00:38:04.950 --> 00:38:08.279 We hope you found this episode informative and inspiring. 00:38:08.550 --> 00:38:11.970 If you enjoyed the show, we encourage you to follow and subscribe to our 00:38:11.970 --> 00:38:13.104 podcast on your preferred platform. 00:38:13.855 --> 00:38:17.605 So you'll never miss an episode, but if you found this episode particularly 00:38:17.605 --> 00:38:21.024 valuable, please consider sharing it with your friends and colleagues 00:38:21.295 --> 00:38:24.625 who also might be interested in higher education podcasts. 00:38:24.865 --> 00:38:30.205 We also invite you to join your peers on HigherEdPods.com, where you can connect 00:38:30.205 --> 00:38:34.225 with other podcasters in higher education and learn from others in the field. 00:38:34.585 --> 00:38:36.535 Thank you for being part of our community. 00:38:36.535 --> 00:38:40.675 We look forward to continuing to bring you valuable insights and conversations 00:38:40.675 --> 00:38:42.684 around higher education podcasts. 00:38:43.045 --> 00:38:44.484 See you in the next episode.