EmpowerED to Lead

Anthony Holt is associate vice president and chief of police for the Wayne State University Police Department (WSUPD), where he’s been a member of the force for more than 40 years. Using a community focused approach to policing, WSUPD officers patrol... Anthony Holt is associate vice president and chief of police for the Wayne State University Police Department (WSUPD), where he’s been a member of the force for more than 40 years. Using a community focused approach to policing, WSUPD officers patrol campus and the surrounding Midtown area 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Under Chief Holt’s leadership, the WSUPD’s work has resulted in Wayne State being named one of the 50 safest college campuses in the country. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Chief Holt reflects on how the WSUPD has played an integral role in the continued growth of Wayne State and how he’s seen his own leadership style transform as well. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e8 for the full show notes from this episode.

Loraleigh Keashly, Ph.D., is a professor of communication, distinguished service professor, and associate dean of curricular and student affairs in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University. Her work focuses on... Loraleigh Keashly, Ph.D., is a professor of communication, distinguished service professor, and associate dean of curricular and student affairs in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University. Her work focuses on conflict and conflict resolution at the interpersonal, group, intergroup and organizational level, with recent research revolving around uncivil and bullying behaviors in the academic environment. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, she shares her wisdom on building healthy working relationships and reveals the social skill that everybody should have in their repertoire. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e7 for the full show notes from this episode.

Randie Kruman is the director of Wayne State University’s Student Disability Services (SDS), which works to ensure academic access and inclusion for all Wayne State students. SDS achieves this through a range of services such as alternative testing a... Randie Kruman is the director of Wayne State University’s Student Disability Services (SDS), which works to ensure academic access and inclusion for all Wayne State students. SDS achieves this through a range of services such as alternative testing accommodations, alternative text format, assistive technology, interpreting, note taking, captioning and housing support. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Kruman speaks to the importance of mindful listening and shares how flexibility and comfort contribute to achievements. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e6 for the full show notes from this episode.

De’Andrea Matthews, Th.D., is the director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. In this role, she oversees the outreach, recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff who are underrepresented in medicine, supporting students from K-12 through graduation from medical school as they pursue their dreams and become licensed physicians. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Matthews — a self-described “recovering perfectionist” — shares how she continues to stay invested at the ground level and reveals why she believes in curating a personal board of directors. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e5 for the full show notes from this episode.

Mary Zatina is the general manager of WDET 101.9 FM, Detroit’s NPR station. In this role, she leads operations for the 48,000-watt public radio station — a community service of Wayne State University — to provide programming for listeners in the Detroit metro area and beyond. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, we’ll discover how Zatina has seen public radio evolve and hear her take on what effective leadership really entails (hint: it’s not about creating followers). Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e4 for the full show notes from this episode.

Phillip Levy, M.D., M.P.H., is an Edward S. Thomas Endowed Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he currently serves as assistant vice president for translational sciences and clinical research innovation and associate chair for research in the Department of Emergency Medicine. A cardiovascular expert, Levy centers his research on heart failure and hypertension. Earlier this year, Levy added a new role as chief innovation officer of the Wayne State University Physician Group, where he’s led mobile COVID-19 testing efforts in Detroit and Dearborn. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, we’ll learn how Levy is changing lives — both as a medical leader, and as a dedicated mentor. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e3 for the full show notes from this episode.

Kafi Kumasi, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Wayne State University’s School of Information Sciences, where she teaches in the areas of school library media, urban librarianship, multicultural services and resources, and research methods. She has her finger on the pulse of how today’s youth live and learn using best practices in library science. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Kumasi outlines the opportunities and challenges that come with teaching in an online environment — something that many of us are experiencing now. We also learn how Kumasi embraces an ethos of collaboration and where she draws inspiration as a lifelong learner. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e2 for the full show notes from this episode.

M. Roy Wilson, M.D., is the president of Wayne State University. Since assuming this role in 2013, President Wilson has pursued his vision to transform Wayne State into a preeminent, public, urban university known for academic and research excellence. On this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, President Wilson joins us for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, race and the importance of lifelong learning. During this discussion, he shares his insight on Wayne State’s next goals and explains why flexibility is a critical component of the decision-making process. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s3e1 for the show notes from this episode.

Sara Kacin is the director of the Office for Teaching and Learning at Wayne State University. Beginning July 1, 2020, she is also the university's assistant provost for faculty development and faculty success — and the new host of EmpowerED to Lead. In this special episode, Kacin explains how kindness is key to leadership and emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they are. Departing host Annmarie Caño also shares her parting thoughts as she prepares for a new chapter on the West Coast. Learn more at provost.wayne.edu/empowered. (This episode was recorded May 25, 2020.)

Kidada Williams is an expert in African American history and an associate professor of history in Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Visit https://provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e8 for the show notes from this episode.

Clay Walker is a senior lecturer in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, he shares how developing academic literacy skills is critical to success. Visit https://provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e7 for the show notes from this episode.

Katie Turner is the academic initiatives coordinator for Housing and Residential Life at Wayne State University. Angela Zanardelli Sickler is the associate director of the Academic Success Center’s Study Skills Academy at the university, and a self-described “gregarious academic.” Visit https://provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e6 for the show notes from this episode.

Kristen Chinery is a reference archivist at the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs at Wayne State University. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, she’ll share the rewards and resilience of doing “detective work” at the largest labor archive in North America. Visit https://provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e5 for the show notes from this episode.

Marquita T. Chamblee is the associate provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer of Wayne State University. Leonard Savala is the director of the university’s Office of Multicultural Student Engagement. Visit https://provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e4 for the show notes from this episode.

Ashley Flintoff is the director of planning and space management at Wayne State University. In this episode of EmpowerED to Lead, Flintoff sits down to discuss her empathic approach to leadership. Visit https://provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e3 for the show notes from this episode.

Ricardo Villarosa is the coordinator of student life at Wayne State University. A self-described “solution-finder,” he joins EmpowerED to Lead to offer his unique perspective on collaborative leadership. Visit https://provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e2 for the show notes from this episode.

Wei-Zen Wei is a leader in cancer research and a professor of oncology at Wayne State University. Dr. Wei joins EmpowerED to Lead to shine a light on the knowledge she’s gained throughout her 30-plus years heading a research lab — where, as she puts it, “we encounter questions that we cannot solve ourselves.” Visit https://provost.wayne.edu/empowered/s2e1 for the show notes from this episode.

Beena G. Sood is a neonatologist and a Wayne State University School of Medicine professor. She sits down with EmpowerED to Lead to discuss the many hats she wears as a physician, researcher, educator and leader. She also offers her insight for keeping teams motivated and reveals why leadership is a two-way street. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/8 for the show notes from this episode.

Kenya Swanson is the coordinator of Wayne State University’s Warrior Vision and Impact Program, which is known as Warrior VIP. In 2017, she launched this learning community to help incoming freshmen acclimate to life at the university. Swanson has studied and worked at Wayne State since 1991, and she is currently pursuing a doctorate of education. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/7 for the show notes from this episode.

Nicole Trujillo-Pagan and Tamara Serrano Chandler engage in collaborative leadership that revolves around student success at Wayne State University. They sit down with EmpowerED to Lead to share how their heritage has contributed to their professional development and discuss the importance of learning in and out of the classroom. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/6 for the show notes from this episode.

Daren Hubbard is the chief information officer and associate vice president for computing and information technology at Wayne State University. Hubbard’s as tech savvy as they get. He visits EmpowerED to Lead to share how he’s able to translate his technical know-how to meet the needs of others who might not share the same skill set. He also talks the importance of day-to-day tasks contributing to the bigger picture and why empowerment isn’t merely a “one-and-done” situation. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/5 for the show notes from this episode.

Meet the dynamic duo of Monica Brockmeyer and Dawn Medley, Wayne State University’s senior associate provost for student success and associate vice president for enrollment management, respectively. They sit down with EmpowerED to Lead to discuss how leadership is a team sport and reveal why it’s important to always trust the process. Visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered/4 for the show notes from this episode.

Marcus Dickson is a professor of psychology at Wayne State University. He sits down with EmpowerED to Lead to talk all things leadership, and how culture, context and trust play key roles. He also offers a sage reminder that not everyone who leads is perfect 100% of the time. Leaders — they’re just like us! For the full show notes from this episode, visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered.

Geralyn Stephens is a professor of education at Wayne State University where she is an expert in online teaching and learning.. She sits down with EmpowerED to Lead for a spirited discussion on mentorship, where she reveals how she’s worked to empower others, whether on campus or on the golf course. For the full show notes from this episode, visit provost.wayne.edu/empowered.

Host Annmarie Caño begins the discussion by asking Whitfield what he loves about his job. He explains that, after coming to Wayne State from Duke University, he was looking for the opportunity “to make a difference to students who reminded me of me.” While outlining his role as a provost, Whitfield says that he focuses on student success in addition to faculty and staff. Whitfield reveals that he was introduced to university leadership while in graduate school. He was advised, “If you really want to be a leader at higher levels, you need to make sure you go through the academy.” With that in mind, he focused on earning his Ph.D. and moving up the ranks in academia. Whitfield encourages having a mentor — whether informal or formal — to see their style and get a better sense of what might be a good fit for you. Whitfield shares a couple challenges he faced while working at Duke, from having to tell a colleague that they weren’t going to get tenure to helping with the development of a new major at the university. Whitfield often tells people to dream big and not be afraid to make mistakes. “I could list so many failures, but they were never things that stopped me.” Case in point: Sometimes he’s applied multiple times for the million-dollar grants he’s earned. Caño asks about the hearty response Whitfield demands while greeting audiences at various events. “We have so much to be excited about here,” explains Whitfield, who reveals that his signature “corny line” was partly inspired by his experience in Southern churches. Caño ends the conversation by asking what it means to empower someone to lead. For Whitfield, trust is key, and he also believes in the importance of spreading leadership. “Leadership does not mean a leader,” he explains. “Leadership typically means a collective coming together and thinking about ways that we can actually make something better.” Resources: Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great. New York, NY. HarperCollins Inc.

EmpowerED to Lead is a podcast hosted by Annmarie Caño, associate provost for faculty development and faculty success at Wayne State University. Each episode, Caño will speak with academic leaders at Wayne State to learn how they have developed their careers while empowering themselves and others. Tune in for a preview of what to expect this season. Learn more at provost.wayne.edu/empowered.