U of D Jesuit Diversity Dialogue: Cub Edition

Episode 211: On the final episode of season 2, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Mr. MoReno Taylor, grassroots politician, Michigan legislator, campaign organizer, and U of D Jesuit alumni of Class of 2001. Mr. Taylor shares why he thanks his mother for sending him to U of D Jesuit; what he would like to see changed in the Michigan Legislature; what he knows about the “inside and the outside” of the political world; why you cannot discount the importance of happiness; and why he thinks it is essential to have a diverse team around you.

Episode 210: On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Coach Matt Lewis, Head Football Coach and Physical Education Teacher at U of D Jesuit. Coach Lewis shares with our listeners how his conservative Catholic school upbringing may have played a huge part in him wanting to experience more and connect with different cultures when he went to college; how special Football is will it comes to building relations with team members from diverse backgrounds; how partnering with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion has expanded his professional and personal approach to diverse matters; and why “The Golden Rule” is the foundation and goal he has as he leads the Cub football family!

Episode 209: On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview the Class of 2022 Leaders of the student organization Black Awareness Society and Education, or better known as B.A.S.E.  These gentlemen shared with our listeners their unique perspectives on Diversity & Inclusion; why they view diversity like a mosaic; how a push to attend a BASE meeting quickly became a supportive community; how they have navigated the thin line of support vs. stereotypes; and giving advice to their fellow Cubs on embracing diversity.

Episode 208: On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Mr. Edward A. Bajoka, Esq., Attorney, U of D Jesuit Alumni of Class of 2000, and Deportation Activist. Mr. Bajoka shares with our listeners how a simple pizza order turned into his first legal case; why the Men for Others philosophy informs both his life and his approach to his work as a lawyer; what diversity, equity and inclusion means to him as he confronts and antiquated and dehumanizing legal system that is built on white supremacy; why he believes “individual stories” have so much power; and why he took the 2017 mass deportation raids on the Chaldean population personally.

Episode 207: One this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Mr. Ed Gergosian '67, Retired Attorney, U of D Jesuit and U of D Jesuit Faith & Service volunteer. Mr. Gergosian shares with our listeners the calling he had to returned to Michigan after retiring from a success law career in California; reflecting on the how the year 1963 and going to school at U of D was a pivotal point in him understanding diversity and finding his voice; the work he is doing now to be an active “Ally” and why he thinks our students should be focusing on “public policy” to impact real change.

Episode 206: On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Mrs. Elizabeth Ward, Math Teacher and Esports Club Advisor at U of D Jesuit High School & Academy. Mrs. Ward shares why her “senior year” at U of D Jesuit has come full circle; why having an Office of Diversity & Inclusion positions the school and its students to be leaders; how she embraced the power of awareness after receiving results from a bias survey; how she uses her own “teacher toolkit” to diversify learning styles and how why choosing U of D Jesuit for her son education was designed to give him a slice of real life. 

Episode 205: On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Dr. Jeremy Borys, Dads' Club President at U of D Jesuit High School & Academy.  Dr. Borys shares how his interest and passion for the study of human behavior led him to earn his Ph.D. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology; how that passion has made him a leader in his field at a global consulting company where he leads and trains individuals and organization on inclusive behavior and its linkage to business outcomes; the “mindset shift” he had after taking a global perspective quiz and how humility and being open to learning has been important on his journey.

Episode 204: On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Mr. Garrett Donato, Director, College Counseling at U of D Jesuit High School & Academy.  Mr. Donato shares his three-decade long connection to The High; why diversity in the colleges selection process is one of the most important non-academic “X-Factors”; and why now more than ever U of D has to continue to be true to its mission.

Episode 203: On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Ms. Jennifer Foster, Assistant Principal of U of D Jesuit High School & Academy.  Ms. Foster shares how having a lifelong connection to Michigan brought her back to Detroit to join U of D; how the power of diversity is an important role in shaping teaching strategies and approach; why she thinks kids are "cool"; and how she has used literary classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird" to facilitate diverse discussions and explore diverse perspectives.  

Episode 202: On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast host, Jacob Monastra, interview Dr. Christopher Smith, Principal of U of D Jesuit High School & Academy.  Dr. Smith shares how "working and serving the City of Detroit" was one of the driving forces in his decision to join the team at U of D; how his college years at Michigan State University revealed to him that education was his career path; the three things he would like students to know about him; and his goals to assist students be more engaged and active members of their learning experience. 

Episode 201: Season 2 opens with a conversation with Mr. Darrin Flowers, Assistant Principal, U of D Jesuit Academy. On this episode, Diversity Dialogue: CUB Edition Podcast Host Jacob Monastra has a great conversation with Mr. Flowers and gets an opportunity to learn more about his leadership role at U of D Jesuit; how Diversity & Inclusion shapes his approach to the world and how one memorable U of D Jesuit service trip allowed him to tap into his spirit of gratitude. 

Episode 111: Diversity Dialogue speaks with Dr. Joseph Gall, Director of Campus Ministry 

Episode 112: Diversity Dialogue speaks with Mr. Blair Ramsey, Assistant Director of Admissions and Retention Coordinator

Episode 110: Diversity Dialogue speaks with/Nick Rennpage, Director of Adult Formation and Mission Integration 

Episode 109: Diversity Dialogue speaks with/Mrs. Kimberly Redigan, Theology Teacher and JustPeace Human Rights Council Moderator

Episode 108:  Diversity Dialogue speaks with Br. James Boynton, Interim Principal, U of D Jesuit High School & Academy

Holiday message from Diversity Dialogue podcast host Ashton Handorf

Episode 107: Diversity Dialogue speaks with Zion Clay, Ignatian Teach-in for Justice attendee.

Episode 106: Diversity Dialogue speaks with Jackson Vosburg from "The Food Club" organization

Episode 105: Diversity Dialogue speaks with Freedom Atienza and Lawrence Gilliam from the organization "“Generation of Promise”.

Episode 104: Diversity Dialogue speaks w/Nicholas Lundberg and Henry Ghawi from the organization "Cub News"

Episode 103: Diversity Dialogue speaks with Ricardo Peres-da-Silva from the organization "Ignatian Service Core" (ISC).

Episode 102: Diversity Dialogue speaks with John Campana from the organization “Safe Space”.

Episode 101: Diversity Dialogue speaks with Frank Blackman and Azola Martin from the organization "be nice.".