New College Podcast, Many Voices, One Call, Focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Many Voices, One Call: The SUNY Schenectady Podcast is here: a space for courageous, honest, open, and unscripted conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, teaching, learning, and all the other things that move us. Where students, faculty, staff, leadership, and community guests reinvent higher education one episode at a time. The first two episodes are now available through buzzsprout. 

Episode One: “One Year of Pandemic Learning. Co-hosts Jennifer Malave (Human Services major/President of the Student Government Association - SGA) and Dr. Babette Faehmel (Associate Professor in the Division of Liberal Arts/Coordinator of the Student Mentoring Program) speak with guests Destany Jackson (Human Services major/SGA senator), Adam Montross (Teacher Education Transfer major/SGA senator), Dr. Imari Shaw (Instructor in the Division of Math, Science, Technology and Health), and RaeEllen Doyle (Associate Professor in the Division of Liberal Arts) about classes during the past year, their lives, and what comes next.

Episode Two: Only 10% of all professionals working in Higher Education identify as Black or African American. Co-hosts Jennifer Malave (Human Services major/President of the Student Government Association - SGA) and Dr. Babette Faehmel (Associate Professor in the Division of Liberal Arts/Coordinator of the Student Mentoring Program) talk with their guests Dr. Steady Moono (College President); Dr. Imari Shaw (Instructor in the Division of Math, Science, Technology and Health) and Keion Clinton (Associate Professor in the Division of Liberal Arts); and Damonni Farley, Founder of Common Thread Consultants and College Trustees, about how they - as Black professionals - operate in spaces in which "whiteness" is often not just the numerical, but cultural, norm.

The podcast aligns with the College’s new Strategic Plan, Many Voices, One Call 2021-2026, that will guide the College’s collective work for the next five years and has Four Pillars of Success: Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Delivering a Meaningful Student Experience; Building Organizational Effectiveness; and Ensuring Financial Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency.

Dr. Moono applauded the team that developed the podcast.

“This is an excellent, new addition to our campus dialogue,” he Moono said. “Every time we listen to a different perspective it only enriches us and contributes to the College learning environment. I’m looking forward to listening to the next episode.”

Each episode of the podcast will be co-hosted by a student and a member of the faculty and staff. The team will produce two podcasts each month. Jennifer Malave shared her thoughts as co-host of the first episodes.

“I am so excited to be part of the Many Voices One Call podcast! I love how it creates a space for real conversations among students and faculty,” Jennifer said.

“As a student leader, I know just how valuable it is to develop and encourage this open dialog. The podcast provides a safe space to do just that.”

Pam McCall is the Director of College and High School Partnerships and tri-chair with the ReaCH Initiative. She was on the team that developed the podcast.

“The Many Voices, One Call podcast is a game-changer for our institution,” she said.

“Our goal is to create a forum for students, faculty, staff, and community members to share what is most important to them and how the College has helped to shape who they are. This has been a truly collaborative effort within our community and we are excited to see it grow and become a true avenue to share all of our stories.”

The new podcast has been launched and maintained under the leadership of a coalition of campus groups and organizations: the ReaCH Initiative Leadership Team, the Student Mentoring Program, the Student Government Association, and the Student Activities Advisor, in cooperation with numerous faculty supporters.

ReaCH is SUNY Schenectady’s Student Success Initiative, aimed at supporting students from enrollment to graduation by fostering student outcomes, closing achievement gaps, building momentum, and therefore changing lives and our community. It’s part of the College’s participation in the Achieving the Dream network.

Dr. Faehmel noted how the podcast encourages open conversations among various College audiences.

“Many Voices, One Call brings together students, faculty, staff, College leadership, and community members for courageous, honest, open, and unscripted conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, teaching, learning, and all the other things that move us,” she said.