As her impactful term comes to a close, Dean Kathryn Boor ’80 joins Erin and Toral for a powerful season finale. From earning her undergraduate degree in food science at Cornell to becoming a trailblazing researcher, professor, and academic leader, Dean Boor reflects on her remarkable journey. She opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, championing inclusive excellence, and supporting a diverse graduate student population. After nearly five years at the helm of Cornell’s Graduate School, De...
Apr 25, 2025•52 min
In this episode, Erin and Toral are going back to the basics. Today, the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are taking center stage in many conversations and debates. However, much of the discourse and media representation is muddled by misunderstandings and inaccurate definitions. Erin and Toral break down what each of these terms truly mean, why they’re interconnected, and how they are each reflected in everyday life and work. Whether you’re already familiar with these concepts or ju...
Apr 11, 2025•34 min
Allyship is more than just a buzzword—it’s about action, accountability, and showing up in meaningful ways. In this episode, Sam Benson, Assistant Director for Graduate Affairs for MS and PhD Students in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Perdita Das, Assistant Dean of Hans Bethe House, discuss what allyship really means, how to navigate mistakes, and the ways we can all create more inclusive spaces. Through candid conversations and real-life examples, they explore the power of collaborat...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr
Join Erin and Toral for an inspiring conversation with Dr. La Jerne Terry Cornish, President of Ithaca College, as she shares her journey from the front of a sixth-grade classroom in Baltimore to the helm of a higher education institution. Discover the pivotal mentors who shaped her path, the power of authentic leadership, and why creating “brave spaces” is essential for true belonging. Dr. Cornish highlights her commitment to strengthening partnerships between Ithaca’s higher ed institutions an...
Mar 12, 2025•51 min
Julie Edwards, Assistant Vice President for Student Health and Wellbeing at Cornell, joins Erin and Toral for a powerful conversation about building a health-promoting campus. She shares how the adoption of the Okanagan Charter is shaping Cornell’s holistic approach to wellbeing, why fostering a culture of health is a shared responsibility, and the real impact of systemic changes like implementing floating holidays and credit caps. Julie also opens up about her personal journey and how it fuels ...
Feb 28, 2025•49 min
In this episode, Erin and Toral sit down with Thomas Jones (he/him/his), fair employment practice specialist at Cornell, to explore the transformative impact of the Restorative Record Project. Thomas shares his personal journey from incarceration to higher education and his role in helping justice-involved individuals highlight their skills and potential in the job market. Thomas discusses overcoming barriers, the power of transferable skills, and how he is helping reshape hiring practices. Tune...
Feb 12, 2025•46 min
What does it look like to create spaces that welcome all forms of spiritual exploration on such a diverse campus? Join Joel Harter (he/him/his) and Saorsa Wissman (she/her/hers) from Cornell’s Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making as they dive into the intersection of faith, identity, and belonging. Reflecting on their personal and professional journeys, they share the challenges they’ve faced in navigating their spirituality and religious communities. They also discuss spiritual multiplicit...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Join Erin and Toral for a compelling conversation with Eve De Rosa, dean of faculty at Cornell, as she reflects on her journey to the university and her impactful work fostering inclusivity. Eve shares insights into her role, her commitment to equity and belonging for faculty at all levels, and the importance of involving staff voices when designing inclusive systems and cultures. From laboratory mice to leadership at Cornell, tune in to hear Eve’s fascinating journey and what she hopes to accom...
Dec 09, 2024•49 min
In this episode, Erin and Toral welcome Alexis Boyce, manager of Cornell’s Asian American Studies Program and co-chair of the A&S Staff Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee. A recipient of the Employee Assembly Award for Staff Inclusion and Integrity, Alexis shares how her committee’s initiatives are driving meaningful change. She reflects on her commitment to equity and belonging, which extends beyond her professional role, and offers valuable insights into navigating t...
Nov 18, 2024•52 min
In this episode, Erin and Toral welcome Cornell Chief of Police Anthony Bellamy and Ithaca City Chief of Police Thomas Kelly. The chiefs discuss their paths to leadership, guiding philosophies on policing with empathy, and efforts to build trust within Ithaca and Cornell’s diverse communities. With a unique mix of a small-town atmosphere and a large student population, they explore the challenges of balancing community engagement with enforcement, fostering inclusivity and wellbeing, and collabo...
Nov 08, 2024•59 min
In this episode, Erin and Toral sit down with Ruth Merle-Doyle, Work Life Program Manager at Cornell, and Melissa Perry, CEO of the Child Development Council of Central New York, to discuss the urgent issue of child care accessibility. With the nation – especially Tompkins County – facing a severe shortage, they explore the impact on working parents, available resources, and why this challenge affects every employee, parent or not. Tune in for personal stories and professional insights on suppor...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Erin and Toral are joined by Michelle Artibee (she/her), director of workforce wellbeing at Cornell, and Lyn Staack (she/they), director of education at the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County. Together, they discuss the critical resources available for employees experiencing domestic violence, consider various factors that impact assistance options and access, and explore ways managers and colleagues can appropriately provide support. If you o...
Oct 11, 2024•51 min
In this heartfelt episode, Bert Odom-Reed, director of Cornell Broadcast Studios, shares an announcement with our audience. As he celebrates his seventh season producing the Inclusive Excellence Podcast and 35 years at Cornell, Bert takes us down memory lane, highlighting his favorite episodes and the most impactful moments along the way. He leaves listeners with inspiring words of wisdom and a glimpse into the exciting future that lies ahead. Join us for one last “Thanks, Bert!
Sep 27, 2024•36 min
In the season 7 premiere, the Inclusive Excellence Podcast returns with hosts Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel reflecting on their summer and sharing an exclusive preview of what’s to come. In this episode, they take a closer look at the foundation of the podcast by exploring the true meaning and history of the term “inclusive excellence.” Plus, don’t miss their special message to listeners as they kick off an exciting new season.
Sep 13, 2024•18 min
In the season finale, Erin and Toral are joined by Cal Walker, retiree of Cornell and longstanding citizen of Ithaca for nearly 50 years. Cal shares his journey from Civil Rights-era Alabama to New York, recalling the moments that ignited his passion for activism and social justice. Tune in to hear how Cal has embodied the mantra “blossom where you are planted,” enriching the Ithaca and Cornell communities and encouraging listeners to cultivate meaningful connections by sowing seeds of positive ...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, Erin and Toral let listeners in on the evolving world of recruitment with Carolyn Chow (she/her/hers) and Brad Stock (he/him/his), colleagues and talent acquisition partners at Cornell. The pair share their unique journeys from applicants to recruiters at the university and how their experiences shape the way they engage with candidates today. Whether it's job seekers looking for employment opportunities or hiring managers pursuing prospective candidates, tune in to explore best...
Apr 12, 2024•59 min
Join us in celebrating Women’s History Month as we delve into this year’s theme: "Appreciating women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion." In this episode, Erin and Toral are joined by Lauren Frederick (she/her/hers), colleague and administrative coordinator in Cornell’s Department of Inclusion and Belonging. With honesty and vulnerability, Lauren takes listeners on a journey, sharing the challenges of navigating life as a first-generation professional, single mother, and being neu...
Mar 22, 2024•47 min
In this episode, Erin and Toral are joined by Ati Alipour (she/her/hers), assistant ombuds in the Cornell University Ombuds Office. Ati shares her rich history in the field of conflict resolution and mediation as a practicing attorney and former consultant for the United Nations. From understanding power imbalances to embracing differing perspectives, hear how to best address and navigate conflicts in our everyday work and life. For more information on the Cornell University Ombuds Office, visit...
Mar 08, 2024•50 min
Join Erin and Toral as they delve into the dynamic world of workplace mental health with Jasmine Jay (she/her/hers) and Wai-Kwong Wong (he/him/his) from Cornell’s Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP). Together, they explore the evolution of mental health awareness and share insights on fostering a supportive workplace culture. Tune in to hear the variety of services FSAP offers and inspiring perspectives on prioritizing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace as they stand by the m...
Feb 23, 2024•58 min
According to Carl Cornell’s (he/they) surname, one would think he was destined for the university. However, Carl’s path to Cornell was anything but traditional. In this episode, Erin and Carl dive into his journey and how he’s navigated his personal and professional lives with a unique intersection of identities. Now, as the assistant director of undergraduate advising at Cornell Bowers CIS, Carl has become a leader in many communities across Cornell while advocating for himself and others along...
Feb 09, 2024•49 min
In this episode, Erin and Toral talk with longtime Cornell colleagues Barbara Oh, Ph.D. ‘17 (she/her/hers) and Cate Thompson ‘83 (she/her/hers) about the important role both mentors and mentees play in enhancing personal and professional growth. The pair discuss how they met at the university and immediately forged a mutually fulfilling mentoring relationship. Tune in to hear them unravel the threads of their mentoring journey, sharing insights, anecdotes, and lessons learned along the way.
Jan 26, 2024•51 min
On this week’s episode, Erin and Toral are joined by Rachel Sumner and Stephen Kim, colleagues with the Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP) at Cornell. They share what IDP is all about and how it has influenced communication across differences for over a decade. Tune in to hear their professional journeys from students to lecturers and their thoughts on what freedom of expression can look like and how to empower ourselves and others to engage in critical dialogue. For more information on IDP, visi...
Dec 15, 2023•53 min
Erin and Toral are joined by Adrian Durant (he/him/his), the head coach of men’s track and field at Cornell, for a conversation about his journey from the U.S. Virgin Islands to competing in college and the Olympics to becoming a head coach at an Ivy League institution. As one of the youngest track coaches in the country who has raced around the globe, Adrian offers up his playbook for goal-driven success and cultivating a winning team culture both on the field and in the workplace.
Dec 01, 2023•52 min
Erin and Toral sit down with the Carl A. Kroch University Librarian at Cornell for a conversation about the critical role that libraries play in preserving and authentically portraying the past. Elaine Westbrooks (she/her/hers) shares how libraries have evolved over time and with technology. From dusty bookshelves to the digital frontier, tune in to hear how libraries provide access to a rich tapestry of perspectives, help distinguish fact from fiction, and enhance inclusion and belonging.
Nov 17, 2023•57 min
On this week’s episode of the podcast, two Gen Xs, a Baby Boomer, and a Millennial dive into today’s multigenerational workforce and discuss the challenges and opportunities it presents. Erin and Toral talk with Dane Cruz (he/him/his) and Ari Mack (he/him/his), colleagues in Organizational Development and Effectiveness at Cornell. They help unpack the experiences and stereotypes of the different generations and how they show up in the workplace. Tune in to hear how five generations can work side...
Nov 03, 2023•56 min
C Lucas (they/them/theirs), wellness community programming specialist at Cornell, joins Erin and Toral to weigh the challenges and complexities of the fitness industry. C shares their thoughts on how fitness and wellness have evolved over time, especially in the workplace. Tune in to hear how C is breaking down barriers to help make fitness and wellness opportunities more inclusive and accessible to all identity populations.
Oct 20, 2023•55 min
Erin and Toral kick off season six with Angela Herrera Canfield (she/her/hers), director of undergraduate admissions for the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell. Angela shares her evolution at the university, beginning as an undergraduate student and transitioning to her role as a director. She also discusses her experience as a first-generation college student and how it informs her work, considering the range of challenges that historically excluded students and staff may face ...
Oct 06, 2023•1 hr
Join Erin Sember-Chase, Toral Patel, and Bert Odom-Reed for the first episode of a brand-new season. Hear their hopes of continuing to elevate the voices and experiences of fellow employees while also diving deeper into the discomfort. They tease upcoming episodes that reflect topics and discussions circling the country and Cornell, including the university’s theme of “freedom of expression.”
Sep 22, 2023•23 min
Season five of the podcast wraps up with a very special guest. Coming up on her one-year anniversary at the university, Cornell’s vice president and chief human resources officer, Christine Lovely (she/her/hers), joins Erin and Toral for a conversation about her first year at Cornell and in Ithaca, NY. Christine discusses the unexpected opportunities that emerged throughout her career and how she strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all employees can connect through conv...
May 19, 2023•51 min
Erin and Toral welcome two members of the newly formed Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment team for a conversation about creating connection in a world where many employees are working remotely. Together, Jamie Doss (she/her/hers), talent acquisition partner, and Sonja Baylor (she/her/hers), recruitment manager, share how they have effectively sustained a positive and inclusive workplace on a team of primarily remote and hybrid employees. They also reveal how key behaviors, such as vulne...
Apr 28, 2023•57 min
