Episode description

Episode Disclaimer: This episode was recorded close to a year ago. It is important to recognize that some items and ideas may have shifted with the passage of time. The conversation is a representation of the time it was recorded. Conversation includes topics around mental health, gender expression and identity, and stressors associated with systemic discrimination. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do no represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Rutgers University.

Today, host, Thomas Benjamin, is speaking with Zan Haggerty, a clinician scholar who has a dual role as both doctoral student and a staff member at Rutgers counseling and psychiatric services, also known as CAPS. In maintaining two roles, Zan hears from students about growth areas for Rutgers in the way of DEI while also witnessing it in their own doctor of Social Work program. Zan's belief and perspective has always been that symptoms typically are a result of larger issues within a system. Most of Zan's career has focused on bringing justice to populations and communities that are routinely and systemically marginalized. As a trans non binary person, Zan has seen the immense impact of systems that do not recognize your existence, or demean your value. Above all, Zan's commitment is to create a culture and community of belongingness, where people of every identity feel welcome and represented.