In recent years, both racially motivated hate crimes and antisemitism have been on the rise. But does the experience of common oppression necessarily lead to coalition? And can we better prepare teachers for conversations that fight bigotry? Dr. Dwayne Wright, GW Director of DEI Initiatives and Assistant Professor of Higher Education Administration, and Dr. Benjamin M. Jacobs, GW Associate Research Professor of Experiential Jewish Education, talk about intersectionality, inclusion, and the complex nature of Black-Jewish relations. 

Is a college degree really worth the investment? And does higher education improve inequality in America or make it worse? Dr. Sandy Baum and Dr. Michael McPherson, economists and authors of the book, “Can College Level the Playing Field: Higher Education in an Unequal Society,” discuss the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of our post-secondary education system, and whether it can help to create a more equitable society.

The COVID pandemic has demonstrated the danger of irrational, non-scientific thinking. According to Dr. Bruce Alberts, a preeminent molecular biologist, professor, and past president of the National Academy of Sciences, the American public’s willingness to accept misinformation points to a failure in science education. Dr. Alberts suggests that changes to science curricula and teacher preparation could better equip society to distinguish fact from fiction, with broad implications for our democracy.

Since the 1983 report "A Nation At Risk," America’s international reputation for K-12 education has been mediocre at best. But is this really the case? Dr. Robert Hauser, Executive Officer at the American Philosophical Society, examined the data and disagrees. In fact, he has found a U.S. school system that could be used as a model for success. In this episode, Dr. Hauser shares what he learned about international rankings and the quality of U.S. education for his paper, "What is the Matter with America’s Schools?" 

School systems depend on sound decision-making for the safety and well-being of their communities. So what happens during a crisis like COVID-19, when opinions can vary widely on the best path forward? Dr. Jennifer Clayton, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at GW, and Dr. Jared Cotton, Superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools in Virginia, talk about the tough choices he has faced during the pandemic, the skills district leaders need to manage crisis situations effectively, and how schools of education can better prepare administrators to lead in challenging times. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast.

Think tanks engage in research and advocacy, often influencing policy and shaping the national discourse. But are they really home to independent thinkers and scholars, or is their research swayed by the priorities of their funders? Dr. Rick Hess, Senior Fellow and Director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), shares his insight into the world of think tanks--what motivates their work and how they can play a productive role in responsible truth seeking. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast.

According to Dr. Deborah Loewenberg Ball, mathematics has the power to disrupt white supremacy unlike any other subject in school. As a professor and former Dean at the University of Michigan, Director of TeachingWorks, and elementary school math teacher herself, Deborah pushes back on the notion that math is culturally neutral. In fact, she believes that changing the way we teach math could help break patterns of inequality and injustice that are perpetuated in our classrooms. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast.

As a clinician in K-12 education, Adjoa Asamoah witnessed too many injustices in our schools. So she decided to pivot her career to the intersection of policy and politics, where she has worked to tackle systemic inequities across our country. Her efforts to actualize liberty and justice for all have been noticed, and during the last presidential race, she was tapped to be the National Advisor for Black Engagement for the Biden-Harris Campaign based on her ability to engage the community and her record of success.

Caroline Adegun began her career as a human resources recruiter. Then a stint working for a celebrity in Los Angeles inspired her to open The Hollywood Wingwoman Talent, the first non-profit talent development firm serving low-income (and sometimes homeless) artists trying to make it in the industry. And recently, she has become a force on social media, taking the new Clubhouse app by storm. With more than 50,000 members now (and growing daily) in her faith-based "club," Caroline channels her background in human development to create a sense of community for people around the world -- at a time when they need it most.

Rehabilitation counselors provide independent living support and job readiness training, empowering people with disabilities to integrate more fully into the community. According to Drs. Maureen McGuire-Kuletz and Kenneth Hergenrather, directors of the Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education, there is a pressing need for more rehabilitation professionals as a generation of counselors prepares to retire. They discuss the intersection of disability and poverty, why this population has been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and what can be done to address these challenges.