Maria LoCicero, RC '21 with majors in LSA History and RC Arts & Ideas in the Humanities, combined her interests in history and theater in her  senior Honors thesis in History. It is partly an historiographical analysis, largely based on letters found in the U-M Clements Historical Library, of the dynamics of racism and classism in the Taylor family of Scotland, Britain and Jamaica in the 18th and 19th centuries. Building upon her extensive coursework in RC Drama courses as part of her Arts & Ideas major, Maria juxtaposed her essay with an original play, "Their Station in Life," that illustrates how members of the Taylor family went from being insiders to outsiders in different ways, and how they experienced their various "stations" as they pursued money, family, and careers. Listen as Maria unpacks her process and findings, and *bonus!* you'll hear a small excerpt from the play. The music on this episode is Corelli - Concerto Grosso D Minor 2 by the Advent Chamber Orchestra.

After listening, we recommend that you consider these reflection questions: How has your narrative and self-reflection helped develop your understanding and practice of cultural humility? How can you make time in your daily routine to pause and reflect? Can you think of a time when you failed forward? How did you grow from that experience? … Episode 32 – How can you enrich your undergrad experience by building community and leading mindfully? Read More »

13 years and a whole lexicon apart, and yet, so much in common. RC student Rellian deGraaf ’24 and RC alum Emmett Findley ‘07 explore “queer time”, the differences between stealth and passing, being weighed down by wearing the mantle of queer ambassador, and what makes a “queer space”. Where do trans men learn how … Episode 31 – “It’s a wild ride, this life”: Two RC trans* men sit down for a (virtual) cup of coffee Read More »

We don't really know when this pandemic will be behind us, though promising vaccines are on the way. Students and faculty prepare for Winter 2021, when the majority of courses will be offered online with some exceptions like some of our studio arts and music courses. Who better to fill us in on the RC's academic offerings but director of RC Academic Services and long-time beloved advisor and mentor, Charlie Murphy? (Amirite?) Want to know about the history of race and the law, or about the elements that go into building an egalitarian metropolis? Want to apply your Spanish speaking skills - learned in school or from your heritage - to support the local Latino community? Or maybe you want to know how to live a life more aligned with your values of civility and justice? Listen up and get acquainted with a handful of the staggering 75 courses offered in the Residential College in Winter 2021. (And remember: RC courses are open to all LSA students!)

You know the old cliché, “they grow up so fast”? It’s hard to believe, but 2020 marks the 50th birthday of the Residential College Creative Writing & Literature Program. We went right to horse’s mouth on this and checked in with the founder of the program, Warren Hecht, whose 47-year lecturer career may be the … Episode 29 -The $300 That Launched the RC Creative Writing and Literature Program Read More »

Over the summer 2020, U-M communicated a public health-informed reopening plan for on-campus and virtual learning in the fall. Meanwhile, many universities around the country – including MSU, about an hour away – announced plans for a totally virtual fall term to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between students. Well before the first van showed … Episode 28 – “U-M Works Because We Do”: RCers on the Fall 2020 Strikes Read More »

Life for every student at U-M - let alone for every person on earth - has undergone tremendous change recently. We'll explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people differently even within the Residential College community. This episode features three students as well as a member of the RC intensive language faculty and we explore family ties, procrastination, the strangeness of seeing other people in real life, and dealing with anxiety, all with humor and vulnerability.

Listen and celebrate the 25th Annual Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners put on by the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP). It is one of the largest exhibitions of art by incarcerated artists in the country. Hear from formerly incarcerated artists, now on the outside, and members of the curatorial team about the founding of the exhibition, the process of and criteria for artwork selection, and what making art does for incarcerated people.

Honestly, how is the food at U-M? Can you survive on the meal plan? Hint: you can. But is the food good? What do students really think? From meal plans, to the seven all-access dining halls, to the East Quad Blue Cafe, to the EQ kitchen, to Ann Arbor restaurant recommendations, we’ve got you covered. You’ll hear from current RC Students—Mecca Durhal, Hayden Graves, Jasmin Lee, Arjun Thakkar, and Hannah Glass-Chapman—as they each describe their own dining experiences as U of M students.

Sometimes prospective students ask us if they can pursue studies in STEM as an RC student. Our answer is always a resounding, “YES!” To set the record straight, Maeve Pascoe and Rachel Hurwitz from the class of 2018 talk on the latest episode of the RC Podcast about their experiences in STEM research and premed … Episode 24 – Being STEM in the RC, imposter syndrome, and meeting RC people everywhere Read More »