lonely campus podcast Amy Messersmith and Syracuse University's Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Episode 6 features Newhouse graduate student Jalyss Agosto, who is studying Broadcast and Digital Journalism. Jalyss is of Puerto Rican and Peruvian descent who was born in the Bronx but grew up in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Jalyss comes to Syracuse from Westchester University of Pennsylvania, where she studied Media and Culture. Jalyss talks openly and honestly about the struggles of getting settled at Syracuse as a graduate student and finding her network of support. Her story speaks to the importance of self-advocacy and reaching out to find that support on campus when you feel isolated and alone. A special thank you to the Intercultural Collective (IC) for being gracious hosts to ODI's Pop-up Podcasting Studio.

Episode 5 of the lonely campus podcast was recorded live at the spring 2024 Campus Forum, an event sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion that took place on Monday March 4th in the Sheraton's Regency Ballroom.  Each semester vice president for diversity and inclusion Mary Grace Almandrez holds a forum to share information about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility work being done throughout the Syracuse University community. Attendees were invited to sit down at the pop-up podcasting studio and asked to share why they came to work or study at SU, where they found on campus the most sense of belonging, and any suggestions that they had to continue to create sense of belonging on campus.  Featured guests include DEIA Learning and Development Specialist Christina Papaleo as well as School of Education graduate students Kendall Taleah Edwards, Weijun Zhang, and Rose Mostafa-Shoukry.  Transcript available upon request. 

Episode 4 features Julian Barrios, a first year student studying film in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University.  Julian is a proud Posse Scholar from Miami, Florida.  In this podcast, he talks about the vigorous selection process of becoming a Posse Scholar and how the program has supported his transition to Syracuse as a first year student.  With openness and honestly, Julian talks about how he navigates the challenges of being a first generation college student of Hispanic descent at a predominantly white institution.  He also shares how socioeconomic background has impacted his experience and strategies to navigate the financial pressures of student life.  Overall, Julian's first year has been an overwhelming success and the Posse Scholars Program has played a significant role in his experience.   A special thank you to the Intercultural Collective for being such gracious hosts to ODI's Pop-up Podcasting Studio.  Transcript available upon request. 

Episode 3 features Nate LeForme, a transfer student studying philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences. Nate grew up on Six Nations Territory in Ontario and currently lives on Seneca Territory. Nate talks openly about the positives and negatives of adjusting to life at Syracuse University.  He describes the challenge of encountering unspoken assumptions and expectations during the first few weeks on campus, and where he found support to navigate this new environment.  Whereas some students find the pace and culture of SU to be comfortable and familiar, other students learn the culture over time through observation and asking questions.  Nate is now thriving at Syracuse, where he has successfully built meaningful friendships as well as a strong campus community.  A special thank you to 113 Euclid for being gracious hosts to ODI's Pop-up Podcasting Studio.
 

Episode 2 features Trinity Jennings-Pagan, a first year student from Staten Island, New York.  Trinity talks about how she ended up at Syracuse University and her experience navigating SU's social landscape.  She delves into her first few days on campus, when she realized that she was "seeing my people, but I'm not with my people."  Trinity then details how she figured out how to make introductions and ended up creating some great memories and quality friendships.  A special thank you to the Barner-McDuffie House (previously known as 119 Euclid) for being gracious hosts to ODI's Pop-up Podcasting Studio. 

Episode 1 features Nate Brown, a first year business student from Rochester, NY.  Nate talks about his journey to Syracuse University and his first few days on campus where he watched other students bonding around him but not necessarily with him.  His story highlights the importance of geographical difference and how that can complicate they way students experience categories of difference, such as race.  He also talks about the spaces where he’s found a sense of belonging as well as ideas to help students get to know one another in more meaningful ways.  A special thank you to 119 Euclid for being gracious hosts to ODI's Pop-up Podcasting Studio.