Coffee With Chris

Lewis University
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**Coffee with Chris** features Lewis University President Dr. Christopher Sindt sitting down with members of the Lewis community to talk about their stories, their work, and the things they’re passionate about. From groundbreaking research in the lab to success on the court, from the classroom to the community, each episode shines a light on the people who make Lewis University what it is. Get to know the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of Lewis—and hear about the work they’re doing to make a difference. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and get to know the people behind t

Episodes

  1. Nov 3

    Culturally Responsive Pain Care & the Future of PT Education | Dr. Arvie Vitente

    Physical therapist and educator Dr. Arvie Vitente joins Chris for a new episode of Coffee with Chris. They talk about his research and how he teaches the next generation of physical therapists. Dr. Vitente explains why two patients with the same condition can describe and respond to pain very differently. He covers culturally responsive, biopsychosocial pain care, and why listening matters more than assumptions. He also describes precision education, competency-based learning, and interprofessional education, which means learning about, from and with other health professions. He also shares his path from growing up in Pampanga in the Philippines to teaching there, practicing in home health in the U.S., and becoming a board-certified geriatric specialist. They discuss how students practice at an independent living community, how they use Holo Anatomy 3D technology, and how the program builds a sense of belonging through mentoring and a buddy system. In this episode: Welcome and what we're drinkingCulturally responsive pain managementInterprofessional and precision educationGeriatrics and the path to home healthGrowing up in the PhilippinesService learning with community partnersHolo Anatomy and emerging technologyBelonging in a doctoral programThe Lasallian mission and lasting impact Subscribe to Coffee with Chris for more conversations.

  2. Oct 27

    What Is Brinkmanship? Justin Delacour on Conflict in Domestic Politics

    Chris sits down with Justin Delacour for a new episode of Coffee with Chris. They start with coffee, and Justin explains why a cup of coffee is vital before he lectures.Then they get into Justin's recent research on brinkmanship. The term is often tied to the Cold War and nuclear standoffs, but Justin studies it in domestic politics. He looks at what happens when political actors threaten force, insult each other or make incendiary accusations against rivals. The conflict gets close to the edge without turning into violence.In this episode:Welcome and coffee talk Coffee, lecturing and writing routines What brinkmanship means, from Cold War to domestic politics Subscribe to Coffee with Chris for more conversations with scholars and thinkers.

  3. Oct 20

    What Generative AI Means for Critical Thinking in Students

    Data visualization is doing more than making charts look better—it’s changing how students learn, how accountants persuade, and how leaders make decisions in minutes instead of 45. Dr. Bushra Malik reveals why visuals outperform spreadsheets, how she uses them to help students fall in love with accounting, and what it takes to keep critical thinking alive in the age of ChatGPT. Chris and Dr. Malik trace the unlikely journey behind her work, from math, statistics, accounting, and finance to entrepreneurship, English literature, and higher education. Along the way, she explains why the brain remembers pictures far better than text, why boardroom dashboards can cut through complexity instantly, and why the most effective teaching starts with making difficult subjects feel less intimidating. You'll discover: Why sight is the strongest sense for decision-making and retentionHow data visualization helps students understand and remember complex materialWhy accounting and analytics feel overwhelming—and how to make them accessibleHow a dashboard can replace a 45-minute explanation in a non-technical meetingWhat educators should do when AI makes convenience too tempting Dr. Bushra Malik also shares the personal path that shaped her teaching philosophy, from growing up in Pakistan and learning from an engineer father and teacher mother, to building a career that blends scientific rigor with empathy, curiosity, and creativity. Her story shows how a non-linear background can become a professional superpower, especially when you believe every student brings a distinct story into the classroom. This conversation also tackles one of the most urgent questions in education right now: how do you use generative AI without letting it replace responsibility, agency, and deep thinking? If you care about teaching, data, analytics, business education, or the future of learning, this is essential listening. Perfect for educators, students, business leaders, and anyone who wants to understand why the future belongs to people who can turn data into insight—without losing the human mind behind it. Visit www.lewisu.edu to learn more

  4. Oct 13

    Criminal Justice, Education and a Mission for Change

    Criminal justice is changing faster than most law enforcement agencies can keep up, and Vesna Markovic is studying the part most people miss: how terrorists and criminal networks use AI, cryptocurrency, and social media before the rest of the world even notices.She joins Chris for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from her unlikely path into the field to her work at the UN Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi, where she presented on terrorism in the digital age and the emerging tech shaping modern attacks.You’ll discover:Why her career started in private investigation, not academiaHow study abroad experiences in Spain, Poland, China, and beyond shaped her international focusWhat makes U.S. policing so different from national police systems overseasHow groups exploit AI, stablecoins, and digital tools to plan, finance, and conceal attacksWhy law enforcement is often forced to react while criminal organizations innovate instantlyMarkovic also shares the side of her work that is deeply personal: prison education, reentry, and restorative justice. From her early internship at Stateville Correctional Center to teaching inside Sheridan Correctional Center and Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center, she explains why punishment alone is failing and why second chances need more than rhetoric.She and Chris also talk about her book Reducing Recidivism Through Restorative Justice, the Connecticut Hall of Change, and the podcast she co-hosts with Dr. Mallory Havens, Degrees of Freedom, The Second Change Classroom, which amplifies lived experience and the transformational power of education.This episode connects the dots between terrorism, technology, incarceration, and higher education in a way that feels urgent, human, and surprisingly hopeful. Perfect for anyone interested in criminal justice, prison reform, global security, or the future of education inside and outside prison walls.About Vesna Markovic: Vesna Markovic is a criminal justice scholar and educator focused on terrorism, international policing, and prison reform. Her work spans classroom teaching, global research, and reentry advocacy, with a strong emphasis on restorative justice and access to education.Visit www.lewisu.edu for more information, and more episodes of Coffee with Chris.

  5. Oct 6

    From Police Officer to Professor - The Skills That Changed Everything

    Professor Steve Sherwin’s career path is a masterclass in how real-world experience becomes powerful teaching. From the Marine Corps and the Chicago Police Department to mediation, restorative justice, and higher education, he reveals how listening, presence, and language can transform conflict into understanding. Chris sits down with Steve Sherwin to trace the unlikely journey that led from factory work and frontline policing in Englewood to training officers, supporting families after line-of-duty deaths, and eventually shaping students as a professor at Lewis University. Along the way, Steve shares the moments that changed his thinking about leadership, trauma, and what it really means to help people. You’ll discover: Why Steve’s early experience in faith-based mentorship set the tone for a life of serviceHow his work in policing, recruit training, and peer support prepared him for mediation and teachingThe three skills he says every effective mediator needs: deep listening, modeling trust, and calming languageWhy restorative justice asks harder, better questions than punishment aloneHow Native American approaches to accountability broadened his view of conflict resolutionWhat he’s doing with the podcast At a Glance, and why he uses it to give students a voiceThis conversation also opens a window into the evolving role of professors who bring industry experience into the classroom. Steve and Chris reflect on why higher education has to stay relevant, flexible, and connected to community needs if it wants to prepare students for both careers and character.Perfect for anyone interested in mediation, restorative justice, policing, mentorship, or the kind of teaching that changes lives long after class ends.

  6. Sep 29

    Building a Championship Culture: James Kearney on Coaching, Leadership, and Athlete Development

    What if the best coaches aren’t the ones with the loudest voice, but the ones who know how to meet every athlete exactly where they are? James Kearney, head coach at Lewis, shares the athlete-centered philosophy that has helped build a nationally respected Division II cross country program—and why failure, individual coaching, and relentless reflection are all part of the recipe.Kearney traces his path from growing up across the street from Notre Dame to becoming the kind of coach who sees running as more than miles and splits. He explains how competition came before passion, how mindfulness eventually changed his relationship with the sport, and why the real work of coaching starts with understanding the person, not just the performance.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why his recruiting philosophy starts with personality, not just talentHow he coaches students with radically different communication stylesThe office-hours-style system he uses to make athletes feel seen and supportedWhy he treats failure as a training tool, not a setbackHow self-reflection after hard workouts builds stronger competitorsWhat it takes to turn an individual sport into a true team cultureKearney also breaks down how Division II cross country has changed over the last decade, from shifting student motivations to the transfer portal and the pressure of instant gratification. He shares why he sees those changes as opportunities, not threats, and how Lewis has used them to reopen doors for athletes who might never have considered the program.The conversation goes beyond coaching strategy. Kearney talks about mentoring future coaches through the Lewis coaching tree, serving on national committees, and the responsibility that comes with helping shape the future of the sport at both the institutional and NCAA level.If you care about leadership, student development, coaching, or building a culture that lasts, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Perfect for coaches, educators, student-athletes, and anyone interested in what great leadership looks like when the stakes are real and the culture matters.

  7. Sep 22

    The Scientist Using Undergraduate Research to Fight Genetic Disease | Coffee with Chris- Ep 1

    What does it take to turn curiosity about the natural world into a career that changes lives? In this episode of Coffee with Chris, Chris Sindt, President of Lewis University, speaks with Dr. Mallory Havens, professor of biology and a leader in undergraduate research and scholarly engagement at Lewis. Dr. Havens shares how her early fascination with anatomy and biology led her from pharmaceutical quality control to molecular biology research, teaching, and prison education. She explains her work studying genetic diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 and discusses how antisense oligonucleotide RNA therapies may offer promising alternatives to traditional gene therapy. The conversation also explores the unique value of undergraduate research at Lewis University, where students gain hands-on experience developing potential treatments, analyzing patient cells, and conducting experiments in the lab. Dr. Havens discusses: How RNA therapies can help treat genetic diseases Why undergraduate research matters in higher education The science behind gene expression and RNA splicing How patient cells and C. elegans are used in research Why memorization alone is not enough for today’s students How storytelling, humor, and movement make biology easier to understand The transformative role of science and education in prison education programs Her podcasts, Science CoASt and Degrees of Freedom: The Second Chance Classroom Whether you’re interested in biology, genetic disease research, higher education, student mentorship, or prison education, this episode offers an inspiring look at how science and learning can create new possibilities. Learn more about Lewis University: https://lewisu.edu #BiologyResearch #GeneticDisease #RNAtherapies #UndergraduateResearch #PrisonEducation #HigherEducation #LewisUniversity #ScienceEducation #CoffeeWithChris

  • 7 Episodes

About

**Coffee with Chris** features Lewis University President Dr. Christopher Sindt sitting down with members of the Lewis community to talk about their stories, their work, and the things they’re passionate about. From groundbreaking research in the lab to success on the court, from the classroom to the community, each episode shines a light on the people who make Lewis University what it is. Get to know the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of Lewis—and hear about the work they’re doing to make a difference. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and get to know the people behind t

Information

  • Creator
    Lewis University
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lewis University
  • Show Website
    Coffee With Chris