Level Up on Presence and Belonging Antonio Farias

In this final episode of Level Up, Antonio comes full circle with Dr. Wolfgang Sigmund, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. Wolfgang was one of the first people to welcome Antonio to UF when he arrived in July 2018 and has been a great supporter of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus. Wolfgang discusses how difference encourages critical thinking and originality and how creating belonging is a daily practice not a one-time fix. Tune in to find out how nanotechnology is helping address world problems and how students are at the forefront of these super exciting engineering solutions.

In this episode, Antonio speaks with Dr. Robert Thomas, Associate Professor of Business Law and Technology and Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at UF's Warrington College of Business. Robert talks about the exciting changes taking place at Warrington and invites UF undergraduates to consider the opportunities "that are hard to pass up." He also shares that creating belonging is the responsibility of everyone in a community and it starts with taking the time to really listen.

In this episode Antonio talks with Jennifer Setlow, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs with the College of the Arts. Jen shares how being outside the norm can provide a unique perspective that leads to innovation and change. Jen’s background as a lighting designer informs her work as someone who helps others find the stage for their talents and shines a light on their achievements.

In this week’s episode, Antonio talks with Twanna Hodge, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Librarian for the Smathers Libraries. Antonio and Twanna talk about how research and facts are the basis for any inclusion project, how being a lifelong learner helps create belonging for others and how educating oneself is a powerful act. Twanna shares that her core value of leaving the world a better place than she found it fuels her passion for her work.

In this week’s episode, Antonio speaks with Dr. David Julian, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the SF2UF Bridge Program and the MARC GatorStar Program. David and Antonio discuss how the institutional deficit perspective encourages administrators to change policies and practices so all students succeed, and how data can help us understand where we have deficits. Learn how innovation in IDEA can help UF get to the Top 5 in this week’s episode!

As we begin the celebration of Black History Month, Antonio speaks with Dr. David Canton, the newly arrived Director of UF’s African American Studies Program. Dr. Canton is a renowned historian who brings to UF his rigorous eye for research and passion for the history of Black Studies, the commonalities across the African diaspora and for connecting the academy with the community. He talks about his vision for building a department of African American Studies at UF on the shoulders of the program’s storied 50-year history.