Strength in the Midst of Change CEW+ at the University of Michigan

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Sophia Kruz, CEW+’s 2015 Twink Frey Visiting Social Activist, documentary producer and director, and U-M alum. Sophia shares her insights into the impact of art on social reform, and filmmaking as a tool for justice. Make sure to listen to the end to hear Sophia talk about her upcoming projects and the power of filmmaking.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Lauren Schandevel, a U-M alum of the Ford School of Public Policy and creator of the crowd-sourced document, “Being Not-Rich at UM”, which serves as a guide for low-income students on campus. Lauren shares her experiences as a first-generation, low-income student, and speaks about public policy and community organizing.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra, artistic director at Healing Bells, a U-M Lecturer in Carillon, and affiliate faculty at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender and at the Center for World Performance Studies. Pamela shares her experiences with music, playing the carillon, and her insights into arts and healing.

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Erika Murcia, a 2016 CEW+ Scholar and MSW alum. She shares her insights into her work with poetry and trauma, as well as her own podcast, Somos Semillas, We Are Seeds (listen on Spotify at https://spotify.link/IhYSA4edLyb)

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Schinella D’Souza, a PhD student in mathematics and a 2022 recipient of the Irma M. Wyman CEW+ Scholarship. Schinella shares her insights into inclusivity and equity in teaching, and compassionate mentorship. You can download and subscribe to Strength in the Midst of Change from — Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Subscribe, listen, and enjoy!

This episode of Strength in the Midst of Change features Liz DeBetta, Advocacy Program Manager at CEW+. Dr. DeBetta is an interdisciplinary scholar-artist-activist whose work is grounded in creativity and social justice to help create social change for individuals and communities that have been marginalized and oppressed. Liz shares her insights into storytelling, the experiences of being a nontraditional student, and her excitement at taking over as the host of Strength in the Midst of Change.