In The Margins

About In The Margins

Achieving equality in higher education. The stakes have never been higher. The issues never more complex. Who graduates, and why? Who is getting hired as faculty and what is their experience? In each episode, we will look at issues surrounding students, faculty, diversity and inclusion, and skyrocketing college costs. From critical conversation to news, numbers, and analysis — we've got you covered. You can count on Diverse's In The Margins to bring you the latest, most relevant thought leadership as it pertains to diversity, inclusion, and equity in higher education. As the national expert, we've been doing this for almost 40 years in print and on the web (diverseeducation.com). Now we are excited to expand the conversation via this podcast. We will tackle these topics, and more, head-on. Listen weekly for a mix of deep dives, short briefs, expert panels, interviews, and more. We are thrilled to bring it to you here, in In The Margins.

Publisher

Diverse Education

Category

education · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Nov 2020

Latest episode

10 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

169 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Sept 2026

   EP169: How Community Colleges Can Stay Relevant in a Changing Workforce | Dr. Brenda Hellyer

   To watch on our YouTube channel, click here. Tune in as Dr. Mordecai Brownlee sits down with Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor of San Jacinto College, for a conversation on leadership, workforce development, innovation, and keeping community colleges relevant in a rapidly changing economy. This engaging episode is the latest in a series with our content partner, Discovering Your Mission with Dr. Mordecai. The discussion reflects on Hellyer's unexpected journey from accounting to higher education leadership and how preparation, calculated risk, and a willingness to say yes shaped her career. She shares why today's community college leaders must move beyond managing institutions to becoming conveners, partners, and problem-solvers within their communities. The chat also explores how San Jacinto College works directly with industry to redesign programs around real workforce needs, including its expansion into biotechnology and strategically selected applied bachelor's degrees. Hellyer also discusses creating a culture of belonging for students and employees, approaching artificial intelligence without sacrificing human judgment and critical thinking, and why staying relevant means making sure your institution has a seat at the table when decisions about the future of your community are being made. During the podcast Hellyer consistently directs the conversation back to people and purpose: seeing potential in others, creating opportunities they may not yet see for themselves, and using leadership to help people advance. Listen in and enjoy this episode. KEY POINTS: Hellyer's unexpected journey from accounting to leading San Jacinto College Why preparation, calculated risk, and saying yes can open leadership opportunities How the role of community college presidents has expanded beyond managing an institution Why staying relevant requires listening to industry and having a seat at the table How San Jacinto College turned workforce gaps into major petrochemical and biotechnology partnerships Building belonging by making students and employees feel seen, supported, and connected Why applied bachelor's degrees should be driven by demonstrated workforce demand Balancing AI adoption with human judgment, critical thinking, and technical expertise Leadership as helping people see opportunities they may not yet see for themselves QUOTABLES: "It is about stepping into some uncomfortable times and really trying to understand and connect." – Dr. Brenda Hellyer "If we're not at the table, that tells me we've lost our relevance." – Dr. Brenda Hellyer GUEST RESOURCES: Dr. Brenda Lang Hellyer, Chancellor, San Jacinto College Office of the Chancellor FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/The-EDU-Ledger X/Twitter: https://x.com/TheEDULedger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEDULedger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheEDULedger Threads: https://www.threads.com/@TheEDULedger Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/TheEDULedger.bsky.social WATCH THIS VIDEO AND OTHERS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEDULedger Transcription is available in the video for this episode. In The Margins is produced by The EDU Ledger and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

2. 

   13 Aug 2026

   EP168: Can HBCUs Lead the AI Revolution? Dr. Anthony Graham, Chancellor, UAPB

   Can HBCUs Lead the AI Revolution? Dr. Anthony Graham, Chancellor, UAPB To watch on our YouTube channel, click here. In this episode of In The Margins, we sit down with Dr. Anthony Graham, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), to explore how leadership, innovation, and purpose-driven strategy can transform not just an institution, but an entire region. Drawing from his foundation as a classroom teacher, Graham shares how his leadership is rooted in relationships, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to developing the whole student. He unpacks UAPB's bold vision to become a nationally recognized, preeminent land-grant institution, serving as a catalyst for talent development, innovation, and economic renewal across the Arkansas Delta. The conversation, with The EDU Ledger host Ralph Newell, dives into the university's approach to artificial intelligence, workforce readiness, and research, highlighting initiatives like the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (CAIDA) and groundbreaking work in aquaculture and agriculture. Graham also outlines what it takes to achieve Carnegie R2 designation, including difficult institutional decisions, program alignment, and a shift toward transdisciplinary, problem-focused research. At its core, this episode is about redefining student success, embracing change in higher education, and building systems that prepare students to lead, solve problems, and drive economic impact. KEY POINTS: Graham's leadership philosophy rooted in teaching, relationships, and data Why leaders must enter institutions as learners, not with preconceived models AI as a tool, and why problem literacy matters more than technical skills The push to demystify AI and build data-informed cultures through CAIDA What it takes to reach Carnegie R2: research investment, doctoral output, and alignment Why institutions must make hard decisions about outdated academic programs The shift toward "braided funding" and less reliance on federal dollars Redefining student success as holistic development beyond graduation metrics UAPB's vision to drive talent, innovation, and economic renewal across the Arkansas Delta QUOTABLES: "The most important skill that there is, is relationship building." – Dr. Anthony Graham "AI may not take your job, but someone who knows how to use AI may take your job." – Dr. Anthony Graham "It really is about lifting all people so that the region thrives." – Dr. Anthony Graham GUEST RESOURCES: Our Chancellor - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/The-EDU-Ledger X/Twitter: https://x.com/TheEDULedger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEDULedger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheEDULedger Threads: https://www.threads.com/@TheEDULedger Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/TheEDULedger.bsky.social WATCH THIS VIDEO AND OTHERS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEDULedger Closed captioning and a live show transcription are available in the video for this episode. In The Margins is produced by The EDU Ledger and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/ (https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.epyc.co%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmaya%40diverseeducation.com%7C4372df80d1cc40926fc608ddfb8e733e%7C51e0b4f86cf0405f893fc9aa5fc38e0b%7C0%7C0%7C638943311418433136%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sZTg98ZJpKAEpAur5nyIlEIuf1ydlIfH%2BETS5qqQ3d8%3D&reserved=0)).

3. 

   7 May 2026

   EP167: The Future of Community Colleges: Leadership, Funding, and Student Success | Jee Hang Lee

   In this episode of In The Margins, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, host of Discovering Your Mission, sits down with Jee Hang Lee, President and CEO of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), for a timely and unfiltered conversation on the future of community colleges, leadership, and student success. Drawing from his journey from Capitol Hill to leading one of the most influential organizations in higher education, Lee shares a national perspective on the growing pressures facing community colleges, from funding uncertainty and political complexity to increasing competition across the education landscape. He challenges leaders to rethink how institutions define value, emphasizing that programs must translate into real economic opportunity for students. Their conversation dives deep into what separates high-performing governing boards, the evolving role of college presidents, and why leadership today requires far more than academic expertise. Lee also unpacks the importance of long-term strategic thinking, workforce alignment, and building systems that truly support students, especially those navigating complex life circumstances. At its core, this episode is a call to action: for leaders to stay mission-driven, think systemically, and ensure that community colleges remain not just a point of access but a pathway to lasting success. KEY POINTS: Jee Hang Lee's journey from public policy to leading ACCT and advocating for community colleges The growing pressure to prove the economic value of higher education programs in a post-pandemic world Why community college programs must align with real wages and workforce outcomes The shift toward stackable learning and incremental education pathways for modern students The 3 core governance principles (duty of care, loyalty, obedience) that define high-performing boards How funding instability and state-level decisions are reshaping institutional strategy The expanding competition from four-year institutions entering workforce and associate degree spaces Why today's college presidents must operate as advocates, fundraisers, communicators, and crisis managers The importance of long-term strategic planning, including demographic shifts and enrollment pipelines Why community colleges may be the "first and last door" to higher education for many students Leadership requires a mission beyond compensation to sustain impact and longevity QUOTABLES: "We have to do a better job of showcasing the earning potential… and really showcase that there is substantive value for our students." – Jee Hang Lee "Politics has always… permeated public institutions of higher education." – Jee Hang Lee "You have to have a grounding of why you do your job." – Jee Hang Lee "Providing that opportunity to build your educational platform… is something that we should be focusing on."   – Jee Hang Lee GUEST RESOURCES: Jee Hang Lee | ACCT ItsDrMordecai.com - Official Website of Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/The-EDU-Ledger X/Twitter: https://x.com/TheEDULedger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEDULedger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheEDULedger Threads: https://www.threads.com/@TheEDULedger Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/TheEDULedger.bsky.social WATCH THIS VIDEO AND OTHERS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEDULedger Closed captioning and a live show transcription are available in the video for this episode. In The Margins is produced by The EDU Ledger and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

Who has been a guest on In The Margins

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Stephanie Rodriguez
• Dr Carrie B Kisker
• Jayo Adegboyo
• Jaida Ross
• Ruthe Farmer

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

81,429

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 82 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

96

Social presence

0

YouTube

85

Engagement

85

Contact In The Margins

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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