Cornell University's Inclusive Excellence Podcast
Join Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel from the Department of Inclusion and Belonging as they dive into discussions on topics related to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They will interview colleagues throughout Cornell who are working to build spaces of belonging for all Cornell employees and provide information on how you can begin building these spaces today.
Episodes
April 24, 2026 • 54 mins
In the season finale, Erin and Toral are joined by Kyle Kimball, Vice President for University Relations at Cornell. Together, they explore the evolving role of higher education in today’s complex and often polarized climate. Kyle shares insights into how universities engage with topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion, the importance of storytelling in shaping institutional impact, and the responsibility of higher educa...
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April 10, 2026 • 49 mins
Erin and Toral sit down with Dr. Omari Keeles, Senior Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Cornell Tech, for a candid and thoughtful conversation about what it truly means to do DEI work. Omari reframes DEIB as “mission-driven work”, challenging the idea that it fits neatly into a single definition. He explores how context (particularly within a globally diverse campus like Cornell Tech) shapes ho...
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March 27, 2026 • 60 mins
In this episode, Erin and Toral are joined by Jada Hamilton, Senior Director of Clinical Operations at Cornell Health; Qiana Watson, First-Gen/Low-Income Community Liaison and therapist at Cornell Health; and Herb Alexander, Chief People Officer and Chief Diversity Officer at Centralus Health, to discuss the roles universities and communities play in advancing health equity. Together, they explore the historical roots of healthcare...
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March 13, 2026 • 42 mins
Sometimes the best way to build community is simply to start at the table. Josh Holden, Senior Chef for Cornell Dining, joins Erin and Toral to share how campus dining has evolved to create spaces where students feel welcomed, represented, and connected. Through culturally significant meals, student collaborations, and community partnerships, Cornell Dining has embraced food as a powerful tool for building belonging. Chef Josh shar...
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February 27, 2026 • 58 mins
In this episode, Annie Heckel, Electronic Information Technology Accessibility Manager, and D Krahmer, Diversity and Inclusion Research Librarian at Catherwood Library and Cornell University Library Disability Services representative, explore how accessibility transforms productivity, creativity, and belonging — and why designing for access benefits everyone. From screen readers to AI tools to simple formatting habits, discov...
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February 13, 2026 • 61 mins
In this episode, Erin and Toral sit down with Jeff Benton and Brett Weinroth, co-founders of Paragon Performance Evolution, to explore the science and practice of “coherence” – a physiological state where the heart, brain, and nervous system are aligned. Jeff and Brett unpack how chronic stress quietly shapes our behavior, limits empathy and trust, and impacts decision-making in the workplace. Through research, re...
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January 30, 2026 • 23 mins
As 2026 begins, cohosts Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel return with a reflective conversation on the assumptions we often make about holidays, cultural observances, and availability at work. They explore how religious, spiritual, and cultural identities, like other aspects of our lives, will intersect with our work experience. From scheduling meetings and planning events to fasting, flexibility and time off, this episode unpacks ...
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December 5, 2025 • 51 mins
In this fall-finale, Erin and Toral sit down with Basil Safi, Executive Director of the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement, for a closer look at community-engaged learning — an approach that goes beyond traditional volunteerism. Basil explains how Cornell empowers students to work with communities, not just for them, and why curiosity is key to understanding differences. Tune in to hear about Cornell’s glo...
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November 21, 2025 • 47 mins
Erin and Toral welcome Sharifa Wip (she/her), Associate Dean of Students and Director of Black Student Empowerment, and Cameron White (he/him), graduate fellow and MHA student in the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, to explore how creating spaces of affirmation can transform a student’s experience at Cornell. Sharifa shares her vision for cultivating belonging and describes how mentorship has shaped her approach...
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November 7, 2025 • 44 mins
Coming out later in life reshaped how Mark Dembo (he/him/his), Area Director for Cornell Custom Executive Education, leads and lives. Erin and Toral welcome him to the podcast to discuss how that experience transformed not only his personal journey but also his approach to leadership. Mark reflects on the years he spent hiding parts of his identity and how embracing them brought new confidence, empathy, and vulnerability to his wor...
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October 24, 2025 • 30 mins
In part two of the 100th episode celebration, Erin and Toral continue their conversation with the show’s original creators and past cohosts Dr. Cornell Verdeja-Woodson, Sherron Brown, and Anthony Sis. The group reflects on the roots and ripple effects of the podcast by sharing more behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned, and the laughter and moments that shaped it all. Tune in to a conversation that honors the legacy of t...
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October 10, 2025 • 50 mins
In a special two-part celebration marking 100 episodes of the IE Podcast, Erin and Toral welcome back the show’s original creators and past cohosts Dr. Cornell Verdeja-Woodson (he/him/his), Sherron Brown (she/her/hers), and Anthony Sis (he/they). Together, they revisit the untold stories behind the podcast’s humble beginnings, the “scrappy” days with a single Yeti mic, and the community that transformed a si...
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September 26, 2025 • 55 mins
As the IE Podcast approaches its 100th episode, we’re catching up with three familiar voices: Caleb Yu (Season 4), Mia Ferraina (Season 3), and Cyrus Hamilton-Ferguson (Season 5). In this special conversation, they reflect on how their lives and perspectives have evolved since their first appearances, what being on the podcast meant to them, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way about identity, inclusion, and be...
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September 3, 2025 • 24 mins
In this season opener of the Inclusive Excellence Podcast, co-hosts Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel pause to reflect on their podcast journey as they approach a major milestone — 100 episodes. They share why they keep showing up behind the mic, how their approach to hosting has evolved, and what they’ve learned from the many voices and stories shared over the years. From personal moments of vulnerability to powerful i...
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April 25, 2025 • 51 mins
As her impactful term comes to a close, Dean Kathryn Boor ’80 joins Erin and Toral for a powerful season finale. From earning her undergraduate degree in food science at Cornell to becoming a trailblazing researcher, professor, and academic leader, Dean Boor reflects on her remarkable journey. She opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, championing inclusive excellence, and supporting a diverse graduate student populatio...
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April 11, 2025 • 34 mins
In this episode, Erin and Toral are going back to the basics. Today, the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are taking center stage in many conversations and debates. However, much of the discourse and media representation is muddled by misunderstandings and inaccurate definitions. Erin and Toral break down what each of these terms truly mean, why they’re interconnected, and how they are each reflected in everyday l...
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March 26, 2025 • 60 mins
Allyship is more than just a buzzword—it’s about action, accountability, and showing up in meaningful ways. In this episode, Sam Benson, Assistant Director for Graduate Affairs for MS and PhD Students in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Perdita Das, Assistant Dean of Hans Bethe House, discuss what allyship really means, how to navigate mistakes, and the ways we can all create more inclusive spaces. Through cand...
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March 11, 2025 • 50 mins
Join Erin and Toral for an inspiring conversation with Dr. La Jerne Terry Cornish, President of Ithaca College, as she shares her journey from the front of a sixth-grade classroom in Baltimore to the helm of a higher education institution. Discover the pivotal mentors who shaped her path, the power of authentic leadership, and why creating “brave spaces” is essential for true belonging. Dr. Cornish highlights her commit...
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February 28, 2025 • 49 mins
Julie Edwards, Assistant Vice President for Student Health and Wellbeing at Cornell, joins Erin and Toral for a powerful conversation about building a health-promoting campus. She shares how the adoption of the Okanagan Charter is shaping Cornell’s holistic approach to wellbeing, why fostering a culture of health is a shared responsibility, and the real impact of systemic changes like implementing floating holidays and credit...
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February 11, 2025 • 46 mins
In this episode, Erin and Toral sit down with Thomas Jones (he/him/his), fair employment practice specialist at Cornell, to explore the transformative impact of the Restorative Record Project. Thomas shares his personal journey from incarceration to higher education and his role in helping justice-involved individuals highlight their skills and potential in the job market. Thomas discusses overcoming barriers, the power of transfer...
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