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In The Margins

In The Margins

By: Diverse Education
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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.2020 Politics & Government
Episodes
  • EP165: Black Woman on Board: Power, Access, and the Legacy of Claudia Hampton

    EP165: Black Woman on Board: Power, Access, and the Legacy of Claudia Hampton
    Mar 19 2026
    In this powerful episode of In The Margins, our newest content partner Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, host of Discovering Your Mission, sits down with Dr. Donna J. Nicol, Associate Dean for Personnel and Curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts at California State University Long Beach (CSULB), and author of Black Woman on Board, to explore the remarkable leadership story of Dr. Claudia Hampton – the first Black woman appointed to the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees. Drawing from her research and personal reflections, Nicol unpacks how Hampton navigated the complex power dynamics of higher education governance during a pivotal era for affirmative action and institutional access. Rather than relying solely on confrontation, Hampton employed what Nicol describes as "sly civility" or a strategic leadership approach that balanced diplomacy, influence, and long-term vision to expand opportunity for underrepresented students. The conversation moves beyond biography to examine broader lessons about leadership inside systems not originally designed for inclusion. From board politics and racial dynamics to strategic advocacy and mission-driven service, Nicol offers a powerful framework for emerging leaders navigating institutions today. At its core, this episode explores the enduring question of leadership: when to speak, when to build capital, and how to use influence to create lasting change. KEY POINTS: Nicol's academic journey and her commitment to equity and leadership in higher education How Black Woman on Board uncovers the overlooked story of CSU trustee Dr. Claudia Hampton Hampton as the first Black woman appointed to the CSU Board of Trustees Understanding "sly civility" through building trust and influence before deploying power Board politics, race, and gender shaped the dynamics of higher education governance in the 1970s and beyond How Hampton strategically negotiated resources and leadership decisions to advance affirmative action and institutional access Effective leadership requires understanding when to speak forcefully and when to build alliances quietly The importance of mission-driven leadership and serving students QUOTABLES: "I've always believed that every person has a mission. It's something you discover through experience, through challenge, and through a deep commitment to serving others." – Dr. Mordecai Brownlee "I stayed with a major that I was passionate about, as opposed to one that I thought might be lucrative." – Dr. Donna J. Nicol "Sly civility requires you to be civil with the people who have power in order for you to gain access to their institutions." – Dr. Donna J. Nicol "My personal mission is to provide the greatest good for the greatest number." – Dr. Donna J. Nicol GUEST RESOURCES: Dr. Donna J. Nicol 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/).
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    30 mins
  • EP164: Leading Through Uncertainty: Dr. Emelyn dela Peña on Mission-Driven Higher Education

    EP164: Leading Through Uncertainty: Dr. Emelyn dela Peña on Mission-Driven Higher Education
    Feb 19 2026
    In this episode we sit down with Dr. Emelyn dela Peña, President and CEO of NADOHE, for a timely conversation on leadership, mission clarity, and sustaining equity work in a rapidly shifting higher education landscape. Drawing from her personal journey growing up in a diverse Los Angeles community, navigating loss and economic transition, and building a decades-long career across institutions like Stanford, Harvard, and Loyola, dela Peña reflects on the formative experiences that shaped her commitment to access, belonging, and student success. She shares how moments of protest, community support, and witnessing institutional responses to crisis helped define her purpose as an educator and leader. The conversation, with In the Margins, host Ralph Newell, explores the current national climate surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion work, including legal challenges, institutional overcorrections, and the growing role of fear in decision-making. And dela Peña emphasizes the importance of lawful, mission-driven leadership, deep listening, and centering those historically pushed to the margins. She also outlines her priorities as NADOHE's new president and CEO, including professional development, coalition building, and sustaining a community of practice for equity practitioners navigating uncertainty. At its core, this episode is a call to remain grounded in values, to support the people doing this work, and to remember that changing language should never mean changing commitments to fairness, representation, and opportunity. KEY POINTS: dela Peña's diverse upbringing shaped her commitment to inclusion Early advocacy experiences led her to a lifelong career in higher education The pandemic revealed hidden inequities and leadership blind spots Institutions must address structural barriers, not just surface-level access Fear and misinformation are driving institutional overcorrections Lawful, mission-driven leadership remains essential for equity work Compliance often means adapting programs, not eliminating them Eliminating DEI offices can result in loss of community and support systems Coalition building and cross-sector partnerships are key to sustaining the work Students and committed educators remain the greatest source of hope QUOTABLES: "It was such a wonderful experience to have grown up with all of that diversity… and to be welcomed by so many different kinds of families." — Dr. Emelyn dela Peña "There's always something under the surface that we need to think about when we are leaders of organizations." — Dr. Emelyn dela Peña "Our position has always been that we are committed to lawful mission-driven work." — Dr. Emelyn dela Peña "Our students give me hope… they demand that we live up to the things we say are important to us." — Dr. Emelyn dela Peña "If we shift language, we don't have to shift values." — Dr. Emelyn dela Peña RESOURCES: Emelyn A. dela Peña Named NADOHE President and CEO 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/).
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    55 mins
  • EP163: From Credentials to Skills: Rethinking Opportunity in the Modern Economy, with NSC CEO Brooke DeRenzis

    EP163: From Credentials to Skills: Rethinking Opportunity in the Modern Economy, with NSC CEO Brooke DeRenzis
    Feb 12 2026
    In this episode, The EDU Leger is excited to present the first in a series of content from our newest podcast partner, Discovering Your Mission with Dr. Mordecai. Tune in as Dr. Mordecai Brownlee welcomes guest Brooke DeRenzis, CEO of the National Skills Coalition, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of work, skills-based hiring, and the evolving role of higher education in an economy defined by rapid change. Drawing on national policy leadership and personal lived experience, DeRenzis explores why skills: technical, digital, and durable have become the foundation of economic mobility and why credentials must evolve to reflect real workforce needs. Their conversation also examines the rise of working learners, including the growing importance of community and technical colleges and the urgent need to design education (and workforce systems) that support lifelong learning. At the center of the discussion is a clear message: workforce training is not a "second chance" system, but a first-choice investment in people, communities, and national prosperity. From skills-based hiring and workforce to equity, policy implementation, and student voice, this episode offers a human-centered, policy-informed look at how investing in skills is essential to building a more inclusive and resilient economy. KEY POINTS: Skills are the foundation of economic mobility in today's workforce Credentials should validate skills, not act as barriers to opportunity Working learners are now central to the future of higher education Community and technical colleges play a critical role in workforce advancement Skills training should be treated as a first-choice investment, not a fallback option Skills-based hiring expands talent pipelines and reduces inequities Continuous learning and upskilling are essential in an AI-driven economy Equity must be embedded into the workforce and education policy design Student voice and lived experience are critical to effective policy implementation QUOTABLES: "Jobs that require skills training are the backbone of our economy." – Brooke DeRenzis "The answer, increasingly, is found in skills and opportunity and in systems that are designed to lift people, not leave them behind." – Dr. Mordecai Brownlee "Higher education has always played a key role in unlocking opportunity and shared prosperity." – Brooke DeRenzis "Ninety-two percent of all jobs require at least one digital skill." – Brooke DeRenzis "Everyone deserves an investment in their potential." – Brooke DeRenzis GUEST RESOURCES: Brooke DeRenzis - National Skills Coalition 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/).
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    29 mins
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