Episodios

  • The Importance of Cultivating a Sense of Belonging

    The Importance of Cultivating a Sense of Belonging
    Sep 17 2025
    How does our current sense of belonging shape our future professional endeavors? In this episode, Dr. VaNessa Thompson, an academic program manager in Rackham, discusses research she has conducted on belonging—both in her dissertation and with U-M graduate students. Explore how seeing belonging as a relationship we need to tend can help us get the most out of our graduate experience, and the U-M resources that can help you do just that. Resources Career CenterRackham EventsGraduate Student and Program Consultation ServicesGraduate Students Happening @ MichiganGet Involved and Find Your CommunityGraduate Student Opportunities at the Ginsberg CenterConnect2Community PortalCheck out your department for programming and student community groups! Rackham Student Groups Graduate Rackham International (GRIN)Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR) Resources for Student Communities Students of colorParents and caregiversStudents with disabilitiesVeterans and military servicesInternational studentsLGBTQ+ studentsLGBTQ+ student groupsUndocumented and DACAmented studentsFirst-generation students Visit the GradWell website for more! Reach out to Dr. Thompson with any questions: vpthomps@umich.edu Email us about the podcast: rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu Stay in touch by joining Gradwell's MCommunity group! Guest Bio VaNessa Thompson (she/her/hers) loves the classroom. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at the Oakland Community College English department. She has also been an adjunct instructor at Lawrence Technological University, Oakland University, and the Engineering Society of Detroit. Through her appointments, she has taught a variety of topics, including professional communication, technical writing, and leadership. She completed her Ph.D. in educational leadership while being a CORE program coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. VaNessa's love for social media (@heydrvanessa) is more than just a hobby. She is continually exploring new ways to utilize social media to connect with students both inside and outside the classroom.
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    44 m
  • Decoding the Academy

    Decoding the Academy
    Sep 3 2025

    What is the best strategy to ensure success in our graduate programs?

    In this episode, Dr. Terra Molengraff, the program director of First-Generation Initiatives in the Office of Academic and Multicultural Initiatives, discusses her book Decoding the Academy. Listen in and learn about the questions we need to be asking, as well as Dr. Molengraff’s key tips for your first few weeks of graduate school (and beyond).

    While Dr. Molengraff’s research focuses on the first-generation experience, her results offer insights that all graduate students (especially new students) will benefit from.

    Resources

    • Email Dr. Terra Molengraff
    • Decoding the Academy
    • Rackham Professional Development Opportunities
    • University Career Center
    • Graduate Students Happening @ Michigan
    • Get Involved and Find Your Community
    • Graduate Student Opportunities at the Ginsberg Center
    • Connect2Community Portal

    Visit the GradWell website for more!

    Reach out to Dr. Molengraff with any questions: terrajm@umich.edu

    Email us about the podcast: rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu

    Stay in touch by joining Gradwell's MCommunity group!

    Guest Bio

    Terra Molengraff is the program director of first-generation initiatives at the University of Michigan. She graduated with her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota's Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development Graduate Program. Her research focuses on how colleges and universities support first-generation college students, with an emphasis on institutional change agents and organizational change. As a first-generation college student, her work now supports first-generation students and focuses on the intersections of the first-generation identity and how the structures of higher education can be changed to support students.
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    44 m
  • Psychological Safety in the Graduate Advisor Relationship

    Psychological Safety in the Graduate Advisor Relationship
    Sep 3 2025

    How does our relationship with our graduate advisor affect our personal and professional wellness, our ability to innovate, and our lives after graduate school?

    In this episode, Dorian Bobbett, a Ph.D. candidate in engineering, discusses her research on the relationship between advisor mentoring and student well-being. Explore the things we can do as grad students to ensure that our relationship with our advisor is a good one, and where to find the resources at Michigan that can help you cultivate the strong mentoring relationship you deserve.

    Resources

    Michigan-based

    • Email Dorian Bobbett
    • Thrive Lab
    • Mentoring Others Results in Excellence
    • Well-Being Collective
    • Office of the Ombuds
    • Office of Student Conflict Resolution
    • Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services
    • Guide for Graduate Student Mentees
    • Graduate Student Mentoring Guide

    Outside the university

    • Amy Edmondson - Psychological Safety Research

    Visit the GradWell website for more!

    Reach out to Dorian with any questions: dbobbett@umich.edu

    Email us about the podcast: rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu

    Stay in touch by joining Gradwell's MCommunity group!

    Guest Bio

    Dorian (she/her) is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Engineering Education Research program at the University of Michigan. She became interested in engineering education research through her work as an undergraduate teaching assistant and as a volunteer with several K-12 STEM outreach organizations. Dorian’s current research explores the relationships between doctoral engineering students and their advisors in an effort to build more psychologically safe advising relationships for Ph.D. students. She is also currently serving as a graduate student staff assistant with Rackham’s MORE committee to dive deeper into the practical applications of her research.
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    42 m
  • Spiritual Well-Being with Kelly Dunlop of Student Life & Christine Modey of the Community Scholars Program

    Spiritual Well-Being with Kelly Dunlop of Student Life & Christine Modey of the Community Scholars Program
    Apr 16 2025
    How can spiritual wellness help us navigate the difficulties we encounter in grad school? Explore this question and more with Christine Modey, Director of the Michigan Community Scholars Program, and Kelly Dunlop, Michigan's Spiritual, Secular, Religious, and Interfaith Engagement Lead. Listen in and learn why our spiritual life looks different now than when we were in undergrad; how to build spiritual wellness from the small things we do everyday; and the resources throughout campus that can support your journey to greater spiritual well-being. Spiritual Well-Being Resources Religious, Secular and Spiritual Life at MichiganAssociation of Religious CounselorsNature RxSpiritual ResourcesInterfaith Resource PageCAPS - Spirituality-Focused CounselorsReligious Holiday Calendars & Fact SheetsProgram in Creativity & Consciousness StudiesMichigan Medicine Spiritual Care ResourcesLaw Library Spiritual Wellness ResourcesGratitude Email GeneratorWeekly Virtual Meditation ProgramWeekly Mindful Meditation SitsINSPIRES - Campus Climate IndexFetzer Institute - Study of Spirituality in the USThe Awakened BrainOnline Courses Finding Purpose & Meaning in LifeMindfulness, Dignity, & the Art of Human ConnectionPurpose at Work Something small to do right now for your spiritual well-being: Give yourself some well-deserved space for prayer, meditation, or reflection while you're on campus and stop by a reflection room Visit the GradWell website for more Email us with any questions: rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu Stay in touch by joining Gradwell's MCommunity group! Guests' Bios Christine Modey Prior to becoming the director of the Michigan Community Scholars Program in June of 2020, Christine was the faculty director of the Sweetland Peer Writing Consultant Program, where she taught courses in peer writing consultation theory and practice and supported an outstanding staff of undergrad peer writing consultants. She is the co-editor, with David Schoem and Ed St. John, of Teaching The Whole Student: Engaged Learning With Heart, Mind, and Spirit. For more than twenty years, she has been a member of an Episcopal church sharing a building with a Reform Jewish synagogue. She currently chairs the board of the Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County. Kelly Dunlop With a focus on fostering inclusive communities and promoting programs, dialogue and training across diverse belief systems, Kelly continues her tenure on campus from her previous role as Associate Director for the Center for Campus Involvement in Student Life, in which she served since 2016. Prior to her work in Student Life, Kelly leveraged her passion for building bridges and nurturing understanding among individuals of diverse worldviews as a campus minister and community organizer. Kelly knows well what it takes to meet people where they are in the best and worst of times, to listen deeply and to create meaningful collaborations for systemic change.
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    45 m
  • Financial Well-Being with Dr. Gautam Kaul from Ross School of Business

    Financial Well-Being with Dr. Gautam Kaul from Ross School of Business
    Apr 2 2025

    Why doesn’t money have that much to do with financial well-being?

    In this episode, Dr. Gautam Kaul, Professor of Finance at Ross, explains the answer to this question and discusses how to think differently about debt, money, and our time in graduate school. Listen in and learn how to see finance as a framework that can give you the agency that's necessary to actualize your well-being.

    Financial Well-Being Resources

    • Financial Well-Being Resources
    • Financial Empowerment Series (CEW+)
    • Financial Wellness Resources (Michigan Law)
    • Resources for Financial Needs and Medical Assistance
    • Resource Coach
    • Financial Wellness Program (University of Michigan Credit Union)
    • Modern Financial Literacy Tools (University of Michigan Credit Union)
    • Financial Wellness Resources (University of Michigan Credit Union)
    • Online Courses
      • Finance Courses on Michigan Online
      • Finance Courses on edX
      • Financial Literacy Courses on edX
      • Cash Course (free for students!)
      • Finance Courses on Coursera (free for students!)

    Something small to do right now for your financial well-being: Check out Dr. Kaul’s Finance for Everyone course on Michigan Online

    Visit the GradWell website for more

    Email us with any questions: rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu

    Stay in touch by joining Gradwell's MCommunity group!

    Guest Bio

    Gautam Kaul, Ph.D., is a professor of finance at the Ross School of Business who has published extensively in top journals in finance on topics covering a wide spectrum of the field. He has devoted more than a decade to developing a new model of education that is multidisciplinary, research-based, and problem-driven, embracing anytime/anywhere education. He is the founding managing director of three programs, which he created in partnership with graduate students, that reflect this new model of education: the Social Venture Fund, the International Investment Fund, and the Michigan Climate Venture. All three programs depart from the top-down, sage-on-stage model and follow a Ph.D.-like collaborative model wherein everything is co-managed with teams of elected graduate students, with the explicit goal of providing them with ownership and responsibility for their own learning.
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    40 m
  • Physical Well-Being with Dr. Robert Ernst from the Office of the President & Ellen Taylor from the Recreational Department

    Physical Well-Being with Dr. Robert Ernst from the Office of the President & Ellen Taylor from the Recreational Department
    Mar 19 2025
    How can we incorporate movement and physical activity into our lives in ways that will actually stick? In this two-part episode, Michigan’s chief health officer, Dr. Robert Ernst explores the relationships that are important for our physical well-being. Then, Ellen Taylor, senior assistant director of fitness & wellness from the Rec Department, explains how physical activity can function as a balance to the competitive, results-driven focus of our graduate careers. Listen in and learn about all the fitness classes, skills workshops, outdoor programs, ropes courses, equipment rentals, and more that are available here at Michigan to help you best achieve your movement goals. Physical Well-Being Resources University Health ServiceWolverine WellnessWellness Coaching No Sweat by Michelle Segar Walking, Running, Rolling MapsMindfulness Videos (CAPS) Sustainable Food Locations on CampusM Healthy’s Active U A Breath of Fresh Air Guided Nature ExperiencesNature Rx ResourcesNature Rx AppNutrition Counseling CenterMichigan Medicine Podcast NetworkKinesiology Community ProgramsMichigan Recreation Offerings Indoor PoolIntramural Sports BuildingNorth Campus Recreational Center Hadley Center, Central Campus (soon to come!) The Bubble, Palmer Field (temporary facility until Hadley opens)Outdoor Equipment RentalsMichigan Outdoor Leadership Education SeriesOutdoor Adventure TripsWilderness First Responder TrainingOutdoor Skills for GroupsIntramural SportsClub SportsEsportsFitness ClassesPersonal TrainingGroup TrainingHigh Ropes CourseRed Cross and First Aid CertificationEmpowerment Self Defense Workshop Movement Resources Stretching & Flexibility DocumentDesk Exercises Stretching at Work Lower Back Movements Shoulder Movements Neck & Upper Torso Movements Knee Movements Hip Movements Hand & Foot Movements Core Movements Women's Health Resources Women's Health ResourcesWomen's Health Classes & SupportBreast Feeding Resources Sleep Resources Sleep Well, Be Well Newsletter Sign up Sleep Resources (Michigan HR)Sleep Resources (Michigan Health)Sleep ClinicSleep Tips Online Sleep Course Something small to do right now for your physical well-being: Check out MHealthy’s Physical Activity Videos for quick movement breaks you can incorporate throughout your day Visit the GradWell website for more Email us with any questions: rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu Stay in touch by joining Gradwell's MCommunity group! Guests' Bios Dr. Robert Ernst Dr. Robert Ernst serves as the Chief Health Officer for the University of Michigan and Associate Vice President for Health and Wellness in the university’s Division of Student Life. As chief health officer, he is a key advisor to the university’s president on the promotion of health and wellness, disease management, public health preparedness, and other topics related to community well-being. His vision is to embed well-being into all aspects of campus culture and to inform the institution in its aspirational goal to become a health-promoting university. Ellen Taylor Ellen Taylor is a professional with over 20 years of experience in fostering wellness and fitness within the collegiate environment. As the Senior Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness at the University of Michigan Department of Recreation Sports, she specializes in developing comprehensive programs that emphasize holistic wellbeing. Ellen holds a BS in Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin and is an ACE certified personal trainer and health coach. Her expertise lies in crafting initiatives that promote student development and broader understanding of physical activity, highlighting the myriad benefits of movement beyond just physical improvement.
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    46 m
  • Environmental Well-Being with John Muckler from the College of Engineering

    Environmental Well-Being with John Muckler from the College of Engineering
    Mar 5 2025
    How can designing with neurodiversity in mind positively impact all students’ academic success? In this episode, John Muckler, Director of IT Facilities and Operations in the College of Engineering, discusses how the built environment can affect our thoughts and feelings and why the spaces “in-between” matter just as much as the classroom when it comes to our academic success. Explore how thinking differently about sound, lighting, open space, and furniture can positively shape your academic performance and how an expert like John is a key resource at Michigan to help you take your environmental well-being to the next level. Environmental Well-Being Resources John Muckler, himselfThe Well-Being Collective HR Well-Being ResourcesCollege of Engineering Inclusive Space Website Beyster Neurodiverse-Friendly, Quiet Study Space - Developed by John Muckler GG Brown Neurodiverse-Friendly, Quiet Study Space - Developed by John Muckler Study Spots Across North and Central Campus More Study Spots on (Central) CampusStudy, Socializing, and Reflection Spaces in the UnionsRackham Study SpacesSustainability Tips - Office of Campus Sustainability Sustainability Opportunities - Planet BluePlanet Blue Resource ToolkitWhere to Throw Away Different Types of Waste - Office of Campus Sustainability Compost Locations on Campus Weekly Farm Stand Sustainable Food Program Bike ResourcesBotanical Gardens and Arboretum Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services Knox Center for Students Connected with Services for Students with Disabilities Something small to do right now for your environmental well-being: Check out the Nature Rx app for over 100 spots of nature and beauty on and around campus. Find your new favorite spot today! Visit the GradWell website for more Email us with any questions: rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu Stay in touch by joining Gradwell's MCommunity group! Guest Bio John Muckler plays a vital role in coordinating and managing the facilities and operations for Michigan Engineering IT, overseeing the production and planning of computer labs, classrooms, and other learning spaces across campus. He provides leadership in project management and planning for the College and other campus units, including new construction and renovations, and offers consultation on furniture recommendations and specifications. As a key resource for assistive and adaptive technology, John guides students, faculty, and staff to the appropriate experts and resources on campus, and often directly assists with necessary furniture accommodations. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Facilities for the Duderstadt Center.
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    28 m
  • Emotional Well-Being with Taylor Pahl & Erin Gaines from Campus Mind Works

    Emotional Well-Being with Taylor Pahl & Erin Gaines from Campus Mind Works
    Feb 19 2025
    How big do our morning or evening routines need to be to count towards our well-being? In this episode, Taylor Pahl and Erin Gaines of Campus Mind Works discuss the benefits of treating wellness like a muscle and the imperfect well-being we should strive for. Listen in and learn all the ways Campus Mind Works can help provide you with strategies, literacy, and opportunities to improve your mental health and emotional well-being. Emotional Well-Being Resources Campus Mind Works Monthly Wellness GroupsWellness Group Asynchronous PresentationsWellness ResourcesInformation on Mental Illnesses Well-Being Management ChecklistsIdentity-Specific Resources and Videos Depression Center ToolkitMiTalk Self-Help ResourcesCAPSWolverine Support NetworkStressbusters appCalm appMARI at UMich Something small to do right now for your emotional well-being: Treat yourself to some calm in a wellness zone in Michigan Union (4th floor), Pierpont Commons (lower level), or Munger Residence Hall (lower level) Visit the GradWell website for more Email us with any questions: rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu Stay in touch by joining Gradwell's MCommunity group! Guests' Bios Erin Gaines, M.S.W., LLMSW Erin Gaines, M.S.W., LLMSW, is the outreach and education program coordinator at the Eisenberg Family Depression Center. After relocating to the University of Michigan to earn her Master of Social Work, she graduated in 2022 with a focus on integrated health, mental health, and substance abuse. Erin holds a limited master’s license and is working toward full licensure as a part-time outpatient therapist. With a passion for both macro- and micro-level social work, she has gained valuable experience in health education, community mental health, substance use harm reduction, and various diversity, equity, and inclusion research projects. In her current role, Erin is dedicated to expanding mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and enhancing access to mental health services for youth and college students through educational programming and community-building initiatives. Taylor Pahl, M.S.W., LMSW-C Taylor Pahl, M.S.W., LMSW-C, specialist for outreach and education programs with the Eisenberg Family Depression Center, received her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and holds her license in clinical social work in the State of Michigan. Taylor has worked in the mental health field in various capacities and is committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and increasing help-seeking among the general population. At the Depression Center, Taylor is responsible for facilitating the Campus Mind Works wellness groups that provide psychoeducation and support for college student mental health, assisting with the Peer-to-Peer Depression Awareness Program that is a peer-based mental health program for middle and high school students, helping to plan the national Mental Health on College Campuses Conference, and providing mental health education trainings as requested. In addition to her role at the Depression Center, Taylor provides therapy for adolescents and young adults through a private practice.
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    44 m