culture – Greek University

Dr. Imogene Drakes: How College Students Travel on a Budget

By admin on July 22, 2026

Dr. Imogene Drakes is a career scientist, spiritual researcher, and international speaker. She grew up in Guyana’s multicultural society before moving to the United States in 1989. Her early passion for science led to a journey that would take her across six continents in search of the truth about religion, mythology, and science. Dr. Drakes managed clinical and forensic analyses in Guyana and served as lecturer for the Guyana Police Academy. After relocating to the US, she worked in clinical laboratory science, retiring as a Laboratory Director in 2025. Her diverse interests include teaching public health at SUNY Downstate, singing in a gospel choir, and volunteering as a board member in her community. Dr. Drakes has been recognized for outstanding community service and has presented at major medical society meetings, including as the opening presenter of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Vermont Medical Society. Dr. Drakes is the author of “Around the World in 42 Days”.

In episode 692 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what lessons from her multicultural upbringing continues to shape her worldview today, what were the key decisions that shaped your professional path, what inspired her to take a solo journey through 10 countries and 11 ancient sites in just 42 days, what her travels taught her about uncertainty and self-discovery, how college students can find meaning and growth even if they don’t have the resources to travel around the world, what are some simple techniques students can use when they’re feeling overwhelmed, how to pause when feeling peer pressure and make better decisions in those moments, how to create cultures where people feel safe speaking up when something doesn’t feel right, an example of public health achievements that came through laws and policies that most people never think about, and questions about life and purpose students are asking today that she thinks deserve more attention. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_qXCvtia14

Fraternity/Sorority

Marc Dumas: Accountability in Fraternity and Sorority Chapters

By admin on July 21, 2026

Marc Dumas is finishing up his term as National President of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and 8 years on the Board of Directors. He was a colony and chapter founding father, President of the Greek Council, and the 1st Black President of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.

In episode 691 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired Marc to become a Colony Founding Father rather than joining an established chapter, what were the biggest lessons he learned from building a fraternity culture, what he learned about leading people with very different opinions and priorities as Greek Council President, how his definition of leadership changed from his undergraduate days to now serving 8 years on the Board of Directors for Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, his advice for students from underrepresented backgrounds who may not see themselves in leadership yet, what accountability has to do with brotherhood and sisterhood, what needs to change and what should stay the same about our organizations, and the advice he would give himself as an undergraduate. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqqONcsRvA4

Fraternity/Sorority

John Hatfield: Can fraternities/sororities adapt and continue to succeed for the next century?

By admin on October 5, 2022

Our next guest is John Hatfield. John a savvy, innovative leader with extensive experience communicating vision and strategic direction by creating scalable and effective learning solutions with delivery to diverse national and international audiences across all levels of organizations, affiliations and associations. His ability to streamline organizational production through the restructuring of policies and procedures, operations, finances, and team productivity is his calling. John maintains an uncompromising focus on high quality standards and bottom-line improvements. Creating and maintaining culture change within companies and organizations is his passion. He’s got exceptional academic qualifications including a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology – Leadership & College Student Development. In his free time John enjoys hiking, hitting the gym, adventure, traveling, reading, working with fraternities, and spending time with his amazing kids.

In episode 303 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why John chose Kansas State University for his undergraduate experience, what made him want to join Sigma Alpha Epsilon, how he’s able to address the culture of an organization, why international service is so important, how he recruits the parents as part of fraternity recruitment, what is BraveManSociety, how Kansas State is bringing the fraternity and sorority community back under the University umbrella, can fraternities and sororities adapt/change, and the best restaurants in Manhattan, Kansas. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-DuSRq7teg

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Shyam Sriram: How do we enhance diverse & inclusive learning on campus and in our organizations?

By admin on April 5, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/22693844/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Our next guest, making his second appearance on the show, is Dr. Shyam Sriram. He has been involved in the fields of secondary and higher education since 2003. He has worked as a teaching assistant at a Hispanic Service Institution; teaching assistant at a large, urban university; taught full-time at the largest community college in a Southern state; worked as an adjunct professor at a historically-black college; spent a year working at two private, Islamic schools in suburban Chicago; spent two summers working with inner-city high school students in Atlanta; and taken part in several, intensive grading workshops with Advanced Placement exams. He has taught dozens of classes; mentored thousands of students; and realizes now, more than ever, the need for quality professionals in higher education who are not just great teachers, but great administrators as well. At Greek University, he speaks about cultural appropriation and inclusion on college campuses all over the country.

In episode 234 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out about Dr. Sriram’s new job at Canisius College in Buffalo, what is Ramadan and how we can be more respectful to our Muslim friends during Ramadan, how fraternities and sororities can attract, retain, and graduate a diverse and inclusive group of students, why it’s important for faculty and staff at our universities to also attract and retain a diverse and inclusive community, how we enhance diverse and inclusive learning on campus and in our organizations, how we foster a community culture that values, respects, welcomes, and promotes a sense of belonging, ways can we engage diverse communities beyond the boundaries of campus, how we prioritize the commitment to inclusion through leadership and action at all levels, and some ways students can engage in anti-racist action. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCK4uwu67BA

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Sheena Howard: What we can learn from Black Panther’s portrayal of culture and nationalism?

By admin on March 22, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/22532708/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Our next guest is Dr. Sheena Howard. Sheena is an award- winning author, filmmaker and scholar. In 2014 Sheena became the first Black woman to win an Eisner Award for her first book, Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation (2013). The Eisner Awards are considered the ‘Oscars of Comics’. She is also the author of several critically acclaimed books and comics books. In 2017, Sheena published the Encyclopedia of Black Comics, which is the first book of its kind, profiling over 100 Black people in the comics industry. The Encyclopedia of Black Comics was named the 2018 American Library Associations’ Outstanding Reference Source. Sheena was born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia. She now has one child, is a Professor at Rider University in the Department of Communication and Journalism. Outside of her full-time job, Sheena spends time writing and speaking to organizations and educational institutions on a variety of topics including social justice, diversity, and representation.

In episode number 225 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Dr. Howard chose Iona College for her undergraduate studies, tips on how independent scholars can raise their profile and gain major media coverage, what is so special about comic books as a form of media, the findings from her documentary called “Remixing Colorblind”, what is special about working as a professor at Rider University in the Department of Communication and Journalism, what we can learn from Black Panther’s portrayal of a culture virtually untouched by white supremacy, what we can learn from T’Challa’s nuanced identity and eventual shift from nationalism to globalism, how Sheena finally took control and set out on her journey of self-empowerment after being in an abusive relationship, and what she learned from her mom.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VT_oy7_blw

Fraternity/Sorority

Tish Norman: What is the history of HBCUs and the Black Fraternal Movement?

By admin on February 16, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/22159775/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Our next guest is Tish Norman! A dynamic and energetic keynote speaker and DE&I consultant, Tish uses public speaking as a platform for change. Frequently referred to as “Coach T”, Tish is the Founder of Transforming Leaders Now, Inc., a consultancy specializing in college & career readiness, women, DE&I topics, and the African American experience. Tish has dedicated her professional career to the educational development and social uplift of audiences from the classroom, community, college and corporate spaces. Her presentations have been delivered in 45 states and 14 countries, as Tish maintains an active speaking schedule, keynoting at dozens of leadership conferences and campuses every year.

In episode 216 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what started the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States, what was the curriculum focus of HBCUs early on, whether separate schools actually hindered efforts towards social and economic equality with whites, whether some HBCUs have closed their doors because they are at a crossroads or because all Universities are feeling the pinch right now, how we can get states to invest in HBCUs, how we can overcome some of the threats made against HBCUs over the last two weeks, what pushed the Black Greek-letter fraternal movement to start in 1906 at Cornell University (Alpha Phi Alpha) and 1908 at Howard University (Alpha Kappa Alpha), and how we can properly showcase the Divine 9 history, culture, and creativity to students at PWIs and the larger community.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU0M0KN41ew

Fraternity/Sorority

Monica Irauzqui: Which countries should college students on a budget travel to this summer?

By admin on June 24, 2021

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/19596899/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Our guest today, Monica Irauzqui, is a travel expert for Yampu Tours. Yampu Tours applies its unrivaled expertise (21 years and counting) to plan journeys of a lifetime to Mexico, Central, South America, South East Asia, Africa, and India. Their talented staff and expert guides create and lead guided tours that shepherd travelers to the region’s well-known attractions and hidden treasures on exciting customized programs.

We find out why IU Bloomington was the right choice for Monica’s college experience, why she decided to start a travel company, how they were able to work through COVID-19 as a company, which countries Americans can travel to today, why we should use a tour company when traveling internationally, how the experiences she offers give guests a unique perspective on history, people or culture of the regions where you travel, the best trips for college students on a budget, how you can do community service while you travel, how we should be researching travel destinations, what to consider when planning a safari, and the best foodie experiences all over the world.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBE9apLEehg

Fraternity/Sorority

Lizz Carter Clark: How can students raise the bar on their campus culture?

By admin on March 8, 2021

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/18239795/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]We have Lizz Carter Clark with us today, the Executive Director of College Moxie! College Moxie’s mission is to educate collegiate women about risks associated with Campus Culture and empower them to know their worth, and make choices that serve them. They do this through evocative panel and speaker events and small group curriculum designed to start and snowball conversations on relevant but difficult topics. These topics include hook-up culture, pressures of social media, body image, sexual assault, drug and alcohol use and others. College Moxie strives to Lead with Love, Speak with Respect and Engage with Truth.

In episode #129 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Lizz chose USC, why Pi Beta Phi is such a great fit, her favorite roles as a television and film actress, why she started College Moxie, some of the myths, lies, and hypocrisy of comparative-culture, the best way to connect with PNM’s, the best exit strategies for awkward and potentially unsafe moments, how student leaders be better leaders by using empathy, and how students can raise the bar on their campus culture. We also find out her favorite restaurant in Newport Beach, California! Enjoy.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6WRqnQTUFg

Fraternity/Sorority

Iggy Perillo: What should I do with the “problem personality” in my organization?

By admin on February 20, 2021

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/18024227/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Iggy Perillo knows just how to deal with the “problem personality” members in your organization! Iggy is the principal and founder of WSL Leadership Coaching. She wants you to get off the leadership struggle bus already! By joining a mastermind, Iggy can show you how to grow and develop in ways you didn’t even know you needed. Whether you want to transform the world, you team, your leadership, or yourself, a mastermind can give you a powerful boost to make it happen.

In episode # 123 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Iggy went to Grinnell College in Iowa, we find out what is a Mastermind, the best way to deal with the “problem personality” in your organization, how to deal with toxic culture in your teams, what to do when your members are pulled in many directions and don’t get things done, what to do with members who are not on board with the organization’s purpose/vision, how you can be a better leader, how to have less stress at work and in relationships, what people need to know to do their best, and Iggy’s favorite food in Portland, Oregon. Enjoy!

Fraternity/Sorority

Tish Norman: Why is being a culturally competent leader important?

By admin on December 2, 2020

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/17034212/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Welcome to episode # 102 of Fraternity Foodie! Today we have with us Tish Norman, the Executive Director of Transforming Leaders Now, Inc., an educational consulting company specializing in college & career readiness, women’s leadership, and the African-American experience.

We find out why Tish chose Kentucky State for her undergraduate experience, why she chose Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, what it felt like when Kamala Harris became the Vice President Elect of the United States of America, what makes being a speaker the best job for Tish, why being a culturally competent leader is important, how can we sustain our fraternities and sororities during the pandemic and with great political divides, what some strategies are to promote diversity/equity/inclusion in our fraternity and sorority chapters, strategies for women (and particularly women of color) to achieve balance, and Tish’s favorite restaurants in Atlanta. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZtcNx66_8