dei – Greek University

Celeste Warren: Ethical Leadership in College

By admin on May 13, 2026

Celeste Warren is a visionary leader who had an impressive 28-year tenure at a global Fortune 100 company, where she rose to the esteemed position of Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. During her decade-long leadership of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence, Celeste implemented groundbreaking initiatives that fostered a culture of inclusivity and equity, setting new standards in the industry. Celeste is a published author and her articles on diversity, equity and inclusion have been featured in numerous national and global publications and she has had the opportunity to speak at various events across the world. She has recently published her second book entitled “The Truth About Equity, What It Really Is, What It Isn’t and Why Everyone Wins When We Get It Right.”

In episode 678 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Celeste chose the University of Kentucky, what lessons from her journey as a global leader college students should implement now, how her career unfolded, what students are getting right and what they are getting wrong, how students can make a real impact, how to build courage and accountability in college, what ethical leadership looks like in college, and a common myth about equity. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfB7qZKLQyo

Fraternity/Sorority

Michael Dixon: Turning Our Unique Members Into Recruiting Power

By admin on May 22, 2025

Michael Dixon received a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree in college student affairs leadership from Grand Valley State University. Michael is a Doctoral candidate at Indiana State University. Michael is a former higher education administrator with more than 18 years in the industry. He has several research interests and his brief study in philosophy causes him to ask lots of questions. In his free time, you can catch Michael playing a round of disc golf or competing in sports and/or board games.

In episode 570 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Michael chose NC State for his undergraduate experience, what made him choose to join the Grad Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., why he enjoys working in DEI spaces, why that DEI work is so critical, how to take our unique members and turn that into recruiting power, what we should do if we struggle with our self-confidence when talking to new members, how we can break down bias in the Fraternity and Sorority recruitment, one part of the recruitment experience that we should reevaluate, practical ways we can improve the new member experience, and how recruitment can impact our chapter culture. Enjoy!

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

Fraternity/Sorority

Ish Arteaga: How can college students make the most out of the college experience?

By admin on July 21, 2023

At his core, Ish Arteaga has the heart of a shepherd and wants to invite others to live their best life now! You’ll see his heart on display when speaking to an auditorium of thousands, facilitating a workshop for a group of 10, and in his evaluation of startups. Ish speaks regularly on how to ‘Enjoy College on Purpose,’ helping students make the most out of college. From finances and life management to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Ish’s approach to these topics connects with students and helps them think more meaningfully about these topics. Additionally, you’ll often find Ish with his wife around good food and good friends, at the gym, or growing in his expertise of comic book media.

In episode 370 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what it was like being a first-generation college student in his family, why Ish decided on Dallas Christian College, what the university could have done to make his transition to college easier, what made him want to speak to college students, how college students can make the most out of the college experience, what ideas pop culture has communicated to us regarding DEI, how we can create a life that’s not all about money, how Ish evaluates different start-ups for investments, and how to motivate the people that you are leading on your team. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGOxImw8tQ8

Fraternity/Sorority

Frank Jackson: What is “The Pearl Effect” on enhancing the well-being of a group?

By admin on June 8, 2023

To say that our next guest is a founder, speaker, and writer wouldn’t quite capture who he is and what he does. Frank Jackson’s company, The Pearl Effect, is a research based outlet for his own lived experience. It is the story of thriving, that is to say a story of well-being despite circumstances. Writing, speaking, and educating is how he creates impact and conveys his story because his story is the human story. Frank hopes to help communities and individuals change the narrative on their history toward one of strengths, beauty, and thriving.

In episode 363 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Frank chose Texas Christian University for his undergraduate experience, why he decided to join Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., what is The Pearl Effect for the black community, what can I do if I know about communities who continue to persist, protect, and access well-being despite challenges, how I can create a more inclusive environment to get a more diverse membership, how I can educate members of my organization about different cultures, how we can reduce the financial barrier of joining fraternity and sorority life, what students can do to remove the stigma and misconceptions about fraternity and sorority life, and what is the best place to get a bite to eat in Philadelphia. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3V-2dWUgYM

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Frank L. Douglas: What’s missing from the current DEI efforts?

By admin on April 6, 2023

Dr. Frank L. Douglas was raised in the small South American country of Guyana. Suffering under the weight of poverty, Douglas faced severe childhood trauma, often questioning his place in his family and yearning for acceptance. Despite these obstacles, Douglas excelled academically, showing great promise at school and winning multiple awards. In his career, Douglas continued to climb the ranks of academia and made significant discoveries in the pharmacology field. He established the Center for Biomedical Innovation at MIT and received the George Beene Foundation Award, GQ Magazine’s Rock Star of Science Award, Black History Maker Award and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers Lifetime Achievement Award. He has continued to champion the cause of African American students, having never forgotten his own roots in a poverty-ridden, politically conflicted homeland. The meaning of his name—Frank being Celtic for “free man” and Douglas being Scottish for “from a black stream”—has become his personal banner.

In episode 342 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what it was like for Dr. Douglas to grow up in Guyana, what it was like to be awarded the Fulbright Scholarship and come to America to study Chemistry in the Engineering College at Lehigh University, how his early life in Guyana prepared him to navigate effects of racial discrimination in American universities and corporations, what he is most proud of as the first Black member of the Board of Management of a top 5 Global Pharmaceutical company, what’s missing from current DEI efforts, how we can manage microaggressions and remove privileges to combat systemic discrimination, what are some strategies for fostering more diverse and empathetic student organizations, and what the Supreme Court should decide with the consideration of race in college admission decisions. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0nJvY_CQJU

Fraternity/Sorority

Sara Ting: How do we go from the pain of discrimination to forgiveness?

By admin on March 30, 2023

Sara Ting is a diversity and inclusion trainer, innovator, visionary, speaker and author working in D & I since 1985. She shares bold, innovative ideas that are enlightening, empowering, transformative and sustainable. Her clients served include public schools, colleges, police department, housing authorities and health care providers. Sara is the founder and president of World Unity, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to make an enduring contribution to the elimination of all forms of prejudice, bias and discrimination. They believe this can be achieved with the construction of a permanent landmark showcasing the Sun poem that reads as follows: Are you greater than the sun/that shines on everyone: Black, Brown, Yellow, Red and White/ the sun does not discriminate ©. Sara was a TV Reporter for a major NBC affiliate, freelance TV reporter covering issues that impacted the Asian American communities for ten years, and has been a radio talk show host and producer for four years.

In episode 336 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Sara decided on Boston University for her undergraduate experience, how The Sun Poem came about, how it turned into a huge public service campaign, how we can go from pain in discrimination to forgiveness, how bias influences our career paths in life, how do we empower college students to understand and value diversity in their organizations, how we can create a culture of belonging in our organization, how college students can improve their communication skills, and more about Sara’s book series called “Small Book With a Big Idea”. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dftOkf90DvY

Fraternity/Sorority

Naimah Bhuruku: How do we create an inclusive culture in our organization?

By admin on March 28, 2023

Naimah Bhuruku is a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioner. As a trained facilitator, she guides individuals as they navigate uncertainty through empathy filled empowerment. Naimah facilitates crucial conversations & curates brave spaces for engagement. She amplify the voices of others so they can feel seen/heard thus experiencing true belonging. This is Naimah’s leadership purpose. Naimah champions young and developing professionals who seek to ascend in their careers and life; empowering them to channel their talents and passion with fierce focus. She curates experiences that connect people with resources. She also spotlights hidden figures to aid in illuminating their path so that they shine.

In episode 333 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out about Naimah’s journey of seeking to belong and how that led to understanding the value of empath, why the University of Maryland was the right choice for her, how she later got into procurement work, the types of projects she works on as a Diversity/Inclusion specialist at NASA, the harm that HB 999 in Florida would cause if it passes, what students can do to fight against HB 999, how we can create an inclusive culture in our organization, how college students can build resiliency, and why self-awareness is the key to career success. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNLv8OewW2I

Fraternity/Sorority

Angie Freeman: What are some diversity and inclusion-related events for college campuses?

By admin on September 5, 2022

Our next guest, Angie Freeman, is the Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. At Oakland University, they coordinate various diversity and inclusion-related events and programs, such as heritage month celebrations and the Diversity Lecture Series, as well as numerous summer programs available for area youth. Born in Germany and having lived several places as a self-described “military brat,” Angie earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Oakland University. They also earned a master’s degree in college student affairs from Nova Southeastern University. Not only do they have a passion diversity, equity, and inclusion, but also in dance.

In episode 298 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Angie chose Oakland University, why being a Resident Director at the University of Vermont was the right move, difficulties Angie experienced as a dancer, what it was like as a success coach and retention specialist at Nevada State College, what it was like to work at UNLV as a senior transition advisor, what are some diversity and inclusion-related events and programs at Oakland University, how to get buy in for all these DEI initiatives, why training on unconscious bias and microaggressions is so important, and how a new DEI chair can start to bring inclusion to their campus. Enjoy!

Fraternity/Sorority

Nicki Rowlett: How can college students be better allies?

By admin on September 2, 2022

Our next guest is Nicki Rowlett, born and raised in Michigan, but has lived in five different states since graduating college. Nicki earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies, Event Management, and Leadership from Central Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Student Affairs from Ball State University. She is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon and has worked professionally with fraternities and sororities for eight years. Nicki is an author, seasoned facilitator, and a long-time volunteer within the fraternal industry. Nicki’s focus is in identity development, inclusive language use, bias, allyship, and the impact of privilege, power, and position. She enjoys developing strategies, infusing concepts of DEI into existing programs, and coaching others to make informed and intentional decisions. She’s also the Managing Director and Lead Strategist of The Parallel Agency, a full service consulting firm specializing in organizational culture and belonging.

In episode 297 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why she chose Central Michigan University, what was special about the Delta Phi Epsilon chapter on campus, some of the differences in working within higher education versus the fraternity headquarters, what makes Parallel Agency different from the other agencies out there, how they balance learning with unlearning, where a newly elected DEI chair should start their work, why it’s important to be able to discuss privilege within fraternities and sororities, and how college students can be better allies. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExQ5216LAJw

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Amanda Banks: How can students become a catalyst for equity and inclusivity on college campuses?

By admin on July 20, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/23807957/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Dr. Amanda Banks is an author and race and gender equity consultant. With over 15 years of experience working with diverse populations, Banks aids individuals and organizations in building leadership capacity to become a catalyst for social, cultural, and economic change. Strategies and tools will equip leaders to challenge social and political structures that render inequities and poor outcomes for people of color, women, and other vulnerable populations.

In episode 266 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what made this former All-American in the Triple Jump choose Texas Tech, what it meant to win Woman of the Year/Outstanding Mentor Award by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Lubbock Alumnae Chapter, how students can become a catalyst for equity and inclusivity on college campuses, what is the myth of the Angry Black Woman and why we need more of them, why empathy is so important for those you lead, how DEI improves the bottom line and improves outcomes for employees, how college students can identify their unique leadership style, how college students can be more influential, and how college students can delegate in their organization. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI3ldYd91sw