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About the Episode

The what's what...

On Episode 13 of the In Your Element podcast, Marcus R. Langford, Dean of Students at the University of Oregon, sits down with hosts Erin Newton and Ardis Kadiu to chat about the biggest challenges facing student engagement in higher education as we enter year 3 of the pandemic. Together they tackle important topics such as:

  • How the pandemic has altered student engagement forever.
  • How to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion when there’s so much polarization in the world.
  • Keeping students engaged when attention is at a premium.
  • The one key piece of technology that’s at the top of the wishlist for Student Affairs professionals.

About the Podcast

Daniella Nordin

Host

Daniella Nordin

Daniella Nordin is a marketing and communications leader with over 15 years of experience specializing in higher education marketing and engagement. In her role as Director of Customer Success and Engagement at Element451, she leads a team dedicated to ensuring exceptional customer experiences. With a focus on collaboration and communication, Daniella builds bridges between customers and internal teams, ensuring alignment and driving outcomes that exceed expectations. Her leadership has been instrumental in implementing marketing strategies that drive growth and increase visibility and influence. Daniella holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from The Ohio State University and a Master’s, also in Communications, from the University at Albany, SUNY. She is committed to staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices in higher education marketing and engagement. She thrives on the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and is driven by her passion for helping colleges and universities achieve their goals.

Brendan Henkel

Host

Brendan Henkel

Brendan Henkel is a dynamic force in the tech and education sectors, leading as the Manager of Solutions Engineering at Element451 with a unique flair for merging technology with learning. Not only is he a seasoned expert with 13 years in higher education, but Brendan is also the undisputed Disney nerd in his circles, bringing joy and insights with a touch of magic. In his illustrious career, particularly his 10 years on the institution side, Brendan has mastered the nuances of enrollment management and financial aid, shaping futures with his strategic acumen. His philosophy is simple yet profound: create welcoming spaces and prioritize understanding others. This approach has been the bedrock of his ability to foster lasting, fruitful partnerships. Brendan's superpower lies in his dedication to building personal connections, believing them to be the key to success in any endeavor. Adding another layer to his multifaceted persona is his enthusiasm for AI, positioning him as both an enthusiast and an evangelist in this rapidly evolving field. With a master's degree in New Media Journalism, Brendan seamlessly blends his educational background with his passion for tech, Disney, and AI, offering a captivating narrative that's both informative and entertaining.

Marcus Langford

Interviewee

Marcus Langford

Marcus Langford serves as the Dean of Students at the University of Oregon. In this role, Marcus provides oversight and leadership for the Office of the Dean of Students (DoS). The programs and units of DoS strive to support an inclusive student journey that facilitates self-authorship by promoting resiliency rooted in care fostering connections with the campus and surrounding community and provide high-impact practices. The myriad of programs units that constitute DoS are represented by the primary functional areas of Leadership and Engagement, Prevention and Crisis Response/Intervention, and Student Conduct & Community Standards. In his role as Dean, Marcus is fortunate to work with and support a number of staff as they work to create opportunities for connection and meaningful engagement experiences for students across campus, in hopes that they will be compelled to become productive citizens of the world. Two of the things he enjoys most about working in higher education is the opportunity to support and mentor staff, and work with and students who are on the journey to discovering and ultimately become their best selves. Marcus joined the Office of the Dean of Students in 2017. Prior to coming to the UO, over the span of 18 years in higher education he has served in a number of roles with experiences in a variety of areas including academic intervention, advising, campus programming, leadership development, multicultural affairs, orientation/new student programs, student involvement/organizations, and veteran student affairs at five institutions of higher education.

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