Maria LoCicero, RC '21 with majors in LSA History and RC Arts & Ideas in the Humanities, combined her interests in history and theater in her  senior Honors thesis in History. It is partly an historiographical analysis, largely based on letters found in the U-M Clements Historical Library, of the dynamics of racism and classism in the Taylor family of Scotland, Britain and Jamaica in the 18th and 19th centuries. Building upon her extensive coursework in RC Drama courses as part of her...

After listening, we recommend that you consider these reflection questions: How has your narrative and self-reflection helped develop your understanding and practice of cultural humility? How can you make time in your daily routine to pause and reflect? Can you think of a time when you failed forward? How did you grow from that experience? … Episode 32 – How can you enrich your undergrad experience by building community and leading mindfully? Read More »

13 years and a whole lexicon apart, and yet, so much in common. RC student Rellian deGraaf ’24 and RC alum Emmett Findley ‘07 explore “queer time”, the differences between stealth and passing, being weighed down by wearing the mantle of queer ambassador, and what makes a “queer space”. Where do trans men learn how … Episode 31 – “It’s a wild ride, this life”: Two RC trans* men sit down for a (virtual) cup of coffee Read More »

We don't really know when this pandemic will be behind us, though promising vaccines are on the way. Students and faculty prepare for Winter 2021, when the majority of courses will be offered online with some exceptions like some of our studio arts and music courses. Who better to fill us in on the RC's academic offerings but director of RC Academic Services and long-time beloved advisor and mentor, Charlie Murphy? (Amirite?) Want to know about the history of race and the law, or about the...

You know the old cliché, “they grow up so fast”? It’s hard to believe, but 2020 marks the 50th birthday of the Residential College Creative Writing & Literature Program. We went right to horse’s mouth on this and checked in with the founder of the program, Warren Hecht, whose 47-year lecturer career may be the … Episode 29 -The $300 That Launched the RC Creative Writing and Literature Program Read More »

Over the summer 2020, U-M communicated a public health-informed reopening plan for on-campus and virtual learning in the fall. Meanwhile, many universities around the country – including MSU, about an hour away – announced plans for a totally virtual fall term to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between students. Well before the first van showed … Episode 28 – “U-M Works Because We Do”: RCers on the Fall 2020 Strikes Read More »

Life for every student at U-M - let alone for every person on earth - has undergone tremendous change recently. We'll explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people differently even within the Residential College community. This episode features three students as well as a member of the RC intensive language faculty and we explore family ties, procrastination, the strangeness of seeing other people in real life, and dealing with anxiety, all with humor and vulnerability.

Life for every student at U-M - let alone for every person on earth - has undergone tremendous change recently. We'll explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people differently even within the Residential College community. This episode features three students as well as a member of the RC intensive language faculty and we explore family ties, procrastination, the strangeness of seeing other people in real life, and dealing with anxiety, all with humor and vulnerability.

Listen and celebrate the 25th Annual Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners put on by the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP). It is one of the largest exhibitions of art by incarcerated artists in the country. Hear from formerly incarcerated artists, now on the outside, and members of the curatorial team about the founding of the exhibition, the process of and criteria for artwork selection, and what making art does for incarcerated people.

Listen and celebrate the 25th Annual Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners put on by the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP). It is one of the largest exhibitions of art by incarcerated artists in the country. Hear from formerly incarcerated artists, now on the outside, and members of the curatorial team about the founding of the exhibition, the process of and criteria for artwork selection, and what making art does for incarcerated people.

Honestly, how is the food at U-M? Can you survive on the meal plan? Hint: you can. But is the food good? What do students really think? From meal plans, to the seven all-access dining halls, to the East Quad Blue Cafe, to the EQ kitchen, to Ann Arbor restaurant recommendations, we’ve got you covered. You’ll hear from current RC Students—Mecca Durhal, Hayden Graves, Jasmin Lee, Arjun Thakkar, and Hannah Glass-Chapman—as they each describe their own dining experiences as U of M students.

Honestly, how is the food at U-M? Can you survive on the meal plan? Hint: you can. But is the food good? What do students really think? From meal plans, to the seven all-access dining halls, to the East Quad Blue Cafe, to the EQ kitchen, to Ann Arbor restaurant recommendations, we’ve got you covered. You’ll hear from current RC Students—Mecca Durhal, Hayden Graves, Jasmin Lee, Arjun Thakkar, and Hannah Glass-Chapman—as they each describe their own dining experiences as U of M students.

Sometimes prospective students ask us if they can pursue studies in STEM as an RC student. Our answer is always a resounding, “YES!” To set the record straight, Maeve Pascoe and Rachel Hurwitz from the class of 2018 talk on the latest episode of the RC Podcast about their experiences in STEM research and premed … Episode 24 – Being STEM in the RC, imposter syndrome, and meeting RC people everywhere Read More »

Sometimes prospective students ask us if they can pursue studies in STEM as an RC student. To set the record straight, Maeve Pascoe and Rachel Hurwitz from the class of 2018 talk on the latest episode of the RC Podcast about their experiences in STEM research and premed coursework while studying in the Residential College. We discuss how they've felt being women in the field, what imposter syndrome is, and how even a bad grade in organic chemistry can't stop you from a career in medicine. 

“When else are you going to have this opportunity where a world-class university is giving you credit on your transcript to talk about sex with your peers? When does that happen?” The answer is the RC Forums program, a fully student-initiated and -led learning space open to all U-M that grants Residential College participants credit … Episode 23 – Student-facilitated learning spaces at U-M: RC Forums Read More »

"When else are you going to have this opportunity where a world-class university is giving you credit on your transcript to talk about sex with your peers?" Residential College Forums are student-initiated and -led learning spaces that grant credit to learn about topics like diversity in politics, feminism, art, and dance, without a faculty or staff member in the room. There are currently 12 forums, but students create and retire them as their interests fluctuate like their major declarations.

Have you ever wondered how displaced people develop a relationship to the physical land in their new home region, or how school-age youth are responding to rising gun violence today? The RC Social Theory & Practice Major (STP) gives U-M students the latitude to design their own interdisciplinary plan of study, culminating in capstone projects … Episode 22 – The RC Social Theory & Practice Major Read More »

Have you ever wondered how displaced people develop a relationship to the physical land in their new home region, or how school-age youth are responding to rising gun violence today? The Social Theory & Practice Major (STP) gives U-M students the latitude to design their own interdisciplinary plan of study, culminating in capstone projects like these. In this episode, you'll meet two RC students currently at work on their senior projects, and you'll hear from Associate Head of STP, Jane...

RC Senior Hannah Brauer introduces listeners to the RC Review, an annual student-run magazine for writers and artists in the Residential College community. Bonus: you’ll hear from multiple writers and current RC Review staff members members reading recently published work, à la an open mic at a coffee shop. Hear about the new developments in digital … Episode 21 – The RC Review with Hannah Brauer, Editor-in-Chief Read More »

RC Senior Hannah Brauer introduces listeners to the RC Review, an annual student-run magazine for writers and artists in the Residential College community. Bonus: you'll hear from multiple writers and current RC Review staff members members sharing recently published work, à la an open mic at a coffee shop. Hear about the new developments in digital content coming to the RC Review this year, and prep your submissions and send 'em along to [email protected].

The ways that we meet the nutritional needs of our communities, while also protecting the planet, promoting healthy lives, and ensuring food justice are among the greatest challenges facing our nation and the world today. Get to know the planning committee for the Community of Food, Society & Justice Conference, coming to the Residential College … Episode 20 – The Community of Food, Society & Justice Conference Read More »

Get to know the planning committee for this first-ever Community of Food, Society & Justice Conference coming to the Residential College in October 2019. Listen up to learn about the conference panels and keynotes, student- and institution led-changes to food on campus, and about the lasting impacts that a group of farmers, academics and activists aim to create together in SE Michigan. 

On July 1, 2019, Catherine Badgley became the 11th director of the Residential College, and the 3rd woman in the role. She is no stranger to the halls of East Quad; she’s been teaching in the RC since the late 1980s. In this interview, Catherine discusses her research in the fossil records of Pakistan and … Episode 19 – Catherine Badgley on the Fossil Record, Baking Bread, and the RC Read More »

On July 1 Catherine Badgley became the 11th director of the Residential College. She is no stranger to the halls of East Quad; she's been teaching in the RC since the late 1980s. In this interview, Catherine discusses her research in the fossil records of Pakistan and the American southwest. She lays out her view of her role as Director of the RC, and she giggles remembering a bread-baking venture in her undergrad days. We hope you take her up on her offer to let her know what's on your mind.