Today, we're speaking with Lauren Cochran about Troy University’s Office of Civic Engagement and its relational approach to service.

Through programs like the Trojan Pantry, Civic Lab, and community partnerships, they're teaching students practical skills and encouraging listening and reciprocity.

Today, we look back to our 2025 conversation with Dr. Duane Gunn, a lecturer and the Director of Operations for the Leadership Institute at Troy University. He served 27 years in the U.S. Air Force and was inside the Pentagon when it was struck 25 years ago.

Recent Troy graduate Jayden McQueen discusses her work with Civic Lab visiting 7th graders, promoting community and belonging, and her study-abroad experience in Puerto Rico.

Dr. Amanda Heitkamp defines deviance as any behavior outside social expectations and shows how cultural norms, cultural capital, and small acts of 'deviance' can help students feel they belong. She discusses mentorship, the educator’s role in creating safe spaces for trial and error, and the importance of autonomy for both faculty and students.

Carolyn Hutcheson, host of Troy Public Radio’s In Focus, reflects on her four decades in broadcasting and the craft of interviewing. Carolyn also discusses her passion for canoeing and outdoor education.

Danielle Hudson, a chemistry and physics lecturer at Troy University, describes her girls' STEM camp for rising 6th–8th graders that uses hands-on activities, field trips, and female mentorship to boost representation and belonging in STEM. We examine culture, stereotypes, the "leaky pipeline" for women in STEM, workplace barriers like parental leave and infrastructure, student food insecurity, and the power of service to create more inclusive pathways.

Dr. Tish Warr, discusses her research on the impacts of parental incarceration, the stigma children face, and paths to resilience. She highlights how family connection, employment, and community support influence reentry and recidivism, and offers insights on promoting belonging for first-generation college students.

This episode caps off the third year of the Culture and Belonging podcast. In that time we've talked to more than 36 guests, from students and staff to faculty and beyond. We've heard so many great stories and learned so many lessons about promoting intercultural competency.

In this episode, Rich and Wendy reflect on how the podcast started, how far they've come, and where they would like to go from here. And they give their own personal definitions of culture and belonging.