In this powerful episode of Communicate Like You Give A Damn, host Kim Clark is joined with Dr. Bryan Samuel, an award-winning DEI expert in Higher Education Leadership. Together, they delve into Dr. Samuel’s transformative journey of facing systemic barriers while fighting to transition from living in a crime-infested housing project to becoming a first-generation college graduate and a leader in DEI initiatives. Through his candid storytelling, Dr. Samuel shares pivotal moments that shaped his trajectory, including overcoming low test scores and institutional rejection to gaining admission to college. His experiences underscore the importance of access, opportunity, and effective communication in supporting marginalized students. As Dr. Samuel reflects on his role as a DEI leader in universities, he emphasizes the humanistic approach to fostering belonging and success for all students, regardless of background. Dr. Samuel’s dedication to uplifting others shines through his advocation for equitable policies to foster a culture of empathy and understanding.
About The Guest:
Dr. Samuel has acquired a broad perspective on public university administration, Student Affairs, Multicultural Affairs and Equity and Diversity through a career progression that has included working at a small state college, a large national university, a mid-sized campus of a state university system, and the central administrative offices of a multi-campus university. Over a 30 year tenure in higher education, Dr. Samuel has had operation and staff leadership experience helping university and secondary educational leaders to understand issues along the diversity continuum and helping to develop policies and programs responding to underlying needs. With particular emphasis on access, diversity and inclusion, his responsibilities have spanned recruitment, retention, programming and advocacy. In each area, Dr. Samuel has initiated programs that not only made a difference in students’ and employees’ individual lives, but also fundamentally improved institutional dynamics and the climate of the organization. Dr. Samuel has received numerous campus, state and national accolades including but not limited to the 2011 Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel Trio Achiever Award, 2005 University of Nebraska Board of Regents Kudos Award, the 2003 University of Nebraska Equity in Opportunity Fellowship, and the 2000 Noel Levitz Retention Excellence Award. Dr. Samuel earned both a Bachelor’s of Science 1993 and Masters of Education 1995 from UTC. In 2005 Dr. Samuel earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Higher Education 2005 from the University of Nebraska. Dr. Samuel is the author of “Finding Myself: A Journey From the Projects to The Ph.D”.
Find Dr. Bryan Here:
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About Kim:
Kim Clark (she/her) focuses her work on the communicator and content creator's role in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She is the co-author of The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t, an Amazon #1 bestseller and the leading voice for DEI communications and social justice messaging for brands.
She speaks at conferences, writes custom workshops, writes inclusive communications guides, and consults with companies on all things related to diversity, equity, and inclusion communications. Kim is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a cisgender woman, Native American (Muscogee Nation) and a mom of two kids with disabilities. These marginalized identities and the privileges that come with society seeing her as White motivate her daily for social change.
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