Coalition
On April 3rd, 2025, campus coalition leaders sat down to discuss their stories and coalition work.
Dr. Antonieta Mercado
Dr. Mercado discussed her work on the Palestine coalition on campus. She spoke about inspiring her students to have faith and hope in times when the world can feel overwhelming.
Austin Galy
Austin Galy spoke about his upbringing and his connections to incarceration. He talked about becoming a student at USD and wanting to grow a safe space for more previously incarcerated individuals to access a college education at USD.
John Halaka
Professor of Art John Halaka spoke about his experiences as the only Palestinian faculty member at USD for years and how he has adapted to his role as the Palestinian coalition leader. He discussed his work as a visual arts professor and how his art has been a form of spreading information and protest.
BSRC: Rest and Reparations
On Febuary 27th, 2025 students and staff discuss the National Black History Month theme: Labor.
Black Student Resource Commons
Jay Rice, Dr. Ii, Devon Howard, Jesse Gathungu, and Myesha Henderson from the BSRC took time to discuss how they approach the idea of labor in the modern era. There was lively discussion between the students, faculty and staff members about how they take time for themselves in a demanding world.
Rest and Reparations
The focus of this discussion was how rest and reparations play a role in the idea of labor. Devon and Jesse discussed how they felt transitioning into college and how they redefined success and to allow themselves to rest. Jay and Dr. Ii spoke about working with students and taking restorative time when work starts to take a physical toll.
Native San Diego Histories and Futures, Celebrating the Legacy of San Diego Community Organizers
November 14th, 2024
The Office of the Tribal Liaison
There's More collaborated with the Office of the Tribal Liaison in honor of National Native American Heritage Month. USD community members, Alberto López Pulido and Gail Perez, shared their stories of community activism and organizing in San Diego, Kumeyaay territory.
Community Activism and Organizing
Their activism is inseparable from who they are today. Sahmie Wytewa facilitated the conversation. The event highlighted themes of resistance, movements, the creation of the Office of the Tribal Liaison at USD, and participants' hopes for the future.
Palestine
On September 26th, 2024, we hosted a live event with the theme 'Palestine' and heard Palestinian-American students share their stories.
Zeina Battikha
“More than just a Fruit”
Zeina shares her experiences of hiding her Palestinian identity from classmates and friends due to people making assumptions about her and her beliefs.
Summer Ismail
“Roots that hold, vines that grow”
Summer talks about how much pride she has in her Palestintain identity. She details facing prejudice from the Isreali government when visiting Jerusalem.
Zeina Zumot
“But Here I Am”
Zeina speaks about her travel to and from Palestine. She details the extensive journey her family must take to visit Isreal-occupied Palestine and how her vists have been different from her life in the United States.
OAK Project with COMM 333
On April 29, 2024, USD's Podcast Storytelling class collaborated, edited, and produced the stories of members affilited with the Oncology And Kids (OAK) foundation.
The Faculty Behind the Magic
From Left to Right: John Loggins, Director & OAK Advisory Board; Bernard Mauricia, CEO, Oncology and Kids; Diane Keeling, There's More Faculty Producer; Kevin Guerrieri, Co-Director ILVI
COMM 333: Podcast Storytelling
Pictured above is the Spring 2024 COMM 333 class that interviewed those associated with OAK, as well as edited and produced their stories now available on Spotify.
Beyond Silence
April 24, 2024 we partnered with the RSVP Peer Educators on an event for Sexual Assault Awareness month
Alissa Trejo
“Mixed Messages”
Alissa navigates the messages around love, sexuality, and relationships that she receives from her parents, siblings, and friends.
Kiera Boley and Tara Randall
“Exploring Sexuality With a Catholic Education: The Effects of Purity Culture”
Kiera and Tara both share how their sexual education was influenced by their Catholic upbringing.
Yesika Menera
“Surviving the Silence”
Yesika finds power through her voice and her community on campus to speak out against relationship and sexual violence.
The View From Here
March 14, 2024 we reunited with the Office of the Tribal Liaison for an important conversation about recognition.
Storytellers: Stan Rodriguez, Caroline Feeney, Jessica Fernandez De La O
A conversation with three USD community members narrating the way they create belonging for Native students, moderated by our faculty producer, Diane Keeling. Listeners are encouraged to learn more about supporting native experiences and indigeneity on campus.
Expression
February 29, 2024 we partnered with Black Student Resource Center (BSRC) to highlight community voices.
Nyla Harris
"Tangling to the Truth"
Nyla dives into self love and her journey through an exploration of her hair.
Myesha Henderson
"God is Change"
Myesha looks into her personal relationship with music during a time of politics and conflict
Jae Johnson
"It's Not Over"
Jae explores the challenges both emotionally and academically during COVID.
Persistence
As the spring semester begins, we highlight the theme of persistence through the stories of three faculty members Febrauary 8, 2024.
Jane Friedman
"I'm Not Afraid of Sharks"
Dr. Friedman, professor of Mathematics, explores her strength in the water and as an individual.
Aziz Muqaddam
"The Second Life of a Sandal"
Dr. Muqaddam is an assisant professor of Communication and engaged the audience in how he persisted through challenges.
Alberto López Pulido
"Alberto Velázquez Pulido"
Dr. Pulido, professor and chair of Ethnic Studies, tells a story of death and money, and how he persisted through the darkness.
The Power, Privilege and Politics of Decolonizing Education
November 9, 2023 storytelling is sponsored by the Office of the Tribal Liaison.
Read the article published by the USD News Center:
Mark Ceder
"Wander Together with Intention"
Mark is the Assistant Director of Outdoor adventures and he values the importance of diversity and connection.
Lily Giovanelli
"Connecting Communities"
Lily is the Speaker pro-temp for USD Associated Student Government and she found connection through Sahmie Wytewa, our tribal liaison
Dr. Jesse Mills
"Unfinished"
Professor of Ethnic Studies, Dr. Mills shares insight on connection and the land acknowledgement USD has added and the need for more action.
Dr. Diane Keeling
"Living Different Dreams"
Our faculty producer, Dr. Keeling reflects on the implications of a dream she had of Sahmie Wytewa, Tribal Liaison at the University of San Diego.
Arts and Culture Festival
Growing Up, hosted by our student producer Ethan Takaha, highlights stories from two faculty members. This event took place at the Oct 28, 2023 annual Homecoming Arts and Culture Festival!
Wilnelia Recart Gonzalez
“Growing up en la IUPI”
Dr. Gonzalez learns the power of community through her experiences with protests early on in life.
TJ Tallie
“Growing Up is a Sham”
Dr. Tallie learns that growing up looks a little, or a lot, different for some people after finding two intruders on his roof.
Climate Alliances Across Generational Divides
October 12, 2023
The storytellers this month are from the Environmental Integration Lab led by Dr. Julia Cantzlur.
Michel Boudrais
"Why am I still doing this? asked the high priest of warming"
Dr. Boudrais explains what happens when you become a public figure, looking especially at the challenges of the online world.
Nichole Wissman
"The 20 Year Encroachment"
Dr. Wissman explains how climate change has affected her life over the last 20 years.
Andrew Tirrell
"That time I went to jail"
Dr. Tirrell describes his experience as a young lawyer being arrested in a foreign country.
Good Trouble
September 7, 2023
This fall, we invited speakers to share stories exploring what may be considered abnormal or against societal norms. To some this can be considered trouble, but in reality they are pushing the boundaries and moving society forward. This leads us to our event theme: "Good Trouble."
Jillian Tullis
"Keep it in your backpocket"
Discussing her work as a hospice aid, Tullis believes sometimes 'good trouble' can look like a tiny scrap of paper with the words, "I quit."
Vinny Seepaul
"Gadfly"
As Seepaul takes big steps in his journey of self-discovery, he notices the societal discomfort around his identity and shares what we can learn from that discomfort.
Generation (Re)Generation: Transforming Climate Anxiety Into Action
May 1, 2023
On April 20th, There’s More partnered with the Environmental Integration Lab to present a collection of stories around the theme “Generation (Re)Generation: Transforming Climate Anxiety Into Action.” This theme was crafted to acknowledge the fears that come with climate change and transform them into effective solutions.
Chase Kendrenah
“How Curious Questions Can Cure Climate Change”
As a member of Generation Z, older generations often tell Chase that the issue of climate change is “in her hands”. Chase learned that to make an impactful change, it is essential to educate past and future generations about sustainability.
Mackenzie Guy
“Saving the Salish Sea 73”
Mackenzie spoke about the pivotal moment of seeing killer whales off the coast of Washington when she was a child. This sighting not only prompted Mackenzie’s interest in conservation, but also the anxieties that come with threatened species.
Ramona Tellez
"Out to Sea"
Ramona reflects on the devastating moment where she discovered the Duwamish River, her childhood playground, was polluted. By connecting with her community and feeling part of the generation of change, Ramona has coped with her anxieties by feeling hopeful for the future.
Growing Pains and Spectacular Failures in Community Engagement
March 29, 2023
There’s More partnered with the Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness, and Social Action and The Office of the Tribal Liaison to explore this very idea. The theme, “Growing Pains and Spectacular Failures in Community Engagement” was crafted to demonstrate the messy and sometimes uncomfortable lessons learned in community engagement work.
Dr. Laura Rivard
“Not Even Clipboards”
Dr. Rivard spent a summer volunteering for the group Kupanda Kids. The summer was filled with various field trips that provoked chaos, near-death experiences, and cultural misunderstandings. When one asked her “are we going to go on fun trips again next summer?”, her answer was undoubtedly, “of course we are.”
Dr. Danell Scarborough
“But, But, I’m A Good Person”
When serving as the Executive Director of the Citizens Review Board for the City of San Diego, Dr. Scarborough faced lots of pushpack, complaints, and even requests for her termination. She reflects that community engagement is not always rewarding or even successful, but nevertheless important.
Dr. Emily Young
“Resilience and Rethinking The Impossible”
Young ponders the question of how humans alter the natural world for our resilience and survival, or destroy it to precipitate our own demise. Her stance is that the greatest change comes from what is happening locally, and feels that tackling the issue of climate change can start right here in San Diego.
Sarah Diamond
“Dropping the Ball”
Diamond prioritized proving herself knowledgeable to her clients rather than listening to the needs of the communities she was working in. In a powerful conclusion, Diamond reveals allies must not overstep in community engagement efforts, but instead highlight and support the work already being done in those communities.
Enduring
March 1, 2023
The spring semester is a time of new beginnings. In spring, new life begins to bloom after enduring the harsh climate of winter. In our first There’s More live event of the Spring 2023 semester, our storytellers spoke on that very topic: enduring.
Kristina Garland
"Put Your Head Down and Do The Work"
Garland revealed that her attitude on the outside is not always what is reflected on the inside. Garland lives with chronic illnesses, and this diagnosis has caused her entire outlook to shift. Living with this invisible battle within her has caused her to endure every day of her life. Yet, she shares that through her struggles, she has found beauty in the mundane and importance in slowing down.
Amanda Petersen
"Enduring Love"
Petersen spoke humorously of her grandmother who was an “absolute asshole”. But after her passing, Petersen uncovered the reasons why her grandmother was very specific about family traditions. Petersen has found her own ways of enduring these family traditions, while knowing what can be open to change for future generations.
Farrah Karapetian
"Memories Metronome"
Karapetian spoke of times where her loved ones were forced to endure - whether it was medical complications or war narratives. Nevertheless, Karapetian reminds us that music allows us to decide how we are going to face these challenges.
Coming Together
November 9, 2022
There's More Live partnered with USD's Office of the Tribal Liason to create the theme "I Can't Leave." We had three amazing storytellers participate and create beautiful stories that incorporated this theme.
Sahmie Wytewa
"An Act of Resistance & Representation"
George Floyd's words incited Sahmie to think about her own community and the injustices that it has faced throughout history. The theme "I Can't Leave" represents how hard it is to leave your home and community, and how even if you do leave, you can find your way back through unexpected pathways.
Ash Valentin
"Logan Heights"
Ash told a story about the culture shock she experienced during her first year at USD and the way this led her to realize how important her community was to her.
Dr. Angel Hinzo
"This is Home"
Dr. Hinzo discussed how people can make different types of connections during their lives and how home can change. Her story showed how it does not matter how far you go, home will always be there waiting.
Big Moves
October 12, 2022
We hosted our monthly There's More live storytelling event with the theme: Big Moves. These storytellers explained how big moves can come in the form of physical moves, intellectual progress, and emotional growth.
Jesús Martínez Saucedo
"Para Mi Mamá"
Jesús Martínez Saucedo, spoke about two big moves that happened in his life. His story touched on experiences carried from childhood into adulthood and the affects they leave on our lives.
Dr. Tim McCarty
"Circles"
Dr. McCarty's story focused on the educational system in the U.S. and how he navigated the system with his wife and son.
Evelyn Diaz Cruz
"Crisis of Confidence"
Professor Cruz's story focused on the struggles of standing up for oneself and how a supportive family can give us courage and strength.
