Dr. Ana York’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. From a childhood marriage and domestic abuse to a career in education and a doctoral degree, her path is anything but conventional. In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of the Stan State EduCast, Dr. York shares how her lived experiences shaped her teaching philosophy, fueled her passion for mentoring students, and led to the creation of Educators Rising and Aspiring Educators — two growing programs designed to recruit and support future teachers from high school to the college level.

Dr. Ana York: https://www.csustan.edu/people/dr-ana-york

Stan Magazine Article: https://www.csustan.edu/stan-magazine/fall-2024/against-all-odds

Teacher Education website: https://www.csustan.edu/teacher-education

Educators Rising: educatorsrising.org

Aspiring Educators: https://warriorlife.csustan.edu/scta/home/

Produced by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, edited and recorded in the KCSS studios on the campus of Stanislaus State.

California’s Central Valley faces a growing healthcare crisis—from long ER wait times to a severe shortage of nurses and primary care providers. In this episode of the Stan State EduCast, we explore how Stanislaus State is tackling the issue head-on by training local students to become the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Host Frankie Tovar is joined by Dr. Sarah Sweitzer (Dean of the Stockton Campus) and Dr. Wendy Matthew (Associate Professor of Nursing) for an in-depth conversation about nursing shortages, health equity, burnout, and how simulation labs, bachelor’s programs, and community partnerships are reshaping the region’s healthcare future.

Whether you're a student, parent, faculty member, healthcare partner, or community advocate, this episode will show you how Stan State is “growing local, training local, and keeping local” — all while building a healthier, more equitable Central Valley.

Dr. Sarah Sweitzer: https://www.csustan.edu/people/wendy-matthew
Dr. Wendy Matthew: https://www.csustan.edu/people/dr-sarah-sweitzer

Stan Magazine Article: https://issuu.com/csustanislaus/docs/stan_magazine_spring_2025/s/84341041

School of Nursing Website: https://www.csustan.edu/nursing

HealthForce Partners: https://healthforcepartners.org

Produced by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, edited and recorded in the KCSS studios on the campus of Stanislaus State.

This episode of the Stan State EduCast features Meggan Jordan PhD. (Professor of Sociology) and Phyllis Gerstenfeld PhD. (Criminal Justice Department Chair & Professor of Criminal Justice).

Meggan Jordan and Phyllis Gerstenfeld join host Frankie Tovar to discuss the high-profile case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's murder and the upcoming trial of suspect Luigi Mangione. The crime has sparked a whirlwind of discussion both online and in the media about corporate greed, healthcare reform, and morality. This episode highlights the societal tensions surrounding for-profit healthcare, the phenomenon of cult hero status for the accused, Luigi Mangione, and the implications for legal and ethical discourse in the U.S.

Meggan Jordan: https://www.csustan.edu/people/dr-meggan-jordan
Phyllis Gerstenfeld: https://www.csustan.edu/people/dr-phyllis-gerstenfeld

Produced by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, edited and recorded in the KCSS studios on the campus of Stanislaus State.

This episode of the Stan State EduCast features Danica Bravo (Project Rebound Program Coordinator).

Danica Bravo joins host Frankie Tovar to discuss the life-changing initiatives of Project Rebound, highlighting the ongoing efforts to break down barriers and provide seamless transitions for former inmates seeking academic success. The pair cover the lived experiences that transformed Danica into an advocate for the incarcerated, how she established Project Rebound at Stan State, and what long-term goals she has for the program.

Project Rebound: https://www.csustan.edu/project-rebound

Danica Bravo:https://www.csustan.edu/people/danica-bravo

Produced by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, edited and recorded in the KCSS studios on the campus of Stanislaus State.

This episode of the Stan State EduCast features Dr. Koni Stone (Professor of Biochemistry, Instrumental Analysis) and Dr. José Díaz-Garayúa (Associate Professor of Human Geography, Geographic Information Systems and co-Director of the Center for Applied Spatial Analysis).

Dr. Stone and Dr. Díaz-Garayúa join host Frankie Tovar to share their expertise on the topic of vaping, the nicotine delivery method that has gained popularity with both children and adults. The trio discuss the dangers of vaping from a scientific standpoint, the role of the Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Initiative on demographic research, and the overall influence of the tobacco industry.

Dr. Koni Stone: https://www.csustan.edu/people/dr-koni-stone

Dr. Jose Diaz-Garayua: https://www.csustan.edu/geography-environmental-resources/dr-jose-r-diaz-garayua

Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Initiative: csustan.edu/casa/svfsi.

Produced by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, edited and recorded in the KCSS studios on the campus of Stanislaus State.

This episode of the Stan State EduCast features Jake Weigel (Founding Director of Warrior Fab Lab, Associate Professor of Art, 2023 Wang Family Excellence Awardee).

Professor Weigel joins host Frankie Tovar to speak about the origins and capabilities of the Warrior Fab Lab and the opportunities these maker spaces create for both students and the community as a whole.

Jake Weigel Bio: https://www.csustan.edu/people/mr-jacob-weigel

Warrior Fab Lab Website: https://www.csustan.edu/warrior-fab-lab

Produced by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, edited and recorded in the KCSS studios on the campus of Stanislaus State.

Dr. Ferriz joins host Frankie Tovar to share his expertise on topics including California's water sources and allocation, its jagged history of drought and precipitation and how Californians can better conserve and recycle their most precious resource.

Dr. Horacio Ferriz Bio: https://www.csustan.edu/people/horacio-ferriz

Geology Website: https://www.csustan.edu/geology

Produced by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, edited and recorded in the KCSS studios on the campus of Stanislaus State.