USF CLCE Podcast

Ryan = [R]

Todd= [T]

Step Up at USF

[R]: Hey what’s going on everybody? This is Ryan Newton here.

[T]: And this is Todd Wells

[R]: We’re hanging out at the Center for leadership and Civic Engagement and this is our new podcast this is the first week we’ve ever done this. so trying out something new, but kind of excited about it we want to talk about some important topics in leadership and things that pertain to you as USF students and us as staff and faculty and also to us as citizens of the country. So, today we wanted to talk a little bit about male involvement at USF because we noticed that it’s not exactly….GREAT!

[T]: Right! We are really noticing that in our leadership positions and on leadership boards, they are highly dominated by female leaders. And so we are wondering, well, where, excuse me, where the male leaders are at and where they’re at as far as stepping up into leadership positions and being part of those positions that make a difference here on our campus. And we know that they’re out there, but we’re not knowing how to reach you or how to get you involved in some of our great excited programs

[R]: So fellows as we become the minorities on campuses, and this isn’t just at USF, its college campuses everywhere. Males are becoming the minority; we’ve got to really push ourselves to challenge what being a man is really about, what getting involved does for us in terms of helping us develop as individuals and young adults not only to prepare us for classwork and outside the classrooms, but the real world. It hits you fast and we want to know what we can do to help and how we can provide intentional programming and things that you find enjoyable but also want to be a part of and get something out of this too. And ladies this isn’t just for the males. you know if you’ve got feedback we’d love to hear that too. If you’ve got a boyfriend or friend or you know some guys that just don’t want to get involved because they don’t think it’s cool. Let us know, we, we want to be here and provide the support for that. So let us know what we can do. It’s kind of a challenge we want to put out there to, to say males it’s time to step up.

[T]:

For alternative Spring break we had almost 150 apply and of those 150 people almost 90% were female. So, it is an issue it’s permeating not only USF, but it’s a part of a national trend and what we really want to do is find out what we can do to create programs for males programs that you would be interested in participating in and where you’re at in making a difference for our society, and or the state of Florida, and for the city of Tampa Bay because we need you. We need you a part of this movement. We need you to develop your leadership skills and attributes in order to make a difference to our society and we don’t know where you’re at!

[R]:

And speaking of male programming, there is going to be a new program that we’re going to be hosting in the Spring Todd. You want to talk a little bit about that?

[T]:

Yes! Our new program in the spring is called Step Up and it’s an internship project that has been developed by a great CSA student and the program Step Up, you can find our information on our website at www.leadandserve.usf.edu and if you go to our homepage it explains what the Step Up program is, but it’s an 8 week program for males student who want to get involved in USF and Leadership development. So, the idea is you Step Up and then you ask somebody, you tap someone else to be part of next year’s program. And so it hopefully creates a cycle of male leaders in society that are working to make positive social change. And so, we’re looking for you, we want you to do this. There’s going to be some great incentive, it’s not just a resume builder, but it’s a life skills development builder and it’s something that you can always say that you stepped up here at USF to make a difference. So we’re excited.

[R]:

Very excited. I think that concludes our first podcast. let us know what you think. Feel free to comment, reply at the bottom. Men where you at? Let’s hear from you in particular. We are interested to hear where your mind is and what we can do to get you to step up and be a real man and get involved in some of these things.

[T]:

So come visit us in the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement and stay tuned for our next podcast. We will have a new topic and hopefully something that’ll keep you coming back to these and maybe you’ll get involved and be a guest and talk to us on our next podcasts

[R]:

Cool well have a great weekend and …

[T]:

Go Bulls!

[R]:

Go Bulls.