Cristo Rey Creates Podcast

Pathways to Success, Ep. 9: Dawn McCormack, Samford University

In this Pathways to Success episode, host Amber Carroll sits down with Dr. Dawn McCormack, Dean of the Howard College of Arts and Sciences at Samford University, to uncover the remarkable journey of an Egyptologist turned academic leader. From her humble beginnings in central Texas to leading one of Samford's largest colleges, Dr. McCormack shares her inspiring story of overcoming self-doubt, embracing opportunities, and finding fulfillment through supporting others. A former competitive gymnast with an Ivy League education, Dr. McCormack offers profound insights into personal growth, the transformative power of education, and the importance of courage in pursuing one's path. Her candid discussion reveals how resilience, family support, and a commitment to helping others can turn personal challenges into extraordinary professional achievements.

Pathways to Success, Ep. 8: Alex Dumais, United Ability

In this Pathways to Success episode, Cristo Rey Creates student Jamaal Wilson interviews Alex Dumais, Higher Education Coordinator at United Ability, exploring the transformative world of disability services and nonprofit work. Inspired by his grandfather's life and personal experiences, Alex shares his journey from a knee injury to finding his passion in serving people with disabilities. Drawing from his background in therapeutic recreation and extensive volunteer work, he offers high school students invaluable insights into career development, the importance of hands-on experience, and the power of resilience. Alex discusses United Ability's diverse programs, volunteering opportunities, and the critical role of empathy and open-mindedness in professional growth.

Pathways to Success, Ep. 7: Victoria Eligwe & Iris Olive, Avadian Credit Union

In this Pathways to Success episode, host Jamaal Wilson sits down with Victoria Eligwe, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Avadian Credit Union, and Iris Olive, Assistant Vice President of Records, to explore unconventional career paths in banking. Victoria and Iris share their inspiring journeys of professional growth, emphasizing the importance of tenacity, continuous learning, and embracing opportunities. From community engagement to records management, they reveal the diverse roles within financial institutions that students might not typically consider. Their candid discussion highlights the power of determination, the value of humility, and how personal resilience can transform unexpected career challenges into remarkable success stories.

Pathways to Success, Ep. 6: Jacquese Smith, Children's of Alabama

In this Pathways to Success episode, CRC student Amber Carroll (Class of 2027) interviews Ms. Jacquese Smith, the Laboratory Education Coordinator at Children's of Alabama. Ms. Smith shares her inspiring journey into healthcare leadership, from her biology studies at Tuskegee to her progression through roles at St. Vincent's East and Children's Hospital. Listeners will gain insights into Ms. Smith's passion for serving her community, her efforts to enhance training and foster collaboration, and her excitement about innovations in pediatric care. This episode offers valuable career advice, highlighting the importance of flexibility, a willingness to learn, and developing foundational skills - lessons that exemplify how following one's passion can lead to a fulfilling healthcare career.

Pathways to Success, Ep. 5: Elizabeth Baker, UAB Department of Sociology

In this episode of the Pathways to Success series, CRC student Jamaal Wilson interviews Dr. Elizabeth Baker, Associate Professor of Sociology at UAB. Dr. Baker shares her unconventional career journey, from dropping out of high school to becoming a college professor, and discusses how perseverance and a passion for learning shaped her path. She offers insights into her research on childhood obesity and health disparities, the value of soft skills like small talk, and practical advice for students preparing for college. This episode highlights the importance of resilience, adaptability, and embracing new opportunities.

Pathways to Success, Ep. 4: Shannon Weyer, Cristo Rey Network

In this episode of the Pathways to Success series, CRC student Amber Carroll (Class of 2027) interviews Shannon Weyer, Associate Director of Corporate Work Study for the Cristo Rey Network. Shannon shares her career journey, from her early work with AmeriCorps to her current role supporting schools across the nation. She discusses the importance of building authentic relationships, embracing challenges, and developing essential skills for success. This episode offers valuable insights into finding your path and making a meaningful impact in your career and community
 

Pathways to Success, Ep. 3: Mankinta Holloway, City of Birmingham Municipal Court

In this episode of the "Pathways to Success" series, CRC student Jamaal (Class of 2025) interviews Mr. Mankinta Holloway, Court Administrator of the City of Birmingham's Municipal Court. Mr. Holloway shares his career journey, from initially considering a path in the military to finding his calling in public service and criminal justice. He discusses the key moments and decisions that shaped his professional development, including overcoming self-doubt and learning to embrace imperfection. He also offers advice for high school students on managing expectations, developing patience, and staying true to their goals, even when faced with challenges. This episode provides valuable insights into navigating a fulfilling career and the personal growth that can come from embracing setbacks and learning from mistakes.

Pathways to Success, Ep. 2: Ashley Knapp & Jason Milano, Children's of Alabama

In this episode of our "Pathways to Success" series, CRC student Jamaal (Class of 2025) interviews Ashley Knapp and Jason Milano from the Health Information Management Department of Children’s of Alabama. They discuss their career journeys, the importance of self-accountability, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI on the healthcare industry. This episode offers a unique look at how hard work and accountability lead to success and offers advice for students on navigating the real world and investing in themselves to achieve their goals..

Pathways to Success, Ep. 1: Bo Garrett & Berkan Ciger

In this inaugural episode of our new series, "Pathways to Success," Cristo Rey Creates students Jamaal (Class of 2025) and Amber (Class of 2027) sit down with Holy Family Cristo Rey's President Bo Garrett and Corporate Work Study Program Director Berkan Ciger. Together, they discuss why this new series is essential for students exploring career and college pathways, reflect on their own career journeys, and share insights about preparing for the future. Whether you're a student, educator, or professional, this episode sets the stage for a series designed to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders.

Cristo Rey Creates at World of Work

Earlier this month, Cristo Rey Creates had the opportunity to represent Holy Family Cristo Rey at the 2024 World of Work career expo presented by Central Six Alabama Works! We spoke with hundreds of students from across the Birmingham metro area about future careers, workforce development, content creation, and more: check out some of what they had to say in this short episode.
We're excited to be relaunching our podcast with a new series coming soon! Watch this space for more from Cristo Rey Creates in the coming weeks.