Creative Journeys

In this episode of Creative Journeys, Dave and Melanie sit down with Tarah Loy-Ash, Associate Professor in Southern’s Department of Recreation, Tourism, and Sport Management, for a conversation about creativity, care, and the human need for connection.Tarah shares the story behind Southern’s Memory Cafe, a community-centered program that supports caregivers and loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia. Together, they explore how creativity shows up in recreation therapy, caregiving, student learning, and the small acts of adaptation that help people feel seen, supported, and less alone.It’s a heartfelt conversation about aging, family, service, and the kind of creative work that often happens quietly—but can make a profound difference in people’s lives.

This is the fifth of five episodes of Creative Journeys recorded live at the Spring 2026 Bridging Pathways Conference, hosted by the SCSU Innovation Hub, where students, educators, and professionals came together to explore creativity, mentorship, leadership, and the many pathways that shape meaningful work. In this conversation, SCSU students Steven and Isaac reflect on physics, engineering, music, ethics, and the many ways different interests can shape one another. Steven, a senior physics engineering major with a minor in computer science, discusses how the conference opened up new possibilities as he considers graduate school, Ph.D. programs, and career opportunities. Isaac, a second-year physics engineering major with a minor in music, shares his passion for aerospace, aviation, drumline, music production, and the creative overlap between sound, science, and engineering. Together, they offer a thoughtful reminder that building a pathway is not just about choosing a career, but about holding onto your humanity, believing you belong, and making space for the interests that keep you energized.

This fourth of five episode of Creative Journeys recorded live at the Spring 2026 Bridging Pathways Conference, hosted by the SCSU Innovation Hub, where students, educators, and professionals came together to explore creativity, mentorship, leadership, and the many pathways that shape meaningful work. In this conversation, SCSU students Gisela and Joel share their perspectives from inside the conference, reflecting on belonging, representation, mentorship, and the value of stepping outside your comfort zone. Gisela, a first-year nursing major in the Honors College, discusses her interest in health equity and public health, while Joel, a junior business administration major and campus radio host, talks about balancing responsibilities, building confidence, and trying new opportunities. Together, they offer a student-centered reminder that meaningful pathways often begin with simply showing up, making connections, and being willing to “just do it.”

This third of five episode of Creative Journeys recorded live at the Spring 2026 Bridging Pathways Conference, hosted by the SCSU Innovation Hub, where students, educators, and professionals came together to explore creativity, mentorship, leadership, and the many pathways that shape meaningful work. In this conversation, Jamai Scarlett reflects on his journey from Jamaica to Southern Connecticut State University, where he arrived just before the disruption of COVID and eventually completed his MBA. He shares how determination, curiosity, and a willingness to follow unexpected opportunities led him through engineering, economics, tax operations, solar canvassing, business networking, climate-focused startups, and graduate leadership experiences. Along the way, Jamai offers a thoughtful perspective on resilience, mentorship, redefining success, and building a life rooted not only in career growth, but in family, self-understanding, creativity, and personal purpose.

This second of five episode of Creative Journeys recorded live at the Spring 2026 Bridging Pathways Conference, hosted by the SCSU Innovation Hub, where students, educators, and professionals came together to explore creativity, mentorship, leadership, and the many pathways that shape meaningful work. In this conversation, Melissa Jagrosse reflects on her journey from SCSU alum to Ph.D. scientist working in bioanalytical research and diagnostics at Alexion Pharmaceuticals/AstraZeneca. She shares how childhood interests in paleontology, cancer research, astronomy, biology, and chemistry eventually converged into a career at the intersection of science, problem-solving, and discovery. Along the way, Melissa offers honest insight into graduate school, burnout, choosing the right advisor, building resilience, and making room for passions beyond work—reminding us that even the most ambitious pathways are rarely linear and always leave room for learning.

This first of five episode of Creative Journeys recorded live at the Spring 2026 Bridging Pathways Conference, hosted by the SCSU Innovation Hub, where students, educators, and professionals came together to explore creativity, mentorship, leadership, and the many pathways that shape meaningful work. In this conversation, Marcus Paca reflects on his own nonlinear career journey, from marketing and telecom to workforce development, higher education, and strategic healthcare partnerships. He shares how mentorship, storytelling, relationship-building, and creative risk-taking can open doors for students and young professionals, especially those who may not yet see a clear path into fields like healthcare. Along the way, Marcus offers a powerful reminder that failure is not the opposite of success, but part of the creative process that helps us grow, build trust, and “fail up” into new possibilities.

In this episode of Creative Journeys, Steven Brady joins the conversation to explore creativity through the lens of science, curiosity, and the natural world. As he reflects on his work studying wood frogs and the environmental pressures they face, the discussion opens into bigger questions about research, discovery, and what it means to follow ideas wherever they lead. It’s a thoughtful episode about creativity in unexpected places—and about how wonder, observation, and care for the world can shape both science and everyday life.

In this episode of Creative Journeys, Dave and Melanie sit down with Peter Dimoulas, Program Administrator for Southern’s Innovation Hub, to talk about creativity where you might not expect it: in science, technology, and workforce development. Peter shares how the Innovation Hub connects students, faculty, and industry partners, helping ideas move from classroom curiosity to real-world possibility.They explore what creativity looks like in STEM fields, why industries need designers and communicators just as much as biologists and chemists, and how emerging technologies like quantum computing will reshape the future. From networking wisdom to unexpected career paths, Peter offers a refreshing perspective on collaboration, opportunity, and embracing the unknown.A great listen for students, educators, and anyone curious about how innovation happens—and how creative thinking drives it forward. Tune in!

In this episode of Creative Journeys, Dave and Melanie sit down with Dr. Jesse Gleason, Associate Professor of Spanish in the World Languages and Literatures Department at Southern Connecticut State University, for a conversation that explores creativity through language, technology, and cultural connection. Jesse shares her path from studying linguistics in Chile to earning her doctorate in applied linguistics and technology, and how that journey shapes her teaching today.They dive into podcasting in the classroom, the role of technology in learning languages, and the power of immersive experience—including a life-changing student trip to Patagonia. Together, they reflect on how language learning expands identity, builds confidence, and opens students to entirely new ways of seeing the world.It’s an inspiring reminder that creativity isn’t just about making things—it’s about meaning, connection, and the stories we build across cultures. Tune in to discover how Jesse helps students find their voice in another language, and why experiential learning continues to transform lives.