The Social Academic with Jennifer van Alstyne | Online Presence for Professors

Carole Chabries, PhD is a coach for leaders in Higher Education after a long-time being an academic leader herself. We met through our friend (and fellow podcast guest here on The Social Academic), Dr. Jennifer Askey.When Carole shared she was appearing on video on her local tv station in Milwaukee? I thought, how fun would that be to chat about here on the podcast?We'll talk about leadership in Higher Education, her journey from campus leadership roles to coach and consultant at Third Rail Leadership. And, ways she supports leaders at colleges and universities.Visit Carole's website https://thirdrailleadership.com/Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolechabries/Subscribe to her newsletter https://thirdrailleadership.com/subscribeAbout 10 1/2 Lessons for Leaders https://thirdrailleadership.com/lessons#HigherEducation #LeadershipThis is The Social Academic, a podcast about online presence for faculty, researchers, and graduate students. I’m Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). I help academics like you feel confident when you show up online. You have agency in creating a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.Visit my website https://theacademicdesigner.comThe Social Academic blog https://TheSocialAcademic.com/blog/Thank you for watching! Please subscribe for more videos for your online presence in academia.Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredpr-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferHere's how we can work together, view services https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/Let’s connect on social mediaLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRX https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredpr

Trigger warning: Sexual violenceThis episode of The Social Academic Podcast features Dr. Lena Ziegler to talk about her new book, A Revisionist History of Loving Men. A thoughtful conversation on what it means to write, revise, (and share) your story.Book: A Revisionist History of Loving Men (Autofocus Books)by Lena Ziegler, PhDhttps://autofocusbooks.com/store/p/revisionist-historyLena Ziegler holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Western Kentucky University and a PhD in Rhetoric and Writing Studies from Bowling Green State University where she researched gender, sexuality, and the rhetorics of sexual violence and consent. From 2021-2025 she served as an Assistant Professor of English at Albright College in Pennsylvania where she taught composition and creative writing. She currently serves as an educational and program coordinator for a nonprofit.From 2017-2023, Lena was the editor/co-founder of the literary and arts journal The Hunger. Her first book, A Revisionist History of Loving Men, was recently published with Autofocus Books. Additionally, she is the author of the fiction chapbook MASH (The A3 Press) and her writing has been published in Indiana Review, Split Lip Magazine, Duende, Dream Pop Press, Miracle Monocle, Literary Orphans, and others. She is the creator and host of the podcast Reading Michael Jackson - a project aimed at exploring the King of Pop through a deep analysis of his written work. She loves music, being cozy, and is an avid fan of all things dark and humorously angsty. She believes in forgiveness, magic, the transformative power of language, and resilience of the human heart.Lena Ziegler's website https://www.LenaZiegler.com/Connect with Lena on social mediaInstagram http://instagram.com/sadeyedlady723LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-ziegler-b886This is The Social Academic, a podcast about online presence for faculty, researchers, and graduate students. I’m Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). I help academics like you feel confident when you show up online. You have agency in creating a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.https://TheAcademicDesigner.comThe Social Academic blog https://TheSocialAcademic.com/blog/Thank you for watching! Please subscribe for more videos for your online presence in academia.Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredpr-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferHere's how we can work together, view services https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/Let’s connect on social mediaLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRX https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredpr

The research funding landscape has changed in 2025. Dr. Julia Barzyk of Wise Investigator returns to The Social Academic Podcast to talk about the state of funding in America and building a system of support for yourself as an academic.What funding recommendations or approaches have shifted? What has stayed the same? Find out in How to Get Research Funding with Dr. Julia Barzyk on The Social Academic podcast with Jennifer van Alstyne.Julia Barzyk is a former program manager at a major federal funding organization and the founder of Wise Investigator, where she and her team of coaches help early-career faculty win single-investigator awards. Through individualized, one-on-one coaching that demystifies the “hidden curriculum” of the funding process, their clients have secured $6M+ in federal, state, and foundation support in just over two years. Seventy-five percent are funded within 18 months, with an average award of $365K. Julia’s insider perspective, combined with her team’s breadth and depth of expertise and hands-on support, drives the program’s results.Website http://www.wiseinvestigator.com/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-barzyk/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@wiseinvestigatorFree newsletter on university research funding https://wiseinvestigator.beehiiv.com/This is The Social Academic, a podcast about online presence for faculty, researchers, and graduate students. I’m your host, Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). I help academics like you feel confident when you show up online. You have agency in creating a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.https://TheAcademicDesigner.comThe Social Academic blog https://TheSocialAcademic.com/blog/Thank you for watching! Please subscribe for more videos for your online presence in academia.Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredpr-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferHere's how we can work together, view services https://TheAcademicDesigner.com/services/_Let’s connect on social mediaLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRX https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredpr

November is Academic Writing Month (AcWriMo). Dr. Katy Peplin joins me on The Social Academic podcast. We're flipping the script on this one. Katy will ask me questions about my top advice for faculty sharing your academic writing online.You have agency in how you show up online. Hi, I’m Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). This is The Social Academic, a podcast about online presence for faculty, researchers, and graduate students. You can create a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.https://TheAcademicDesigner.com/Thank you.This FAQ for Academic Writers is about having an authentic digital presence. It doesn't have to happen all at once. Any small change you make to improve how people find you online can make a difference.Resources for youHow faculty online presence can help your students https://theacademicdesigner.com/2025/how-faculty-online-presence-can-help-your-students/What to share on your personal academic website https://theacademicdesigner.com/2025/35-page-ideas-for-your-academic-personal-website/What to share on your research lab website https://theacademicdesigner.com/2024/research-lab-websites/Free LinkedIn Profile course for academics https://higheredpr.teachable.com/p/linkedin-challenge (the videos will be moving here to YouTube in the coming months)Here's how we can work together, view services https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/Happy writing! Katy Peplin is hosting a month of free resources called AcWriMo.Sign up for free academic writing resources https://tinyurl.com/AcWriMo2025Dr. Katy Peplin is the founder of Thrive PhD, a business born out of her own journey through the PhD, and the joys and challenges of being a grad student and a human at the same time. She earned her doctorate at the University of Michigan, with a dissertation centered on animals on film and media. Throughout her degree, she also worked as a teaching consultant at the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, practiced yoga regularly, and lived with chronic illness and anxiety. These days, she's super into knitting, colorful water bottles, and helping graduate students around the world treat graduate school like part of their career and life, and not just the holding period before the real stuff begins.Visit the Thrive PhD Website http://thrive-phd.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thrivephd/Threads https://www.threads.com/@thrivephdThe Social Academic blog https://TheSocialAcademic.com/blog/Thank you! Please subscribe for more videos for your online presence in academia.Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredpr-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferLet’s connect on social mediaLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRX https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredprYouTube https://youtube.com/@higheredpr

It's okay to feel discomfort. Learn why it's necessary to practice 'civic courage,' a term coined by my podcast guest, Dr. Brielle Harbin.This is The Social Academic podcast with Jennifer van Alstyne.Dr. Brielle Harbin is a political scientist, award-winning educator, and keynote strategist who helps colleges and faculty cultivate civic courage and sustainable academic systems.As the founder of Your Cooperative Colleague LLC, Brielle partners with higher education leaders to move their institutions from compliance and burnout toward belonging, creativity, and care.Her work centers nervous-system-aligned writing, ethical leadership, and faculty well-being as catalysts for innovation. Through her flagship programs—Faculty Writing Rituals Unlocked, Steady Strides, and Steady in the Storm—she helps educators build restorative, purpose-driven writing practices that last beyond the semester.A former tenured associate professor and public scholar, Brielle’s research and consulting focus on civic courage as a framework for leading change inside systems not built for everyone’s thriving. Her weekly newsletter, Notes From a Work Friend, offers practical and soulful reflections for faculty navigating the realities of academic life.You can learn more about her work at YourCooperativeColleague.com Substack NotesFromAWorkFriend.substack.comThis is The Social Academic, a podcast about online presence for faculty, researchers, and graduate students. I’m Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). I help academics like you feel confident when you show up online. You have agency in creating a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.Websitehttps://TheAcademicDesigner.comThe Social Academic blog https://TheSocialAcademic.com/blog/Thank you for watching! Please subscribe for more videos for your online presence in academia.Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredpr-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferHere's how we can work together, view services https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/___ Let’s connect on social media ___LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRX https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredprYouTube https://youtube.com/@higheredpr

Dr. Ben Railton, a Professor of English and American Studies at Fitchburg State University, teams up with Dr. Vaughn Joy, an independent researcher and recent PhD in History, to discuss their new public scholarship site, Black and White and Read All Over. They share the importance of control over content and community-building. Vaughn dives into her book on Hollywood’s Christmas films and the impact of McCarthy-era politics. Together, they offer tips for aspiring public scholars, emphasizing sustainable content and the significance of public-facing work.

How do you know your podcast isn't just a dream, it's time to make it happen? Zori Paul, PhD, LPC, NCC and Natalie Jeung, LCPC, NCC are live with host, Jennifer van Alstyne on The Social Academic Podcast.We're talking about what it's like to start a podcast with your friend. Do you want a podcast as a faculty, researcher, or grad student?Zori and Natalie started the Therapy on a Tangent podcast: two therapists nerding out about their geeky passions and mental health. Join us for this live conversation about online presence, podcasting, and talking about mental health.Hi, I'm Jennifer van Alstyne. This is The Social Academic podcast. Please like and subscribe. To get a notification next time we're live, hit the bell icon above. Thank you!BiosDr. Zori Paul (she/her) is a Chicago native, licensed professional counselor, counselor educator, and researcher. She is also the co-host of Therapy on a Tangent, a podcast where two therapists nerd out about their geeky passions and mental health. Dr. Paul received her Ph.D. in counseling from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, her M.A. in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University, and her B.A. in comparative human development and minor in gender and sexuality studies from the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on the mental health and stressors of individuals with multiple marginalized identities, specifically bisexual+/queer people of color; cross-cultural mentorship in counseling programs; and the ethical use of social media and AI by counselors and other mental health professionals.Natalie Jeung, LCPC, NCC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She is the owner of Side Quest Counseling Services, which provides counseling services in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. She enjoys doing life with people and destigmatizing gamers and geeks in the mental health space. Her passion for working with video gamers came from her journey as a video gamer and desire to bring inclusive care to those who feel marginalized by society. Her clinical work also includes working with people navigating their different identities, family systems and family of origin issues, parenting, and inner child work. When she is not wearing her therapist hat, she enjoys hanging out with her cat, playing video games, being a foodie, and going on random adventures.Professors! Welcome to The Social Academic. I’m Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). I help academics like you feel confident when you show up online. You have agency in creating a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.Visit my website https://theacademicdesigner.comThe Social Academic blog https://TheSocialAcademic.com/blog/Thank you for watching! Please subscribe for more videos for your online presence in academia.Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredpr-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferHere's how we can work together, view services https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/Let’s connect on social mediaLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRX https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredprYouTube https://youtube.com/@HigherEdPR

Dr. Makella Coudray joins me to talk about the SHEER Lab and visual branding for academics. She has a research lab website and a personal academic website. By sharing her research projects, story, and visual elements such as her logo, Dr. Coudray has an online presence she's proud of.Hi, I'm Jennifer van Alstyne. The Social Academic podcast is all about your digital presence as an academic or researcher. Thank you for joining us. I hope you find this conversation with Dr. Makella Coudray helpful as you approach your own digital presence.https://theacademicdesigner.com/2025/lab-logos-visual-branding-for-your-research-with-dr-makella-coudray/Links for youFree resources to help you: https://TheSocialAcademic.com/blog/Website how-to's if you want to do it yourself https://theacademicdesigner.com/category/websites-for-academics/Faculty Development Accelerator program from Jasmine Abrams, PhD of the Thrive Institutes for Professional Development https://thrive-institutes.mykajabi.com/a/2148156318/pXVC2XgKWebsite VIP Day service with Jennifer https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/website-design-for-professors/#vip Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredprBioMakella Coudray, PhD, MPH, CPH is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She is the Director and Principal Investigator of the Sexual Health, Equity, and Empowerment Research (SHEER) Lab. She is an epidemiologist and implementation scientist whose work focuses on improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes for communities historically underserved by healthcare systems. Her research prioritizes STI prevention and access to care, especially in populations facing barriers to care. Through the SHEER Lab, she leads efforts to design practical, evidence-informed solutions. Her STRiP project explores innovative testing approaches to reduce STI burden and improve access.Dr. Makella Coudray has a PhD in Public Health (Epidemiology) from Florida International University. She has a CPH (Certified in Public Health) credential from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). She got her Masters in Public Health (MPH) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology from St. George’s University in Grenada. She was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. https://MakellaSCoudray.comhttps://TheSHEERLab.com/-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer van Alstyne to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferHere's how we can work together, view services https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/Let’s connect on social mediaLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRTwitter https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredprYouTube https://youtube.com/@higheredpr

What does it mean to be a mindful academic? Jennifer Askey, PhD asked me about mindful practices when I was a guest on her podcast. While I went to a graduate program for creative writing where that was a focus, the mindful practices I've kept are simple. The one I shared with Jennifer? My favorite room spray, a ritual spritz I use just before meetings. Lavender, apple blossom, clover. It got me thinking how just talking about mindfulness can help us be more intentional with the care we give to ourselves. And, the spaces we create for other people. Not just mindfulness for self-care. When academics are more intentional about their thoughts and actions it makes a difference for all areas of your life. Join me and executive leadership and mindfulness coach, Dr. Jennifer Askey in this live conversation. https://theacademicdesigner.com/2025/mindfulness-for-your-life-in-academia-with-jennifer-askey/BioDr. Jennifer Askey is an executive leadership and mindfulness coach who works with higher education leaders all over North America. She leverages assessments, mindfulness practices, and powerful coaching conversations to help her clients build the career impact they want to see. In her coaching, the client’s own journey of self-awareness comes to the forefront, so that their personal and professional decisions are rooted in their values, their awareness of their skills and assets, and their commitments to community, organization, and family.Jennifer is also a sought-after workshop leader and team alignment facilitator. She works with units to establish a solid connection between their success parameters and their strategic and operational tactics. Her clients appreciate her sense of humour, her dedication to their growth, and her willingness to share resources, ideas, and inspiration with them. She is currently pursuing certification in the Sustained Dialogue methodology and Next-Stage Facilitation.Dr. Askey hasn’t always been a coach. She came to coaching first as a client in 2016, when she was seeking a career change. In her first career, she was a professor of German literature, language, and culture, specializing in young adult literature in German and comparative literature studies of Holocaust fiction. She holds a PhD in German Studies from Washington University in St Louis, is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, a Certified Positive Intelligence Coach, and a Professional Certified Coach through ICF.Website http://jenniferaskey.com/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferaskeycoach/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheMindfulAcademyInstagram https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_askey/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jenniferaskeycoach/Professors! Welcome to The Social Academic. I’m Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). I help academics like you feel confident when you show up online. You have agency in creating a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.https://theacademicdesigner.comThank you for watching! Please subscribe for more videos for your online presence in academia.Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredpr-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferHere's how we can work together, view services https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/Let’s connect on social mediaLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRTwitter https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredprYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@HigherEdPR

Science communicator and octopus researcher Meg Mindlin joins me live on The Social Academic podcast.We talk about art and social media. Especially the ways creativity help her share her science story.I hope you'll listen to this one. Because art can spark such meaningful engagement with your research. And also because Meg is open about her social media journey in a beautiful way. This one is great for grad students especially!!https://theacademicdesigner.com/2025/octopus-researcher-meg-mindlin-on-science-art-and-video-for-social-media/Meg Mindlin is a molecular biologist and science communicator. She combines her background in art with an ability to communicate complex science in an engaging manner. She received her Masters in Biology studying octopuses and how ocean acidification effects a molecular process known as RNA editing.http://megmindlin.com/https://www.instagram.com/in.vertebabehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-mindlin-b06207221/https://www.tiktok.com/@invertebabehttps://x.com/invertebabe#ScienceCommunication #ScienceArt #gradschooltips Hi there, welcome to The Social Academic. I’m Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). I help academics like you feel confident when you show up online. You have agency in creating a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.https://theacademicdesigner.comThank you for watching! Please subscribe for more videos for your online presence in academia.Want to support The Social Academic? Buy Jennifer a matcha or tea 🍵: https://buymeacoffee.com/higheredpr-----------------------------------------Schedule your no pressure Zoom call with Jennifer to talk about working together on your online presence for academics 🌟https://higheredpr.as.me/meet-with-jenniferHere's how we can work together, view services https://theacademicdesigner.com/services/Social mediaLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jenvanalstyne.bsky.socialInstagram https://instagram.com/HigherEdPRTwitter https://x.com/HigherEdPRFacebook https://facebook.com/higheredprThreads https://www.threads.net/@higheredprYouTube https://youtube.com/@higheredpr