Toward a More Just Future

Join Toward a More Just Future Season 3 host, Thomas Benjamin for a rapid fire interview with Dr. DuWayne Battle, teaching professor, director of the Baccalaureate program at Rutgers School of Social Work on the Camden and New Brunswick campuses, and assistant dean of bachelors programs.

Episode Disclaimer: This episode was recorded close to a year ago. It is important to recognize that some items and ideas may have shifted with the passage of time. The conversation is a representation of the time it was recorded. Conversation includes topics around mental health, gender expression and identity, and stressors associated with systemic discrimination. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do no represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Rutgers University.

Today, our host, Thomas Benjamin, is speaking with DuWayne Battle, teaching professor, director of the Baccalaureate program at Rutgers School of Social Work on the Camden and New Brunswick campuses, and newly appointed assistant dean of bachelors programs. Under his leadership as director, the BA in Social Work program at Rutgers School of Social Work was ranked by college factual, as highly as second in the nation. Dr. Battle's teaching focuses on anti racism, diversity and opppression, social justice, child welfare, and spirituality in social work. He created the confronting anti-black racism course and leads the diversity and oppression and introduction to social work and social justice courses. As a researcher, he has developed and published a scale on measuring student learning about diversity and oppression. He is also published in the Journal of Teaching in Social Work on challenging anti-black racism in Social Work curriculum. He is also a recipient of the Clement A Price Human Dignity award, one that honors extraordinary achievement and commitment to the promotion and practice of diversity, inclusion and equity within Rutgers University. Before starting his career in social work, Dr. Battle served as senior pastor in both North Carolina and New Jersey, and has a distinguished educational background in ministry, divinity and religion holding a doctoral degree in the field in addition to social work.

Episode Disclaimer: This episode was recorded close to a year ago. It is important to recognize that some items and ideas may have shifted with the passage of time. The conversation is a representation of the time it was recorded. Conversation includes topics around mental health, gender expression and identity, and stressors associated with systemic discrimination. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do no represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Rutgers University.

Today, host, Thomas Benjamin, is speaking with Zan Haggerty, a clinician scholar who has a dual role as both doctoral student and a staff member at Rutgers counseling and psychiatric services, also known as CAPS. In maintaining two roles, Zan hears from students about growth areas for Rutgers in the way of DEI while also witnessing it in their own doctor of Social Work program. Zan's belief and perspective has always been that symptoms typically are a result of larger issues within a system. Most of Zan's career has focused on bringing justice to populations and communities that are routinely and systemically marginalized. As a trans non binary person, Zan has seen the immense impact of systems that do not recognize your existence, or demean your value. Above all, Zan's commitment is to create a culture and community of belongingness, where people of every identity feel welcome and represented.

Join Toward a More Just Future Season 3 host, Thomas Benjamin for a rapid fire interview with Zan Haggerty, doctoral student and staff member at Rutgers counseling and psychiatric services, also known as CAPS.

Join Toward a More Just Future Season 2 host, Marla Blunt-Carter for a rapid fire interview with Jennifer Thompson, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) New Jersey and Delaware chapters.

Tune in to a new episode of Rutgers School of Social Work's podcast Toward a More Just Future. Season 2 will focus on conversations with individuals who are working on the ground to make progress toward justice and equality.  

Join host and Assistant Professor of Professional Practice Marla Blunt-Carter in conversation with Jennifer Thompson, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers New Jersey and Delaware chapters.

Join Toward a More Just Future Season 2 host, Marla Blunt-Carter for a rapid fire interview with Nicole Epps, Executive Director, World Childhood Foundation USA.

Tune in to a new episode of Rutgers School of Social Work's podcast Toward a More Just Future. Season 2 will focus on conversations with individuals who are working on the ground to make progress toward justice and equality.

Join host and Assistant Professor of Professional Practice Marla Blunt-Carter in conversation with Nicole Epps, Executive Director, World Childhood Foundation USA.

Join Toward a More Just Future Season 2 host, Marla Blunt-Carter for a rapid fire interview with U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware.

Tune in to a new season of Rutgers School of Social Work's podcast Toward a More Just Future. Season 2 will focus on conversations with individuals who are working on the ground to make progress toward justice and equality.

Join host and Assistant Professor of Professional Practice Marla Blunt-Carter in conversation with Senator Chris Coons of Delaware for our first episode of the new season.

Tune in as Toward a More Just Future's season one host Marla Blunt-Carter speaks with Valerie Biden Owens.

Biden Owens has dedicated her long career and distinguished career to public service, empowerment of women, advancement of important public policy, and service to the disadvantaged. She led all seven U.S. Senate campaigns in President Joesph R. Biden, Jr.'s political career and was his principal surrogate on the campaign trail. She is one of the first women in the United States to have managed a presidential campaign. Valerie currently serves as Vice Chair of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware.

Tune in as Toward a More Just Future's season one host Marla Blunt-Carter speaks with Valerie Biden Owens.

Biden Owens has dedicated her long career and distinguished career to public service, empowerment of women, advancement of important public policy, and service to the disadvantaged. She led all seven U.S. Senate campaigns in President Joesph R. Biden, Jr.'s political career and was his principal surrogate on the campaign trail. She is one of the first women in the United States to have managed a presidential campaign. Valerie currently serves as Vice Chair of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware.

Join Toward a More Just Future season one host, Marla Blunt-Carter for a rapid-fire interview with episode two guest, Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride. 

Tune in to episode two as Toward a More Just Future's season one host Marla Blunt-Carter speaks with activist and elected official Sarah McBride. McBride is the first transgender state senator in the country, making her the highest-ranking transgender elected official in United States history.

Join Toward a More Just Future season 1 host, Marla Blunt-Carter for a rapid-fire interview with episode 1 guest, Delaware Congresswoman, Lisa Blunt Rochester.

Season 1 Episode 1 of Toward a More Just Future features host, Marla Blunt-Carter in conversation with Delaware Congresswoman, Lisa Blunt Rochester.  The first African American and first woman to serve in this role, Congresswoman Blunt Rochester is no doubt a change maker.

Toward a More Just Future is a podcast from Rutgers School of Social Work. We envision a future for our world that is grounded in justice, and we are committed to leading for justice through a focus on innovation, excellence, collaboration, and community. Deeply grounded in inclusion, intersectionality, diversity, equity, and advancement, this podcast explores a variety of topics pertinent to social workers and social work students working towards progress.

Season 1 is called "In the Spotlight” and is hosted by Marla Blunt-Carter, Assistant Professor.