Penn State’s New President
Penn State President Eric Barron talks to Penn State President elect Dr. Neeli Bendapudi about taking on the office of President, her vision for the university, and what come next for Penn State.
Digging Deeper
In this monthly talk show, Penn State President Eric Barron explores how work being done at the University impacts the broader community. Penn State senior Rhea Jha serves as co-host and rounds out each episode by asking President Barron questions that are on the minds of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Learn about the latest research, services, and more on Digging Deeper!
About the Hosts
Eric J. Barron, Penn State’s 18th president, is a geologist at heart and a scientist who has studied the earth and its processes. In office since May 2014, he’s a rock solid leader for our ever-evolving great public research University. From day one, he has rolled up his sleeves to dig in deeper to the issues impacting Penn State. Read more at President Barron’s blog: Digging Deeper.
Andrew Destin is a senior from Saratoga, California, double majoring in journalism and political science at Penn State. Destin is a sports director for CommRadio, which is Penn State’s student-run radio station, and is a sports reporter for the Daily Collegian. He also works for the Big Ten Network as a play-by-play broadcaster for various sports on campus. Destin has previously interned for WPSU as a radio news reporter. He has also interned as a sportswriter for the Santa Cruz Sentinel and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Coming Up on Digging Deeper
Episodes
Penn State’s New President
Penn State President Eric Barron talks to Penn State President elect Dr. Neeli Bendapudi about taking on the office of President, her vision for the university, and what come next for Penn State. Continue »
The Pollinator and Bird Garden at the Arboretum
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guests talk about the Pollinator and Bird Garden at the Arboretum at Penn State. The garden allows guests to experience natural beauty and science in one immersive environment. Continue »
Nursing at Penn State
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guests talk about nursing education at Penn State. They discuss the generous gift pledged to the college of nursing by Ross and Carol Nese, as well as the new Doctorate of Nursing Practice World Campus degree. Continue »
Innovation Hub and Start Up Week
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guests talk about the new Innovation Hub in downtown State College, Penn State Start Up Week, and how Penn State is fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Continue »
Telemedicine
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guests talk about telemedicine. How prevalent has it become, what services can be offered, and how will it continue to grow? Continue »
The Great Resignation
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guest talk about The Great Resignation. What is it, what caused it, and is it the new normal? Continue »
College Athletes and Mental Health
Penn State President Eric Barron and Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren talk about the importance of mental health among college athletes. Continue »
Immersive Technology in the Classroom
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about immersive technology in the classroom, how it can enhance learning, and how Penn State is applying the technology. Continue »
Climate Change
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about global climate change, and what Penn State is doing to address the problem. Continue »
The Penn State Arboretum
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Penn State Arboretum. They discuss the spring and summer schedule of events and the upcoming expansion plans. Continue »
3-D Printing
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about 3-D printing. The advances that have been made in 3-D printing, how it can be used to make a difference in people's lives, and what Penn State is doing with the technology. Continue »
University Commencement
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about Commencement. What it is, why it is important, and its history at Penn State. Continue »
Student Food Insecurity
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about student food insecurity on university campuses; what causes food insecurity and what can be done to help the millions of students who are affected. Continue »
COVID-19 and Non-Profit Organizations
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the challenges and difficulties facing non-profit organizations during COVID-19, and why their work is more important now than ever. Continue »
College Athletics During COVID-19
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the challenges of conducting college athletics during COVID-19. Continue »
The Online Classroom
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the classroom and the rise of the online classroom. Continue »
Black Lives Matter
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how the Black Lives Matter movement is manifesting on college campuses and what work needs to be done in higher education to address systemic racism. Continue »
The 2020 Election
Penn State President Eric Barron talks to Danielle Conway, Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law at Dickinson Law, and Michael Berkman, Director of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, about the upcoming election. Continue »
Student Debt
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about rising student debt and how institutions of higher education remain relevant in the face of increasing costs. Continue »
Branding and Brand Identity in Higher Education
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how universities advertise and the challenges of building a brand for an institute of higher education. Continue »
Automation, A.I., and the Economy
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rise of automation and A.I., and the disruptive effect it could have on certain industries and the economy as a whole. Continue »
Energy 2100
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Energy 2100 initiative and Penn State’s commitment to renewable energy. Continue »
Sports Gambling
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rising prominence of sports gambling and what has caused its recent popularity. Continue »
Collegiate Esports
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rising popularity of Esports and how universities will get involved in the trend. Continue »
Census
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the upcoming census and the importance of the information collected. Continue »
Shaver’s Creek
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, what’s new and what people can expect this summer. Continue »
Opioid Crisis
Penn State President Eric Barron talks with Stephanie Lanza, director of The Edna Benett Pierce Prevention Research Center and Glenn Sterner, assistant professor of criminal justice, about the opioid crisis and what Penn State is doing to help. Continue »
World in Conversation
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the World in Conversation project, their Martin Luther King Day event, and the importance of facilitated dialogue. Continue »
Invasive Species
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about some of the new invasive species that have recently been introduced to Pennsylvania, what impact the they might have and what residents need to know. Continue »
Fake News
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the emergence of fake news, it’s impact on American culture and what it means for the legitimate news media. Continue »
Big Data
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about big data; what it is, how it is collected, and how it is used. Continue »
Greek Life Reform, Part 2
Penn State President Eric Barron talks with current Penn State students about the changes to Greek Life on campus since the tragic death of Tim Piazza. Continue »
1855 Fund
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests discuss the INVENT Penn State initiative and the impact it is having in communities across Pennsylvania. Continue »
Greek Life Reform
Penn State President Eric Barron talks with Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the parents of Tim Piazza, about the steps being taken to implement Greek life reform. Continue »
Teaching and Learning with Technology
Penn State President Eric Barron discusses the Penn State Symposium for Teaching and Learning with Technology. Continue »
Convergence Research
Penn State President Eric Barron discusses a new style of research in which experts from many disciplines coordinate their technologies and knowledge in ways that produce exponential advances. Continue »
Moments of Change – Remembering ’68
Penn State President Eric Barron discusses "Moments of Change: Remembering '68," an edge seminar from the College of the Liberal Arts. Continue »
FaceAge
In this episode of Digging Deeper Dr. Eric Barron speaks with Penn State Laureate Andrew Belser about the award-winning video project: FaceAge. Continue »
National Museum of African American History
Penn State President Eric Barron explores the impact of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with its director, Lonnie G. Bunch, III. Continue »
Food Security
Scientists at the “Roots Lab” at Penn State are working on building sustainable sources of food and nutrition for the developing world. Continue »
The Future of Electric Vehicles
Penn State President Eric J. Barron welcomes professor Chao-Yang Wang and graduate fellow Ryan Longchamps from the Penn State BEST Center to discuss the advancements in lithium battery technology and the future of electric vehicles. Continue »
News & Public Affairs|Science & Nature
Fighting Antibiotic Resistance
A pair of Penn State professors discuss their research study on the effects of overusing antibiotics with Penn State President Eric Barron. Continue »
Finding Your Roots
President talks with Penn State experts about the impact a summer camp can have on students’ attitudes towards science. Continue »
Immigration
President talks with a Penn State expert about immigration policy and President Trump's executive orders. Continue »
Winemaking
President Barron and Penn State experts discuss the fundamentals of growing grapes and making wine in Pennsylvania. Continue »
Economic Development in Pennsylvania
President Barron talks with Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis Davin about the state's economy. Continue »
Starting a Business
President Barron explores entrepreneurship and small business development. Continue »
Tech Policy and Cybersecurity
President Barron and Penn State experts discuss tech policy and cybersecurity. Continue »
News & Public Affairs|Technology
The Mood of the Nation
President Barron and Penn State experts discuss what a new poll is revealing about the U.S. electorate. Continue »
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