Shows
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonSay It Straight: Truth, Trust, and Transformation: A Conversation with Dr. Jana MathewsIn this episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with one of the most influential and trusted voices on campus — Dr. Jana Mathews — for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about leadership, mentorship, and the lived realities of student life.A medievalist by training, a nationally recognized expert on fraternity and sorority life, and the Faculty-in-Residence of Ward Hall, Dr. Mathews is known for her clarity, honesty, and deep commitment to students. Whether through late-night hallway conversations, career coaching, or classroom discussions, she has shaped generations of students with a rare blend of warmth and truth.In...
2026-01-011h 08
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious Johnson“It’s Not the Meeting… It’s the Meaning: Why Small Group Communication Runs Your Workplace”In today’s quick solo episode, I’m breaking down something we all deal with but never really name: small group communication. From staff meetings to student orgs to worship teams to workplace chaos — your success depends on how people talk, decide, and connect. And trust me… I live in small groups. All day, every day.In just a few minutes, I walk you through the three theories that secretly run every team you’ve ever been part of:Systems Theory — Your group isn’t just “people in a room.” It’s a system. Messy inputs and unclear processe...
2025-11-3006 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonFaith, Fatherhood, & Fitness: A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Harold D. BriscoeFaith, Fitness, and FatherhoodA Conversation with Rev. Dr. Harold Dorrell BriscoeIn this episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Rev. Dr. Harold Dorrell Briscoe, minister, professor, historian, father of four, and Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at Rollins College. A leader who moves with ease between the academy and the altar, between data and devotion, Briscoe embodies what it means to lead with both intellect and spirit.From his early work in government and community revitalization, to his national voice as a public theologian, to...
2025-09-0849 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonMore Than A Meal: A Conversation with Maria Cristina Cabanilla, Veronica Hidalgo, & Carolina OssaMore Than a MealA Conversation with Veronica Hidalgo, Carolina Ossa & Maria Cristina CabanillaIn this episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with three powerhouse leaders who are transforming what dining means at Rollins College. Hospitality isn’t just service—it’s culture, memory, and connection. Together, they’ve turned meals into moments that bring people closer, shaping community through food and leadership.Veronica Hidalgo, Director of Operations for Sodexo, draws on two decades of luxury hospitality experience to create daily experiences that feel extraordinary. Carolina Ossa, Marketing Manager...
2025-08-2459 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonHarmony, Legacy, & Leadership: A Conversation with Dr. John SinclairIn this episode, our host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Dr. John V. Sinclair Endowed Chair of the Department of Music at Rollins College and Artistic Director/Conductor of the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park—to explore the art of leadership, the role of tradition in a changing world, and the lasting impact of music in education.Together, we reflect on his journey from small-town beginnings to the national stage, his philosophy on teaching and conducting, and the ways he continues to shape generations of students and audiences. Dr. Sinclair shares stories filled with humor, wi...
2025-08-1443 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonHeritage, Hospitality, & Higher-Ed: A Conversation with Trustee Mai-Han HarringtonIn this episode, our host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Mai-Han Harrington—Rollins College alumna, Trustee, and accomplished executive—to explore the powerful intersections of identity, leadership, and the liberal arts.Together, we reflect on her journey from being a first-generation college student to becoming a respected leader in the healthcare industry and higher education governance. Mai-Han shares insights about what keeps her coming back to Rollins, the values that continue to shape her, and the lessons she’s un-learning along the way.💡 In This Episode:– The impact of liberal arts education across a lifetime
2025-08-0739 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonData with a Soul: A Conversation with VP Faye TydlaskaIn this illuminating episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Faye Tydlaska, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing at Rollins College, for a powerful conversation about access, strategy, and the soul of liberal arts education.With over a decade of leadership at Rollins, Faye has helped shape the college’s enrollment landscape—driving significant increases in applications, Pell Grant recipients, and access for traditionally underserved students. A champion for student opportunity, her story spans two decades of impact in higher education, including key roles at Tulane University.In this episode, we expl...
2025-07-2736 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonAll Roads Lead Home: A Conversation with Carroll Hanley GogginIn this inspiring episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Carroll Hanley Goggin—Rollins College alumna, trustee, business leader, and advocate for the arts—for a warm, thoughtful conversation about legacy, belonging, and the roads that lead us back to where we began.Carroll’s journey is uniquely interwoven with Rollins—from her days as a math major in the 1980s to her current role as a 10-year trustee and Chair of the Presidential Transition Committee. As Co-Owner and CFO of DBG Promotions and Chair of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Carroll brings d...
2025-07-2047 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonBrave Enough to Lead: A Conversation with VP Donna A. LeeIn this powerful episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Donna A. Lee, Vice President for Student Affairs at Rollins College, for a heartfelt and unflinching conversation about leadership, identity, and the courage it takes to create change in higher education. A proud New Yorker, U.S. Army veteran, and seasoned student affairs leader, Donna brings a lifetime of experience, service, and soul to every space she enters.Donna’s journey spans decades of transformative leadership—from her early days at Rollins in 1996 to senior roles at Agnes Scott College, Macalester College, and national work...
2025-07-131h 06
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonWhere Possibility Lives: A Conversation with President Brooke BarnettIn this inspiring episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Dr. Brooke Barnett, the newly appointed 16th President of Rollins College, for her first in-depth campus conversation. President Barnett brings decades of experience in higher education leadership, a journalist’s storytelling soul, and a deep commitment to inclusive, student-centered transformation.Prior to joining Rollins in July 2025, Dr. Barnett served as Provost at Butler University, where she launched bold initiatives around student belonging, access, and institutional innovation. Her earlier work at Elon University included co-creating the nationally celebrated Center for Access and Success—a testament to h...
2025-07-0847 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonWhat the Heart Holds: A Conversation with Dr. Lua HancockIn this powerful episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Rollins alumna and national changemaker Dr. Lua Hancock to explore what it means to lead with courage, community, and care. From her early days at Rollins to her decades of impact in higher education, Lua shares insights on cultivating inclusive campuses, building brave spaces, and being fully present in leadership.Now serving as the Executive Director of the Phoenix Generation, Lua is at the forefront of a movement committed to preparing the next generation of leaders to engage in hard conversations, civic participation, and...
2025-07-0643 min
Gateway Conversations with Eltavious JohnsonHigher Education = Higher Application: A Conversation with Dean Micki MeyerIn this episode, we sit down with Micki Meyer, Dean of Rollins Gateway and a national leader in student engagement. With over two decades at Rollins College, Micki shares the heart behind her work—from transforming campus spaces to championing changemaking and equity in higher education. We explore how she nurtures student leaders, balances personal and professional life, and stays grounded in purpose. Whether you’re a student, educator, or lifelong learner, this conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership is about impact, not titles—and that joy and meaning often live in the quiet moments.
2025-06-2541 min