From Classroom to Capitol: Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm on Education, Politics, and Community

18/07/2024 1h 12min Temporada 1 Episodio 7

Listen "From Classroom to Capitol: Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm on Education, Politics, and Community"

Episode Synopsis

Welcome to Episode 7 of Uncharted Your Sidekick for Life with Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm. In this episode, co-hosts Dan Dillard, Natalie Peyton, and Dr. Leon Vanstone sit down with Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm, the Executive Vice Chancellor of Operations and Public Affairs for Austin Community College District. Dr. Malcolm shares her extensive background in education, politics, and community service, offering a wealth of insights and advice for navigating life's uncharted territories.
Episode Highlights:

Introduction and Background: Dr. Malcolm discusses her journey from growing up in East Texas, becoming an elementary school teacher, moving into counseling, and eventually falling into politics. She highlights the importance of seizing opportunities and trusting oneself.

Gen Z Challenges: The conversation shifts to addressing common concerns among Gen Z, such as mental health and career uncertainties. Dr. Malcolm emphasizes the value of mentorship and the importance of seeking advice from those with more experience.

Navigating Change: The panel discusses the fear of complacency and the necessity of embracing change. Dr. Malcolm shares her experiences of transitioning between various roles and the lessons learned from each phase of her career.

Mentorship and Guidance: Dr. Malcolm talks about the impact of mentorship in her life and how she now mentors others. The discussion underscores the mutual benefits of mentorship and the importance of being open to learning from different generations.

Social Media's Impact: The team explores the anxiety caused by social media and the importance of moderation. They discuss strategies for managing social media use and the potential benefits and drawbacks of these platforms.

Educational Pathways: Dr. Malcolm provides insights into the current state of higher education, emphasizing the importance of considering practical outcomes when choosing a degree. She also discusses initiatives at Austin Community College to make education more accessible and affordable, including a new pilot program for free tuition.

Final Advice: Dr. Malcolm concludes with encouraging words for young listeners, urging them to take the first step towards their goals and believe in their capabilities.


Thank you to our Gen Z contributors interviewed by Anais Schmidt and Natalie Peyton: 

Kiera: who discusses her and her generation’s struggle and approach with mental health

Sarah: who weighs out the fear of complacency vs. the fear of trying something new 

Mahi: who shares her questions and concerns about finances and wonders about the future possibility of owning a home

And Jai: who talks about anxiety in social media vs. real life social experiences 


Tune in to this enlightening episode of Uncharted to gain valuable perspectives on education, career development, and personal growth from Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm and the Uncharted team.
If this podcast resonates with you, share it with your friends or family. Word of mouth goes a long way. Please take a minute to subscribe, follow, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform.
If you are a Gen Z person and have any questions, thoughts, or topics you would like us to explore, we would love to hear from you. You can reach us at https://foundingup.com/uncharted_podcast or connect with us on our socials: 
Instagram @foundingup 
TikTok @founding_up
Follow us on your favorite podcast platforms, now!

More episodes of the podcast Uncharted Your Sidekick for Life