Scholars Speak: A Podcast of the Mitchell Institute

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholars Lauren Turcotte Seavey, Mariah Kimball, and Sarah McKeown

In the latest episode of Scholars Speak, we catch up with three Mitchell Scholars — Lauren Turcotte Seavey ’19, Mariah Kimball ’10, and Sarah McKeown ’08 — who have something in common: They all took advantage of an exclusive tuition discount available to Mitchell Scholars pursuing graduate degrees and certificates at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University. (ICYMI, all Mitchell Scholars are eligible for a 20% tuition discount toward master’s and certificate programs at the Roux Institute, in addition to scholarships through the Alfond Scholars Initiative. Be sure to notify your Roux Institute Enrollment Counselor of your status as a Mitchell Scholar if you apply for any of the Roux programs!) Listen up as this trio talks about what motivated them to pursue graduate degrees at The Roux Institute, their experience with the admission process, and how they are advancing their career plans through their graduate studies. 

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar C.J. Moody

In the latest episode of Scholars Speak, we catch up with C.J. Moody, the 2015 Mitchell Scholar from Old Town High School, a graduate of the University of Southern Maine School of Nursing, a co-owner of Black Bear Cinemas in Orono, and a staff nurse at Palomar Medical Center in California. Listen up as Moody tells us about co-owning and operating a seven-screen independent movie theater, what led him to become a travel nurse, and how the Mitchell Institute provided him with so much more than a scholarship.

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Dr. Sarae Sager

In the latest episode of Scholars Speak, we catch up with Dr. Sarae Sager, the 2012 Mitchell Scholar from Caribou High School and a graduate of the University of New England School of Medicine. Listen up as Dr. Sager tells us about her third year of residency at one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation research hospitals—the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago—as well as her interest in transitioning to practice lifestyle medicine, how she coped with the rigors of medical school, the advice she has for Mitchell Scholars interested in pursuing careers in healthcare, and how the Mitchell Institute provided her with so much more than a scholarship. 

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Ethan Pierce

In the latest episode of Scholars Speak, we catch up with Ethan Pierce, the 2009 Mitchell Scholar from Gardiner Area High School, Harvard University graduate, and Cambridge, Mass.-based artificial-intelligence entrepreneur. Listen up as Pierce tells us about why he launched Adaptive Reader, an AI-assisted platform that reinterprets literary classics into more accessible versions for educators and students. So far, 14 public domain books are available through Adaptive Reader, including “Beowulf” and Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and “Macbeth.” Learn more about how Pierce is helping to bring the classics to a broader audience—even those who read at a sixth-grade level—as well as his advice for Scholars interested in breaking into the field of AI.

(00:00) Mitchell Scholar Ethan Pierce explains what Adaptive Reader is and how it works
(04:22) What motivated you to develop Adaptive Reader?
(06:55) How did you make the leap from being a humanities major to an innovator and startup leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence? 
(08:14) What advice might you have for people who have an interest in working in AI or would like to explore AI as a possible career field?
(11:37) What trends in AI development most excite you?
(16:00) What did you learn from your other startup ventures about taking risks and being innovative?
(19:11) What do you look for in job applicants? What skills and habits of mind do you find are important for career success — in AI or in general?
(20:44) How has being a Mitchell Scholar helped you at Harvard and beyond?
(23:09) Have there been any surprises in your life about being a Mitchell Scholar?

 

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Patrick Luizzo

In the latest episode of Scholars Speak, we catch up with Patrick Luizzo, the 2018 Mitchell Scholar from Edward Little High School and a sales manager for Mirah, a software platform provider that helps primary healthcare providers integrate behavioral healthcare. 

00:21 Host Marc Glass welcomes Patrick Luizzo to the podcast

00:51 Can you tell us why your graduation from Northeastern University was especially meaningful for you and your family?

03:45 Based on your experience, what advice would you give to current Mitchell Scholars who are considering a hybrid or fully remote position?

07:15 Were there any ways that the Mitchell Institute helped you with your career and professional development during your college years?

11:17 Can you tell us how the Mitchell Institute provided you with support that got you through a rough patch at the start of your college experience?

14:46 At the 2022 Welcome Celebration, you told the new Mitchell Scholars that the Mitchell Institute is a safe place to fall. What did you mean by that?

17:19 Host Marc Glass explains why the support available to Mitchell Scholars doesn't end at graduation.

19:04 Host Marc Glass bids farewell to Mitchell Scholar Patrick Luizzo

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Michele Martin

For the first Scholars Speak episode of 2024, Michele Martin, the 1999 Mitchell Scholar from Scarborough High School, and Marc Glass, the Mitchell Institute’s Brand and Communications Director, have some big news to share about the podcast. (Here’s a hint: This time, Martin takes a seat in the guest’s chair!) Listen up as Martin talks about her career progression with experiences at a number of well-known brands; why she chose to serve on the Mitchell Institute’s Board of Directors, Senator’s Circle, and Alumni Council; the value of both mentorship and sponsorship in your professional development; and why “proving it to yourself first” is important early in your career.

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Karin Paquin

In the latest episode of the Scholars Speak podcast, host Michele Martin, the 1999 Mitchell Scholar from Scarborough High School, catches up with Karin Paquin, the 2003 Mitchell Scholar from Boothbay Region High School and bachelor’s and master’s graduate of the University of New England. Listen up as Paquin talks about her experiences as a Teachers in Space Human Flight Program candidate, CubeSat builder, zero-gravity flight participant, teacher of science and history at St. John’s Catholic School in Brunswick, and former lead aquarist at the Maine State Aquarium in Boothbay Harbor. As for the advice Paquin has for Mitchell Scholars on how to pursue a broad range of professional experiences, she says, “Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” That and “make use of the Mitchell Institute’s Fellowship opportunity.” 

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Dakotah Dugan

In the latest episode of the Scholars Speak podcast, host Michele Martin, the 1999 Mitchell Scholar from Scarborough High School, catches up with Dakotah Dugan, the 2003 Mitchell Scholar from Fryeburg Academy and Psychology–Pre-Med graduate of the University of Southern Maine.

Listen up as Dugan speaks about the importance of understanding one’s transferable skills and building relationships with people as she traces her career path, which includes serving as Development Data Administrator at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Information Technology and Enrollment Manager at Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, several roles of progressive responsibility at TD Bank (most recently Head of Product Development Strategy for Credit Card and Unsecured Lending and Integration Lead for Consumer Deposit Products and Payments), and now Senior Director, Compliance Advisory – Deposits at Discover Financial Services.

“Building relationships with people has been the single most important thing I’ve done in my entire career,” Dugan tells Martin. “The relationships and the networking and the connections that I made always took me to that next level.”