Human Powered: In Conversation with Kevin Mullen

What is it about reading and talking about a text like Plato's Allegory of the Cave that changes a person? “There's something magical about the humanities that allows adults, especially, to stop, reflect, think, and connect,” says Kevin Mullen, Assistant Professor of Continuing Studies and the Director of Adult Education for the UW Odyssey Project. His work focuses on expanding access to higher education for low-income adult students from marginalized communities. In this episode, co-hosts Jen Rubin and Jessica Becker talk about the history, growth, and impact of Odyssey’s humanities courses, as well as the powerful role that writing plays in creating a stronger sense of self-efficacy, voice, and community. Additional Links to check out: → “A Mic and Five Minutes” episode of Human Powered’s previous series, Humanity Unlocked, features stories told by students in the English 100 course at Oakhill Correctional Facility, where the University of Wisconsin Odyssey Beyond Bars Project offers humanities courses for incarcerated students. Check it out here. → As part of the Odyssey Beyond Bars program, Human Powered co-host Jen Rubin led a team of storytellers who facilitated a three-part storytelling workshop as part of UW-Madison Odyssey Project English classes in Taycheedah, Columbia, Oak Hill, and Racine correctional facilities, with support from Wisconsin Humanities.  Learn more here.This episode of Human Powered was produced and edited by Chrissy Widmayer. All rights reserved.