Lise's Lens: January 15, 2026

1/15/2026

I was traveling this week, during which time I met with an alum and toured the Miami Dade Freedom Tower, a monument that feels especially resonant at a time when the safety and dignity of immigrants are increasingly at risk.

WHAT I'M READING

The Older You Get, The Shorter Your Stories Should Be by Bob Bowie ’68

I love reading books by alumni and secretly trying to parse out where and how CSW may have influenced the work in some way. In his book The Older You Get, The Shorter Your Stories Should Be (Salt Water Media, 2024), Bob Bowie ’68, reminds us that wisdom isn’t about having more to say, it’s about knowing what’s worth saying, which is something I hope all of our students come to learn during their time here. I got to spend two wonderful hours with Bob and his wife, Susan, this week. Among other things, our conversation focused on discussing his passion for poetry, theater, writing, and life itself! And of course what he loved most about CSW!

WHAT I'M THINKING ABOUT

The Escalating Threats to Immigrant Communities

Like many of you, I have been disturbed by the increasing violence and aggression we’re seeing in immigration enforcement across the country; this is not something we can afford to look away from or treat casually. What’s unfolding raises serious questions about power, due process, and the quiet ways harm can be normalized. One of the reasons I’m so proud to be part of the CSW community is that we don’t shy away from this complexity. Courses like “American Immigrant Literature” and “Borders: Immigration, Migration, and National Boundaries,” along with our decision to center immigration for this year’s Social Justice Day, help to give students the context, history, and humanity they need to understand not just what is happening, but why so much of it feels like a dangerous overreach. That kind of deep, empathetic understanding matters now more than ever.

I recently returned from a trip to Miami where I had the amazing opportunity of taking a guided tour of the newly launched Freedom Tower Museum. It reminded me that most immigrants make the difficult journey to leave their motherland for four reasons: opportunity, freedom, hope, and love.

WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO

Podcasts

At the Golden Globes this past weekend, Amy Poehler became the first person ever to win a Golden Globe for podcasting. She won it for her new show, Good Hang. While I can’t speak to the show (I’ve only seen short clips), I was struck by who the other nominees in the category were. Nearly all were big name celebrities, many from the entertainment industry, with the biggest exception being NPR’s Out First. It made me wonder what the criteria was to be nominated, as there are so many podcasts out there, and what we enjoy listening to is really so subjective. Still, I think podcasts are a fascinating cultural study as they straddle the line between social media and radio, and it’s amazing how popular they have become. I haven’t dug into the research, but I would imagine that listening to a podcast is probably better for us than doomscrolling, though I suppose it depends on the content… What are some of your favorites? And do you ever watch the recordings online?

WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE

This past weekend was an All Boarders Weekend! Here are some fun group dorm photos from the event!

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