Welcome to Faculty 101, a podcast that offers a listen into the pursuits and perspectives of Husker faculty.

Hosted by Mary Jane Bruce, these stories explore how our faculty got here, what they’ve learned along the way, and why they do what they do at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

When she first came to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Susan Levine Ourada thought she’d be in Lincoln for a year. But the temporary position turned into an academic career that has lasted 16 years. As head of the dance department at Nebraska, Ourada has watched the program flourish in its goal to provide serious dance training to students.

Listen: Faculty 101 with Susan Levine Ourada

Bruce and Ourada take a tour of the new dance space at the Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, and learn how a Ourada, a native New Yorker, found her home at Nebraska.

Ourada also talks about her background as the daughter of a Rockette, and how modern dance — and yoga — became her passion.

This episode was recorded prior to the March shutdown of campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and before proposed budget cuts were announced in September. Proposed cuts included the elimination of the dance program. Donors and a realignment of endowments in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts have preserved the dance program from cuts.

Faculty 101 episodes will be featured here on Nebraska Today, but you can also subscribe via iTunes and Stitcher. Additional podcast delivery systems will be announced as they come online.

As always, we welcome your feedback. If you like the podcast, please subscribe and share it via a favorite social media channel. You can also offer us feedback and story ideas by sending email to nebraskatoday@unl.edu or calling 402-472-8515.