UConn 360: The UConn Podcast

The Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be hosting its “Day of Discovery” on this week, which is an opportunity for UConn students to find out and explore what is available to them through Werth as part of their academic experience. Aaron Rosman is a program manager at Werth Institute Aaron and is a long-time member of the UConn community. He joins us on this episode of the podcast to talk about the “Day of Discovery.” Rosman also helps lead the institute’s Innovation House, which is their direct connection to first- and second-year students who were drawn to innovation as an identity. Innovation House is reinforced by experiential learning through the lens of community building. Plus, we celebrate Izzy’s birthday!

The first week of October is Banned Books Week in the United States and our guest on this episode of the podcast is Kate Capshaw, a professor of English and social and critical inquiry at UConn. The American Library Association tracks book banning and reports that 4,235 titles were challenged in 2025 and 92 percent of those challenges were initiated by pressure groups, government officials, and decision makers. Capshaw led a team for the past 18 months that surveyed teachers and librarians and how they navigate the subject of censorship and book banning. They then developed a toolkit for educators to use that includes sample policies and tips on how to talk to parents who voice concerns.

Ben Spaeth is the vice president of the UConn Ballroom Dance Club and joins us on this episode of the UConn 360 podcast. The club welcomes dancers of all experience levels and teaches a variety of ballroom dance styles through lessons, social dances, and competitions. Ballroom dance refers to a variety of partner dances across several different styles and speeds. Each dance has its own unique mood, style, appearance, and dance moves. The club regularly participates in collegiate ballroom competitions and helps introduce students to ballroom dancing in a fun and supportive environment. In the podcast, we talk to Ben about how students get involved in ballroom dance, what it's like to compete, and whether Dancing with the Stars gets ballroom dancing right.

Laura Glitz is entering her second season as the women’s tennis coach at UConn and joins us on the podcast right after the conclusion of the U.S. Open. She knows all about that event as she played in all four Grand Slam events as a professional player. Laura was ranked among the top 300 singles players in the world and the top 90 in doubles. Following her pro career, she took up college coaching and came to UConn from Purdue, where she spent 18 season and was the winningest coach in school history. Laura led UConn to the Big East semifinals in her first year. Keep listening as Izzy and Laura get into an involved pickleball conversation toward the end!

This summer there has been a lot of buzz about the spotted lantern fly – they seem to be everywhere in Connecticut, from big cities to farms and gardens. Our guest on this episode of the podcast is Evan Lentz, an assistant educator at the UConn Extension. He gives us an explanation of how the spotted lantern fly became so prevalent in the state and the biggest dangers they present, hint: it has to do with wine. Evan was the co-author of this extension website about the spotted lantern fly. We also talk about Evan’s work with the fruit farmers in Connecticut, what the fruit industry is like in the state, and the work is he doing to bring back UConn’s historic orchards and what the future might hold for them.