In this special episode of the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Thyagi DeLanerolle sits down with Shannon Balram, a seasoned leader in higher education specializing in student and employee engagement, diversity initiatives, and crisis management. As the Associate Director for Student & Employee Engagement at UC Santa Barbara, Shannon is dedicated to fostering inclusive, vibrant communities that enhance the wellbeing and belonging for students and staff alike.With over 15 years of experience in residence life and leadership roles across institutions, Shannon has spearheaded initiatives that increase diversity in hiring, strengthen cultural wealth within programs, and provide crucial support during crises, such as the California Thomas Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her dual expertise in student engagement and employee well-being makes her a trailblazer in creating collaborative, thriving campus environments.In this episode, we discuss Shannon’s impactful career, her vision for student and employee engagement, and her approach to creating equitable and connected higher education communities.