T N E V E FUTURE SUCCESS SYMPOSIUM 2021: G U ID E THE MARATHON CONTINUES FEBRUARY 2 - 4, 2021
Co-presented by CBI Alumni Engagement at Student Leadership Network and Office of Enrollment Management & Student Success at SUNY
Session & Presenter Info: Tuesday, February 2nd 5:00 - 6:15 PM
Panel discussion: Strategies for success in a virtual learning environment COVID-19 changed the way that we work, study, and interact with others. In an engaging and enlightening panel discussion, Meylin Andares, Vanessa Borum, and Sophia Givre will share their tips for prioritizing, seeking help, and meeting expectations in virtual learning environments.
Meylin Andares, Director of Enrollment Management and Student Success at SUNY
Vanessa Borum, Assistant Director, Academic Support Center at University at Albany
In her role at SUNY, Ms. Meylin Andares is responsible for creating initiatives that assist underrepresented students with increasing college enrollment, retention, and persistence. She is passionate about higher education and believes every student deserves the right to a college education and resources. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration at the University of Stonybrook to pursue a doctorate degree.
Vanessa is the Assistant Director of the Academic Support Center at the University at Albany and has worked in advising and college access programs for 12 years. She is passionate about supporting first generation college students and students of color in STEM as they navigate college. Vanessa has presented at the regional and national advising conferences and is the recipient of the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising.
Sophia Givre, Director of Upward Bound at Binghamton University As a first-generation college student, navigating college and utilizing the resources available to Sophia were unfamiliar concepts. Her college experience has influenced her unrelenting passion for providing students and young professionals with advice and support to enhance their pursuit of practical passions. Sophia has extensive experience in teaching, advising, research and coordinating academic support services.
Session & Presenter Info: Wednesday, February 3rd 5:00 - 6:15 PM
Workshop: Recognizing and celebrating cultural differences During this workshop, students will have an opportunity to reflect on their cultural heritage while learning about others’. Participants will be reminded of the importance of celebrating and valuing diversity while developing communication skills to communicate across differences and enhance social and community cultural wealth.
Jarvis Marlow-McCowin, Dean of Students Office at Cornell University
Jarvis' collaborative work on Black men’s achievement in higher education has been published and presented at numerous conferences. Jarvis earned his B.A. in history with a minor in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and his M.A. in educational policy and leadership studies with a concentration in higher education and student affairs from the University of Iowa. He is currently pursuing his doctorate degree where his research exploring rurality and the experiences of rural Students of Color in higher education.
Venessa Rodriguez, EOP Director, SUNY Broome Community College Venessa has dedicated much of her 15 year career to fostering inclusive spaces for students to gain a strong sense of belonging. Among her professional highlights is coordinating the African American, Latino, Asian, Native American (AALANA) Peer Mentorship Program at SUNY College at Oneonta which provided a strategic framework for fostering a sense of belonging and a supportive community to optimize student success. She has worked at SUNY Broome for the last 7 years where she has continued her work to make college a more equitable and inclusive place for all students.
Session & Presenter Info: Thursday, February 4th 5:00 - 6:15 PM
Fireside chat: Mental health, wellness, and transformational student activism Between school, your personal life, and the nation’s current events, you may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and alone. This conversation is designed to answer your questions and have you walk away with attainable mental health goals.
Jason Acosa, Co-host of Live From the Bronx podcast
Minaa B. Licensed Therapist
Jason Acosta is a proud native of the South Bronx and a product of NYC public schools. Guided by the question, “who am I?” Jason has dedicated his social work career to dismantling oppressive systems in an effort to create equitable spaces for people of color. Jason leads by utilizing a systemic lens to empower the community and impact urban education while advocating for institutional change. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Marist College and a Master of Social Work from Fordham University where he specialized in leadership.
Minaa B. is a speaker, writer, author of the book Rivers Are Coming and a licensed psychotherapist based in NYC. She works with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety and trauma, with a core focus on childhood and racial trauma. Minaa believes that advocacy, social justice and mental health intersects and she provides her social media audiences with mental health education and practical tools for self-care. Learn more at www.minaab.com or on Instagram @minaa_b.
Shantel Powell Staff Psychologist, University at Albany Dr. Shantel Powell is a Staff Psychologist and alumna of the University at Albany. Her professional and research interests center on women's health and wellness. Dr. Powell is passionate about understanding the societal, cultural, and political forces that create and maintain health disparities within communities of color and other historically disenfranchised groups. Dr. Powell's clinical interests are centered on identity formation, self-esteem, existential concerns, career planning, and health and wellness.
Keynote Speakers Opening Keynote | Tuesday, February 2nd Timothy Thompson, Coordinator of Diversity Education & Support Services, Tompkins Cortland Community College Tim Thompson serves as the Coordinator of Diversity Education & Support Services at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). He is also a second-year MPA student at Cornell University's Institute for Public Affairs, concentrating in Government Policy and Politics. Tim is from the Bronx, NY, and is an active member in Ithaca's Alumni Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and a member of SUNY Cortland's Alumni Board of Directors. Tim is a graduate of TC3 and SUNY Cortland, where he earned an Associate's and Bachelors of Science degree in Sport Management with a concentration in International Sport.
Closing Keynote | Thursday, February 4th Jason Acosta, Founder of We Shift the Culture LLC & Co-Founder & Producer of Live From The Bronx Jason is the founder of We Shift the Culture LLC, a consulting company that aims to inspire systemic change by centering identity and healing as the foundation for transformation. As the founder, Jason strives to shift organizational culture in an effort to develop equitable and inclusive spaces for marginalized communities across companies, organizations, and educational institutions. Additionally, Jason is the Co-Founder and Co-Producer of the Live From The Bronx podcast, a podcast that celebrates Bronx creatives and change makers.
Join us! Sign up for the Future Success Symposium here!