Women of Color Conference_2016 - New York State ACE Women`s

Women of Color Conference
“Believing in Yourself: You’re Already Ready”
Friday, April 8, 2016
Daemen College
The theme of the conference is “Believing in Yourself: You’re Already Ready” seeks to inspire and challenge women
across higher education and beyond to step into their purpose by believing in the potential that they already possess. All
of the sessions empower, engage, and boost women’s confidence as they move forward to their destined paths in their
professional careers.
Goals:
• To empower women of color with strategies for success as they move up the career ladder
• To provide networking opportunities that facilitate connections across the Western New York region
Conference Location:
Daemen College
Wick Center (Alumni Lounge)
4380 Main Street
Amherst, New York 14226
Join us on Social Media: #nysacewomenofcolor2016
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
Alumni Lounge, Wick Center
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Adriane Williams, M.S.
ACE Women’s Network NY, Institutional Representative,
Senior Academic Advisor/Peer Mentor Coordinator, Daemen
College
Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah, Ph.D.
ACE Women’s Network NY, Western Region Coordinator
Senior Assistant Director, Honors College, University at Buffalo
Adjunct Professor, Sociology Department, Niagara University
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Virtual Keynote Address
Belinda Miles, Ed.D.
President, SUNY Westchester Community College
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Question & Answer Period
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Networking Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Morning Breakout Sessions
“Is a Doctorate Degree in Future”
Wick 113
“Navigating the Road to Executive Leadership in Higher Education”
Wick 115
“You’ve Struck a Rock: Administrative Women in Education in the
Social, Cultural, and Political Movements – Past and Present”
Alumni Lounge, Wick Center
12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch and Empowerment Expo
2nd Floor of the Wick Center
12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
“Mentoring Roundtable Discussion”
2nd Floor of the Wick Center
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
“Is a Doctorate Degree in Your Future?”
Wick 113
“Navigating the Road to Executive Leadership in Higher Education”
Wick 115
“You’ve Struck a Rock: Administrative Women in Education in the
Social, Cultural, and Political Movements – Past and Present”
Alumni Lounge, Wick Center
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Raffle and Closing Remarks
Tamara L. McMillian, M.S.
Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO)
McMillan Empowerment Enterprise
Alumni Lounge, Wick Center
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS:
Panel Discussion:“Is a Doctorate Degree in Your Future?”: Not sure if pursuing a PhD is in your future? Or, if it will
assist you with moving to the next level in your career? The purpose of this session is to share the experiences of applying
and graduating from a doctorate program while developing your academic and professional portfolio, working full-time,
and raising families. Participants will learn tips for selecting a program of study, dissertation selection committee, ways
to develop professionally, studying for the comprehensive exam, writing the proposal, and preparing to defend the
dissertation.
Moderator:
Deborah J. Robinson, Ph.D.
Professor/Counselor, Niagara County Community College
Panelists:
Valencia Bevilacqua
Ph.D. Candidate, Walden University, Education
Typist, Niagara County Community College
Nancy Campos, MS.Ed
Ph.D. Candidate, Educational Culture, Policy, and Society
Takesha Leonard, Ed.D., FNP-BC
Clinical Supervisor, Jericho Road Community Health Center
Juhanna Rogers, MS.Ed
Ph.D. Candidate, Education, Leadership, & Policy Studies in Higher Education, Indiana University – Bloomington
“Navigating the Road to Executive Leadership in Higher Education”: As the career terrain in higher education becomes
increasingly competitive, the pressure to succeed through professional advancement has become central to one’s
promotion. This session explores the social and political landscape of how women navigate positions in leadership.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of preparing for their next career move, how to enhance their leadership skills,
create their personalized career guide, and how to negotiate the bumps in the road along the way.
Adiam Tsegai, Ph.D.
Dean of Instruction, Bryant and Stratton College
Morning Session Presenter
Eric Jay Rosser, Ph.D.
Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services
Afternoon Session Presenter (TENTATIVE)
“You’ve Struck a Rock: Administrative Women in Education in the Social, Cultural, and Political Movements – Past and
Present”: A presentation of profiles on some of history’s most powerful women who earned graduate or post-graduate
degrees and/or work(ed) in the higher education, while concurrently participating in social, political, and cultural activism
and movements that made a significant impact on humanity. Most importantly, the presentation will lead to a discussion
on where you see yourself and college campuses in the matrix of activism and movements, present and future.
Presenters:
Peggy Brooks-Bertram, DrPH, Ph.D.
Co-Founder of Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education
Barbara Seals Nevergold, Ph.D.
Co-Founder of Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education
“Mentoring Roundtable Discussion”
Join us for this informal and invigorating roundtable discussion how to find a group of mentors that will help propel you
into meeting your academic and professional goals. Participants will learn the importance of networking and seeking
advice from a variety of perspectives. Whether you are in the process of furthering your education, developing a specific
skill set, trying to meet career goals, this session will enable you to engage with conference participants and women in a
variety of fields.
Moderator:
Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah, Ph.D.
ACE Women’s Network NY, Western Region Coordinator
Senior Assistant Director, University Honors College, University at Buffalo
Adjunct Professor, Sociology Department, Niagara University
Mentoring Roundtable Participants:
Carolyn Benton, Ph.D.
Academic Advisor, Bryant and Stratton College
Karen King, Ph.D.
ISEP Program Manager, University at Buffalo
Letitia Thomas, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost and Advising Administrator, University at Buffalo
PROFESSIONAL PROFILES
Belinda Miles, Ed.D.
President, SUNY Westchester Community College
Virtual Keynote Speaker
Dr. Belinda S. Miles is a passionate advocate for maintaining the community college open
door access mission, improving student learning and success outcomes, and creating
opportunities for learning across the spectrum of life. As president of Westchester
Community College, Dr. Miles presides over the largest college in Westchester County,
New York providing leadership for an institution that offers more than sixty transfer and
workforce programs and includes the largest Division of Continuing Education in the State
University of New York system. The college educates and trains more than 26,000 students
annually through an array of credit and non-credit programs and is SUNY’s only formally designated Hispanic Serving
Institution (HIS). She began her tenure at the college in January 2015.
Since her arrival, she has led the college to its new status as an Achieving the Dream member institution focused on
increased levels of student success, overseen a successful Middle States accreditation visit, and expanded K-12
partnerships in order to increase college readiness.
As president, her community outreach includes her role as a member of the Board of Directors for The Business Council
of Westchester and her membership on the Education Committee of the Westchester County Association where she is
creating new synergies to better align the college’s certificate and associate degree programs with existing local and
regional job and career opportunities.
Previous to taking the helm as president in Westchester, Dr. Miles served as provost and executive vice president of
Access, Learning, and Success at Cuyahoga Community College with oversight of four campuses and multiple extension
sites in the Greater Cleveland area and serving 60,000 students. Her roles at Cuyahoga included president of the Eastern
Campus, dean of Academic Affairs, and assistant dean of Liberal Arts. Other positions in higher education included
faculty and administrator roles at LaGuardia Community College, Nassau Community College, and Columbia University.
Miles’ national roles include service on the faculty at the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Summer Institute
for Women at Bryn Mawr College and the Lakin Institute for Community College Leadership. She is also a member of
the Chair Academy’s International Presidential Advisory Board.
Among the numerous awards Dr. Miles has received are the Bronx Community College Men of Color’s Leadership and
Empowerment Award (2015), Ohio Diversity Council’s Woman of Power and Influence Award (2013), and the Education
Award from the Ohio Coalition of National Council of Negro Women (2011).
Originally from Queens, New York, Miles attended public schools including the City University of New York’s York
College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She attained a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and a
Doctor of Education in Higher Education Organization and Leadership Development from Columbia University Teachers
College. She and her husband, Keith, live in New Rochelle, New York. Their son, Gordon, recently graduated from
Tuskegee University with a B.S. in Engineering. He is a Certified Energy Engineer and is employed in this field
Deborah J. Robinson, Ph.D.
Professor/Counselor, Niagara County Community College
Moderator
Dr. Deborah J. Robinson holds a doctorate in Higher Education from the State University of
New York at Buffalo. She also earned a M.S. in Student Personnel Administration from
Buffalo State College and a B.A. in History and Sociology from Canisius College. At this
time she is a Professor at Niagara County Community College (NCCC) where she is
responsible for the coordination of the college’s curriculum change process. Some of her other
responsibilities include: evaluating transcripts for high-demand programs with prerequisites
for currently enrolled students and providing them advisement as well as academic strategies
for program completion. Other initiatives revolve around developing and updating a
communication stream via workshops, emails, plus other correspondences that keep students informed of their academic
status and other pertinent issues.
Likewise, she is responsible for coordinating professional advisement training for all eligible college personnel.
In that role she coordinates and develops supplemental documents (i.e. training manuals, forms, and web-site
information). Along with developing materials, over the years Dr. Robinson has designed several presentations as a
response to various concerns experienced by students and others.
Throughout her years at the college, she has served on several college committees. Her most recent committee
work includes serving as a co-chair of the Strategic Enrollment Management team (SEM II). In that capacity, she
coordinated a document that addressed the activities that students should ensue to obtain their education at NCCC. That
document also made recommendations for specific services and improvements with the college’s intra-structure. Her other
recent committee work is as a member of the Degree Works’ implementation team.
She has served as an adjunct professor for two institutions of higher education. At Niagara County Community College,
she taught a Career Planning and Seminar course in the classroom and developed this course for the SUNY Learning
Network. In the Higher Education and Student Administration, M.S. program at Buffalo State College, she taught an
elective psychology course. She also serves as an evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
(MSCHE). Lastly, she has a monthly column in the Black Western New York magazine.
Dr. Robinson has received the following awards and honors:
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Recipient of the Manchester who’s Who Registry among Executives & Professionals
Recipient of Who’s Who of American Women, Millennium Edition
Recipient of Who’s Who in America, 57th Edition
Recipient of the Niagara County Black Achievers, Inc. Award
Recipient of Who’s Who among America’s Teachers’ Award
Di Gamma Honorary Society, Canisius College
Valencia Bevilacqua
Ph.D. Candidate, Walden University, Education
Typist, Niagara County Community College
Panelist
Valencia Bevilacqua is currently the Typist at Niagara County Community Colleges Early Childhood Education. Her role
is often referred to as the “heartbeat of the center” and has given her the opportunity to become familiar with
administration policies and procedures related to Early Childhood Education. Valencia’s position encompasses wideranging responsibilities, including but not limited to: enrolling children, providing families with resources, maintaining
important documents and processing tuition payments. Valencia loves the work she performs at NCCC’s Child
Development Center because their philosophy supports her personal beliefs surrounding diversity, by providing
personalized support to families and helping parents to ensure that their children’s developmental milestones are met.
Prior to moving into this role she served as the Assistant Teacher for Toddlers. She holds a Master’s in Education from
Morehead State University. Shortly thereafter Valencia enrolled in a doctorate program at Walden University. Valencia
decided to pursue an advanced graduate degree because she believes that all children should have the opportunity to
attend Pre-School that supports them and their family’s necessities. She is the proud mother of three daughters Mikayla
(10), Jordan (8) and Zoe (2).
Nancy Campos, MS.Ed
Ph.D. Candidate, Educational Culture, Policy, and Society
Panelist
Nancy is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University at Buffalo in Educational Culture, Policy and
Society. She is currently the graduate assistant for the UB STEM programs, which offer
academic support and guidance to underrepresented students of color in STEM fields.
Through a collaboration between UB STEM and UB Counseling Services, she recently
started STEMINISM, a support group for women of color in STEM. She is also part of the
planning committee for the Women in STEM Summit hosted by the UB Women in STEM
Cooperative. Most recently, Nancy has become an active member of the Hispanic Women's
League of Buffalo and serves as the newsletter developer.
Nancy has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a Master of Education in General Education with a focus on Childhood
Education, Culture and Literacy from the University at Buffalo.
Takesha La'Shawn Leonard, Ed.D, FNP-BC
Clinical Supervisor, Jericho Road Community Health Center
Panelist
Takesha Leonard is Clinical Supervisor at Jericho Road Community Health Center. Originally
from Bronx, Takesha moved to Buffalo at the age of 17, she decided to attend the University at
Buffalo, State University of New York. In 2000, Takesha earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing
and Health/Human Services. She is a board certified Family Nurse Practitoner that has had a
variety of experiences in the medical field which includes 7 years of serving at Women and
Children’s Hospital. She earned her Master’s Degree as a Family Nurse Practioner in 2009 from
D’Youville College. Takesha was inspired by her work at Jericho Road Community Health center
and decided to pursue her Doctoral degree in Health and Administration, which she earned in 2015
from D’Youville College. She is an active member of Faith World Fellowship International Church
under the leadership of Pastors Mark and Cheryl Roberson. Takesha has been married to Shawn Leonard for 15 years and
they have 5 amazing boys.
Juhanna Rogers, MS.Ed
PhD. Candidate, Education, Leadership, & Policy Studies in Higher Education,
Indiana University – Bloomington
Adjunct Faculty, Africana Studies, Indiana University – Indianapolis
Director, FACES Program, Syracuse University
Panelist
Juhanna Rogers is a native of Newark, New Jersey but currently resided in Syracuse, New
York where she directs a health services program and finishing the last stages of her
dissertation work. She earned her undergraduate degree from Penn State University –
Altoona. Juhanna completed her graduate, both Masters and doctoral studies, in Higher
Education at Indiana University. During her time at Indiana University, she honed her
skills as a scholar and professional, because of the mentorship of Black academicians and
administrators that encouraged her to embrace her voice, talents, and ideas. Over the last ten years, Juhanna traveled
around world teaching American high school and college students about the history of the African Diaspora. Juhanna’s
research focuses on critical race theory, racism in education, and international higher education. In addition, to her
academic pursuits, she is a contributing writer with For Harriet, a mother to her beloved son, Nile, and an entrepreneur.
Adiam Tsegai, Ph.D.
Dean of Instruction, Bryant and Stratton College
Morning Session Presenter
(NEED BIO)
Peggy Brooks-Bertram, DrPH, Ph.D.
Co-Founder of Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education
Presenter
Dr. Peggy Brooks-Bertram is a graduate of Goucher College in Maryland and
received a Master of Public Health and a Doctor of Public Health in Health
Education from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public. She also
received a Doctor of Philosophy in American Studies from the University at
Buffalo. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at Buffalo State College and
Adjunct Faculty at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Bertram is Co-Founder and
President of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on
Women, Inc., currently known as Uncrowned Community Builders. Dr. Bertram
is also an author and has also co-authored several books including Uncrowned Queens: African American Women
Community Builders of Western New York, Vols. 1-3 and Uncrowned Queens: African American Women Community
Builders of Oklahoma. Dr. Bertram has also authored other publications addressing the writings of Drusilla Dunjee
Houston a forgotten African American woman writer of the early twentieth century, American West. Dr. Bertram
reconstructed a lost work of Houston and edited and published the book titled, Wonderful Ethiopians of the Ancient
Kushite Empire, Books II: Origin of Civilization from the Cushites, 2007. More recently, Dr. Bertram co-authored a
book entitled, Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady (SUNY Press, 2009).
Barbara Seals Nevergold, Ph.D.
Co-Founder of Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education
Presenter
Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold is an At Large Member of the Buffalo Board of Education. Dr. Seals Nevergold is an
educator, administrator, community and political activist. She has been a vocal advocate for parental involvement in the
public schools. In 1989, she also co-founded, with Dr. Brooks-Bertram, Concerned Parents and Citizens for Quality
Education, Inc. CPCQE was credited with increasing public awareness of educational issues and organizing parents as
effective advocates. In addition, she served on a number of committees and task forces established by the Buffalo Board
of Education. She is the author of: “From Pan Am Protests to the Niagara Movement: the Buffalo Connection (2005);
“Fantastic Color & Special Effects: The Seals Ebony Studio” in Western New York Heritage Magazine (Spring, 2002);
“To Be an Instrument for Their Voices: Finding, Writing and Sharing Family Histories” in Afro-Americans in New York
Life and History, (July 2001); and “Transracial Adoption: In the Child's Best Interest?” in African America Women's
Health and Social Issues, Catherine F. Collins (editor). Drs. Seals Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram have co-authored
Uncrowned Queens: African American Community Builders of Western
New York, Vol. 1 (2002), Vol. 2 (2003) and Vol. 3 (2005).
Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah, Ph.D.
ACE Women’s Network NY, Western Regional Coordinator
Senior Assistant Director, University Honors College, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Adjunct Professor, Sociology Department, Niagara University
Moderator for Mentoring Roundtable Discussion
Dr. Tara is the Senior Assistant Director of the University Honors College at the University at Buffalo and an Adjunct
Professor in the Sociology Department at Niagara University. In addition, she is the CEO and Founder of TMJ
Consulting, LLC where she provides coaching and editorial services for graduate students seeking to complete their
master’s thesis and doctoral dissertations. With over 12 years of experience as an administrator, researcher and adjunct
professor, she uses her talent and experiences to assist clients with pursuing their dreams by mapping out a personalized
academic and professional roadmap to success.
She earned her Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo’s, American Studies program specializing in Women’s Studies along
with an Advanced Certificate in Teaching for Leading Diversity. Her scholarly articles and chapters have been published
in the Journal of College Admissions, Journal of Race and Policy, NACADA Publications, Palgrave, Cognella, and
Southwest Journal of Cultures. Dr. Tara is the contributing editor for Afro-Americans in New York Life and History. She
has also presented at numerous national conferences and is known for her expertise and extensive field work on the crosscultural experiences of women in hip-hop and hip-life music industries in America and Ghana.
In 2014, Dr. Tara was nominated and selected as the Western Region Coordinator for the ACE Women’s Network of New
York; a prestigious organization that provides unique opportunities for women in leadership. She has a wide range of
leadership experiences including, but not limited to: serving as co-chair of the Middle States Research Group, academic
advising, coordinating a peer mentoring program, overseeing a high school to college program, and managing a diversity
office. Dr. Tara’s life mission is to empower, and equip individuals with effective tools to reach their maximum potential.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, listening to music and poetry.
Carolyn Benton, Ph.D.
Academic Advisor, Bryant and Stratton College
(NEED BIO)
Mentoring Roundtable Discussant
Karen King, Ph.D.
ISEP Program Manager, University at Buffalo
(NEED BIO)
Mentoring Roundtable Discussant
Letitia Thomas, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost and Advising Administrator, University at Buffalo
(NEED BIO)
Mentoring Roundtable Discussant
Tamara L. McMillian, M.S.
Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO)
McMillan Empowerment Enterprise
Closing Speaker
Tamara L. McMillan is an award winning professor, TEDx speaker, and blogger specializing in
leadership, women’s issues and personal development. As CEO of McMillan Empowerment
Enterprise, she’s a speaker, educator and coach. She also serves as the Associate Director of
Student Life and Adjunct Professor at SUNY Buffalo State.
She holds a MS in Student Personnel Administration, and a BS in Political Science both from
SUNY Buffalo State. In addition to her studies, Tamara is completing a graduate certificate in
Creativity and Change Leadership from the International Center of Studies in Creativity. Tamara is MBTI and Strong
Interest Inventory Qualified, an Advanced Trainer for Foursight and a certified facilitator for The 7 Habits for Highly
Effective People with SUNY Buffalo State.
Inspirational and passionate, she invites her constituents and students to become their authentic selves by “becoming
comfortable with being uncomfortable.” As a disruptive change agent, she is always looking for unique ways to help her
audiences view life from a different lens while challenging assumptions.
Tamara was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her
greatness passion and inspiration is the role of mother to her daughter Jontay Deaira.