The following keynote speakers will present at the 2014 Symposium on the Recruitment and Retention of Students of Color.
Dr. Samuel Betances
Diversity consultant, speaker, and author,Winning the Future through Education: One Step at a Time
Diversity is not about counting heads, it's about making headcounts. This opening keynote presentation will provide insight on why diversity is a plus and not a minus in higher education. Dr. Betances will focus on what diversity is and what diversity is not and how demographic trends, such as the influx of first-generation college students, will impact the way institutions of higher learning must do business today and in the future. Strategies for recruiting, retaining, educating, and graduating all students will also be explored. Stories from Dr. Betances’ own journey of going from a high school dropout to earning his master’s and doctorate from Harvard University will frame his message in a humorous and informative manner. Come prepared to laugh and learn!
About the presenter: Dr. Samuel Betances is a passionate motivational speaker. His story of dropping out of school, growing up in violence and on welfare, and then proceeding to earn two graduate degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education is compelling. His latest book, Winning the Future through Education: One Step at a Time, is especially appreciated by higher education specialists of first generation student success. Dr. Betances is also a nationally-known diversity consultant and serves as a faculty member of the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Summer Academy for Senior Urban Educators. “Dr. B,” as his students liked to call him, taught Sociology at the former Chicago Teachers College (now, Northeastern Illinois University) for 25 years.
Dr. Laurie H. Fluker
Associate Dean and Associate Professor, Texas State University’s College of Fine Arts & Communication
What happens at this symposium, cannot stay at this symposium. Unlike our exploits in places like Las Vegas, our lessons learned at this symposium must be shared with fellow professionals who likewise yearn to embrace the new wave of diverse college students on our campuses today. The real challenge is exactly "how" we might do this in the face of limited resources and our own finite span of influence. Bringing more than 30 years of experience as a mass communication expert, professor, and college dean, Dr. Fluker will equip and motivate you to lead the diversity charge at your institution using traditional tried-and-true methods as well as creative and innovative strategies of communicating to the masses. Find out how to re-shape the diversity discussions on your campus and help more of your students of color enroll, matriculate, and graduate. Expect to leave this session fully energized!
About the presenter: Dr. Laurie H. Fluker is an outstanding speaker and professor who brings a unique mix of passion, candor, and humor to the challenges of better serving students of color. A passionate advocate for student success, she has mentored and taught students of color at practically every type of higher education institution, public and private, two-year and four-year, small and large, predominantly white and historically black, secular and church-related. In addition, she has served as president and multiple terms on the State Board of the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education. Dr. Fluker has also “gone on the road,” recruiting students for each institution she serves, and remains involved with students once they get to campus. Her intense devotion to her students has been recognized with dozens of awards from students, student organizations, and colleagues.