ABOUT THE CONFERENCE: 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 ACE WOMEN’S NETWORK OF NEW YORK: The ACE Women's Network is a national system of networks within each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia with the goal of advancing and supporting women in higher education. Each state network is led by a state coordinator who works with institutional representatives and at least one presidential sponsor to develop programs that identify, develop, encourage, advance, link, and support (IDEALS) women in higher education careers within that state. Interested in learning more about ACE Women’s Network or how to become an Institutional Representative for the Western Region? Contact Dr. Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah at jabbaar@buffalo.edu NOTES:

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast

Alumni Lounge, Wick Center

9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. 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 Teresa A. Miller, J.D. Vice Provost for Equity & Inclusion and Professor of Law University at Buffalo Alumni Lounge, Wick Center

9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Virtual Keynote Address Dr. Belinda Miles President, SUNY Westchester Community College Question & Answer Period Alumni Lounge, Wick Center

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 Your Future” - Wick 113/115

• “Navigating the Road to Executive Leadership in Higher Education”- Oddy Lounge

• “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. 12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch and Empowerment Expo “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 113/115

• “Navigating the Road to Executive Leadership in Higher Education” – Oddy Lounge

• “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

BREAKOUT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS: Virtual Keynote Address: Dr. Belinda Miles President, SUNY Westchester Community College Welcome and Opening Remarks: Dr. Teresa A. Miller Vice Provost & Equity and Diversity and Professor of Law, University at Buffalo

A) 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, Ed.M. 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

B) “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.

Amitra A. Wall, Ph.D., C.S.P. Professor, Sociology, Buffalo State College Assistant Dean, Intellectual Foundations & First Year Programs Interim Chair, Department of Political Science Morning Session Presenter

Adiam Tsegai, Ph.D. Dean of Instruction, Bryant and Stratton College Afternoon Session Presenter

C) “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

D) “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:

Jeannine E. Dingus-Eason, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Program Director of the Leadership Doctoral Program, St. John Fisher

Karen King, Ph.D. ISEP Grant Program Manager, University at Buffalo

Letitia Thomas, Ph.D. Director of STEM Diversity Programs, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) University at Buffalo

Yolanda Wood, M.S. Director of Multicultural Affairs, D’Youville College

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

Dr. Teresa A. Miller Vice Provost for Equity & Diversity and Professor of Law, University at Buffalo Welcome and Opening Remarks Teresa A. Miller earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1986, her Master of Laws from the

University of Wisconsin at Madison as a William H. Hastie Fellow in 1989, and her Bachelor’s degree from Duke University in 1983 as an Angier B. Duke Scholar.

Before joining the provost’s office as UB’s first vice provost for equity and inclusion in March 2014, Miller enjoyed a distinguished career as a professor of law, specializing in immigration law, criminal procedure, and prisoner law. Miller’s long-standing commitment to equity and social justice has been demonstrated throughout her academic career by her leadership as a member the ABA Task Force that re-wrote the Standards on the Legal Status of Prisoners (2010), her decades-long involvement in prison reform in New York State, her scholarship on the convergence of immigration law and criminal punishment, and her engagement with the issue of mass incarceration as a documentary filmmaker.

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. 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.

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 wide-ranging 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, Ed.M. 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 Policy and Health 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.

Amitra A. Wall, Ph.D., C.S.P. Professor, Sociology, Buffalo State College Assistant Dean, Intellectual Foundations & First Year Programs Interim Chair, Department of Political Science Morning Session Presenter Amitra A. Wall is a full professor of sociology. She is currently serving as assistant dean of intellectual foundations and first-year programs and as the interim chair of the political science department. In 1999, she earned her doctorate in sociology from Texas Woman’s

University. When she joined the SUNY Buffalo State faculty in 2000, she coordinated the woman’s studies interdisciplinary minor program. In 2010, she was certified as an applied sociologist by national and international colleagues from the Association for Applied and Clinical and Sociology. In 2011, she received SUNY’s Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. One of her greatest joys includes working with students. Student-related service activities include mentoring students for the Student Research and Creativity Celebrations and for local and state conferences, conducting workshops for McNair students, and participating in learning communities since 2001. Scholarship centers on higher education.

Adiam Tsegai, Ph.D. Dean of Instruction, Bryant and Stratton College Afternoon Session Presenter Dr. Adiam Tsegai holds a Ph.D. of Philosophy in Social Foundations, specializing in Comparative and Global Studies in Education from State University of New York at Buffalo; and, a M.Ed. in General Education that focused on Public Education, also from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She currently serves as the Dean of Instruction at

Bryant & Stratton College – Buffalo Campus. In addition, she is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Education at State University of New York at Buffalo. She has over 10 years successful leadership experiences both in Academic and Student Affairs. Dr. Tsegai’s primary areas of interest center on student retention and persistence in higher education rates, as contributed to by the environments of our social and educational institutions. As a scholar Dr. Tsegai research interest spans across issues student engagement, disengagement, and dropping out, college access and choice in U.S. higher education, education policy, learning and instruction in urban campus, educational leadership, and situational leadership in higher education.

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. 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. Dr. Tara’s 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. She is the contributing editor for Afro-Americans in New York Life and History. Dr. Tara has also presented at numerous national conferences and is known for her expertise and extensive field work on the cross-cultural 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.

Jeannine E. Dingus-Eason, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Program Director of the Leadership Doctoral Program, St. John Fisher Mentoring Roundtable Discussant Jeannine Dingus-Eason is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Executive Leadership Doctoral Program at St. John Fisher College. She teaches courses in research methodology (qualitative and action research) as well as leadership and diversity. A graduate of the University of Washington (2003), Dr. Dingus-Eason has published articles in educational research journals including Teachers College Record, Urban Education, and, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, to name a few.

Her research interests include the professional socialization of teachers, specifically, African American intergenerational teachers, examining familial and cultural influences as well as the intersections of race, class, and gender on their work. For this area of research, Dingus-Eason earned a Spencer Pre-Dissertation Fellowship. Currently, her research focuses on bridging historical and contemporary contexts of African American education in the urban North, as demonstrated in her study of African American teacher recruitment to the North. A Rochester, New York native, Dr. Dingus-Eason is a former secondary English teacher in the Rochester City School District and served as founding board president for a charter school. She also worked with TRIO Programs in Washington State including Upward Bound and the McNair Scholars Program. Dingus-Eason serves as Curriculum Chair for the Rochester United Way’s African American Leadership Development Program. She currently serves as the International Trends and Services Facet Chair for the Rochester (NY) Chapter of the Links, Inc. Dingus-Eason also mentors mothers of children with autism and participates in social action events with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Karen King, Ph.D. ISEP Grant Program Manager, University at Buffalo Mentoring Roundtable Discussant Dr. King is the grant project manager on the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership (ISEP) at the University at Buffalo; a National Science Foundation Grant in partnership with the Buffalo Public Schools. She has served as an adjunct graduate faculty member in the Higher Education Student Affairs Administration Program at Buffalo State College and in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo. Additionally, she has developed and taught courses and conducted numerous workshops on social justice advocacy, multicultural competency, privilege, gender, race and class through the University at Buffalo’s Intercultural and Diversity Center. Dr. King’s research interests include

examining how gender, race, class, and popular culture impact identity development and educational opportunity. Dr. King serves as Vice Chair of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women and as Vice President of the Family Justice e Center Board of Directors.

Letitia Thomas, Ph.D. Director of STEM Diversity Programs, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) University at Buffalo Mentoring Roundtable Discussant With more than twenty years’ experience in higher education administration Dr. Letitia Thomas now serves as Director of STEM Diversity Programs in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) at the University at Buffalo (UB).

Dr. Thomas will be responsible for the support of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines within UB Engineering, as well as the College of Arts and Sciences. She will serve as a resource for grant writing and outreach programs, to provide greater paths to success for minority participation in STEM. Dr. Thomas oversees National Science Foundation (NSF) funded grants that seek to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing STEM, by building a supportive network for STEM Scholars. In addition to her administrative duties, Dr. Thomas is committed to scholarship and teaching. Her research interests include STEM education, social media and qualitative research methods. She has taught courses in sociology including Race & Ethnic Relations, Social Problems and a current course in Social Justice. Dr. Thomas is a member of various professional organizations including the American Association of University Women (AAUW), American Sociological Association (ASA) and American Educational Research Association (AERA). A native of Buffalo, Dr. Thomas earned a BS in Biological Sciences from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York and holds a master’s in Educational Administration as well as master’s and doctorate in Sociology, all from UB.

Yolanda Wood, M.S. Director of Multicultural Affairs, D’Youville College Mentoring Roundtable Discussant Yolanda Wood currently serves as the Director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs at D’Youville College (OMA). In this position she has administrative responsibilities for programs and services for the OMA, as well as diversity training, leadership workshops, and programs for first year students. Yolanda holds a Master of Science degree in Education, and a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling, both degrees were earned from Medaille College. Yolanda has been serving youth and families for well over 15 years. Her work at the College level is driven by her desire and passion to help students realize they have worth and can be successful. Through mentoring, educating and advocating, she assists students in their quest to graduate from college and become

productive and supportive members of their communities. Yolanda maintains membership in the Western New York Coalition of Multicultural & Minority Offices in Higher Education and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She serves on the Title IX Task Force and Review Committees, Wellness Committee and Judicial Review Board at D’Youville College. She enjoys reading, vacations, and spending time with her husband, three children, extended family and friends.

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. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Thank you to all of our conference attendees, presenters, roundtable discussants, and facilitators for making our first Women of Color Conference a huge success. If you are interested in assisting with the conference next year, see one of the committee members.

Institutions, Organizations, and Programs ACE Women’s Network of New York

Daemen College Erie County Community College

Hilbert College Niagara County Community College (NCCC)

University at Buffalo, State University of New York David Blackburn, Cultural Voice Box

Conference Committee and Volunteers

Adriane Williams Vonetta Rhodes

Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah Liz Wandersee