2019 Student Professional Development Conference Outstanding Speakers
How can YOU prepare to make the most out of your interactions with the 2019 SPDC speakers?
- READ the list of the panelists and speakers before attending the conference (see below).
- THINK about what you would like to learn from participating in the conference, and IDENTIFY the participants who may be able to answer your questions.
- MAKE A LIST of questions and keep them near by.
- NETWORK with the speakers and panelists... even those outside of your chosen career field. You never know what you may learn!
~Morning Sessions~
Opening Session ~ Making it Work! Successful Transition from College to Career
~The goal of this session is to inform, inspire, and excite participants about their career aspirations. Panelists will share their stories to help students better understand the commitment, dedication, and drive required to successfully pursue a professional or graduate degree.
Session Presenters:
- Kayla Mayes ~ Wake Forest Baptist Health Clinical Studies Coordinator, N.C. A&T State University Department of Biology Graduate, and Accepted to the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine Fall 2019 (click here to view profile)
- Aalyiah Gore ~ N.C. A&T State University Department of Animal Science Senior and Accepted to Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine and Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Fall 2019
- Linh Tran ~ N.C. A&T State University Department of Biology Graduate and Accepted to the Tufts University Dental School Fall 2019 (click here to view profile)
- Kourtney Onyemize ~ PRA Health Sciences Clinical Trial Specialist and N.C. A&T State University Department of Biology Graduate (click to view profile)
- Katelin Hall ~ N.C. A&T State University Department of Biology Senior and Accepted to the High Point University School of Pharmacy Fall 2019
- Alexis Foster ~ Oral Surgical Assistant, North Carolina State University 2nd Year Master of Nutrition Science Student, and N.C. A&T State University Department of Biology Graduate (click to view profile)
- Adrienne Graham ~ N.C. A&T State University Department of Liberal Studies Sophomore and Accelerated Pathway to Law School Elon University School of Law Pre-Law Scholar (click to view profile)
- Janae Houston ~ N.C. A&T State University School of Nursing Student
Concurrent Session (I): Health Professionals Panel & Networking Session
~Featuring Health Professions School Representatives, Practicing Healthcare Professionals and Students
Session Presenters:
- Mahalia Robinson ~ Campbell University, Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine 1st Year D.O. Medical Student and Department of Biology Graduate (click here to view profile)
- Kellye Hall Worth, MD - Urgent Care Physician at Novant Health and N.C. A&T State University Department of Biology Graduate (click here to view profile)
- Whitney Gore, DPT ~ Lead Physical Therapist at Legacy Healthcare Services and N.C. A&T State University Department of Biology Graduate (click here to view profile)
- Brenda Latham-Sadler, MD ~ Family Medicine Specialist and Wake Forest University School of Medicine Associate Dean of Student Inclusion and Diversity (click here to view profile)
- Kedeja Adams ~ University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine 2nd Year Medical Student and N.C. A&T State University Department of Biology Graduate (click here to view profile) {Unable to attend}
- Karen Schooler, MD ~ Internal Medicine Physician at Novant Health, President of the Greensboro Medical Society, and Co-Advisor of the N.C. A&T State University Mentoring Minority Females into Medicine Program (click here to view profile)
- Kevin Hall, PA-C, AA-C ~ Perioperative Advanced Practice Provider at Emory University Hospital Midtown (click here to view profile)
- Lovest Alexander, PA-C, B.H.S., M.H.S. ~ Assistant Professor in Community and Family Medicine Duke University School of Medicine (click here to view profile)
Concurrent Session (II): Dental Professionals Panel & Networking Session
~Featuring Dental School Representatives, Dentists, Dental Professionals and Students
Session Speakers:
- Jordon Brunson ~ East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine 3rd Year Dental Student and N.C. A&T State University Chemistry Department Graduate (click here to view profile)
- Tiarra Rorie, DDS ~ Pediatric Dentist and Co-owner of Sparkling Smiles of Asheboro (click here to view profile)
- Claudis Polk, MA ~ Associate Director, Office of Special Programs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine (click here to view profile)
- Lamont Lowery, MA ~ Director of Admissions at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine (click here to view profile)
- Brandon Wallace, MS ~ N.C. A&T State University Biology Department Graduate and Hampton University Master of Medical Science Program Graduate (click here to view profile)
- Zelexis Morse ~ Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry 3rd Year Dental Student and N.C. A&T State University Biology Department Graduate (click here to view profile)
Concurrent Session (III): Graduate & Veterinary Professionals Panel & Networking Session
~Featuring Graduate & Veterinary School Representatives, Professionals and Students
Session Presenters:
- Quantil Melendez, PhD ~ North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and NCCU Integrated Biomedical Research PhD Program Graduate (click here to view profile)
- Tamisha Vaughan, PhD ~ Academic-Industry Alliance/Business Development/Scientific Scout Professional (click here to view profile)
- Stephen Knisley, PhD ~ N.C. A&T State University Professor and Department Chair of Chemical, Biological and Bioengineering (click here to view profile)
- Andrea Gentry, DVM ~ N.C. A&T State University Animal Science Professor (click here to view profile)
- Seth Thomas, PhD ~ Head of Process Development at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (click here to view profile)
- Tara Harrison, DVM, MPVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM ~ Clinical Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Exotic Animal Medicine Service (click here to view profile)
- Malaycia Goldsmith ~ N.C. A&T State University Department of Animal Science Senior and Accepted to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Fall 2019
Concurrent Session (IV): Law Professionals Panel & Networking Session
~Featuring Law School Representatives, Practicing Attorneys and Students
Session Presenters:
- Todd Clark, JD ~ Professor of Law at North Carolina Central University School of Law (click here to view profile)
- Mary-Louise Frampton, JD ~ Director, Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies at the University of California Davis School of Law (click here to view profile)
- David Wheaton ~ 3rd Year Law Student at Elon University School of Law (click here to view profile)
- Galen Foresman, PhD ~ N.C. A&T State University Associate Professor of Philosophy (click here to view profile)
- Dexter Smith, JD ~ Assistant Dean of Admissions Campbell University Norma Adrian Wiggins School of Law (click here to view profile)
- Jordan Jones ~ Assistant Director of Admissions Elon Law School (click here to view profile)
Networking Lunch: ALL are Encouraged to Attend!
*Keynote Speaker*
Mr. John Cane, Founder Edge Advantage, Inc.
(http://www.seetheobvious.com/)
~Afternoon Sessions~
Concurrent Session I. Women, Life, and Professionalism in the Workplace
~ The goal of this session is to provide a safe space for women to discuss the importance of professionalism in day-to-day life AND in the professional world. Panelists and students will discuss what it is like to be a working woman in the ‘real-world’, the role of professionalism in career sustainability and advancement, and how professional women juggle the realities of home-life and work-life.
Session Presenters:
- Chef Monica Smith ~ Celebrity Chef and Business Owner of 'Entertaining with Chef Monica: Entertainment, Lifestyle, Backstage "Celebrity" Chef' (click here to view profile)
- Cynthia L. Williams ~ Broker and REALTER® and Business Owner of 'Revive Interior Designz by Cynthia' (click here to view profile)
- Angela White, PhD ~ N.C. A&T State University Interim Assistant Dean of Student Success College of Science and Technology (click here to view profile)
- Andrea Gentry-Apple, DVM ~ N.C. A&T State University Assistant Professor of Animal Science (click here to view profile)
- Tamisha Vaughan, PhD ~ Academic-Industry Alliance/Business Development/Scientific Scout Professional (click here to view profile)
- Connie Bishop, Clinical Assistant Professor ~ N.C. A&T State University School of Nursing (click here to view profile)
Concurrent Session II. Men, Life, and Professionalism in the Workplace
~The goal of this session is to provide a safe space for men to discuss the importance of professionalism in day-to-day life AND in the professional world. Panelists and students will discuss what it is like to be a working man in the ‘real-world’, the role of professionalism in career sustainability and advancement, and how professional men juggle the realities of home-life and work-life.
Session Presenters:
- Lamont Lowery, MA ~ Director of Admissions at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine (click here to view profile)
- Checo J. Rorie, PhD ~ N.C. A&T State University Professor of Biology and Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program Research Mentor Liaison (click here to view profile)
- Terry Gordon, MD, MBA ~ Chief Medical Officer, NEMO Health (click here to view profile)
- Brandon Wallace, MS ~ N.C. A&T State University Alum and Hampton University Master of Medical Science Program Graduate (click here to view profile)
Concurrent Workshop I. Hack my Life...AND my Career!
~ Increase Your Competitiveness!
~ Summer Programs, Internships, Post-Baccalaureate Programs, Masters Programs, Work Experience
~ Make your life easier… Leave with a plan!
Workshop Presenters:
- Thomas Landefeld, PhD ~ Professor fo Biology and Pre-health Advisor at California State University Dominguez Hills (click to view profile)
- Cailisha Petty, PhD ~ N.C. A&T State University Master of Art in Teaching Coordinator Department of Educator Preparation (click here to view profile)
- Sarah Knowles ~ Greenville Health System Medical Experience Academy (MedEx) - Coordinator of Academic Pipeline Program (click here to view profile)
- Kidra Matthews ~ N.C. A&T State University Senior Biology Major, Cone Health Family Medicine Center Academic Clinical Assistant, and Minority Association of Premedical Students member (click here to view profile)
- Brittany Reid ~ N.C. A&T State University School of Nursing Student
Concurrent Workshop II. Surviving Social Media
~ Prepare for social success in the workplace
~ Avoid social media 'pitfalls' in your life
~ How to deal with the 'haters' on social media
Workshop Presenters:
- Daniel Grigg ~ N.C. A&T State University Associate Director of Career Counseling Programs (click here to view profile)
- Dayo Phoenix, LCSW ~ Licensed Clinical Social Worker Crisis Clinician at RHA Health Services, LLC (click here to view profile)
- Kayla Tate ~ Former N.C. A&T State University Student Government Association President and 1st Year law student at Elon University Law School (click here to view profile)
Concurrent Workshop III. Am I Professional... Enough?
~ What does it mean to 'act' professionally?
~ How do I write professionally?
~ How do I communicate in a professional way?
~ What NOT to wear?? Okay, then what SHOULD I wear?
Workshop Presenters:
- Sindy Martin, CEE, CBP, DTM, PDD ~ Founder and CEO of Smartin International, Inc. (click here to view profile)
- Sherrice Allen, PhD ~ N.C. A&T State University ADVANCE IT University Program Director (click here to view profile)
- Robert Newman, PhD ~ N.C. A&T State University Assistant Professor of Biology (click here to view profile)
- Cynthia Downing, PhD ~ N.C. A&T State University Executive Director of Career Services and Experiential Learning and Associate Director for Career Services (click here to view profile)
- Kendall Campbell, MD ~ Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion; Director, Research Group for Underrepresented Minorities in Academic Medicine (click here to view profile)