Conference Information
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Conference Schedule
Thursday, February 23, 2012
4 P.M. Registration Begins Campus Center Building Foyer
5:30 P.M. Buffet line opens Grand Hall
6 P.M. Community conversation begins
Friday. February 24. 2012
8 A.M. Registration and Continental Breakfast Grand Hall
9 A.M Plenary Session Grand Hall
Jay Chesshir, President and CEO,
Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
9:30 A.M. Introduction to The Network for Student Success
Pulaski Technical College staff will provide attendees with an overview of the purpose and premise behind The Network for Student Success.
10 A.M. Morning Breakout Sessions
Purposeful Impact! Tom Steves Conference Room
Marcus Montgomery, Derek Moore, Ann Fellinger and Ashley Embry, Pulaski Tech
Research has shown that “The First Year” of college is critical to the success of all students. Pulaski Technical College has developed courses targeted to the success of African American male students. Courses include Summer Bridge for high school students, African American male seminars and learning communities. Also, come and learn of a new project that incorporates student learning styles into developmental math!
Marginalized Male Workforce & Education Consortium U.S. Bank Room
Corey Anderson, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
The Marginalized Males Workforce and Education Consortium (MMWEC) was developed by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation to support higher education and community programs focused on retention and graduation rates for marginalized males in Arkansas. The consortium is working diligently to bring together stakeholders to share best practices and emerging work to improve results for marginalized students in Arkansas. This session provides an update on how the MMWEC Initiative is doing, highlighting the successes of member institutions, and insight into the vision of the consortium. This session also provides an opportunity for conferees to learn how they can join MMWEC.
Campus Collaboration R.J. Wills Lecture Hall
Elizabeth Reves, Career & Technical Education Success Coach, Pulaski Tech
Kristi Tucker, Instructor of Career Seminar, Pulaski Tech
Mark Thomas, Network for Student Success Coach, Pulaski Tech
The Network for Student Success has tapped into other programs on campus to better serve students. Find out in this session how The Network is partnering with Perkins Career and Technical Education and the Career Seminar department to further the goal of aiding Network students with a career and technical focus.
11:15 A.M. Lunch and Keynote Speaker Grand Hall
Dr. Ed Franklin, Executive Director,
Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges
11:15 A.M. Student Luncheon Grand Hall
Student attendees are invited to participate in a luncheon meeting hosted by PTC Student Government Association and the Network for Student Success members. Network participants and students from other colleges will share ideas, discuss success strategies and identify ways they might connect across campuses.
12:45 P.M. Afternoon Breakout Sessions
The Four-Year Transfer Challenge Tom Steves Conference Room
Ben Rains, MS, Dean of Math and Science, Pulaski Tech
Billy Francis, MEd, Director- Career Pathways, College of the Ouachitas
Dr. Lonnie Williams, Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Arkansas State University
Dr. Calvin White, Assoc. Prof, Director- African American Studies, University of Arkansas
This session will explore challenges and solutions for African American males who transfer from two-year colleges to four-year colleges. A panel of four-year college leaders will discuss challenges on their campus and discuss solutions to increase the retention of two-year transfer students at their campuses.
The High Risk and Post-Incarceration Student R.J. Wills Lecture Hall
Kareem Moody, Director of Student Success, Pulaski Tech
Students enrolling in college after spending time in prison or who have come from high risk environments often bring with them challenges that may stretch the college’s capacity to successfully engage them in the learning process. This session will examine how Pulaski Technical College’s Network for Student Success is meeting the needs of this very specific population.
The Arkansas College & Career Coaches Initiative U.S. Bank Room
Jason McFadden, Career Coach, McClellan High School
Sorronto Aubrey, Career Coach, J.A. Fair High School
Josh Hayes, Career Coach, Hall High School
This session will present an overview of the Career Coach program, the services provided in schools, and the ACT Academy offered by Career Coaches. It will highlight the relationship with Pulaski Technical College and strategies being used to connect high school students to post-secondary opportunities.
2 P.M. Real Talk Panel R.J. Wills
African American Male academic success boils down to “what is learned in the class room?” Most instructors just want students to come to class prepared to learn; most students want instructors who will inspire them to learn. This panel discussion will take a bold look at the relationship between white instructors and black male students who have experienced various degrees of success in the classroom setting. This discussion will challenge stereotypes as we attempt to examine the real dynamics of how to effectively navigate cultural disconnects.
3 P.M. Idea Exchange R. J. Wills Lecture Hall
Conference attendees will have an opportunity to discuss issues and exchange ideas relevant to black male success.
4 P.M. *Adjournment
* Please note: Black History Banquet will take place later in the evening in the Grand Hall. For more information on the Black History Banquet, or to purchase tickets, contact Dianne Butler via email at dbutler@pulaskitech.edu.