Empowering Every Voice
University Life Webinar Series
University Life Webinar Series
Focusing on inclusive support for diverse higher education populations
This webinar series is dedicated to enhancing the academic and personal development of students through a collaborative effort of faculty, staff, and the broader educational community. This series aims to provide a platform for continuous learning and professional development, focusing on various aspects of supporting diverse student populations. Sessions will feature experts, practitioners, and coordinators in each field to share real-world insights. Throughout the series we will encourage collaboration between different departments to foster a supportive campus community and provide strategies and resources for implementation in educational settings.
Our goals include:
- Foster dialogue and collaboration between academic and student support services.
- Provide resources and share best practices for creating inclusive environments for all students.
- Facilitate networking opportunities for attendees to share experiences and best practices within and across institutions.
- Identify strategies that can be employed on SUNY campuses to better understand and serve the unique needs of diverse student populations.
Join us in this impactful journey to create a more supportive and inclusive educational environment. Together, let’s empower our students to thrive academically and personally.
Fall 2024 Webinar Schedule
All sessions are free and will be recorded. Recording links will be posted to this website as they become available.
Supporting Students in Recovery
September 20, 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm
Presenter: Ashley Dickson, Special Populations Community Coalition Coordinator/Collegiate Recovery Program Coordinator, Tompkins Cortland Community College
During this webinar, we will discuss how to define recovery as it relates to a college program, abstinence vs harm reduction, how faculty can support these students, knowing community resources that may be available to you and more.
Ashley Dickson (they/them) is the Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Coordinator at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, NY. They were pivotal in the creation of the Collegiate Recovery Program, est. 2018, and they continue to help in the coordination of that program. Ashley found personal recovery from substance use in 2015, returning to Tompkins Cortland in the Spring of 2016 to pursue a degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling over 10 years after dropping out due to drinking and drug use. While there, Ashley rediscovered their passion for learning and transfered with their two-year degree to SUNY Cortland for a BS in Human Services. They are currently continuing their educational journey in a Masters program at SUNY Cortland while working at Tompkins Cortland. Ashley has presented on Recovery, LGBTQIA+ Issues, Prevention Strategies, and more at several national conferences, including NASPA Strategies. They hope to continue presenting for many more years, being the particular kind of person who enjoys public speaking. In their free time, Ashley spends a lot of time at Cayuga Lake paddleboarding, singing at local karaoke events, and performing in drag at regional shows.
Working with International Students
October 18, 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm
Presenter: Tricia Tierney, International Student & Scholar Services Manager, SUNY System Administration
Supporting international students can be a challenge. In this session, we will discuss what kinds of on-campus supports are crucial to an international student’s success, what challenges to they have to face that domestic students do not, and what can faculty/staff do to support them.
Tricia Tierney is the International Student & Scholar Services Manager within the Office of Global Affairs at SUNY System Administration. She manages and maintains the SUNY J-1 Exchange Visitor Consortium for students and scholars at 30 SUNY campuses. She also monitors student & scholar visa and related immigration regulations to advise SUNY campus representatives and System Administration about necessary adjustments to policy and practice as pertaining to international student and scholar services. Tricia earned her M.Ed. in Counseling and Educational Psychology from the University of Buffalo. She participated in a study abroad program at the University of Warwick and was a volunteer for the U.S. Peace Corps in Morocco. Tricia has worked in higher education with experience in both student affairs and international student and scholar services. Tricia is a member of the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region X Leadership Team where she coordinates federal government agency presentations. She has personally presented Case Studies for J-1 Scholars and On-going Orientation for International Freshman.
Identifying and Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
November 1, 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm
Presenters:
Gillian Kiernan, Associate for Student Support, SUNY System Administration
Wayne Harris, Senior Director for Students in Temporary Housing & Foster Care, Office of Community Schools, New York Department of Education
In this webinar, we will talk about best practices in supporting students who are experiencing housing insecurity.
Building Community for Students from Foster Care
November 15, 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm
Presenters:
Deidra Nesbeth Director, Fostering Youth Success Alliance
Tony Rivera, Foster Youth Alumnus and Founder of Fostering Minds
Dylan Tatom, FYSA Policy and Advocacy Associate with Children’s Aid
During this session we will talk about supports students who come through foster care will likely need, how faculty/staff can support these students, and what community supports are available to assist.
Deidra Nesbeth is a child welfare and youth development professional, dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people. She is currently a member of the Office of Public Policy here at Children’s Aid, where she serves as the Director of the Fostering Youth Success Alliance (FYSA). In this capacity, she oversees advocacy and policy work dedicated to securing stabilizing supports that empower youth with a foster care background across New York State to overcome barriers and excel in life. Her work in policy is informed by her experiences working directly with young people with a foster care background.
Tony Rivera is a Foster Youth Alumnus, children’s book Author, Motivational Speaker, and Founder of Fostering Minds. In the Secondary and Post-secondary education arenas, he is recognized as a humble and passionate professional committed to helping people. Tony’s enthusiasm and exceptional interpersonal skills enable him to quickly connect with individuals and build trust.
Dylan Tatom currently serves as a member of the Office of Public Policy team at Children’s Aid. In her role as a Policy and Advocacy Associate, she oversees a statewide initiative, the Fostering Youth Success Alliance (FYSA). Dylan’s policy and advocacy work is primarily centered around amplifying the voices of youth with a foster care background, ensuring they have stable support to transition smoothly into the next phase of their lives. Her commitment to empowering foster youth is further fueled by her role as a long-time Fair Future’s Youth Advisory Board member, where she also channels her passion into advocating for increased supports for New York City youth navigating foster care, college, and beyond.
Meeting the Needs of Undocumented Students
December 6, 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm
Presenter: Laura Anker, Director, First-Year Experience/Community Action Learning and Leadership (FYE/CALL) Program, SUNY Old Westbury
How can we support undocumented students in our colleges? During this webinar, we will discuss what concerns undocumented students may have that other students do not as well as types of supports that are crucial. We will also talk about possible community resources that could be helpful.
Laura Anker is a Distinguished Service Professor of American Studies and Director of the First-Year Experience (FYE) and Community Action, Learning and Leadership (CALL) Programs at the State University of New York, College at Old Westbury, now Emeritus, having retired in August 2022. A writer and activist on immigration issues, she was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022 to the Board of Directors of the newly constituted Institute on Immigrant Integration Research and Policy, Rockefeller Institute on Government, where she currently serves on the Research Committee. Reflecting the commitment to civic activism expressed in Old Westbury’s historic social justice mission, the CALL program partners more 75 organizations on Long Island and in the greater NY metropolitan area, including schools, afterschool programs, hospitals, non-profits, and immigrant rights groups. She received her Ph.D. with Distinction in History from Stonybrook University, her M.A. in History from Brown University, and her B.A. from Brandeis University. She is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Laura Lemus is a proud Mexican immigrant committed to advocating for her immigrant community. She is currently the Director of Partnerships at Hispanics in Philanthropy where she works to elevate equity, influence, and leadership for Latine and Latin Americans across the Americas. Laura has 10+ years of social justice expertise across a range of issues including immigration, racial justice, gender equity, and environmental justice.
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The SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) supports a wide range of professional development opportunities for the academic, technical, and leadership communities across the SUNY System.