The Students Transitioning through Education Programs Successfully (STEPS) team at Camp Community College is gearing up for its 5th Annual Student Success Symposium. The free event themed, “Learn to Lead, Lead to Learn,” will be held Friday, March 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Camp’s Regional Workforce Development Center, 100 N. College Dr., Franklin.
The event is for college, high school or home schooled students, staff, faculty, administrators, community members and organizations. “The target population also includes clients and participants enrolled in workforce development and community-based education and training programs, elected official and researchers can benefit from the symposium,” said Dr. Sandra Walker, college success coach. “Moreover, the content applies to coaches, advisors, mentors, chaperones and others who serve in adult, student or community development roles.”
Former student Lilly Balderson will speak about her educational journey, including her experiences with basic needs insecurity, during an information and recruitment session for Camp’s American Association of University Women (AAUW) student chapter. She will also serve in an emcee role. There will be a male mentoring informational session, Men with a Purpose (MAP), going on simultaneously from 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Both are walk-in sessions.
“The agenda is shaping up to be robust and impactful for all attendees,” said Walker.
Nisan Trotter is a speaker invited back from last year’s Student Leadership Conference. Earning a football scholarship to Bucknell University, Trotter, an inspirational speaker known for his athletic prowess, ability to connect across diverse groups, and advocacy of entrepreneurship, will talk to students in the morning on the topic “Gifted to Live My Healthiest Life” where they will learn how to overcome fear, failure and negativity, how to improve self-esteem and how to make an impact through generosity. In his afternoon session, he will present “The Gift of Leadership,” which will focus on the seven pillars of gifted leadership and why you want to be a gifted leader.
Assistant Director of Community Relationships and Community-Engaged Learning at the University of Richmond’s Bonner Center of Civic Engagement (CCE) Dr. Derek Miller will also speak to faculty and staff about his role in matching up community partners with faculty and staff for beneficial partnerships that also support student learning and faculty research. Prior to his role at CCE, he taught anthropology and archaeology at the university.
In addition, Director of the Western Tidewater Community Produce Hub for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore Taylor Miller and Manager of the Eastern Shore Branch Charmin Horton will discuss how to develop, sustain, and fund community-based partnerships designed to address food insecurity.
Water, coffee, breakfast bars and fruit will be available in the morning, as well as a boxed lunch at no cost to registrants.
The event is being held in partnership with the Tidewater Virginia Regional Resource Center (RCC), Virginia’s Community Colleges Office of Professional Development, Camp Community College Office of the Vice President of Academic and Student Development, and Franklin- Southampton Charities.
Register by visiting https://bit.ly/35ij7Lo.
For more information contact college success coaches Dr. Sandra Walker, swalker@pdc.edu, Karen Owens, kowens@pdc.edu or Tisha Evans, tevans@pdc.edu.
Dr. Bethanie Tucker, professor of education at Averett University, was also featured during the 2019 event.