Friday, August 8th – 9:40 – 10:30 AM
College Bound (K-12) Track
- Anxiety Management | WCP 1.118
- From Kindergarten to 12th Grade | WCP 2.302
- Unshakeable: Embracing Identity, Building Fellowship, and Leading with Impact | WCP 2.120
College & University Track
- bro·man·ti·cize | WCP 1.106
- Explore, Expand, & Engage: The 3 Es for Navigating Through Your Career Journey | WCP 3.112
- Developing Your STEM Identity | WCP 3.106
Professional Track
- Aiming High in Building Community: Using Humanistic Perspective in Transitioning from the Elementary Classroom to University Teaching | RLP 1.302C
- Building Bridges Through Mentoring: Empowering [First-generation Students] for College Success | RLP 1.302B
- Engineering Your Post-graduation Success: Planning, Mentoring, and Grit| RLP 1.302E
College Bound (K-12) Track
Anxiety Management | Ms. Latifat Ogungbo | Jordan High School | WCP 1.118
Pillars Addressed: Health & Wellness
This session focuses on understanding anxiety by examining its causes—genetic, environmental, and psychological—and its effects, such as stress, poor sleep, and physical symptoms. Attendees will also learn practical management techniques, including breathing exercises, journaling, and healthy lifestyle habits, to reduce anxiety and promote emotional wellness. The session aims to reduce stigma around mental health and provide a supportive space for learning and self-reflection.
From Kindergarten to 12th Grade | Mr. Rickie Clark | Strategies to Elevate People | WCP 2.302
Pillars Addressed: Identity, Leadership
This session explores the importance of understanding cultural heritage and the histories of those who came before us, highlighting how their struggles, values, and environments shaped both individual and collective achievements. Attendees will examine how customs, religions, and inventions influence present-day identities and reflect on the dangers of erasing history—particularly the histories of African-descended people. By uncovering these hidden narratives, the session emphasizes the need for inclusive history to better understand ourselves and the world around us.
Unshakeable: Embracing Identity, Building Fellowship, and Leading with Impact | Dr. Christopher Fairbank | Alamo Colleges | WCP 2.120
Pillars Addressed: Fellowship, Identity, Leadership
This high-energy, interactive session empowers students to embrace their uniqueness, overcome self-doubt, and lead with confidence by owning their stories and building meaningful connections. It challenges participants to rethink their perceived limitations and equips them with the mindset and tools to rise as leaders now—not later. More than a leadership talk, it’s a call to action to step into their power and create lasting impact in their schools, communities, and beyond.
College & University Track
bro·man·ti·cize | Mr. Lionel Lopez | St. Edward’s University | WCP 1.106
Pillars Addressed: Identity, Health & Wellness
The 2021 presentation “bro·man·ti·cize” was developed for a Freshman Seminar at St. Edward’s University to examine harmful masculinity through an intersectional lens. It explores how these systems affect men’s involvement and retention on campus and highlights the divisive effects of policing manhood. The session also offers practical skills to challenge outdated norms and promote healthier behaviors and beliefs.
Explore, Expand, & Engage: The 3 Es for Navigating Through Your Career Journey | Mr. Henry Tsai & Melissa Victor Totah | Austin Community College | WCP 3.112
Pillars Addressed: College & Career Readiness
This interactive workshop guides participants through the three stages of career development, helping them connect academic majors with a wide range of career opportunities. Attendees will explore their personal interests, assess their career readiness using NACE competencies, and learn how to apply their education in real-world settings. By the end, participants will gain the knowledge, confidence, and resources to successfully transition from college to their desired professional paths.
Developing Your STEM Identity | Mr. Izaak De Leon | University of Texas San Antonio | WCP 3.106
Pillars Addressed: Identity
Have you ever felt that you didn’t belong in the STEM arena or that you were unworthy of rubbing shoulders with your STEM colleagues? As a STEM student, it is hard enough with all of the courses, labs, and studying you have to do, feeling like you don’t belong only adds to those challenges. In this session, we discuss what it means to have a STEM Identity and how you can start developing your own STEM Identity.
Professionals Track
Aiming High in Building Community: Using Humanistic Perspective in Transitioning from the Elementary Classroom to University Teaching | Mr. Marcelino Saucedo | UT-Austin | RLP 1.302C
This presentation shares the presenter’s journey from a first-year Ph.D. student and teaching assistant to leading an undergraduate course as a full-time substitute. Through early challenges and mistakes, he learned the value of mentorship, community, and a Humanistic teaching approach to overcome obstacles and grow as an educator. His story highlights how support and student-centered practices can lead to stronger teaching and meaningful classroom experiences.
Building Bridges Through Mentoring: Empowering [First-generation Students] for College Success | Mr. Wayne Jackson & Mr. Maurice Davis | Jackson-Davis Educational Consulting | RLP 1.302B
This interactive session equips participants with practical tools to design and implement effective mentoring programs that support the academic and personal success of underrepresented male college students. This session also covers key components such as goal setting, mentor matching, training, cultural awareness, and sustainable funding strategies. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to create or enhance mentoring initiatives that promote retention, engagement, and graduation for underrepresented male populations.
Engineering Your Post-graduation Success: Planning, Mentoring, and Grit | Dr. Mauro Rodriguez | Brown University | RLP 1.302E
This workshop explores the essential skills, networks, and resources students need to successfully transition from college to the workforce. Addressing common misconceptions, it introduces practical tools such as individual development plans, community-based mentoring, and viewing career building as an ongoing habit beyond just resume writing. Attendees will gain strategies to proactively shape their post-graduation success throughout their college journey.
