2018 APACS Program Final

18th Annual

APACS Annual Meeting/Conference

The Association of Program Administrators for CSTEP and STEP (APACS):

Meeting the Promise and Challenge of
Educating Students in the 21st Century

APACS

Achieving
Excellence in a

Challenging
Environment

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2018 APACS Conference
Table of Contents

Conference Schedule 2

Welcome Letters 4
Welcome from the 2018 Conference Chairs 5
Welcome form the APACS President 6
7
Conference Planning Committee Members 8
9
Conference Committees and Vendor Fair 11
12
Special Programming 14
APACS Book Discussion
Professional Development Session 15
Educational Visionary Award Recipient & Keynote Speaker 16
New York State Education Department Update 16
17
Workshop Descriptions
Session A (Wednesday, 2:30pm – 3:45pm) 18
Session B (Wednesday, 3:50 – 5:00pm) 20
Session C (Thursday, 10:45 – 12:00) 21
Session D (Thursday, 3:30 – 5:00pm)

2018 APACS Awards and Acknowledgements
2018 APACS Outstanding Service Awards
In Memorium
Special Acknowledgement

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APACS Conference Schedule

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Event Time Location

Registration 9:00am – 4:00pm The Empire Room
11:00am – 1:00pm Albany/Colonie
Pre-Conference Training and Certification Session 1:00pm – 2:15pm The Empire Room

Opening Lunch and Greetings
Christine Veloso, New York State
Assistant Commissioner of Education

Workshop Session A 2:30pm – 3:45pm Location

1. Engaging and Educating STEP Students through Mentorship Salon A
Kerry Eckert, Hofstra University Salon B

2. Pre-Health Advising

a. Pre-Health Advising is Not for the 2:30pm – 3:10pm
Faint of Heart: Finding Our Way to 3:10pm – 3:50pm
Helping Every Student
Lolita Wood-Hill, Yeshiva University Salon C

b. Financial Aid for the Pre-Health Advisor:
What you should know about the process
William L. Hill, previously of Lehman College
Lolita Wood-Hill, Yeshiva University

3. Succession Planning Panel
Kim S. Overrocker, NYSED

Book Discussion 3:50pm – 5:00pm Albany/Colonie

The Bridge to Brilliance: How One Principal in a Tough Community is Inspiring the World

Nadia Lopez

Workshop Session B 3:50pm – 5:00pm Location

1. Fostering CSTEP Student Engagement and Retention Salon A
through Summer Program and Community Building Strategies Salon B
Risa Stein, Farmingdale State College
Martha Giraldo-Riordan, Adelphi University

2. Using a Mathematics Cultural Resonance Approach
for Building Capacity in the Mathematical Sciences
for African American Communities
Terrence Blackman, Medgar Evers College, CUNY

APACS Annual Meeting 5:00pm – 6:30pm Salons A/B/C

Dinner and Presentation of Distinction Awards 6:30pm – 8:30pm The Empire Room
APACS Meet and Greet Reception 8:30pm – 10:00pm Salon D

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Thursday, June 14, 2018

Event Time Location
The Empire Room
Breakfast 8:00am – 9:00am The Empire Room
APACS Committee Meetings 9:15am – 10:30am Location

Workshop Session C 10:45am – 12:00pm Salon A
Salon B
1. Supporting a Growth Mindset for the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT Salon C
Jeffrey Koetje, Kaplan Partner Solutions // Kaplan Test Prep
The Empire Room
2. STEM Incentive Program and Excelsior Scholarships The Empire Room
Lisa Hearley
Location
3. Creating a Culture of Belonging Salon C
Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers, Medgar Evers College, CUNY
Salon A
Dr. Milicent Roth, City College, CUNY
Salon B
Lunch & Vendor Fair 12:00pm – 1:45pm TBA
Salons D/E
Professional Development – Plenary Session 2:00pm – 3:15pm Salons D/E

Understanding and Supporting Student Mental Health
Victor Schwartz, MD

Workshop Session D 3:30pm – 5:00pm

1. Using Technology to Leverage Your Resources
Mary Ann Grandinetta, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Derek Sokolowski, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

2. Daring to Dream & the Power of Curiosity

a. Truth & Dare to Dream: Turning Lessions 3:30pm – 4:10pm
into Interactive Experiences

Valerie Jeannis, I Dare to Dream Project, Inc

b. The Power of Curiosity to Engage & Influence 4:10pm – 5:00pm
Graham Dobbin, Asentiv Manhattan, LLC

3. Making the Most of Your Resources to Enhance STEM Programming
Anna Ortega Chavolla, New York University

4. The New MCAT
Jeffrey Koetje, Kaplan Partner Solutions

Dinner, Keynote & Distinguished Service Awards 6:00pm – 8:00pm

APACS Dance & After Party 8:00pm – 12:00am

Friday, June 15, 2018

Event Time Location

Breakfast 8:00am – 9:00am The Empire Room
New York State Commissioner of Education 9:15am – 10:30am The Empire Room
New York State Meeting 10:30am-12:00pm The Empire Room
Closing Remarks and Boxed Lunch 12:00pm The Empire Room

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ASSOCIATION FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS OF CSTEP AND STEP

June 13, 2018

Dear Colleagues:

On behalf of the entire conference planning committee, welcome to the 19th Annual APACS Conference! We have been
working hard to provide an informative and inspiring experience for you over the next few days. The schedule is packed
with speakers, work sessions and networking opportunities in service to our theme: Making Connections: Creating a
Culture for Success!

This year we are honored to have Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins, from the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the
University of Pennsylvania. Recognized as a thought-leader in medicine, Dr. Jenkins was named a 2017 National Quality
Forum’s 40 Under 40 Leader in Health. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nation’s leading philanthropy
on health and health care, awarded Dr. Jenkins the highly-competitive New Connections award for early career scholars.

Our professional development session focuses on the important topic of our students’ mental health. We welcome Dr.
Victor Schwartz, Chief Medical Officer of the Jed Foundation. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow, was a member of the
Presidential Task Force on College Mental Health, and co-chair of the working group on law and college mental health
for the American Psychiatric Association. He was also a co-chair of the Committee on the College Student of the Group
for the Advancement of Psychiatry.

This year’s workshop sessions address all aspects of STEP and CSTEP. Featuring sessions on Excelsior Scholarships,
making the most out of your resources in STEP, and retaining students in CSTEP.

Finally, we are honored to welcome MaryEllen Elia. She is the New York State Commissioner of Education and President
of the University of the State of New York (USNY). In this role, she oversees the work of more than 700 school districts
with 3.2 million students; 7,000 libraries; 900 museums; and 52 professions encompassing more than 850,000 licensees.

The Committee has worked diligently to bring to our members what we hope will be an exciting and informative
experience. We thank you all for attending the 2018 APACS conference!

Sincerely,

Maryann Grandinetta
Dr. Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers
Risa Stein
2018 Conference Chairs

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APACS Association for Program Administrators of CSTEP & STEP

Executive Officers June 13, 2018
2018
Dear Colleague:
President:
Michael A. Molina On behalf of the APACS Officers, Executive Committee, and the Conference Committee, I
Fordham University welcome you to the 2018 APACS Annual Meeting and Conference.

Executive Vice This year has been a year of challenge and progress. While we faced the possibility of
President: critical reductions in our funding of 17%, we met this challenge head-on. Through our
strong advocacy efforts, we were able to convince legislative leaders of the important role
Gladys Palma de our programs play in preparing our students for careers in STEM, health and licensed
Schrynemakers fields. This is quite an accomplishment given the state’s projected $2-4 billion deficit for
City University of 2019. I am hopeful the state’s fiscal health will improve and additional increases in our
New York at Medgar funding will occur.
Evers College
Many challenges lay ahead as we enter the fourth year of the current five-year funding
Vice President for cycle. Among them, looking forward to the next Request for Proposals, and insuring that
Communications: we have input into that process. We also look forward to the continued evolution of our
interim and final reports, and determining what other data are vital to confirming our
Christine Veloso status as a national leader in our field.
Stonybrook
University I hope this conference will provide you with the opportunity to learn new strategies,
techniques, and model services and activities that you will be able to emulate when you
Vice President for return to your campus. I encourage you to take this opportunity to network with your
Technology: colleagues, our presenters and State Education program staff. All of them have much to
Brian Kane offer and I know we all have much to offer each other. I especially encourage our new
members to take advantage of all our conference has to offer.
The City University
of New York at I want to gratefully acknowledge our Conference Committee and its co-chairs, for their
Baruch College outstanding work and effort in planning and implementing the 2018 Annual Meeting and
Conference. I ask again, for your active participation in our APACS committees. We need
Vice President for your continued support to grow and be successful in our endeavors.
Special Initiatives:
In the year ahead, APACS is committed to continuing to work on several highly important
Sean Partridge issues including professional development opportunities for our many new staff and
The State University colleagues and continuing to advocate for additional funds and attaining our 503 status as
a non-profit organization. Please decide how you can be involved in APACS!!
of New York at
Potsdam On behalf of our officers and Executive Committee, I thank you for your continued support
and wish you continued success in the year ahead.
Secretary:
Joann Santos Very truly yours,
Monroe Community
Michael A. Molina,
College President

Treasurer:
Leonese Nelson
Syracuse University

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2018 APACS Conference Planning Committee

Conference Chairs:

Mary Ann Grandinetta, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Gladys Palma De Schrynemakers, CUNY: Medgar Evers College

Risa Stein, SUNY Farmingdale

Committee Members:

Marie-Francesca Berrouet
CUNY: Queensborough Community College

Jessica Doeman
NYC College of Technology
Martha Giraldo-Riordan

Adelphi University
Mike Molina

Fordham University
Leonese Nelson

Syracuse University
Millicent Roth

The City College of New York
Christine Veloso

Stony Brook University

If you would like to get involved in the planning of the 2019 APACS Conference, please contact Gladys Palma
de Schrynemakers ([email protected]) or sign up at the conference registration table.

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APACS Committee Meetings

Thursday, June 14th from 9:15am – 10:00am
The Empire Room

This will be a work session for the APACS committee Conference attendees currently involved in or interested
in becoming involved in APACS committee work. The following committees will be meeting to discuss recent
accomplishments and plan for the upcoming year.

2nd Annual Vendor Fair

Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE)

Thursday, June 14th from 12:00pm – 2:00pm
The Empire Room

This conference marks the second annual M/WBE vendors fair. Vendors have been invited to attend and participate, using
this event as an extraordinary opportunity to promote their products and services to approximately 100 programs in the
CSTEP and STEP community.

Panther Graphics, Inc.
Promotional Materials, Commercial Offset, Digital, Packaging, Banners, Signs and Stationery Printer, brochures,

booklets, business cards, letterheads, calendars, forms, pocket-folders, newsletters and envelopes.

Sonic Media Solutions, Inc.
Science Technology and Educational Materials

Logo Incentives / Office World
Logo Incentives, Inc – Promotional items and wearables
Office World – Business forms & products, promotional items & wearables

Town & Country Travel, Inc.
business and vacation travel reservations including air, rail, bus, car and hotel reservations, guided and FIT tours, group

and meeting travel

Island Thrive
Science, technology, education + Whole student development focusing on academic major and career development,

resume, cover letter and personal statements, professional school counseling

Abraham Transportation Services
Transportation services

Fleet Promotional Products, LLC
Promotional products

Proftech Office Products & Workplace Solutions
Office products

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Special Programming

13th Annual APACS Book Discussion

Wednesday, June 13th from 3:50pm – 5:00pm in Albany/Colonie
The Bridge to Brilliance: How One Principal in a Tough Community is

Inspiring the World
Nadia Lopez

Professional Development – Plenary Session

Thursday June 14th from 2:00pm – 3:15pm in The Empire Room
Understanding and Supporting Student Mental Health
Victor Schwartz, MD

Keynote Address

Thursday June 14th during the dinner program in Salons D/E
Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins, PhD

New York State Commissioner of Education

Friday, June 15th from 9:15 – 10:30 in The Empire Room
MaryEllen Ellia

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13th Annual APACS Book Discussion

The Bridge to Brilliance: How One Principal in a
Tough Community is Inspiring the World

Wednesday, June 13th from 3:50pm – 5:00pm
Albany/Colonie

In 2010, Nadia Lopez started her middle-grade public school,
Mott Hall Bridges Academy, in one of America’s poorest
communities, in a record heat wave—and crime wave.
Everything was an uphill battle—to get the school approved,
to recruit faculty and students, to solve a million new
problems every day, from violent crime to vanishing
supplies—but Lopez was determined to break the
downward spiral that had trapped too many inner-city
children. The lessons came fast: unengaged teachers,
wayward students, and the educational system itself, rarely
in tune with the already disadvantaged and underprepared.

Things were at a low ebb for everyone when one of her
students told a photographer that his principal, “Ms. Lopez,”
was the person who most influenced his life. The posting on
Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York site was the pebble
that started a lucky landslide for Lopez and her team. Lopez
found herself in the national spotlight and headed for a
meeting with President Obama, as well as the beneficiary of
a million-dollar campaign for the school, to fund her next
dream: a field trip for her students to visit another school—

Harvard.

The Bridge to Brilliance is a book filled with common sense and caring that will carry her message to communities
and classrooms far from Brooklyn. As she says, modestly, “There are hundreds of Ms. Lopezes around this
country doing good work for kids. This honors all of them.”

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13th Annual APACS Book Discussion

- About the Author –

Nadia Lopez

Founding Principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy, NYC Department of Education

As an educator, Nadia Lopez is pioneering a path of
inspired leadership to show the world how under-
privileged communities can beat the odds and create
positive institutions that have a global impact. As the
founding Principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy, a
New York City Public School. Nadia’s story became a
viral sensation as millions of people around the world
became impressed with the positive learning
environment, high expectations, and growing success
rate at a school right in the middle of one of the most
under-served communities in America. In 2015 a HONY
fundraiser raised $1.4 million to take Nadia’s students
on college trips that include Harvard University,
Summer STEAM programs, and college scholarships.
The success story was shared through numerous media
outlets and resulted in Nadia guest appearing on the
Ellen Show, visiting President Barack Obama at the
White House, and receiving the Medal of Distinction
from Barnard College. In addition, Nadia was honored
alongside First Lady Michelle Obama with the Change
Agent Award at the Black Girls Rock show hosted on
BET Networks, nominated as a finalist in the Global
Teacher Prize, and became a TED Fellow speaking on
the education revolution at TED Talk.

Nadia’s passion, belief in children, and strong conviction has been unwavering in her belief that her
community needs strong leadership. Despite the adversities she faced in opening Mott Hall Bridges Academy
in 2010, Nadia is encouraged and inspired to see children overcome the “beautiful challenges” of Brownsville,
and ensuring that they are admitted into some of the most competitive high schools in New York City.
Understanding the power of programming, Nadia continues to impact the lives of children through her “She Is
Me” and “I Matter” initiatives, which have served thousands of youth throughout Central Brooklyn by
providing workshops, forums, and mentoring. Nadia continues to influence and inspire the world through her
company The Lopez Effect, which offers a blueprint for personal and organizational success.

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Professional Development – Plenary Session

Understanding and Supporting
Student Mental Health

Thursday, June 14th from 2:00pm – 3:15pm

The Empire Room

Victor Schwartz, MD

Chief Medical Officer at The Jed Foundation

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Crisis Management, Legal Issues and the Community/Public Health Model in College Mental Health

Dr. Victor Schwartz is Chief Medical Officer of The Jed
Foundation. Previously, he was university dean of
students after establishing and serving as director of the
Counseling Center at Yeshiva University. He is a clinical
associate professor of psychiatry at NYU School of
Medicine. Dr. Schwartz was medical director and chief
psychiatrist at the NYU Counseling Service for 14 years.
He is a Distinguished Life Fellow, was a member of the
Presidential Task Force on College Mental Health, and co-
chair of the working group on law and college mental
health all of the American Psychiatric Association. He was
also a co-chair of the Committee on the College Student of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry.

He has written and lectured extensively on college mental health; particularly concerning the management of
mental health crises in colleges and legal issues in college mental health. Dr. Schwartz co-edited (with Dr. Jerald
Kay) the text, Mental Health Care in the College Community (Wiley, 2010). Through his work with The Jed
Foundation, Dr Schwartz has worked on mental health programming with the NBA, NFL, the NCAA, MTV, HBO,
Facebook, the National Council for Suicide Prevention, the Higher Education Mental Health Alliance, and the
Clinton Health Matters Initiative.

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Keynote Speaker

2018 APACS Educational Visionary Award

Thursday, June 14th during the Dinner and Awards Program
Salons D/E

Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins, PhD

Vice Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Social Policy & Practice
Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Access & Equity, Access to Care, Behavioral Economics/Behavior Change, Delivery Innovation, Disease
Prevention/Health Promotion, Disparities and Health Equity, Education, Global Health, Medication
Adherence, Risk Communication, Social Media and Health
Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins is a dynamic speaker, author, and
scholar who serves as a Vice-Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow and
Associate Fellow within The Leonard Davis Institute of Health
Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. He is appointed in
the School of Social Policy and Practice as well as serves as a
lecturer in the Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences
within the School of Nursing. Jenkins serves as the director of the
Interpreting Attitudes toward Minorities in Medicine (I AM)
Research Group.

Recognized as a thought-leader in medicine, Dr. Jenkins was
named a 2017 National Quality Forum’s 40 Under 40 Leader in
Health. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the
nation’s leading philanthropy on health and health care, awarded
Dr. Jenkins the highly-competitive New Connections award for
early career scholars. After obtaining his bachelor’s from North
Carolina Central University and master’s degrees from Florida
A&M University focused in medical and legal history, Dr. Jenkins
earned a Ph.D. in Sociology and Criminology & Law from the
University of Florida. Jenkins is also a columnist for the number
one African-American health news resource BlackDoctor.org.

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This two-time national journalism award winner examines the influence of race, racism, and psychosocial stress
within medicine. Dr. Jenkins serves as principal investigator on three currently funded studies that focus on the
embodiment of racism among patients living with chronic kidney disease. Legendary rapper and radio
personality, Chubb Rock, has teamed up with Dr. Jenkins to explore issues of health equity in a groundbreaking
forthcoming documentary featuring celebrities battling chronic diseases. As an author, Jenkins is currently
working on the book, Hue Process: The Quantitative Measurement of Racism in Medicine, and serves as co-
editor of the forthcoming book Contemporary African America (New York University Press).
Before the journey to his doctorate degree, Jenkins is credited and
renowned for expanding the title of public speaker as the Public
Address Announcer for North Carolina Central University (1999-
2007) and the On-Field Announcer for the Triple-A Affiliate for the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Durham Bulls in Durham, North Carolina
(2000- 2007). He is the first announcer to host the Central
Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) Super Saturday
entertaining crowds of 20,000 for six consecutive years (2000-2006).
He captured yet another first as the first weekend host of the North
Carolina Educational Lottery (2006 - 2007). He also served as a writer
for The Daily News in Jacksonville, NC starting at the age of 16 and
later became a columnist for the Herald-Sun in Durham, NC in 2005.
Dr. Jenkins takes critical steps to better his community with a passion for people and love for knowledge.
Jenkins served on the North Carolina initiative to close the academic achievement gap among Black and Brown
youth. He also developed a though-provoking youth curriculum for North Carolina’s Department of Public
Instruction. Highpowered corporate clients such as McDonald’s and Proquest invited Dr. Jenkins as a keynote
speaker for state and global events. As an activist, he has led rallies for a litany of social justice issues that
adversely impact minority communities. Jenkins has shared stages to discuss race and social justice with the
likes of Danny Glover, Christopher “Play” Martin from the iconic group Kid N’ Play, and New York Times
columnist, Charles Blow, just to name a few. Through gripping stories, powerful oratory, and innovative
research, Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins is a blue-collar academician who is one of the America’s emerging voices.

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New York State Education Department

Friday, June 15th from 9:15am – 10:30am
The Empire Room

MaryEllen Elia

New York State Commissioner of Education
and President of the University of the State of New York (USNY)

MaryEllen Elia is the New York State Commissioner of
Education and President of the University of the State of
New York (USNY). In this role, she oversees the work of more
than 700 school districts with 3.2 million students; 7,000
libraries; 900 museums; and 52 professions encompassing
more than 850,000 licensees. A native New Yorker, Ms. Elia
has 45 years of experience as an educator. Prior to her
appointment in New York, she served as superintendent of
schools in Hillsborough County, FL, for 10 years. In
Hillsborough, which includes Tampa and is the nation’s
eighth largest school district, she successfully implemented
higher learning standards, partnered with teachers to
develop a comprehensive evaluation system, and earned
national recognition for gains in student achievement. Ms. Elia was honored for this work in Florida and on a
national stage. She is the 2015 Florida Superintendent of the Year, a recipient of the 2015 AASA Women in
School Leadership Award from the School Superintendents Association, and was one of four finalists for the
2015 National Superintendent of the Year award.

Ms. Elia was born, raised, and attended school in Western New York. After graduating high school from in
Lewiston, NY, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Daeman College in Buffalo, a Master of
Education from the University of Buffalo, and a Master of Professional Studies from SUNY Buffalo. In 1970, she
began her career in education as a social studies teacher in Buffalo’s Sweet Home Central School District and
taught for 19 years before moving on to administrative positions.

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Workshop Descriptions

SESSION A

Wednesday, June 13th from 2:30pm – 3:45pm

Engaging and Educating STEP Students through Mentorship SALON A

Kerry Eckert, Associate Director, Hofstra University 2:30 – 3:45pm

The Hofstra University STEP Mentoring Program is a collaborative effort including Hofstra University STEP participants and

undergraduate and graduate students from the Hofstra University CSTEP Program. The mentor program exposes 9th graders to the

demands of high school, through the guidance of teachers and mentors. Starting in August with the two-week Transition to High School

Mentor Program, the mentor program continues during the school year with weekly, one-hour guided sessions from October-May,

during the Saturday Scholars Academy.

Research guided our decision to enroll 9th graders - a pivotal time when students tend to fall behind or dropout (DeLamar & Brown,
2016). We will cover the program structure and design, which enhances and fosters positive youth development, leading to greater
well-being and academic improvement. The program framework encompasses the Five Cs Model of Youth Development: competence,
confidence, compassion, connection and character (Lerner, Brittian & Fay, 2007).

The structure of the Transition to High School will be outlined as well as how the students remain engaged during the Saturday Scholars
Academy, to include mentoring and attending high school preparation classes. We will cover how available technology, Google Docs,
is used to ensure all mentors and weekly mentor Team Leaders are updated on weekly workshops for the day. Through sharing data
collected from program participant surveys, we hope to show that both Hofstra University STEP mentees and CSTEP mentors grow
and flourish through being involved in the mentoring.

Pre-Health Advising is Not for the Faint of Heart: Finding SALON B

Our Way to Helping Every Student 2:30 – 3:10pm

Lolita Wood-Hill, Executive Director for Pre-Professional Advising Programs, Yeshiva University

As advisors our job is to make sure students have the tools they need to be academically successful. But how often do we see students

fail in spite of good intentions? How do we engage students as well as support and cajole them so that they have the resilience needed

to succeed in spite of real or perceived hardships? Are there other offices on campus we ourselves should be engaged with that we

currently don’t access? What policies do we have in place that help or hinder our students? And when and how do we dispense tough

love when it is clear the student must confront some serious educational deficits? This presentation will hopefully help each of us

answer these questions based on our personal styles, our institutional policies, and our student populations.

Financial Aid for the Pre-Health Advisor: What You SALON B

Should Know About the Process 3:10 – 3:50pm

William L. Hill, Retired CUNY Financial Aid Officer, Lehman College

Lolita Wood-Hill, Executive Director for Pre-Professional Advising Programs, Yeshiva University

Our students are often derailed by the expenses associated with preparing an application for health professions training. Learn about

the costs associated with test prep, with the multiple layers of application expenses, and with the costs after acceptance. Additionally,

we will discuss when you should begin helping students prepare for these costs as well as how to help students understand the time

restraints that will require diligence and time management skills above and beyond what they are doing to succeed academically.

Lastly, how and when should you begin conversations about sensitive issues such as family resources and credit worthiness? We hope

to provide you with resources and tools that will help you and your student navigate this very expensive transition.

Succession Planning Panel SALON C

Kim S. Overrocker, EdD, Office of Postsecondary Access, Support and Success, NYSED 2:30 – 3:45pm

One of the things you can always count on is that change is always on the horizon. Whether we are preparing for the next grant cycle,

for new staff, or for retirements it pays to think ahead and plan our transitions when we are able! Check out this panel discussion to

hear about how others have led or are currently leading successful transitions within their programs to allow for maximum impact

with minimum fuss!

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Workshop Descriptions

SESSION B

Wednesday, June 13th from 3:30pm – 5:00pm

Fostering CSTEP Student Engagement and Retention through SALON A
Summer Program and Community Building Strategies
Risa Stein, Farmingdale State College 3:30-5:00pm
Martha Giraldo-Riordan, Adelphi University

Keeping CSTEP students involved and active throughout the academic year can be a challenge. Many programs struggle with keeping

students engaged not only throughout the academic year, but all through their academic careers. Fostering students’ connections and

identification with CSTEP involves more than scheduling workshops and events. In this presentation, we will explore ways to create

summer programs that work all year long and approaches to connect students to CSTEP through community building.

Using a Mathematics Cultural Resonance Approach for Building SALON B
Capacity in the Mathematical Sciences for African American Communities 3:30-5:00pm
Terrence Blackman, Dean & Associate Professor of Mathematics, Medgar Evers College, CUNY

The underrepresentation of African Americans in the mathematical sciences in post-secondary education and in professional settings

has been well documented. This state of affairs has persisted despite multiple and varied efforts over the years to address the concern.

We assert that defining efforts around closing achievement gaps and/or through making moral arguments, such as has often been the

case, is insufficient for compelling the levels of commitment and action needed to address meaningfully issues that contribute to the

seeming intractability of Black underrepresentation in the mathematical sciences. The equity and access issues at play are embedded

in the histories of oppression and devaluation faced by Black people in this nation.

We introduce a mathematics cultural resonance framework (MCRF) to inform mathematics teaching, learning, and knowledge
production in ways that affirm and draw upon African American cultural resources. We argue for strategies that link mathematics
pedagogy with active mathematics research and with the mathematical sciences knowledge, practices, and dispositions embedded
within African, African American, and/or other African Diasporic cultural traditions. We posit that culturally resonant approaches
facilitate African Americans developing robust mathematics identities and maintain that these approaches provide opportunities for
producing new, groundbreaking mathematics knowledge, thereby benefiting the mathematics community (and society) as a whole.

SESSION C

Thursday, June 14th from 10:45am – 12:00pm

Gradate Admissions Tests: Supporting your students' SALON A
Growth Mindset for success on the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT
Jeffrey Koetje, MD, Director of Kaplan Partner Solutions / Kaplan Test Prep 10:45 – 12:00pm

Attend this session to learn more about the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT – the content and structure of each test, as well as current

approaches to evaluation of test scores relative to holistic review practices in graduate, business, and law school admissions. We’ll

also discuss supporting students’ Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck) in the anticipation of, and preparation for admissions tests. This

conversation will be framed by references to “Critical Mentoring” (Torie Weiston-Serdan), which argues for intentional incorporation

of critical social theories (especially Critical Race Theory and Intersectional Feminism) into mentoring and academic advising.

STEM Incentive Program and Excelsior Scholarships SALON B

Lisa Hearley 10:45 – 12:00pm

This presentation will provide an overview on the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), The Excelsior Scholarship Program and the NYS

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program, and how they can help your students pay for college

Creating a Culture of Belonging SALON C

Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers, EdD, Associate Provost/Assistant Vice President, Medgar Evers 10:45 – 12:00pm
Dr. Milicent Roth, Deputy Dean, City College, CUNY

“If we know anything at all, we know that belongingness is a basic human motivation and all people share a strong need to belong.”

(Maslow, 1962) The presentation will connect Maslow’s theory of Belonging to practices in which this concept can be applied to

helping minority and underrepresented students succeed in college. The position that students embedded in a supported and engaged

community can feel valued, accepted, and respected will be explored, along with how these interventions contribute to student

retention and ultimate graduation. The session will provide participants with distinct strategies that will assist them in creating an

engaged and connected community within their programs. Specifically, strategies to create a sense of belonging for minority students

in STEM will be discussed.

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Workshop Descriptions

SESSION D

Thursday, June 14th from 3:30pm – 5:00pm

Using Technology to Leverage Your Resources SALON C

Mary Ann Grandinetta, Director, Student Success Initiatives, SUNY Upstate Medical University 3:30 – 5:00pm

Derek Sokolowski, Assistant Coordinator of PRISM, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Grant management can be tough- tracking students, data, budgets for reports and day to day operations can take valuable time you

could be using to interact with your students. SUNY Upstate manages many of our processes with spreadsheets, Google Docs and
online tools to help streamline our operations. Come hear about our Google Application and Excel spreadsheet that calculates

everything from budget totals, to MWBE usage and indirect costs! Bring a computer and some numbers to play around with!

Files being demonstrated during this presentation can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/2JA3KY2

Truth & Dare to Dream: Turning Lessons into Interactive SALON A

Experiences 3:30 – 4:10pm

Valerie Jeannis, MSW, Founder of the I Dare to Dream Project, Inc

Do you remember playing Truth or Dare growing up? There was something about the game and the social aspect that freed you to tell

truths you would not have otherwise shared and take risks you would not have otherwise taken.

• What if there was a way to free students to take academic risks, aim higher, and define and pursue their dreams and ideas,

all while having fun?

• What if you could combine game elements with the core lessons and services you want to provide?

• What if the secret to creating a culture of success was to play and to invite students to play with you?

• What could that look like and what are some ways you can go about doing that?

Those are just a few of the questions, Valerie Jeannis will be addressing in this hands-on interactive session.

Known for her Dare to Dream philosophy and unconventional approaches to helping others create desired results in professional /
personal growth and development, Valerie will show you how using a few simple strategies, you can turn lessons into interactive
experiences that will engage your students and stay with them long after their time with you is done. And then, we’ll play…

The Power of Curiosity to Engage & Influence SALON A

Graham Dobbin, Asentiv Manhattan, LLC 4:10 – 5:00pm

Harness resources for professional and personal growth. Master strategies to create curiosity & tactics to create buy-in, at all levels,

on the opportunities available. This workshop utilizing the Curious Leader ™ Professional Relationship Model and Principles from How

to Win Friends & Influence People should help you learn effective professional and workplace engagement strategies.

• Identify how to develop a growth mindset, create a supporting network for you and your career

• Create a supportive network for you and your career

• Develop the ability to influence and be an authentic leader that engages others

Making the most of your resources to enhance STEM Programming SALON B

Anna Ortega Chavolla, Senior Director of STEM, New York University 3:30 – 5:00pm

Each STEP/CSTEP program differs according to resources and students. This workshop will demonstrate types of programming that

the NYU STEP/CSTEP program uses. How using resources wisely with a scaffolding approach can broaden the experience for all. For

example, using CSTEP students to teach STEP students, parents conduct parent workshops, university staff present workshops and

integrating faculty to train CSTEP students as lab TA's. This workshop will also include a segment for CSTEP/STEP participants to share

what they do at their programs as well.

The New MCAT TBA

Jeffrey Koetje, MD, Director, Kaplan Partner Solutions // Kaplan Test Prep 3:30 – 5:00pm

Attend this session to learn more about the MCAT and how best to advise your students to prepare and sit for this challenging exam.

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2018 Awards and Acknowledgements
Outstanding Service Award

Horace H. Smith, Ph.D.

Dr.Horace Smith began his career at Syracuse University in 1975, teaching Psychology in the College of Human
Development and then joining the Higher Education Opportunity Program, eventually becoming its director. It
was from this platform that he began to focus on issues for student development and academic success.

During his career at Syracuse, Dr. Smith served as Associate Dean of the Summer Division, Associate Dean for
University College, and was promoted to Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies and University
Retention. Smith’s responsibilities included creating and overseeing several student support programs,
including; the Higher Education Opportunity Program, Student Support Services, Syracuse Academic
Achievement Initiative Program, Summer Start, Summer College, Ronald McNair Post Baccalaureate Program,
Science Technology Entry Program, Collegiate Science Technology Program, Office of Disability Services, the
Tutoring and Study Center. Smith also provided the leadership for writing and implementing the National
Science Foundation LSAMP and a Federal Partnership and New York State GEAR-UP operations on campus.

In the earliest years of CSTEP and STEP, the NYSED wisely determined that student conferences should be held
annually, and the CSTEP and STEP conferences were born and funded as a grant to be administered by
CSTEP/STEP institutions. Syracuse University under the leadership of Dr. Smith and Dr. James Duah-Agyeman,
successfully received those early conference grants and organized and conducted the conferences annually.

In 2004, New York State decided the allocation of funds to conduct the student conferences would no longer be
made. For the annual student conferences to continue, an institution would have to commit its own resources
to reserve the conference venues, and hope that CSTEP and STEP programs would continue to participate. It
was a huge gamble for any institution to take on, and the decision to continue the conferences under these new
conditions required leadership and courage. Dr. Smith demonstrated those qualities in committing Syracuse
University to continue to administer the CSTEP and STEP conferences which they have continued to do to date.

For his courage, commitment and determination to equal opportunity in education, APACS is proud to recognize
Dr. Horace Smith with this Outstanding Service Award.

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2018 Awards and Acknowledgements
Outstanding Service Award

NOEL D. BLACKBURN

Noel D. Blackburn is the Manager of University Relations and DOE Internship Programs in
the Office of Educational Programs (OEP) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), a
multi-disciplinary national laboratory owned by the Department of Energy (DOE) and
home to seven (7) Nobel Prize Laureates in numerous fields of research. Noel is
responsible for designing, implementing and managing workforce development research
programs for undergraduates, graduates, and faculty at BNL, while creating access
opportunities for underrepresented groups into BNL. His passion is the removal of the
locked “Glass Door” which hinders access for the well-qualified, less fortunate pool of
intellectuals who are unable to stay ahead of the innovation curve while educating the next generation. His
philosophy is based on a simple quote – ‘rising tides raise all ships’.

Blackburn is responsible for creating the annual CSTEP Winter program at BNL where 20 CSTEP students are
selected statewide to participate in a one-week scientific program, and the CSTEP Summer Scientific Computing
internship program exposing science students to the capabilities of computers in research. He has also been
instrumental in developing access for CSTEP students to participate in the DOE internship programs at BNL.

Noel Blackburn is a member of several advisory boards such as the ORISE Distinguished Scientist Advisory Board
and the Washington/Baltimore/Hampton Roads Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Board of
Governors. He is also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Engineers Association, the American
Society of Civil Engineers and the American Society for Engineering Education. He is the recipient of numerous
awards such as the Department of Energy-Outstanding Mentor Award, the Brookhaven National Laboratory-
Brookhaven Award and the Minority Access National Role Model Award. Blackburn earned his Master of
Engineering in Environmental Engineering, where he received a university citation for outstanding performance,
and a Bachelors of Engineering in Civil Engineering from CUNY-City College of New York. He has settled Long
Island, NY with his lovely wife Kayla and their daughter Adafih.

APACS is honored to recognize Noel Blackburn with this Outstanding Service Award.

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2018 Acknowledgements
In Memorium

Barry Nemeroff

John Jay College, CUNY

Last year, APACS lost valued colleague and dear friend, Barry Nemeroff. Barry was a talented educator and
served as Director of the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
for almost 30 years. He dedicated his career to the rewarding work of encouraging middle and high school
students toward careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields and NYS
licensed professions, including the allied health professions.
Mr. Nemeroff joined John Jay College after a 36-year career with the New York City Department of Education,
on both the middle and high school levels, as a science teacher and a guidance counselor. He held an
Undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from New York
University. He was honored in 1995 as a counselor of the year in the New York City school system.
Those who knew Barry were touched by his friendly demeanor, generosity, and unwavering dedication to his
students.

In Memory of our dear friend and colleague

“There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

– Albert Einstein –

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2018 Acknowledgements
Appreciation of Continued Support

Deborah J. Glick

Assembly Member for 66th Assembly District

Thank you for your tremendous advocacy efforts on behalf of
STEP and CSTEP!

Deborah Glick, a lifelong resident of New York City, is now
serving her thirteenth term in the New York State Assembly.
As an elected official, she has focused on civil rights, health
care, lesbian and gay rights, the environment, housing, higher
education, social justice, animal rights and funding for the arts.
Deborah’s legislative victories include passage of the Women's
Health and Wellness Act, a bill that promotes early detection
and prevention of certain medical conditions affecting women,
including breast cancer and osteoporosis and provides
coverage for contraceptives; a bill to provide hospital visitation
rights for domestic partners; a ban on internet hunting; a bill
authorizing localities to use red light cameras and speed
cameras; and passage of student lending transparency
legislation, among others.

In February 2007, Deborah was appointed Chair of the
Assembly’s Higher Education Committee, which oversees all
private and public higher education institutions, financial
assistance for students, and professional licensing.
Additionally, in 2013, Deborah was named chair of the
Assembly’s Intern Program, which provides college juniors
and seniors with an opportunity to work in government in their Spring Semester. Deborah also serves on the
Ways and Means, Rules, Governmental Operations and Environmental Conservation Committees.

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APACS, INC.
ASSOCIATION FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS OF CSTEP AND STEP

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