Inspirational Journeys and Insights from Professionals of Color in Higher Ed

Career Level: Basic-, intermediate-, and advanced-level career services, university relations and recruiting, and business affiliate professionals
Competency: Working with diverse populations
Fee: FREE (member); $89 (nonmember);

Summary
This engaging session brought to you by the People of Color affinity group will spotlight accomplished professionals of color who have excelled in higher education and corporate leadership. Through discussions, our panelists will share their personal journeys, highlighting the triumphs, challenges, and lessons learned as they navigated their careers in diverse environments. From strategies for fostering inclusivity to breaking down systemic barriers, this session offers practical insights for individuals and organizations committed to advancing diversity and equity.

Following this program, you will be able to:
- Learn from the personal journeys of successful professionals of color in higher education and corporate leadership;
- Explore strategies for fostering inclusivity and overcoming systemic barriers in diverse work environments; and
- Gain actionable insights to advance diversity and equity within organizations and personal career development.
Presenters

Terry Bankston, Executive Director, Office of Career Services, Delaware State University
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Bankston brings over 40 years of experience in sales, marketing, corporate management, non-profit executive leadership, entrepreneurship, and higher education career development leadership to Delaware State University. He is graduate of the University of Cincinnati where he was a student leader, played basketball and was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (Beta Eta Chapter). Mr. Bankston works with an outstanding Career Pathways Team that establishes strategic employer relationships, event planning, campus relationships and continuing to keep our students in the center of every discussion. He enjoys photography, traveling, basketball (coaching/spectator) and above all spending time with family & friends. He is the proud father of 2 sons, Miles (Arianna) and Kyle, and a granddaughter, Jayden Rose.

Judith Brown Clarke, VP, Equity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer, Stonybrook University and Health System
Dr. Judith Brown Clarke is the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer for Stony Brook University and Health System. She possesses over seventeen years of experience working on senior management teams shaping strategic plans for diversity and establishing infrastructures for inclusive excellence and equity sustainability. She has a strong portfolio in grant funding and has demonstrated effective collection, analysis, problem solving and predictive analytical processes using benchmarked metrics that directly align with the institution’s goals. Clarke is currently an American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) 2022 Millennium Leadership Initiative Fellow, Chair of the Association of American Universities (AAU) CDO Steering Committee, Co-Chair for the United State Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Harvard Advanced Leadership Senior Fellow, and an external advisory committee member for three NSF-funded Science and Technology Centers (STC) - Center for Cellular Construction (CCC), Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX) and Bio-Computation Evolution in Action Network (BEACON). Formerly, Clarke was a member of the External Advisory Committee for W.K. Kellogg Biological Research Station, Director’s Research Advisory Committee for MSU National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, International Advisory Committee for the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics, and External Advisory Committee member for Nevada’s EPSCoR Grant for the Study of Solar, Wind and Water Power. Clarke has experienced great athletic success, she is a 4-time national collegiate champion, 12-time Big Ten Champion, 3-time Pan American Games gold medalist, 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist, and 1987 Sports Illustrated Woman of the Year.

Kimberly Dixon, Dir., Employer Engagement/Diversity Recruitment, Stony Brook University - Career Center

Luis Amaro, Partner In Charge, People, Noviam Inc
Luis Amaro’s career in graduate recruitment spans 14+ years, during which he has successfully launched graduate talent teams across multiple global organizations. During his career, he has built and scaled university partnership teams globally, leveraging his experience to help universities give students the tools they need to access careers across various industries. His extensive background in sales enables him to share insights with students about the skills businesses are seeking in emerging talent, while also helping hundreds of students network with Fortune 500 companies and access jobs they would not have had access to previously. Since joining NACE, he has volunteered to co-lead different affinity groups, committees, and subcommittees, including the Individuals Serving and Recruiting Hispanic, Latin@X, & HSI Students Affinity Group; the NACE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; and the HBCU Subcommittee for Employer Relations. In addition to his work with affinity groups and committees, he has also participated in numerous NACE webinars as a panelist and moderator. The opportunity to continue learning from his fellow NACE members, as well as the opportunity to continue working toward equitable outcomes for graduates, continue to be the main drivers behind his commitment as a NACE member. Born in the United States to a Colombian mother and Dominican father, Amaro's global perspective and commitment to inclusivity have led him to channel his passion for equal access to opportunities. His altruism shines through as he volunteers his time to support students and faculty in schools across North America, particularly focusing on underresourced communities.

Emanuel Cifuentes-Machado, Career Development Advisor, Northeastern University - Silicon Valley