Connecting Students and Professionals of Color

Building Networks, Creating Opportunities

Join us for an inspiring event designed to foster meaningful connections between students and established professionals of color across various industries.

Register Now View Agenda Breakout Sessions

SCSU Student Center Ballroom

March 26, 2025

9:00a.m. - 2:00p.m.

Our Sponsors

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE

Agenda

Time	Topic	Location
9:00 - 9:45am	Networking & Registration	Ballroom
9:45am	Welcome Remarks Dr. Dwayne Smith, Interim President of Southern Connecticut State University Masters of Ceremony Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire, Executive Director of Higher Heights Legairre Radden, Research Scientist III at Boehringer Ingelheim	Ballroom
10:00am	Panel Discussion Dr. Angelique Khalifa, Principal Scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim Miraj Jara, Computer Science student at SCSU Colette Ruden, Senior Engineer, Tech and Innovation, Office of the CTO at CCAT Sarai Lara-Boykin, Associate Scientist at Pfizer	Ballroom
10:30am	Live Q&A	Ballroom
TRANSITION TO BREAKOUTS
10:55am	Breakout Sessions (see Breakout Session section for details)	Breakout Rooms
TRANSITION TO LUNCH AND NETWORKING
11:50am	Lunch with Facilitated Networking	Ballroom
TRANSITION TO CLOSING REMARKS
12:45pm	Closing Remarks Dr. Kelvin Rutledge, Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Southern Connecticut State University	Ballroom
1:00pm	Open Networking	Ballroom

Opening and Closing Remarks

Dr. Dwayne Smith

Interim President, Southern Connecticut State University

Dr. Kelvin Rutledge

Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Southern Connecticut State University

Masters of Ceremonies

Legairre Radden

Research Scientist III,
Boehringer Ingelheim

Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire

Executive Director,
Higher Heights

Panelists

Dr. Angelique Khalifa

Principal Scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim

Miraj Jara

Computer Science student at SCSU

Colette Ruden

Senior Engineer, Tech and Innovation, Office of the CTO at CCAT

Sarai Lara-Boykin

Associate Scientist at Pfizer

Breakout Sessions

Opportunities Awaiting You at SCSU	First Year Admissions Team at Southern Connecticut State University	ROOM 301
From High School Graduate to Cybersecurity at Assa Abloy	Mike Olivares, IT TechOps Analyst at Assa Abloy Opening Solutions	ROOM 303
The Importance of a Mentoring Network	Dr. Karina Gonzalez, Associate Dean of Diversity & Inclusion Programs in the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Yale School of Medicine	ROOM 305
Imposter Phenomenon	Dr. Anuli Njoku, Professor of Public Health at Southern Connecticut State University	ROOM 306
Navigating Emotions in the Job Search Process	Rachel Cunningham-Exavier, Assistant Director in the Office of Career and Professional Development Dr. Allyson Regis, Coordinator of the Wellbeing Center at Southern Connecticut State University	ROOM 308
Advocating and Caring for Yourself	Shenira Billups, Behavioral Health Consultant and Adjunct Faculty in Psychology at Southern Connecticut State University	ROOM 309
Networking Best Practices	Jonell Bailey, Graduate Intern in the Office of Career and Professionals Development at Southern Connecticut State University	ROOM 311
My Journey from El Salvador to Boehringer Ingelheim	Rocio Perez, Scientist in Immun and Inflam Group at Boehringer Ingelheim	ROOM 312
Student Voices: Supports and Services for You at SCSU	SCSU University Access Programs Team	ROOM 326
Fostering DEI within your Company	Global Black Community at Pfizer	BALLROOM