African American Symposium

What is the African American Symposium?	History & Purpose	2008 Symposium Dates & Schedule
New Student Orientation Parent's Orientation
African American Coordinating Committee Frequently Asked Questions
Register Online Here for the 2008 African American Symposium

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The African-American Symposium: History and Purpose

The African-American Symposium is a summer educational and transitional experience sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and African American Affairs. Its purpose is to foster a sense of community for incoming first-year students and to provide: them with information about campus resources, support personnel, coping strategies and African-American cultural heritage and contributions as a basis for helping ensure their academic and social-emotional success at NC State.

The Symposium began in 1983 as a response to concerns about the retention and successful advancement of African-American students at North Carolina State University. During the early 1980's African-American faculty and staff initiated various informal efforts, e.g., mentor program, minority career fair, to address and enhance the experiences of African American students at the University. In 1983 Chancellor Bruce Poulton created the African-American Advisory Council to advise him on matters of concerns to the African-American community and to help facilitate the goal of a creating a campus community supportive of the concept of multiculturalism. One of the first projects developed by the Council was the "Afro-American Symposium". The first Symposium was coordinated by a team of eight African-American faculty/staff members and three students. In 1984 and 1985, one staff person and two persons, respectively, were selected to coordinate the activities. Since 1986, the Symposium coordination has been the responsibility of the Coordinator of African American Student Affairs. Today the Symposium is an institutionalize retention and advancement effort of the University and is specifically designed to achieve the following objectives:

The content of the Symposium is determined by the African-American Coordinating Committee. The logistical planning and implementation of the Symposium are facilitated by the Director and Assistant Director for African-American Student Affairs. Several students also work in the Symposium as paid counselors during the summer. All of these individuals meet annually to plan and evaluate the Symposium. A brief description of the Symposium process and content follows.

The Symposium is scheduled just prior to the start of the fall semester/academic year, as a supplement to the University's required New Student Orientation, held in the summer. This year's African American Symposium is scheduled for Friday, August 15th through Saturday, August 16th. African-American students are sent information describing the Symposium. In addition, information about the African American Symposium in included in the information disseminated by New Student Orientation to all first year and transfer students. There is no cost for students to attend the African American Symposium.

Parents and guests are also invited to attend at their own expense. At the Symposium students receive written materials about NC State among which is the Symposium Handbook. This handbook contains information about campus resources, faculty and staff, academic tutorials, clubs and organizations, local businesses, churches, and more.

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2008 African American Symposium

Dates & Schedule

Day 1 (Friday, August 15, 2008)

Day 2 (Saturday, August 16, 2008)

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2007-08 African American Coordinating Committee

Vice Provost for Diversity and African American Affairs

Dr. Jose Picart, Dr. Marcia Gumpertz & Dr. Orlando Hankins 919.515.3607

College of Engineering

Dr. Tony Mitchell -- 919.515.3264

Mrs. Angie Daniels -- 919.515.3264

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Dr. Dr. Leon Boyd -- 919.513.2259

Distance Education

Ms. Ms. Monica Price -- 919.513-7914

Undergraduate Affairs/FYC

Mrs. Carrie McLean -- 919.515.8498

Mrs. Melissa Simpson -- 919.515.3484

Transition Program

Mrs. Frankye Artis -- 919.515.7053

College of Textiles

Mr. Edward Brown -- 919.513.7424

College of Natural Resources

Mr. Thomas Easley -- 919.513.0534

Ms. Vonda Easterling -- 919.515.5510

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Vacant

College of Education

Dr. Anona Smith-Williams -- 919.515.3325

Mrs. Allison Mitchall -- 919.513.4120

College of Management

Dr. David Washington -- 919.513.2694

College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Dr. Wandra Hill -- 919.515.7841

School of Design

Ms. Marva Motley -- 919.515.8329

College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Allen Cannedy -- 919.513.6214

African American Symposium Student Affairs

Dr. Tracey Ray -- 919.515.9243

Mrs. Felicia Baity-- 919.515.9249

Financial Aid

Mr. Rance Jackson, Mrs. Theresa Cry Phelps & Mr. Cedric Barksdale 919.515.2421

Admissions

Mr. Vern Granger -- 919.515.5021

Ms. Keyana Scales -- 919.515.2434

Ms. Shonaka Ellison -- 919.515.2434

African American Cultural Center

Dr. Fred Hord -- 919.515.5210

Dr. Keith Powell -- 919.515.5210

Vice Provost/ Equal Opportunity, Equity and Diversity

Mrs. Janet Howard -- 919.513.0574

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What is the African American Symposium

The African American Symposium is a summer orientation/transitional experience sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and African American Affairs and facilitated by the Office of African American Student Affairs. Its purpose is to maximize the academic success of incoming first-year students by providing information about campus resources, support personnel, cultural heritage, networking and other strategies for success. The African American Symposium fosters a sense of community and provides a foundation for ensuring academic, social, and personal success at NC State.

The Symposium is scheduled in August, just prior to the start of the fall semester/academic year, as a supplement to the University's required New Student Orientation, held in the summer. The dates for the 2008 African American Symposium are Friday, August 15th through Saturday, August 16th. Information describing the African American Symposium is available to all first year and transfer students through the New Student Orientation website Students are asked to arrive on campus on Friday, August 15th for the African American Symposium. Out-of-state students and those traveling more than 3-hours, have the option of checking into their Residence Hall on Thursday, August 14th between 1pm and 4pm. There is no cost for students to attend the African American Symposium. Parents and guests are also invited and we strongly encourage them to attend at their expense (housing and meals not covered).

At the Symposium, students receive written materials about NC State among which is the Symposium handbook. The handbook contains information about campus resources, faculty and staff, academic tutorial, student organizations, local businesses and churches, and more. Students also attend workshops, which provide them with valuable information to aid in their successful transition to NC State and prepare them for any challenges they may encounter.

Symposium is an excellent first-time opportunity for students to become familiar with the challenges of college life, experience cultural growth and to network with each other. Again, students are strongly encouraged to attend their symposium session as a first year student at NC State. This opportunity is only extended to first year and transfer students.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Symposium

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