Welcome from the 2021 Conference Chair
WNY Advising Award - 9:00-9:20
Due to Technical Difficulties, We Do Not Have a Session Video for the Welcome / Keynote
The annual WNY Advising Conference is put together by a group of dedicated advising professionals from many institutions in the Western New York area. The one day conference, held in February, brings together over 160-230 advising professionals from across the region, offers break out sessions, a keynote speaker, and a variety of opportunities for professional networking.
In addition to attending the conference, you are welcome to get involved with the conference directly by joining the conference committee or email distribution list. We also hope that you will explore the WNY Advising site to help continue the networking and collaboration year round.
- Elizabeth Kerr, Conference Chair
In addition to attending the conference, you are welcome to get involved with the conference directly by joining the conference committee or email distribution list. We also hope that you will explore the WNY Advising site to help continue the networking and collaboration year round.
- Elizabeth Kerr, Conference Chair
Opening & Keynote Speaker - 9:20 - 10:20 A.M.
Jonathan Ntheketha (He, Him, His)Associate Director Student Success and Development
Multicultural Center for Academic Success, Diversity, and Inclusion
Academic Credentials
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About the Keynote
Join Jonathan Ntheketha, Associate Director in the Division for Diversity and Inclusion’s Multicultural Center for Academic Success at RIT, for a conversation entitled “Doing the Work: Making Space at the Center.” We’ll discuss the challenges our institutions face when endeavoring to engage in meaningful dialogue, reconciliation, and accountability, as well as the important position advisors play in our respective school communities. We’ll explore how understanding the uniqueness of our own diverse stories can better prepare us to honestly acknowledge the realities of underrepresented students, staff, faculty, and alumni, and how we can make space for others and their experiences to exist at the center.
Professional Profile:
Jonathan Ntheketha is committed in his work to develop, oversee, and coordinate the Multicultural Center for Academic Success’s (MCAS) commitment to providing opportunities for and holistically developing historically underrepresented students at RIT. As Associate Director, Jonathan provides leadership, oversight, and support of Center initiatives and operations, including the MCAS Advocates Program, DDI Summer Experience, and creating the MCAS Coaching Curriculum. He began his 15 year tenure at RIT as an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and has continued to empower and inform all students throughout their collegiate experience.
Jonathan has enjoyed a career developing, mentoring, and teaching students in higher education for nearly 20 years. In addition to his work in MCAS, he is a Title IX conduct advocate, and a company member of RIT Diversity Theatre, a part of the Division for Diversity and Inclusion. Jonathan also serves as an adjunct professor, having taught RIT’s first year seminar RIT 365, as well as Motivation & Wellness. Additionally, he has taught Script Analysis for Geva Theater Center’s Summer Academy and The New Hip Hop: Our Stories and Truths on Stage at the University of Rochester. He is also a Performance Educator and Facilitator with Impact Interactive, a theatre-based training company that specializes in one of a kind dynamic presentations that help companies and communities address sensitive topics such as unconscious bias and sexual harassment in the workplace. Most recently he has facilitated several iterations of Uncomfortable Conversations: A Theatre-Based Virtual Workshop Confronting Privilege, Bias and Racism. Jonathan has also participated in a number of WNY Advising events in the past, including as a panelist last July for Unpacking Racism in Advising.
Hailing from Rochester, NY Jonathan has spent a lifetime telling stories, exploring truths, and sharing in the richness of cultures around him. As an actor and performer he has appeared in numerous productions locally and regionally, and has a resume that includes small screen, stage, commercial, and voice work. Jonathan serves on the Board of Directors for Blackfriars Theatre, the Alumni Board at Allendale Columbia School, and is a former member of the William Warfield Scholarship Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves on the Education Committee of the Seneca Park Zoo Society board as well as the Marketing Committee of the Leadership Rochester board.
Join Jonathan Ntheketha, Associate Director in the Division for Diversity and Inclusion’s Multicultural Center for Academic Success at RIT, for a conversation entitled “Doing the Work: Making Space at the Center.” We’ll discuss the challenges our institutions face when endeavoring to engage in meaningful dialogue, reconciliation, and accountability, as well as the important position advisors play in our respective school communities. We’ll explore how understanding the uniqueness of our own diverse stories can better prepare us to honestly acknowledge the realities of underrepresented students, staff, faculty, and alumni, and how we can make space for others and their experiences to exist at the center.
Professional Profile:
Jonathan Ntheketha is committed in his work to develop, oversee, and coordinate the Multicultural Center for Academic Success’s (MCAS) commitment to providing opportunities for and holistically developing historically underrepresented students at RIT. As Associate Director, Jonathan provides leadership, oversight, and support of Center initiatives and operations, including the MCAS Advocates Program, DDI Summer Experience, and creating the MCAS Coaching Curriculum. He began his 15 year tenure at RIT as an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and has continued to empower and inform all students throughout their collegiate experience.
Jonathan has enjoyed a career developing, mentoring, and teaching students in higher education for nearly 20 years. In addition to his work in MCAS, he is a Title IX conduct advocate, and a company member of RIT Diversity Theatre, a part of the Division for Diversity and Inclusion. Jonathan also serves as an adjunct professor, having taught RIT’s first year seminar RIT 365, as well as Motivation & Wellness. Additionally, he has taught Script Analysis for Geva Theater Center’s Summer Academy and The New Hip Hop: Our Stories and Truths on Stage at the University of Rochester. He is also a Performance Educator and Facilitator with Impact Interactive, a theatre-based training company that specializes in one of a kind dynamic presentations that help companies and communities address sensitive topics such as unconscious bias and sexual harassment in the workplace. Most recently he has facilitated several iterations of Uncomfortable Conversations: A Theatre-Based Virtual Workshop Confronting Privilege, Bias and Racism. Jonathan has also participated in a number of WNY Advising events in the past, including as a panelist last July for Unpacking Racism in Advising.
Hailing from Rochester, NY Jonathan has spent a lifetime telling stories, exploring truths, and sharing in the richness of cultures around him. As an actor and performer he has appeared in numerous productions locally and regionally, and has a resume that includes small screen, stage, commercial, and voice work. Jonathan serves on the Board of Directors for Blackfriars Theatre, the Alumni Board at Allendale Columbia School, and is a former member of the William Warfield Scholarship Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves on the Education Committee of the Seneca Park Zoo Society board as well as the Marketing Committee of the Leadership Rochester board.