Division of Academic Affairs holds 2012 Fall Faculty and Staff Conference

Kesha Williams
August 20, 2012

A management expert and motivational speaker and an education consultant were special guests for Elizabeth City State University’s 2012 Fall Faculty and Staff Conference. The two-day institute, August 14 – 15, coming on the cusp of the fall semester, was sponsored by the ECSU Division of Academic Affairs and effectively rallied and inspired staff and faculty before new and returning students begin classes on Aug. 21. Management expert Michael D. Brown, a motivational speaker and best-selling author, spoke during the morning session, and Dr. Susan C. Wyckoff, vice president for academic affairs at the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, spoke during an afternoon segment. Ambitious for success, hungry for professional growth and driven to help others, Brown, a native of Lexington, Miss., developed his core values of determination, ambition and creativity from the lessons he learned with life experiences. Early in his early career, Brown focused on nonprofit organizations, taking on a consulting role for some and participating as a member of the board of directors for others. As a consultant, Brown has spent time in a diverse set of companies, organizations and industries, such as Murphy Oil Corp. (The Wal-Mart Project), USF&ampG Insurance, BP, Wells Fargo Financial, San Francisco Foundation, Ford Foundation, Marriott, Amoco, Ralph &amp Kacoo’s Seafood Restaurant, Wendy’s International, along with a number of small, independent business owners. Brown has a bachelor’s degree in business administration-management from Jackson State University. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration- global management. His message centers on Fresh Customer Service® and Major + Fresh Passion = Six Figures through keynotes, seminars, workshops and executive retreats. Through his &quotPassion Principles,&quot he helps colleges to move their students to graduation while discovering their personal brands leading to successful and lucrative careers. Wyckoff holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of New Hampshire. At the Colleges of Worcester Consortium in Massachusetts, she directs and teaches regularly in the Consortium’s Certificate in College Teaching Program. She has an extensive background in higher education administration, particularly in the areas of academic policy development and implementation, faculty development, curriculum development and program review and assessment activities. She presents nationally on topics of institutional effectiveness and improved teaching practices. She is the author of numerous publications related to issues of institutional effectiveness in higher education, with emphasis on student satisfaction and retention. Prior to joining the Consortium, Wyckoff served as vice president for academic affairs at New England College in Henniker, N.H., and at Dean College in Franklin, Mass. She also has significant teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels, working with both with traditional students and adult learners. She serves as chair of the executive board of ACE Women Leaders in Massachusetts, serves on the board of the New England Faculty Development Consortium and on the AVID Postsecondary Advisory Board. Dr. Ali Khan, provost and vice chancellor for the Division of Academic Affairs, said he appreciated the work of all the staff in the division to organize the 2012 Fall Faculty and Staff Conference.