Speakers

Marcus Elliott, a care manager with HCR Home Care, has worked in many facets of the human services field in his career. After graduating from Edison Tech High School in 1995, where he was awarded for most improved student over a four-year span, he attended MCC. He earned an associate degree in human services in 2012 and a certificate in Credentialed Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counselor-in-Training in 2013. During his years at MCC, Marcus led a group of students who subsequently took first and second places during the annual MCC Scholars’ Day; their presentation focused on the graduation rates of African-American men in college.

Adrian Hale, a junior at Yale University and an MCC alumnus, describes himself as a “lifelong public servant.” A graduate of John Marshall High School, he spent two tours as a Marine corporal in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom from 2009 to 2011. In August 2012, a month before starting his first year at MCC, he enlisted in the Air Force as a senior airman. At MCC, he was active in student government, belonged to the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and served as a board member of MCC Association Inc. Board of Directors. He also received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. He graduated from MCC in 2014 with an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences-general studies and is studying political science at Yale.

Shaun R. Harper is an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education, Africana Studies, and Gender Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also serves as executive director of the Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education. He is author of 12 books and over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and other academic publications. His work has earned him awards from the American Educational Research Association and the Association for the Study of Higher Education. He holds a Ph.D. in higher education and a master’s degree in college student affairs administration, both from Indiana University, and a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education from Albany State University, Georgia.

Rickey B. Harvey, pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Rochester, is author of the new book Reconnecting the African American Church to its Community. Before coming to upstate New York, he served as minister in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arizona. His professional affiliations include membership on the board of directors of the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. and service as a faculty member with the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. He has earned a doctorate from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, a Master of Divinity degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and two bachelor’s degrees – one in psychology from the University of Memphis, the other in business management from the University of Phoenix.

Davon Jackson, a liberal arts and sciences-general studies major at MCC, excels inside and outside the classroom while pursuing a degree. While maintaining a GPA that is above a 3.0, he served as captain of this year’s MCC men’s basketball team, assisting in leading them to a 25-5 record and a ranking of third in the nation for community colleges. A resident of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Davon is anticipated to graduate in May 2015 and plans to attain a business degree at a four-year institution.

Kevin McDonald, vice president and associate provost for diversity and inclusion at Rochester Institute of Technology, has developed a significant track record of transformational contributions toward organizational equity, diversity and inclusion goals. Previously he served as vice president for equity and inclusion at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he was also the director of the Office for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Prior to his career in higher education, he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice. He holds a law degree from The Ohio State University, a doctorate in higher education leadership from the University of Rochester, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Andrews University, Michigan.

Shaun Nelms, deputy superintendent of the Educational Partnership Organization for the University of Rochester, oversees the transformation of East High School into a model of success. Prior to his current position, he served as the deputy superintendent of schools for the Greece Central School District and as chief of schools for the Rochester City School District. Other roles he has held in public education include principal, assistant principal and social studies teacher. A recipient of several awards for his leadership and work in education, he holds a doctorate in K-12 school leadership and a master’s degree in education, both from the University of Rochester, and a bachelor’s degree in education from SUNY Fredonia.

Jacob L. Scott Jr., newly appointed assistant principal at Edison Tech High School, previously served as coordinator of the Student and Family Support Center on the Rochester City School District’s Marshall campus. After graduating from Edison Tech as an Urban League Black Scholar, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history and a teaching certification in secondary social studies, both from University of Rochester. After several years of teaching at two Rochester city schools, he earned a master’s degree in education from The College at Brockport. He recently received a certification of advanced studies in educational administration from The College at Brockport. In addition to his role as head coach for the varsity boys’ basketball team at the Edison Tech campus, he also serves as Regional 8 governor for the New York State School Counselor Association.