Overview

Presented By: LaKiesha McDonald

College isn’t just about earning credits — it’s about building a future. This session is designed to help you connect the dots between your undergraduate experience and your long-term career goals. Whether you're still deciding on a major or already deep into your studies, we'll explore how to intentionally align your academic choices, extracurriculars, internships, and networking opportunities with the career path you envision.

Discover how to turn your passions into a plan, avoid common detours, and graduate with more than just a diploma — graduate with direction. We'll discuss real-world examples, practical strategies, and tools you can use right now to make every class, project, and experience count toward your "end game."

Presented By: Brittany Robinson, Johnny G. Powell

Thinking about a STEM degree — or already on the path? Whether you're exploring your options or deep dive into equations, labs, or code, this session is designed to give you the inside edge on thriving in STEM as an undergraduate. From mastering the academic workload to finding mentors, research opportunities, and building study habits that work, we’ll cover the strategies that successful STEM students use to stay ahead.

We’ll also dive into ways to make the most of your classroom experience — including how to connect what you're learning with real-world applications, leverage campus resources, and overcome common challenges like imposter syndrome and burnout.

Presented By: Treyvon Wilson 

You’ve heard the stories, seen the homecoming clips, and caught the energy—but do you really know what it’s like to attend an HBCU? This breakout session peels back the layers and gets real about the HBCU experience—the pride, the purpose, the culture, and yes, the challenges too. From campus traditions that feel like family reunions to the unspoken lessons in resilience, identity, and self-discovery, this conversation dives into what it really means to be part of an HBCU community.

Join current students and alumni as they share the highs that shaped them, the truths that tested them, and the moments that made it all worth it. If you know, you know—but if you don’t, this is your chance to find out.

When your student goes to college, you’re going too—just in a different way. This session is designed to help parents navigate the exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) transition of sending a child off to college. From understanding financial aid and campus resources to setting boundaries, managing communication, and supporting your student’s independence, we’ll cover the essentials every parent needs to know.