
Navigating Career Pathways: The Journey of HBCU Professionals Across Institutional Types
Includes a Live Web Event on 04/09/2025 at 3:30 PM (EDT)
The presenters will explore the career paths of professionals who have worked at HBCUs, PWIs, and other institutional types. Addressing common misconceptions, panelists will share their experiences and strategies for leveraging their HBCU background to advance their careers across various higher education environments. Attendees will gain insights into the unique campus cultures of HBCUs and the rigorous work conducted by their professionals, while also learning how to foster a culture of bold change and adaptability within the student affairs profession.
Learning Outcomes
1. Analyze the career trajectories of those who have transitioned between HBCUs, PWIs, and other institutional types, identifying key strategies used to overcome challenges and leverage their HBCU experience for advancement
2. Compare and contrast the campus cultures and work environments of HBCUs and PWIs, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities each setting offers for career development in student affairs
3. Apply career capital concepts to their own experiences, creating strategies to leverage their roles for future career goals across different institutions

Jerisha Farrer
Forsyth Technical Community College

Kevin Reese
Director of Multicultural Affairs
Georgia Southern University
Dr. Kevin Reese is a native of Dayton, Ohio, who began his professional journey in 2007 as a proud graduate of Kentucky State University (Frankfort, KY) with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration. His passion for higher education led him to North Park University (Chicago, IL), where he earned a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration in 2013. His academic pursuits culminated in a recent graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS) with a Doctorate of Higher Education Administration. As a black man, Dr. Reese brings a valuable and diverse perspective to his work. He currently serves as the Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Georgia Southern University, where he oversees the programming and leadership development of students from minoritized backgrounds. With 16 years of experience managing both student and professional staff, Dr. Reese has developed a robust skill set that enables him to effectively lead and mentor within the higher education land

Prince Robertson, Ed.D.
Dean of Students for Community Standards and Advocacy
Illinois Wesleyan University
Prince F. Robertson, Ed.D., has been working in higher education for over 10 years and currently serves as the Dean of Students for Community Standards and Advocacy at Illinois Wesleyan University, a small private institution in Bloomington, IL. Dr. Robertson brings a wealth of experience, beginning his career in Residence Life and Housing at Bethune-Cookman University (BCU). During his tenure at BCU, he developed expertise in emergency management, programming, and student advising, while honing his skills in student conduct. This specialization in student conduct, including Title IX adjudications, remains one of his core areas of expertise. His time at BCU also provided him with invaluable insights into the unique dynamics of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) compared to Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Since then, Dr. Robertson has accumulated experience across a diverse range of PWI higher education settings, including a large Tier 1 research institution, a mid-sized, and his current role at a small private. Dr. Robertson holds a B.A. in Communications from Saginaw Valley State University, an M.S.Ed. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and an Ed.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with dual concentrations in Higher Education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. An active member of NASPA, Dr. Robertson has served in various leadership roles within the Black Diaspora Knowledge Community and the Region IV-E Committee. He is also an engaged member of the Association for Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA).

Saranette Williams
Director of Career Services
Norfolk State University

Yasmine Farley
Director of the Career Center
California State University-San Marcos
Dr. Yasmine Farley brings 16 years of experience in higher education, specializing in career services, and currentlyserves as the Director of the Career Center at California State University San Marcos, a Hispanic Serving Institution.Her career in career services began 12 years ago during her Ph.D. program, where she developed a passion forhelping students achieve their career development goals. Before joining CSUSM, Dr. Farley was the Senior Associate Director of Career Development at UC San Diego, whereshe led the pre-grad/graduate team within the central career center. She has also served as the Director of CareerServices at Fayetteville State University and has held leadership and faculty roles at various institutions, includingsmall private religiously affiliated universities, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and mid-sizeduniversities. This diverse background has provided her with a deep understanding of the unique needs of differentstudent populations. Dr. Farley excels in staff man
Continuing Education Credits
CSAED
This session counts for 1.0 CSAEd-CORE credit
NASPA has been approved by the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification to provide CE credit for Certified Student Affairs Educators (CSAEd). NASPA is solely responsible for all aspects of this program.
Guidelines for earning CE credit:
No partial credit will be rewarded.
Participants must also complete the feedback survey in the Online Learning Community.
1 Credit is available for attending the live session or viewing the on-demand recording.
To receive CSAEd credit, attendees must complete the feedback survey that offers the certification in each session. Once you have attended all the live sessions or watched the on-demand sessions for which you would like to request credit, visit the Continuing Education (CE) website to fill out the Student Affairs Education Certification Request Form for all the sessions. All certificants must fill out one for the live session and a separate one for the on-demand sessions. Visit the Continued Education (CE) website to learn more regarding deadlines and receive your certificate of completion for the Virtual Conference.
NBCC
This session counts for 1 NBCC credit
NASPA has been approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider for live events.
Participants can receive a maximum of 13 clock hours for attending live sessions at this event. All eligible sessions are identified in the “Credit Information” tab at the top of the individual sessions. To receive credit, please complete the “Feedback Survey” found within each individual session under the “Continuing Education” section. Once the feedback surveys for all attended sessions are complete, complete this request form; a certificate documenting the number of hours of live sessions you attended will be emailed to you within two weeks of you submitting the form.
The deadline to request NBCC continuing education certificates for this event is May 12, 2025. For questions regarding continuing education, please email continuingeducation@naspa.org