PCPR FALL Symposium:
“Eyes Wide Open: Navigating Higher Education’s New Landscape”
Friday, September 20, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Temple University | Howard Gittis Student Activity Center | 1755 N 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
The Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable is pleased to present our annual fall symposium entitled “Eyes Wide Open: Navigating the Future of Higher Education.” The purpose of the event is to inform the college access community of issues impacting college campuses so they can better prepare their students for success.
The symposium will feature nationally known Akil Bello, an education policy expert with nearly four decades of experience in admissions, testing, and equity. He is a vocal advocate for fair testing practices and has contributed to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Forbes, and Word in Black to name a few. Currently, he serves as the Senior Director of Advocacy and Advancement at FairTest, where he focuses on building stronger relationships and providing greater support for low-income students, underrepresented minority groups, public schools, non-profit and community-based organizations. His presentation will focus on how current national trends and policies are shaping the landscape of higher education.
In addition to Akil Bello’s keynote, the symposium will include a panel discussion with higher education administrators covering a range of topics impacting campus life such as free speech, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), mental health, and campus safety.
Note: Breakfast and lunch will be provided and there is no cost
Event at Glance
(Click on Event Time to See More Session Details)
- BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING
Session I: UNDERSTANDING GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S 2024-2025 BUDGET: IMPLICATIONS FOR 
HIGHER EDUCATION IN PENNSYLVANIA
- ALI CACCAVELLA, SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE DEPUTY SECRETARY AND COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Session II: CURRENT TRENDS SHAPING THE LANDSCAPE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER: AYANA LEWIS, ESQ., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
AKIL BELLO, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND ADVANCEMENT, FAIR TEST
SESSION III: PCPR 3.0 – THE NEXT PHASE
- PCPR’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THOMAS BUTLER, WILL SHARE THE STRATEGIC VISION FOR GROWTH IN COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS, FOCUSING ON KEY INITIATIVES IN ADVOCACY AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. LEARN HOW PCPR PLANS TO EXPAND ITS IMPACT AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED.
LUNCH
- VISIT EXHIBITOR TABLES
- NETWORKING
SESSION IV: THE NEW NORMAL: NATIONAL ISSUES IMPACTING STUDENT LIFE
- MODERATOR: JENNIFER KEBEA, PRESIDENT, CAMPUS PHILLY
PANELISTS:
- DR. SAMUEL COLEMAN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS, BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- DR. JENNIFER JOHNSON, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENT SUCCESS AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
- CLOSING REMARKS – THOMAS BUTLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PCPR
- STAY AFTER THE OFFICIAL END OF THE DAY TO NETWORK AND VISIT OUR EXHIBITORS.