Jocelyn Byers Smith
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Workshop Sessions:
Yeah, But I’m MARGINALIZED Too
Let’s Be Real, I’m a Black Queer Woman in Higher Education
Bio: Jocelyn is currently the Assistant Director of Student Life at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. As an advisor of the student LGBTQA organization, Spectrum, supporting and advocating for the rights of queer students at FDU, her work is intentional and impactful. Her continuous work as the Mid Atlantic Regional Coordinator for the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals allows her to directly work with other professionals across the country who serves queer students and staff. She loves to use her experience to motivate and energize students and staff at other institutions while encouraging them to become their BEST Professional Self!
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more then you are a LEADER” – Quincy Adams
“Yeah, But I’m MARGINALIZED too!” – Navigating our roles as allies & social justice partners from opposite sides of the spectrum
Have you ever offended another by comparing your struggle with theirs and were surprised that you did so? In this session, the presenters will review basic tenets of ally development, discuss personal missteps that they have made over their own journey’s as well as facilitate an honest supportive conversation on how we can better communicate as allies and social justice partners.
“Success????-Let’s Be Real, I’m a Black Queer Woman Professional in Higher Education”
Let’s face it, can Queer Women of Color move up in Higher Ed? The presenter will provide the audience with tangible tools for maneuvering through campus communities as a Queer person. As well as dealing with those underlying issues regarding Black Queer biases and how to do it professionally. Join this presenter as she keeps it all the way R.E.A.L.