Sunrise, FL Native Shane Gardner to Speak at Regional Multicultural Conference

NEWTON, MA (04/07/2010)(readMedia)-- Shane Gardner, a native of Sunrise, FL and graduate of Northeast High School, will present at the Retention and Student Success for African American Students Drive-In Conference, sponsored by the African-American Knowledge Community (AAKC) of NASPA Region One. The Conference, hosted by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, will take place April 19, 2010.

Gardner, a junior criminal justice major at Mount Ida College, will present with Dr. Candice Baldwin, director of multicultural affairs at the College, and Cartraill Calderon, a sophomore criminal justice major at the College. The presentation, entitled "The Balfour Peer Leader Program," will focus on strategies for successfully recruiting and retaining multicultural students, particularly African American males.

During the interactive session, the presenters will share the successful components of the Balfour Peer Leader Program at Mount Ida College, a leadership development program created by Dr. Baldwin that offers programming to address the issues that face multicultural students at the College. Specifically, Shane will discuss his experiences as a member of the Balfour Peer Leader Program. As a Balfour Peer Leader, Shane plays a key role in planning multicultural programming for the community, and serves as a role model to other students at the College.

The purpose of the Drive-In Conference is to explore the many issues pertaining to the retention and success of African American college students. The conference provides an opportunity for participants to come together to discuss issues pertinent to African American students, and to come away with new ideas and resources to better serve NASPA students.

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About Mount Ida College

Founded in 1899, Mount Ida College is a private, coeducational, undergraduate and graduate institution, located 8 miles from downtown Boston in Newton, Massachusetts. As a fully accredited college, Mount Ida currently enrolls 1,430 students in more than 25 degree programs that combine the liberal arts with professional preparation. For more information, visit us on the Web at www.mountida.edu.

About NASPA

NASPA is the leading voice for student affairs administration, policy and practice and affirms the commitment of student affairs to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning. With more than 11,000 members at 1,400 campuses, and representing 29 countries, NASPA is the foremost professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students. NASPA members are committed to serving college.