JDOTT’s 1st Professional One Day Conference

“Expanding the African American Paradigm for Students,
Staff and Faculty member at PWIs."
September 29-30, 2011

On September 29-30, 2011, we will be hosting our first mini-conference - “Expanding the African American Paradigm for Students, Staff and Faculty member at PWIs," in collaboration with Indiana University-Purdue-University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The one-day conference is designed to engage faculty, students and professional staff. Students will have the opportunity to meet professional mentors and create personal success plans.  Professional staff will dialogue about and assess issues affecting retention, and learn strategies to enhance achievement.  Faculty will be able to engage academic colleagues on best practices for African Americans at PWIs.  This conference is the first of its kind that has a bend towards creating authentic think tank strategies. We have the best minds at our universities and colleges and we want to use this moment as an opportunity to allow our best thinking to catapult us even further.

The conference takes place during the popular Circle City Classic.  So, in addition to the conference, you will be able to enjoy wonderful entertainment, activities and great food with thousands of colleagues.

The conference hotel is the University Place Conference Center & Hotel. It is located on the IUPUI campus. There are 20 hotels room placed on-hold until filled, at the discount rate of $139; there is a 2 night minimum stay. The rooms can be referenced by "JDOTT" at the following: 317.269.9000, 850  W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN, 46202,  http://www.universityplace.iupui.edu/. 

Conference Overview:
This conference will serve as a platform and catalyst for all participants to create partnerships, seek out professional mentors, discuss their research, as well as to develop support systems to address all problems affecting African American working in academia.

TENTATIVE PROGRAM OUTLINE (Schedule Subject to Change):

Thursday, September 29, 2011:

Friday, September 30, 2011:

To Submit a Proposal:
The 2011 Mid-west Region Proposal Committee seeks presentations that:

• Directly reflect the conference theme
• Focus on the potential of using African centered paradigms in Higher Education to create better understandings of Africa and its Diaspora 
• Offer innovative solutions and new services to address issues on campuses facing African American professionals and/or students
• Address the values of student affairs and experiential learning regarding today’s and tomorrow’s Black students
• Identify ways that will allow practitioners and Ethnic Studies Scholars (including Africana Studies and the like) to develop and maintain their passion for the profession, particularly in the context of developing Black students and sustainable community partnerships
• Reflect scholarly and programmatic connections and collaborative efforts between multicultural populations

Include in your proposal:

• All presenter’s names, their campus and contact information
• Short bio (1 paragraph) for each presenter including general information as well as expertise on the topic

Please submit your conference program proposal online no later than August 12, 2011 at 5PM.  Author(s) of accepted proposals will be notified on or before August 26, 2011.

Your abstract should be no more than 250 words and can only be submitted electronically. We ask that you submit using Microsoft Word.

If you have questions or need further information, please contact the 2011 JDOTT Mid-west Region Proposal Committee Co-Chairs:

Paul James: pjames@bw.edu or (440) 826.2426
Dwain Archer: dwain.archer@louisville.edu or (502) 852.3473

To Register for the Conference:
Registration opens Monday, August 1, 2011 at 12 Noon Pacific Standard Time. To register, on 8/1/2011, click the PayPal button below and follow instructions.

JDOTT 2011 Fall Professional Development Conference Registration

Regular Registration $90.00

Conference costs:

$75.00 early registration by September 2.
$90 after September 2, or on-site registration.

If you need a special invoicing for your institution, please send an email to: jdott.membership@gmail.com

For more information on the conference:

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Greetings Members and interested Guests,

Welcome to the John D. O’Bryant National Think Tank web-site. The John D. O’Bryant National Think Tank for Black Professionals in Higher Education (JDOTT) is a nonprofit organization that consists of a broad-based coalition of individuals representing institutions of higher education in the  United States and abroad. 

JDOTT is the result of the vision of the late social activist, education, community organization, politician, and humanitarian, John D. O’Bryant.  He was the first black school board member of the Boston Public School system and the former Vice President of Student Affairs at Northeastern University.  It was through the example of his determination, guidance, and vision that JDOTT became a reality on August 7, 1997.

The organization’s primary purposes are reclamation, critique, and perpetuation of the culture of people of African/African American ancestry who work at institutions of higher education.  We are forward thinkers and advocates, acting as a key voice on Black topics in higher education, by disseminating critical information, exchanging ideas and implementing strategies concerning topics of interests to black professionals in higher education. Specifically, we operate as a national think tank around critical issues in higher education and the Black community.

Annually, we provide:

    + a national summit on topics relating to blacks in higher education

        - Click here to see the JDOTT Summit 2010 at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education;

    + publications including books, position papers, and a newsletter;

    + networking for success opportunities;

    + black community educational tours;

    + inside employment information opportunities in higher education, and

    + scholarships for graduates and undergraduates.

Why Join JDOTT? 

JDOTT has a wonderfully diverse and talented group of professionals.  Becoming a member will provide you the opportunity to participate in a nationwide Black higher education network.  Our, goal is to expose you to professional opportunities including, writing and publishing, training institutes and seminars, and a social and professionally community that can provide your support on your career path. If you want to learn more about JDOTT, contact us at: JDOTTOrg1@gmail.com or jdott.membership@gmail.com.

Thank you for visiting our site.  We hope you’ll take a look around and seriously consider joining us.

In Service and Solidarity,

S. Nzingha Dugas