Future Success Symposium 2022

January 11 – 13 | 5:30 – 6:30 pm (Virtual)

The Alumni Engagement team at SL Network and Office of Enrollment Management and Student Success at SUNY are teaming up once again for the third annual Future Success Symposium, a conference-style program focused on college success! This year, we will explore how to define your purpose and provide tools for your own self-exploration and discovery journey. Join us for lively and insightful discussions from a diverse panel of professionals with a wealth of experience in student and college success!

This FREE event is open to all SL Network Alumni. Sign up today and join us for lively discussions and insights from our amazing panelists!

About the sessions and presenters

Session 1: Mental “Wealth”
In this session, students will learn how to develop a growth mindset in order to achieve their academic and personal goals. 

Featured presenters

Mr. Clinton DeMerritt obtained a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from SUNY Plattsburgh. Mr. DeMerritt works at Accenture as a Business & Integration Arch Assoc. Manager where he works with the latest technologies to deliver secure, reliable, resilient, and scalable data management platforms. He also launched a podcast, Conversations of Color, which allows peers to share ideas, emotions, and questions as it relates to our racially-biased society and the impact on our mental health.

Jessica Herd is a licensed mental health counselor practicing psychotherapy in the state of New York. She has been working in her private practice located in Brooklyn, NY for nearly five years. Jessica graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a master’s of science in mental health counseling. She is passionate about mental health education and assisting her clients with removing barriers to reaching their life aspirations.

Session 2: Academic Discovery and Success
Our presenters will tackle the question “Do majors matter?” and discuss creative ways students can use their major to find a career path that they love.

Featured presenters

Camille Parchment is a first-year law clerk at Bracewell LLP in the Corporate and Securities practice group. She is a graduate of the Duke University School of Law and has a B.A. in sociology and history from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to law school, Camille worked as a media buyer and account coordinator for multiple media agencies. During law school, she interned at a couple of law firms as well as the NYC Mayor’s Office. At Bracewell, Camille focuses her practice on joint ventures, and public and private capital markets offerings. She also helps advise clients on general corporate and compliance matters, as well as reporting and disclosure obligations.

Mikeila Bowen earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh and master’s degree in Criminal Justice from DeSales University. Mikeila works for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as a Criminal Investigator/Special Agent and investigates criminal matters relating to violent offenders and fugitives, firearm criminal possession charges, illegal manufacturing of certain weapons, drug trafficking, federal arsons, FFL burglaries and firearms trafficking. She is currently assigned to the Nashville Field Division.

Jayah Arnett is an unfiltered storyteller, community lover, and hustler who is deeply rooted in community, culture, and collaboration. Her commitment is shown through grassroots partnerships, marketing, and her digital platform, My Projects Runway. She has a passion for spreading awareness on topics that directly affect her community and making sure Black and Brown people are included in the conversation. Jayah is a first-generation college graduate from SUNY Plattsburgh and has learned through her journey it is important to pay it forward because everyone deserves an opportunity.

Session 3: Building your Community
A mentor relationship can be deeply impactful and meaningful. Join us for this session to learn how to find and make the most of a mentor relationship.

Featured panelists

Keith Nuñez was born and raised in the Bronx where at a young age he navigated being a first-generation Latino and the only English speaker in his family. The desire to fly away from the Bronx and take the first steps to change his family’s legacy motivated him to attend SUNY Buffalo State where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. Keith is an advocate of all individuals and communities and strives to create a diverse and supportive culture in his role as an EOP counselor.

Abigail Bryant is a Brooklyn native with a masters’ degree in Sociology with a concentration on Race, Class & Gender. Abby – as she likes to go by – has over 8 years of experience in Higher Education. She specializes in student success and has worked in multiple capacities within higher education including but not limited to: financial aid, residence life, career services, advising, social justice facilitation, and retention. Currently, Abby is the Director of EOP at Jefferson Community College, where she works with some of the most resilient and powerful students in higher education!

Watch the keynote address from Future Success Symposium 2021:

Co-presented by
Alumni Engagement team at SL Network
Office of Enrollment and Student Success at SUNY