Tentative Agenda and Speakers

Conference HomeMonday September 29th

9:00-12:00 p.m.  Registration and Exhibits

 

12:00-1:30 p.m.  Conference Opening and Lunch

Flora Craig, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, GEAR UP TN

 

                           Welcome & Greetings

Dr. Robert Hampton/Dr. Richard Rhoda

 

                           Keynote

Sue Byers, Chief Academic Officer for School Programs, College Success Foundation

 

1:30-2:00 p.m.  GEAR UP TN Update

Wendy Tabor, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, GEAR UP TN

 

2:00-3:30 p.m.   Concurrent Sessions

SESSION 1:    Tennessee Diploma Project

Margaret Horn, Governor Bredesen’s Office of State Planning and Policy

Dr. Gary Nixon, State Board of Education

 

SESSION 2:   Breaking Down Barriers to College Access in Appalachia

Cardelia Spicer, Grundy County Schools, GEAR UP TN

Dr. Tom Cheatham, Middle Tennessee State University

      

SESSION 3:    Closing the Gaps through P-16 Collaboration

Kim Gunnin, Cathy Woods, Walters State Community College

Gregg Lee, Wayne County Schools, GEAR UP TN

                 

SESSION 4:    Administrator Best Practices Panel Discussion

                         Dr. Judith Johnson Presley, Tennessee State University

 

3:30-3:45 p.m.  Break

 

3:45-5:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

 

     SESSION 1:     Transitioning Seniors into Higher Education

Carla Wilhite, Hardeman County Schools, GEAR UP TN

 

     SESSION 2:    Meeting the Needs of At- Risk Students’ Critical Reading Skills During   

                        School Day Tutorials

Judy Fraley, Lake County Schools, GEAR UP TN

 

     SESSION 3:    Helping your Students Find Money for College

Jason Seay, Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation

 

     SESSION 4:     The Advanced Placement Program:  What you need to know and how it will help your school succeed.
                       Liz McKenzie, College Board
 

 

Tuesday, September 30th

9:00-10:00 a.m. General Session

 

                          Welcome

                           Kathleen Tone, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, GEAR UP TN

                           Keynote Speaker

Stephen Bargatze

                           

                           CollegeforTN.org Demonstration

Troy Grant, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, GEAR UP TN

 

10:15-11:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

 

SESSION 1:    Using the New EPAS Reports to Promote Student Success

JoeDell Brasel, ACT

 

SESSION 2:    Digital Media Enterprise in K-12 and Higher Education

Robert Bradley, Tennessee State University

 

SESSION 3:    GEAR UP and Go; for Alternative Energy in Tennessee

Dr. Judith Hammond, GEAR UP East Tennessee State University

Dr. Paul Sims, East Tennessee State University

 

11:45-12:45 p.m. Wrap-Up & Box Lunches

 

Dr. Richard G. Rhoda

B.A., M.A., PhD

Susan Byers, M.A.

 

Stephen Bargatze

 
Speakers' Biographies  
Dr. Richard G. Rhoda

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Richard G. Rhoda is the executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, a post he has held since 1997. He served previously with the Tennessee Board of Regents in numerous staff capacities, including chief academic officer and acting chancellor. While serving on the Regents staff, he also served as interim president of Nashville State Technical Community College and Austin Peay State University. He served earlier in the administration of Tennessee State University.

Dr. Rhoda has taught on the undergraduate and graduate levels at Vanderbilt University where he continues as an adjunct professor. Dr. Rhoda holds a B.A. in History, an M.A. in Education, and the PhD. in Higher Education Administration, all from Vanderbilt University.

 
Susan M. Byers, M.A.

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Sue joined the College Success Foundation in December, 2004. She has extensive experience working in schools as a  school administrator and with programs aimed at keeping students in middle and high school, preparing them for high school graduation and ultimately enrolling them in college. In Seattle, Washington in 1990 she co-founded Middle College, a program designed to recapture students who dropped out of school, provide them with an early college experience and the opportunity to complete their high school education.  Sue also led the Seattle Schools GEAR UP Program until her departure.

Sue leads efforts in national replication of the College Success Foundation in the United States and provides leadership, direction and supervision to staff members of the Programs Division, which encompasses Pre-College Services, Pre-College Accelerated Services, Post-Secondary Services and Scholarship Services.  The programs include scholarships, mentoring, early outreach (including special programs for young men of color, foster and independent youth) college readiness, academic monitoring (Pre-College and at the college level), and alumni programming. 

Sue earned her B.A., in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Business Administration from Evergreen State College and her M.A., in Human Development with a specialization in Leadership in Education, Human Services and Administration/Supervision from Pacific Oaks College.

  
Stephen Bargatze

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Stephen Bargatze has been a professional magician for over 25 years. He has performed in a variety of different venues, including trade shows, comedy clubs, banquets, and corporate functions. In addition, Stephen has also been asked to perform and lecture to magicians around the world. This can only attest to his skill as a sleight of hand artist, as well as a performer. Performing for ones' peers is one of the greatest honors obtainable in the field of magic.

As Director of Student Services Program for Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, Stephen Bargatze speaks to thousands of students each year using his magic to show today’s youth how drugs, alcohol and tobacco can effect their lives. Steven has a unique way of combining humor and magic with impacting messages to motivate audiences. His “Magic With a Message” presentations are not only enlightening, but inspirational.

Stephen's career highlights include:
• Three time World of Wizards Champion
• South Eastern Association Magician of the year
• Midwest Association Magician of the year
• Comedy award at Abbott’s Magic Convention
• International Brotherhood of Magicians Close up Champion

In addition to these awards, Stephen has also appeared on Television several times, including an appearance on an HBO special. In addition to speaking to high school, and middle school students, he also speaks on several college campuses. Stephen also demonstrates the dangers of stereotypes and the importance of respecting yourself and respecting the differences in others to promote positive citizens at home, in school and in the community. After you witness “The Magic of Stephen” you will know what true comedy entertainment is all about. And you will know first hand how he has achieved the success that he has.

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