Bryan Jones
Contributing Writer
In honor of Black History Month, ESU is holding an upcoming keynote presentation featuring a licensed professional counselor alumnus, Edith R. King. Organized by the campus Center of Multicultural Affairs, the event will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Beer’s Lecture Hall.
According to ESU’s event page, King is a graduate of the class of 2012, holding a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from ESU and a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Eastern University. King knows what it means to work hard in order to achieve goals, and as a previous student orientation leader for ESU who also achieved honors through her academic career, she can be a wealth of information for current and future students.
“Edith is an interactive opportunity for ESU students as a keynote speaker during Black History Month,” states Lyesha Jamila Fleming, MSW, MPA, and the Director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Inclusive Education at ESU, “Her presentation will give students a taste of what to expect with post-graduate life, as it can often be a blur.”
Fleming brings up a valid point in the anticipation of the event too, as students can often feel lost after the rush of graduation. Having a chance to speak with an alumnus such as King, who is also an accomplished author and adjunct professor provides students with the opportunity to question an ESU graduate on the challenges of post-graduate life.
Though students often make plans of their own, King serves as a valuable resource for students to question. After all, how often do things go strictly according to plan? There’s a benefit for students having a detailed account of post-graduate life, both the highs and the lows.
Fleming states, “It’s absolutely a great opportunity for our students. It’s good for the psyche and lets students know what ESU can do for them. We want our students to know that we care about their career prospects.”
Students have a lot to deal with throughout their academic journeys. Stresses such as income, grades, scheduling, thoughts of the future and social obligations can often lead to increased anxiety and depression for students. The unknown is intimidating, but events like this grant students the chance to ease some of those anxieties. Opportunities such as this are meant for students to take advantage of.
The Center of Multicultural Affairs proudly encourages ESU students to attend the illuminating presentation and learn further about King’s journey as a successful ESU graduate. Having such an individual return for a presentation, which encapsulates the academic excellence students strive for, can make the future appear less daunting for current students.
The upcoming event aligns with ESU’s dedication to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus and celebrates academic and professional excellence during Black History Month. Students wishing to learn further about ESU’s Center for Multicultural Affairs can find further information here.
As ESU continues to proudly celebrate Black History Month, this keynote presentation will stand out as an event where students can converse with a relatable speaker, one who understands the time, dedication and effort that goes into achieving their goals.
