Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group hosts 6th annual Walking in Excellence Conference

Release Date
Event Date
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Building L - ASCC Building
Dr. Jeffrey Lee headshot

Register by Oct. 16 for the "Walking in Excellence" Conference
Registration is free and will help us plan food. Thank you.

The HFC Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group will host its sixth annual “Walking in Excellence” Conference on Friday, Oct. 23, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the first floor of the Andrew A. Mazzara Administrative Services & Conference Center (ASCC) (Building L on the main campus).

"We hosted almost 1,000 participants at our last two conferences, which is huge! It takes a concerted effort on everyone’s part to make this conference successful. I am proud of the work that has been done in the Bowers Focus Group," said HFC sociology instructor and Bowers Focus Group faculty advisor Dr. Kalvin DaRonne Harvell.

“Genius and Commitment of Educators”

This year’s conference theme is “Genius and Commitment of Educators.” Dr. Jeffrey Lee will be the keynote speaker. Lee is an English teacher and curriculum collaborator, as well as a faculty sponsor for the Minority Student Organization (REACH) and the Model United Nations at Bala Cynwyd Middle School in Philadelphia. An educator since 2007, Lee has a strong passion for research in the fields of retention, equity in education, and teacher diversity. He strives to create change through his scholarship and work.

"My keynote address will focus on the importance of educators in our society and the need to increase and diversify the teacher pipeline," said Lee. "I feel honored to be asked to keynote this event. I have been involved with the conference for many years and have presented before. To be asked to give the keynote address is an honor that I do not take lightly."

A Flint native, Lee graduated from Flint Northern High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Eastern Michigan University and his master's degree in multicultural education from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA. He later earned a doctoral degree in higher education from Immaculata University in East Whiteland Township, PA.

"My decision to become an educator happened on a plane ride from Dallas to Flint," recalled Lee. "I was working in the mortgage industry and was seeking to do something that felt more meaningful. I remembered all the teachers who had a positive impact on my life and the many professors during my undergrad years who would always say, 'You would make a good teacher.' So I decided to go back to school and earn my master's. I wanted to be that someone who could help those who come after me navigate through life's challenges."

“Indispensable to our success”

Lee teaches education courses at the Community College of Philadelphia. Throughout his career, he has published opinion and editorial articles in major newspapers, as well as has published literary works. He taught English and advised the Rites of Passage program at FitzSimons High School in Philadelphia, which was the city's only African American boys' public high school.

"The best part about being an educator is watching my students grow both academically and personally," said Lee. "Being able to see students' confidence in themselves increase and watching students broaden their academic prowess is worth all the work."

Harvell expressed his appreciation of Lee's unwavering support of the Bowers Focus Group.

"His support is indispensable to our success. He led the college success track, which is intentionally designed to prepare high school students for college success, at our first conference in 2019," said Harvell. "He was the keynote speaker at our first Rites of Passage graduation ceremony in 2022, which was forced online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. His wise counsel is rooted in the Sankofa tradition of going back to retrieve what is best and applying it to the work of the day. We are excited to have Dr. Lee as our keynote speaker at this year's conference."

Please register by Oct. 16

This conference is free and open to the public. Please register at the link above by Friday, Oct. 16. Both a continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

NOTE: The presentations may be recorded. By attending, you acknowledge such recordings and consent to being recorded.

For questions or more information, contact any of the following:

While the conference is free of charge, there are costs associated with hosting. If you wish, you are welcome to consider donating to the Dr. Henry J. Bowers Focus Group through the HFC Foundation. Select the link, choose the category "Other," and list the Bowers Focus Group as your area of choice.