Warren Wilson College students attend Emerging Professionals Group Summit at Davidson College, professional skill-building and career exploration featured

Press release from Warren Wilson College:

Warren Wilson College sophomores Chris Perry and Juanita Falice and senior Pearl Smith recently spent time at Davidson College exploring pathways to professional success. Among the first Warren Wilson students selected to the Emerging Professionals Group (EPG) Summit, the trio polished their “skills in professional networking and interview savvy, as well as self-advocacy in professional spaces,” according to EPG.

“The conference exposed students to not only the possibilities of professional success, but also the realities of professional success by way of prominent African-American and Hispanic/Latinx workshop and keynote presenters from a variety of industries,” said Obie Ford III, director of inclusion, diversity and equity at Warren Wilson College. “Chris, Juanita and Pearl were selected from a very competitive and extensive nationwide applicant pool.”

EPG focuses on empowerment, identity affirmation, leadership and inclusive excellence, according to Ford.

“Yes, EPG promotes these tenets, but it also encourages, equips and empowers underrepresented students, including African-American and Hispanic/Latinx students, with skills to be successful along their career pathway,” he said.

National Poetry Slam champion Clint Smith, who was once an EPG participant, and Debra Plousha Moore, an executive vice president at Carolinas Healthcare System, were keynote speakers for the 2016 event. Other highlights included forums with representatives from a variety of industries and workshops dedicated to skills like negotiating.

For more information about Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at Warren Wilson College, visit http://www.warren-wilson.edu/student/inclusion-diversity-and-equity.