Larry Hochman: Keynote
“Juggle to Success” Owner
Bio:
Larry Hochman is a longtime counselor, educator, entertainer and trainer. He learned juggling as a way to cope with self-doubt and low self-esteem while in college and turned the skill into a program for personal power, leadership and team building for tens of thousands of people around the world. He has entertained and trained populations as diverse as business millionaires and members of the Sandy Hook community. Larry is a product of the Connecticut higher education system, having received a master’s degree in school counseling and advanced professional diploma in educational leadership, both from Central Connecticut State University. He currently resides in Oxford, Michigan.
Joelle A. Murchison: Morning Speaker
CEO and Founder, EMG
Bio:
Joelle A. Murchison is the CEO and Founder of EMG, a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and leadership consulting practice. Murchison has worked in DEI for more than two decades. In particular, she served as the Chief Diversity Officer at both Travelers Insurance and the University of Connecticut, before launching EMG. Additionally, Joelle serves as the Executive Director of Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity (LCD) and as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business at the University of Connecticut. She is a board member for College Possible, a national nonprofit focused on college access and is a trustee and chair of the equity diversity and inclusion committee of the Corporation of Brown University, the university’s decision-making body. She is also a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, an international public service organization, and currently serves as the president of the Hartford (CT) Alumnae Chapter. Joelle is the recipient of numerous awards; she most recently was recognized by the Life Insurance industry as a DEI Industry Partner and was selected to participate in the Fall 2023 Cohort of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business program.
Creative Mindfulness
Afra Hassan Pour (They/Them/او)
Afra is pursuing their graduate studies in MFA, Technical Direction and Certificate, Art Leadership and Cultural Management, In UConn. They are working as a Graduate Assistant in Leadership and Organizational Development, in the Department of Student Activities. Afra started doing photography with their father when they were very young and has been exploring Music, Painting, Scenic Design, Exhibition Design and Art Management in the past decade. The importance of therapeutic nature of arts and their sense of global community led to the creation of Creative Mindfulness workshop, originally in collaboration with Center for International Students and Scholars in UConn, which later was hosted by different departments, forums and initiatives on campus.
“I believe no matter what sector or discipline you are working in; one pillar of good leadership is emotional maturity. And this process of maturity cannot start without self-awareness. For me art is the best mindfulness tool, to shed light on the dark corners of mind.”
Embrace Your Power: Be an Active Bystander
Afsana (She/her) is a senior majoring in Psychological Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Throughout her undergraduate journey, Afsana has been deeply involved in creating inclusive spaces and fostering a sense of community on campus. She is an active member of Protect Our Pack, UConn’s bystander intervention program, where she helps design educational initiatives that promote campus safety and well-being. Additionally, Afsana is engaged with UConn Al-Nisa, a club that empowers Muslim women and advocates for their voices. Through these roles, Afsana is committed to supporting her peers by acknowledging their diverse backgrounds and unique experiences, while promoting inclusivity and understanding across the UConn community.
Embrace Your Power: Be an Active Bystander
Alanna Torres-Laboy (She/her/hers) is a master’s student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at the University of Connecticut. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UConn in Psychological Sciences with minors in Crime & Justice and Human Development & Family Sciences. During undergrad, Alanna served as a Senior Resident Assistant for the La Comunidad Intelectual learning community for three years, became a sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., and worked as Chapter Recruitment and Retention Advisor. Alanna takes a holistic approach to supporting students, intentionally considering their diverse identities and unique lived experiences. Currently, she works as a graduate assistant in the Dean of Students Office, where she manages the university’s Bystander Intervention Program, Protect Our Pack. In this role, she designs impactful programming and fosters cross-campus collaborations to cultivate an inclusive, and supportive environment.
Non-Linear Leadership Journeys: Beyond Titles and Positions
Alexandria Silva (She/Her/Hers) is a senior Communications and Psychology double major. At UConn, she is the Vice President of the Learning Community Executive Council and works as a Student Worker in the Learning Community office. She is also the Vice President of the My First Year Story Podcast, is a member of UConn’s Leadership Legacy, and has experience with the Academic Achievement Center, most recently as a Mentor Coach. Alexandria gears her passions toward student experiences, embracing the highs and lows, and encourages students to define their concept of success, being there to support them. Outside of academics and extracurriculars, she enjoys traveling on large and small scales, hiking, and exploring unique coffee shops.
Creating Accessible and Inclusive Experiences.
Karen Skudlarek: Karen is the IT Accessibility Coordinator at the University of Connecticut. She provides guidance and assistance to campus departments in integrating accessible technology into the classroom and workplace environments. In addition, she develops and implements staff and faculty training programs related to accessible technology and instruction for students and employees with disabilities.
Katie is a Community Impact Project Coordinator on the Health Promotion Team with Student Health and Wellness where she began her work serving students as a nurse in 2016. She is a co-facilitator of the Well-Being Collective, applying data to harness our collective intelligence and weaving together the network of students, staff, and faculty who foster authentic care and belonging across our campuses. Also in this role, Katie inspires community-wide connections to uplift voices in health equity, accessibility and inclusion work. She is motivated by designing and facilitating sustainable networks to build a campus culture of kindness, well-being, compassion, transparency, and accountability. Katie also has a background in integrative health coaching, yoga, and nursing in community, psychiatric, and perinatal healthcare. She serves as the Board Chair and head of the DEI Committee on Oak Grove Montessori School’s board of trustees where she nurtures holistic familial and academic growth. She is doing the work she’d dreamed to do when she was a UConn undergrad studying Human Development and Family Science and Human Rights.
Non-Linear Leadership Journeys: Beyond Titles and Positions
Krithika Santhanam (She/Her/Hers) is a senior in the honors program pursuing a dual-degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and Individualized: Health Policy and Racial Disparities on the pre-medical track. On campus she is a BOLD Scholar and serves as president of the Learning Community Executive council and co-president of UConn’s Pre-Medical Society. She is also student program director of the Community Sustainability Alternative Break to Puerto Rico, a member of UConn’s Leadership Legacy Experience, and volunteers through UConn Health Leaders. Mentorship has been an integral aspect of Krithika’s undergraduate experience. She is a former FYE Mentor for the Women in STEM Learning Community and current Peer Research Ambassador and Health Professions Peer Ambassador through UConn’s Enrichment Programs. Outside of UConn, she enjoys taking coffee trips to support small businesses, playing volleyball, and painting.
Embrace Your Power: Be an Active Bystander
Maggie Rhodes is a Sophomore studying Political Science and Spanish on the Pre-Law track. At UConn, she is on the Varsity Swim and Dive team and is involved in Protect our Pack, Athletes in Action, Law Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Academic Fraternity, and is an ambassador for TheTeam.org.
Guided Meditation: Harnessing Natural Resonances for Mindful Leadership
Pavan Bolla is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in leadership, financial analysis, and project management. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in IT and an MBA in Finance & Operations Management. During his tenure at Deloitte, Pavan contributed to the “Rewards, Recognition, and Well-being” team, and served as a Vendor Manager and Portfolio Controller with the CIO office, overseeing financials. He’s currently pursuing an MS in Business Analytics & Project Management at UConn, blending his technical background with a passion for wellness. He’s also currently a Graduate Student Employee at Center for Students with Disabilities at UConn, Avery Point. Pavan has delivered wellness sessions to sophomores at the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower – Innovation House Learning Community under the leadership of Kathy Rocha & Aaron Rosman at UConn, Storrs. His unique approach to leadership integrates holistic well-being, utilizing natural resonances in guided meditation to cultivate mindful leadership. He is currently serving as IMA Hartford Chapter Board Director, Prospanica New York Chapter Education officer and VP of Toastmasters International Club.
Well-Being Certifications:
Certified Meditation Guide™ (American Association of Drugless Practitioners), CPD Certified Resilience Practitioner™, CPD Certified Fitness Trainer™, Well-Being Ambassador, and a member of NAMI Connecticut and the Advocacy Network of Mental Health America.
Connect to Succeed: Unlocking the Power of Social Capital
Wiley Dawson: I have dedicated my career to helping students navigate the complexities of the college experience to achieve their aspirations. Currently, I am the Assistant Director of the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills at the University of Connecticut, Hartford campus. In this role, I provide personalized guidance, workshops, and resources to students from diverse backgrounds. With a proven track record of success, I have honed my skills in career counseling, program management, professional development, and creating inclusive environments. My passion for empowering students and alumni drives me to ensure they have the tools and support they need to succeed. Outside of work, I am dedicated to my family and committed to lifelong learning, with a passion for personal growth, community involvement, and achieving overall success.