- When
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 · 5:00 PM EST – 7:00 PM EST
- Where
- Rush Rhees Library, Hawkins-Carlson Room
- Organizer
- University of Rochester
- Type
- Lectures & Talks
About this event
Join nationally recognized speaker, motivator, and professional Kyvaughn Henry for an uplifting and authentic conversation about navigating the pressures, possibilities, and purpose of being a first-generation college student. Being “first” can come with tremendous pride, but it can also bring uncertainty, pressure, and moments that leave you wondering, “Why me?” Through storytelling, reflection, and humor, Kyvaughn challenges students to add one powerful word to that question: “Why NOT me?” Together, we will explore what it means to acknowledge the hard without overlooking the good, choose joy while navigating uncertainty, move forward with faith and purpose, and embrace the many “firsts” that come with creating our own paths. Reception in Welles-Brown Room to immediately follow keynote. More about Kyvaughn Henry, our Keynote Speaker: Ms. Kyvaughn Henry is a proud Bronx, NY native, first-generation college graduate, and the Founder and Senior Consultant of KH-MPH Consulting, a capacity-building firm committed to helping organizations, and the people within them, “get more things done.” Kyvaughn joined the University of Rochester community in 2005 as an undergraduate studying Health & Society and embraced the University’s Meliora “ever better” spirit so much that she stayed to earn her Master of Public Health from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and later served the University as a staff member. While an undergraduate, She served as co-captain of the Indulgence Dance Team, stepped with the founders of X-Clusive Step Team, became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and served as President of the Black Students’ Union, all experiences that helped shape her identity as a leader, community builder, and advocate. Today, Kyvaughn brings nearly two decades of experience working at the intersection of education, government, and community-based organizations, with a career grounded in expanding access, creating opportunity, and helping people and organizations turn big ideas into action. Known for her energy, authenticity, storytelling, and belief that people need people, Kyvaughn is passionate about helping the next generation recognize that leadership doesn't begin when someone gives you a title, it begins when you say so!
Description from University of Rochester.
Registration, tickets, accessibility and last-minute changes are handled by the organizer. Confirm details before you go.
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