ABOVE PHOTO: Stedman Graham, an educator and motivational speaker, kicked off Burlington County College’s (BCC) Leadership Success Series on Tuesday, Sept. 3, as part of the College’s First Year Initiative (FYI) designed to help students complete their education and succeed.
(Photo by Traci Soto)
Mount Laurel, NJ – Stedman Graham, an educator and motivational speaker, kicked off Burlington County College’s (BCC) Leadership Success Series on Tuesday, Sept. 3, as part of the College’s First Year Initiative (FYI) designed to help students complete their education and succeed.
Eighty-three FYI students attended and participated in the interactive workshop at the Enterprise Center at BCC.
“Stedman Graham is a terrific motivator and can speak from personal experience,” said Dr. Terrence Hardee, BCC’s Vice President of Student Success. “The students really connect with his teachings. The college couldn’t be more honored to have him kick off this important initiative.”
BCC’s FYI program grew from the Leadership Success Series, which was piloted last fall and included workshops by Graham, N.J. Secretary of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks, motivational speaker Franklin Moore and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Troy D. Barnes.
Graham, a South Jersey native, is well-known for his work with nonprofits in the areas of identity development, leadership, diversity training and personal wellness and is also the author of 10 books, including two New York Times bestsellers, “You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success” and “Teens Can Make It Happen: Nine Steps to Success.”
At the workshop, Graham described his nine step process and encouraged students to plan for their success. He told students they must first serve themselves before they can think about serving others. Graham challenged the students to look within themselves, define their purpose and direction, and become leaders through self-empowerment.
“Success does not mean just financial or career success, but living a fully engaged life in which all of your gifts and talents are developed and put to their highest use,” he said.
He advised students to stay in school, learn and read, gain a competitive advantage, change from followers to leaders and from consumers to producers.
“Take all that brain power, talent and intellect and make yourself special,” he said. “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.”
To download high-res photos, please visit BCC’s Flickr account
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