Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine faculty member invited to speak at two national conferences

Vicki T. Sapp, Ph.D., director of student engagement, diversity and inclusion, will present at both the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE) and the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE)

Scranton, PA (01/30/2019) — Vicki T. Sapp, Ph.D., director of student engagement, diversity and inclusion and a faculty member at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) will present her research at two national conferences this spring and summer.

Dr. Sapp's research examines the challenges first-generation-to-college students face, especially when these students are underrepresented minorities. One significant obstacle for first-generation students is their lack of mentors, role models and guides, a situation that leaves them to navigate the unfamiliar world of higher education without an experienced and caring person to assist them. Dr. Sapp's research shows that supportive peer organizations can fill that gap and help ensure that first-generation students succeed. For this reason, she founded a First Generation and Ally Committee at GCSOM which, along with other activities and programs, matches the school's first-generation students with qualified mentors.

The presentation of Dr. Sapp's research, entitled, "First-Generation Scholars Struggles are Real: Membership in Black Women Organizations Assists with Navigating White Spaces," was accepted by both the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE) and the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE).

In March, Dr. Sapp will travel to Indianapolis to present at AABHE's annual conference. The conference's 2019 theme is "Pathways to Success in Higher Education: Empowering Others by Sharing our Story." Dr. Sapp will later travel to Portland, Oregon to attend and present at the 32ndannual National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education.

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