If you want a speaker that understands how to meet students where they are and help them conquer the roadblocks that threaten their future, then you are in the right place!
TRIO SERVICES OFFERED
FACE-TO-FACE * VIRTUALLY
Service 1: Motivational Speaking
Specifically Offering:
Keynote Speaking - Small and large groups.
Commencement Speaking
Opening/Middle/Closing of Semester Speaker
Service 2: Motivational Workshops
Motivational Workshops:
The workshops are designed to be interactive with students - giving them an opportunity to connect with each other and ask questions. Dr. Savage utilizes educational activities that promote communication and self-improvement. Additionally, he uses motivational speaking while engaging students with questions, peer-collaboration, and action steps to improve.
This first section highlights some general speaking topics
Speaking Topics Include, but not limited to:
Dr. Savage’s Personal Journey
Being First-Generation:
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome.
The importance of preparation.
How to develop confidence.
Knowing What You Want - What it Cost - And How To Get It:
You must be willing to go beyond what you want!
Defining Who You Are:
Forget what “THEY” say!
Master the art of getting back up:
How did you fall?
Why should you get back up?
Is the dream over because you fell?
Strive To Be Significant:
What makes you so significant?
The benefits of being significant.
Believing in Who You Are:
How do you become comfortable with being yourself?
There is power in being you!
There is peace in being you!
Overcoming Adversity:
Adversity does not discriminate.
Stop thinking “THEY” have it easier.
The pain is for a reason.
Overcoming Grief While Pursuing Your Degree:
Dealing with loss and course work.
Overcoming feeling alone.
Finishing the work you started.
The Importance of Goal Setting:
Developing Goals.
Maintaining Consistency.
Goal execution.
The Importance of Mentors:
The need for a mentor.
The benefits of a mentor.
How to find a mentor.
Accountability:
Taking Responsibility.
Being honest with what you see.
This next section highlights workshops for TRIO programs
“Dr. Savage’s message of triumph, perseverance, and victory was very timely for our McNair Scholars. I really believe that they will approach their goals with new purpose after hearing his story and engaging in meaningful dialogue.”
— Dr. Davida Curtis, Executive Director, TRIO College Access Programs, Fort Valley State University
MCNAIR SCHOLARS TOPICS
Topic 1: GRADUATE SCHOOL PREPARATION
4 Keys for Graduate School Success
Do your students understand what goes into being successful in graduate school? Would you say that they are ready to tackle the demands of even getting into graduate school? If not, then this is where I step in to help your scholars find answers to those questions. McNair Scholars are some of the brightest and best scholars to attend colleges and universities. However, being first-generation, minority, and/or not well versed in the area of graduate school can leave a ton of questions. Additionally, each of those factors come with many obstacles and doubts. As a McNair Alum, I personally know what it is like to be a McNair Scholar and pursue a terminal degree. I have developed workshops that are meant to address the needs that are often faced by McNair students.
4 Key Takeaways from workshop
Understanding graduate school expectations.
How to create a strong start (Knowing what to want).
Overcoming barriers experienced by graduate students.
Keys to choosing a graduate school program.
Topic 2: Developing A Strong Personal Statement
Dr. Savage’s 5 Point Framework for Personal Statement Development
Do your students have a framework they can use to develop an awesome personal statement?Additionally, a framework that they can also use for graduate school fellowships and scholarships interviews? If not, then they need one. I have a framework that is designed just for that. McNair Scholars are given the task of developing a strong personal statement. However, many struggle with where to start and what should and should not be included in a graduate school personal statement. The framework that I introduce to them will show them just what they need and what they do not need. My framework will also highlight everything they need to have in their personal statement using examples and questions.
4 Key takeaways from workshop
Common items to avoid in personal statement writing.
5 Key areas to include in a personal statement.
How to grab the readers attention.
Why current undergraduate work is so important.
Topic 3: Understanding And Working With Advisors
Cultivating a positive relationship
Do your students understand the importance of student-advisor relationships? Do they know what research they should be conducting regarding their potential advisor prior to graduate school? If not, then they need my help. I will break down everything students need to know regarding advisors and what they should be doing (Prior to graduate school, during graduate school, and even after). Graduate students can struggle when it comes to advisors. Many don’t know what to ask or what to look for in an advisor. Advisors can be one of the toughest challenges to tackle in graduate school if you do not know how to navigate the student-advisor relationship.
5 key takeaways from workshop
How to choose an advisor.
Understanding how to communicate with advisor.
How to get the most out of your relationship with your advisor.
When it “seems like” your advisor is ghosting you.
When it’s time to change advisors.
Topic 4: Financial Literacy
Financial Responsibility for Graduate School and Beyond
Having a great sense of financial literacy is extremely important. As McNair scholars embark upon the task of achieving their graduate degree, academic choices will not be the only choices they make. There will be living choices, transportation choices, scholarship/fellowship management choices, and budgeting skills necessary to maintain a healthy financial life. The goal of this workshop is to take students through exercises that improves their overall financial knowledge and provides tools to manage their financial lifestyle throughout their educational process.
5 key takeaways from workshop
Introduce financial terms and definitions (in a relevant way).
A framework for budgeting.
Being responsible with graduate school funds.
Academic choices
Personal life choices
Dr. Savage helps McNair Scholars understand what to expect from a graduate program, barriers that students often face in graduate school, and even how to select a graduate program through one of his many workshops!
Dr. Savage delivers a graduation speech for the Early College High School Program by giving students keys to navigating the future ahead as they strive to accomplish their dreams!
UPWARD BOUND/STUDENT SUCCESS/TALENT SEARCH TOPICS
Topic: Overcoming Obstacles
5 Keys to increase student success
If your students are anything like I was, then they are trying their best to overcome the obstacles in front of them. However, that is not easy, especially if you don’t have sound advice, tools, and strategies do so. This is why my work is necessary for your students! As a college graduate who started out as a first-generation college student from a low-income family I know all too well the benefits of programs such as Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Success. First-generation students often do not have it easy. There are obstacles that come with that journey that many do not understand, unless you have lived it. I have developed some topics that are meant to help such students succeed in spite of the difficulties.
5 Key Takeaways from workshop
Understanding Adversity.
The real reason for adversity.
How to make adversity work for you.
Common mental/personal trappings to avoid if you want success.
Strategies to overcome these mental/personal trappings
The importance of teamwork.
What to look for in a teammate.
Why it’s ok if you don’t know anyone in class.
The tools that must accompany your goals.
Why you need more than just intelligence.
Dr. Savage is pictured here with Ronald E. McNair Scholars of Fort Valley State University
Dr. Savage gives closing remarks to McNair Scholars as a culmination of their summer research experience.
“Opportunities are seldom lost due to setbacks. They are lost when we decide to stay down.”
— Dr. Kendrick Savage