Aaron Thompson speaks at M.L. King Breakfast

Dr. Aaron Thompson will be the guest speaker for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. community breakfast on Monday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. in HCTC s First Federal Center. The public is invited to the breakfast held in honor of Dr. King. The theme of this year s event is It Takes a Village.

Aaron Thompson is the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. He is also a Professor of Sociology in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. Thompson has a Ph.D. in Sociology in areas of Organizational Behavior and Race and Gender relations. Dr. Thompson has more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education and business. In addition, he has spent numerous years serving on nonprofit boards in leadership roles. Dr. Thompson has researched, taught and/or consulted in areas of diversity, leadership, ethics, multicultural families, race and ethnic relations, student success, first-year students, retention, cultural competence and organizational design throughout his personal career. He has more than 30 publications and numerous research and peer reviewed presentations. Thompson has traveled over the U.S. and has given more than 700 workshops, seminars and invited lectures in areas of race and gender diversity, living an unbiased life, overcoming obstacles to gain success, creating a school environment for academic success, cultural competence, workplace interaction, leadership, organizational goal setting, building relationships, the first-year seminar, and a variety of other topics. He has been or is a consultant to educational institutions (elementary, secondary and postsecondary), corporations, non-profit organizations, police departments, and other governmental agencies. His latest authored or co-authored books are: Changing Student Culture from the Ground Up, The Sociological Outlook, Infusing Diversity and Cultural Competence into Teacher Education, Peer to Peer Leadership: Changing Student Culture from the Ground Up. He also co-authored Thriving in College and Beyond: Research-Based Strategies for Academic Success, Thriving in the Community College and Beyond: Research-Based Strategies for Academic Success and Personal Development, Diversity and the College Experience, Focus on Success and Black Men and Divorce.

Kids are especially invited to participate. While parents listen to the speakers, kids can learn about Dr. King's work, reflect on what they can do to carry his message forward, and create the banner we'll carry on the march. Older siblings are especially welcome to help teach the younger kids.

Also, HCTC coordinating a community-wide Day of Service volunteer event to help alleviate food insecurity in the county. Details will be posted later to the College s Facebook page.

For more information and to register for the breakfast, contact Janice Hagans-Higgins via email at jhaganshiggins@kctcs.edu or by calling the switchboard at 436-HCTC.