Dr. Samuel Betances, UOG Fanuchånan 2023 Commencement Speaker ()
The University of Guam congratulates 220 prospective graduates who will receive their diplomas during the Fanuchånan Commencement at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, at the Calvo Field House.
“We are proud of our latest group of graduates who persevered through the challenges they faced,” said President Anita Borja Enriquez. “Whether they enter the professional workforce, continue towards higher degrees, or wherever their journey leads, we wish them a very successful voyage ahead.”
Commencement speaker: Former dropout to Harvard doctoral grad
Dr. Samuel “Dr. B” Betances, an internationally renowned, persuasive and entertaining speaker and workshop presenter, will be the commencement speaker.
Dr. Betances was a high school dropout who beat the odds and completed a master’s degree and Doctorate in Education from Harvard University.
In telling his story, Dr. Betances shared that a caring mentor “led me to make reading the motivating power source that fueled my journey from failure to success.”
“Crossing a bridge called books proved to be the best strategy for my way out of poverty and into the professions," Dr. Betances added.
He taught at Northeastern Illinois University as a full Professor of Sociology for 25 years. He has also delivered keynote speeches at conferences on diversity and equity, destructive isms, cultural identity, language and culture preservation, indigenous rights, education, identity issues, trauma-informed care, resiliency and social change for over 40 years. He has worked in 18 countries, all 50 states, all U.S. Territories and throughout the Micronesia region as Senior DEI trainer and consultant for Souder, Betances and Associates Inc.
Dr. Betances lectured at the Harvard School of Education’s “Art of Leadership” Summer Institute. He is most known for his advocacy related to recruiting, mentoring, retaining and graduating First-Generation Students. He authored several books on this issue including “Ten Steps to the Head of the Class” (available in English and CHamoru); and “Winning the Future through Education: One Step at a Time,” on turning bad study habits into effective strategies for academic success.
He recently co-authored four books in the series titled “Island Insights,” with his wife, Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder.
The commencement will be livestreamed on our Facebook page.
