Chotsani Williams West serves as the Director of Student
Mentoring for Adelphi University and is an enthusiastic Adjunct Professor for
the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Education.
Chotsani graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor
of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and a Certificate in Sociology. After a
successful career within the entertainment television industry with Children’s
Television Workshop – Sesame Street, Home Box Office and Showtime Networks;
following her heart, she made a career change to education and social services.
Chotsani obtained a Master’s degree from Adelphi University in Educational
Leadership & Technology in 2007 and holds professional certifications from
Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City Center for Training & Fordham
University Graduate School of Social Service: Skills to Mentor Youth and
Mentoring Supervision. She has a fulfilling career spanning almost 20 years in
youth development, mentoring leadership, education reform and social services.
As the former Director for the Department of Youth and Community Development
(DYCD) through the Southern Queens Park Association (SQPA) Cornerstone
Community Center, Chotsani led a comprehensive Afterschool and Evening Program
serving youth ages 5-12, teens, adults and seniors; including a Summer Camp
filled with opportunities for young people to explore, learn and grow.
With a flair and natural affinity for public speaking,
Chotsani conducts youth development workshops and lends her expertise to panel
discussions and radio programs such as 1240AM WGBB. Chotsani has served as the
Mistress of Ceremonies for many events and is a sought after presenter for “The
Power of Effective Relationships,” “Leadership 101: Understanding the Basics,”
“Retention and Recruitment Strategies,” just to name a few, for organizations
such Big Brothers, Big Sisters of New York City, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Inc.’s Leadership Development Institute (LDI) and Successful and Victorious
Youth (S.A.V.Y). Chotsani continues to coach and guide youth and adults on best
practices for mentoring relationships; youth development programs and also
shares techniques for effective public speaking. As an instinctive mentor to
youth, she encourages others to do the same.
Chotsani is a self-taught visual artist who in 2000, began
Exuberant Creations, LLC – A Reflection of You! As an extension of her passion
for Mentoring is Exuberant Creations, LLC Arts & Mentoring Academy (exuberantcreationsllc.blogspot.com) She often incorporates the arts into her
mentoring and youth development work. As a life-long learner; despite
Chotsani’s many accomplishments, she remains a student of life. She and her
husband learn the most about life through the eyes of their two beautiful
children.