"My goal is to provide inspiration and practical tools to maintain a high standard of excellence."
Dr. Chotsani Williams West is the refreshing and uplifting youth development speaker, workshop facilitator, program manager and advisor that will advance your organization! She works with universities and youth in elementary, middle and high schools. Not-for-profit organizations throughout Long Island and New York City school districts and the Department of Education have sought her expertise in direct service work and school reform efforts. Youth conferences, workshops and leadership seminars are among the events she has been engaged with.As a skilled trainer and facilitator, Williams West will help leaders and youth obtain a comprehensive perspective of how their work today will impact their future tomorrow. Through creative and challenging team-building activities, she will help youth visualize themselves as future leaders and global citizens.
Bio & Credentials
Dr. Chotsani Williams West serves as the Assistant Vice President for Adelphi University and is an enthusiastic Adjunct Professor for the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Education. 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.
She has a fulfilling career spanning 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, Williams West led a comprehensive Afterschool and Evening Program serving youth ages 5-12, teens, adults and seniors; including a Summer Camp with robust opportunities for young people to explore, learn and grow. She honed her strength-based, culturally responsive and wholistic approach to youth development with DYCD and the 1199 SEIU Child Care Fund Workforce Development Program, for which she also served as Lead Mentor.
With a flair and natural affinity for public speaking, Williams West conducts youth development workshops and lends her expertise to panel discussions and radio programs such as 1240AM WGBB. She has served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for countless 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). Williams West 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.
Williams West 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, she remains a student of life. She and her husband learn the most about life through the eyes of their two beautiful children.
Education:
Ed.D., Doctor of Education
Division of Education Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities
Molloy University
M.A., Educational Leadership & Technology
School Administrator / Supervisor Certificate (SAS)
Ruth S. Ammon School of Education
Adelphi University
Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Supervisor Certificate, JPMorgan Chase Fellow
Big Brothers Big Sisters Skills to Mentor Youth Certificate
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
B.A., Broadcast Journalism / Certificate, Sociology
Dean’s List and National Academic Honor Society
Pennsylvania State University
She has a fulfilling career spanning 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, Williams West led a comprehensive Afterschool and Evening Program serving youth ages 5-12, teens, adults and seniors; including a Summer Camp with robust opportunities for young people to explore, learn and grow. She honed her strength-based, culturally responsive and wholistic approach to youth development with DYCD and the 1199 SEIU Child Care Fund Workforce Development Program, for which she also served as Lead Mentor.
With a flair and natural affinity for public speaking, Williams West conducts youth development workshops and lends her expertise to panel discussions and radio programs such as 1240AM WGBB. She has served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for countless 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). Williams West 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.
Williams West 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, she remains a student of life. She and her husband learn the most about life through the eyes of their two beautiful children.
Education:
Ed.D., Doctor of Education
Division of Education Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities
Molloy University
M.A., Educational Leadership & Technology
School Administrator / Supervisor Certificate (SAS)
Ruth S. Ammon School of Education
Adelphi University
Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Supervisor Certificate, JPMorgan Chase Fellow
Big Brothers Big Sisters Skills to Mentor Youth Certificate
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
B.A., Broadcast Journalism / Certificate, Sociology
Dean’s List and National Academic Honor Society
Pennsylvania State University