Ulysesses Wilcox: Master of Ceremony

My role as Master of Ceremony.

Before the Event:
1. A successful Master of Ceremonies is thoroughly prepared. Meet with organizers well in advance of the event to confirm the purpose of the event and the planned agenda in detail.
(link hidden)nstant communication with all individuals who have a role in the event. If possible, I will contact all speaker and others to confirm their responsibilities, time allotted to them and anything they might require at the event. In preparation for introducing key speakers contact them to find out the title/topic of their presentation and some background information on them.
(link hidden)nd out if there will be any special guests in attendance who should be acknowledged at the event.

At the Event
1. I arrive early in order to finish any last minute details. Check with speakers and other meeting participants to make sure all their requirements are in place.
(link hidden)nfirm whether expected special guests are indeed in attendance.
3. I Have an agenda and plan to stick to it. If there is not a formal agenda consider preparing a detailed script for yourself outlining everything you have to do, a timetable, including breaks, so that you will know what is supposed to happen when and so you won't forget something important.
4. I Start on time and plan to end on time.
5. Be prepared.

After the Event
Following an event I send a note of thanks to all who contributed to the success of the event in a major way.

Ulysesses is currently a Student Success Coach at Walden University, where he creates and implements strategic coaching models to positively impact student retention, student attrition, and student persistence. He analyzes academic trend information to forecast student behavior patterns with future Walden University students. He is responsible for maintaining a robust cohort of first year students. He also ensures his student cohort is committed to their higher education by administering effective coaching strategies and mentoring techniques. He is actively involved in student engagement initiatives and an advocate for social responsibility. He believes in creating transparency by effectively communicating with both internal and external stakeholders. His most valuable key contribution is collaborating with team members and senior management to develop instructional design training materials for future success coaches. He earned his Master’s of Science in Leadership with High Distinction from Walden University (2012) specializing in leader and organizational development and general management, and his undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Sports Management at Winston-Salem State University (1997) specializing in business management.
Ulysesses is a member of The Center for Creative Leadership, the African American Leadership Association, and the Social Change Model. He is also involved with the ACPA Commission for Academic Support in Higher Education, ASHE Association for the Study of Higher Education, and the Academic MAPS Student Retention and Success Solutions. Ulysesses is constantly seeking creative ways to foster personal and organizational leadership initiatives that creates leadership competence, leadership confidence, and leadership credibility in all key areas of life. In his spare time, Ulysesses enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, researching leadership theory, personal and executive coaching, and volunteering. Ulysesses has received several honors and awards recognizing his commitment to personal and organizational success. Ulysesses developed his affinity for public speaking while taking public speaking courses at Winston-Salem State University and participating in the Screen Actors Guild conservatory course title: "Finding the Writer's Voice" taught by: Ty Ford.

“Every day, I’m filled with the possibility of collaboration. Nature has enacted gravitation; however, I will continue to seek out my place in the world.”

-Ulysesses A. Wilcox