Dr. Dorsey Spencer Jr.
Dr. Dorsey Spencer Jr. empowers leaders to ground themselves in their identity and purpose, transforming personal values into collective action. By bridging self-discovery with shared responsibility, he inspires students to activate community accountability and build safer, stronger organizations. Dr. Dorsey Spencer Jr. ignites a culture of integrity on campus by equipping students to lead from a place of authenticity.
TOPICS
- Authenticity
- Decision Making
- Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Hazing
- Leadership
- Officer Training
- Risk Management
- Values
KEYNOTES
Getting to know
Dr. Dorsey Spencer Jr.
Dr. Dorsey Spencer Jr. is a seasoned higher education leader, speaker, and educator dedicated to empowering students to lead with authenticity and integrity. With over 15 years of experience across public, private, and international institutions—including roles at Florida State University, the American University of Nigeria, and currently as the Dean of Students at Colgate University. Dr. Spencer brings a global and inclusive perspective to student development.
A scholar-practitioner, Dr. Spencer specializes in hazing prevention, leadership development, and identity. His approach moves beyond traditional mandates, using the social-ecological model to help students understand how individual choices, group norms, and campus culture intersect. He is a published author on topics such as Black men in higher education and student engagement, and he has served nationally as a Hazing Prevention.Org Institute Fellow and faculty member for the CAMPUSPEAK Hazing Prevention Educator Certification program.
Dr. Spencer holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Florida State University, where he researched the leadership experiences of Black men, along with a Master’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a bachelor’s degree from Temple University. Through dynamic storytelling and interactive dialogue, he challenges students to build communities grounded in trust, belonging, and shared responsibility.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
To help you promote your event with Dr. Spencer Jr., CAMPUSPEAK has created promotional templates you can use. In this folder, you will find resources for social media, a promotional poster for printing, and press photos you can use for your event.
Link to Promotional Materials
LOGISTICAL MATERIALS
Below you will find logistical resources for the day of your event with Dr. Spencer Jr.
In-Person Event AV needs (PDF)
Speaking introduction (PDF)
KEYNOTES
Beyond the Line:
Empowering Change and Building Communities Free From Hazing
Dr. Dorsey Spencer Jr. delivers a transformative experience that moves past the traditional “don’t haze” mandate to engage students in a deeper conversation about trust, safety, and belonging. Grounded in the social-ecological model, this session empowers participants to uncover how individual attitudes, group norms, and campus culture intersect to influence behavior.
Through interactive storytelling and real-world scenarios, Dr. Spencer challenges students to examine the critical link between high performance and psychological safety. Rather than focusing solely on rules and consequences, this program invites students to co-create a vision of success that doesn’t rely on harm or exclusion. By emphasizing bystander engagement and collective responsibility, Dr. Spencer equips students with the tools to disrupt negative cycles and champion a culture where every member is respected and valued.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending the program, students will:
- Analyze Group Dynamics: Apply the social-ecological model to understand how personal values and environmental factors shape organizational culture and hazing behaviors.
- Redefine Belonging: Develop actionable strategies to foster authentic connection, mentorship, and achievement that replace harmful traditions.
- Master Intervention Skills: Practice decision-making frameworks and bystander intervention techniques to confidently address unsafe or unethical situations.
- Cultivate Integrity: Create a personal and organizational commitment plan to advance a legacy of inclusion and safety.
Leading From Within:
Authentic Leadership Through the Lens of Identity
Authentic leadership is not a performance—it is a practice grounded in self-understanding. In this dynamic and introspective session, Dr. Dorsey Spencer Jr. guides students on a journey to explore how their unique experiences, values, and identities shape their leadership impact. Through engaging storytelling, dialogue, and collaborative activities, participants uncover the powerful connection between who they are and how they show up for their communities.
Drawing on research and lived experience, this workshop helps students recognize that true influence is built on authenticity and trust. Participants will examine the interplay of privilege, power, and perspective, learning to align their leadership style with their personal and cultural identities. This session cultivates confidence and empathy, empowering every student to lead with clarity, purpose, and deep connection.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending the program, students will:
- Define Authentic Leadership: Explore the intrinsic link between personal identity, core values, and effective leadership.
- Analyze Perspectives: Recognize how diverse lived experiences and backgrounds influence leadership behaviors and decision-making.
- Identify Drivers: Pinpoint the personal strengths, motivations, and values that define their unique leadership approach.
- Build Inclusive Trust: Practice communication and reflection techniques designed to foster psychological safety and belonging within teams.
- Plan for Impact: Create an individual action plan to lead with authenticity, empathy, and integrity in their daily lives.
