2025 Masterclass

Sofia Edmundson

Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibilities & Belonging  NYPR

Sofia kicks off Masterclass this summer with last year's popular session, You, Inc. as part of Building on Your Foundation week.

She breaks down the work of knowing ourselves into our values, knowledge, skills and experiences with an emphasis on our inner voice and thought-provoking questions, such as "What do you well when no one else is watching?"

Manjit Devgun

Founder & Corporate Mind Coach  Manjit Meditation

"I’m passionate about re-wiring the mind for your authentic self.” Yes, please.

Globally renowned meditation coach Manjit Devgun returns for the 6th year in a row to support scholars in whatever moment of transition they are experiencing. For most of the Masterclass participants, it will be transitioning from high school to college — among other big life experiences.

Manjit guides scholars in a grounding meditation, and teaches skills that they can always tap into to feel calm, happy, and successful — and "tap into the magic of you."

Jayson Jones

Director, Learning Design and Innovation  McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, NYU

SPlus Board member Jayson Jones brings back the critical workshop, "Asking for Help Is a Strength" to share about his personal journey as a first-gen scholar at Cornell University through a lens of social work and curriculum development training, and — our favorite — his signature sense of humor.

Drina Lee Edwards

Founder & CEO  Inside Out Development, Inc.

SPlus is PUMPED to introduce this brand new masterclass on the power of positive psychology with Drina Edwards. Drina will cover:

• What is positive psychology?
• How do we start our days?
• How do we ... continue them! Some guidance on naming our feelings (inside out!)

Scholars will participate in an exercise practice their new skills — as individuals, and as part of the cohort-building section.

Valerie Irick Rainford

CEO  Elloree Talent Strategies

As the founder of a company that is laser-focused on diversifying c-suites, Valerie inspires scholars by sharing her personal story of family history, lived experience, and perseverance — and her mission to make corporate America a more representative and inclusive space.

Valerie teaches invaluable life lessons through weaving in her own formative experiences, and captivates each listener — each and every time.

Tangela Reid, SHRM-SCP, SHRBP, CEP

Sr. Human Resources Business Partner  Prudential Financial

It seems Tangela can do it all. Sitting in on her Resume Masterclass last summer was enlightening, but when we learned she was certified in evaluating DiSC personality tests — one of our favorite tools — we had to change course. 

Masterclass participants will complete their DiSC assessments before class so Tangela can jump into what it really means to be fueled by behavior styles Drive, Influence, Support, Clarity — or any combination — and best advocate for ourselves and collaborate with others.

Oscar Lahoud, M.D.

Deputy Chief Clinical Officer  NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center

A model community member who advocates for scholars in all possible ways, Oscar will be aptly kicking off our "Building on Your Community" Week.

With reflections on how he uses his professional and personal passions to navigate new and familiar spaces, Oscar will amplify the fires already lit within scholars to live inspiring (and inspired) lives, and build meaningful connections along the way.