CCD’s Dean of Student Development & Retention Ryan Ross, Ph.D. was the keynote speaker at Omaha’s Men of Distinction Conference on Thursday, October 30th. Hosted by Metropolitan Community College and the North Omaha Foundation, the conference aims to engage and empower young men in the 11th or 12th grades to attend college and prepare ahead for their futures. During his keynote address, Dr. Ross asked the young men to start using education to change their thinking in order to change their lives.

In its fifth year, the conference has featured past speakers such as Dr. Calvin Mackie, author of A View from the Roof: Lessons for Life and Business and winner of the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, and LaMarr Darnell Shields, president, co-founder, and senior director of education and innovation of The Cambio Group.

Dr. Ross was also recently named as one of the Most Influential Young Professionals of 2014, an honor bestowed each year by Colorado Biz Magazine.