ADEA eLearn
Building Supportive Systems: Practical Approaches to Student Success
Includes a Live Web Event on 12/11/2025 at 12:00 PM (EST)
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Course Description:
This webinar builds upon the foundation established the previous webinar (Foundations of Student Wellness: Mental Health in Dental Education), focusing on comprehensive systems and practices that foster student success. This session explores common challenges faced by students and provides frameworks for creating supportive learning environments. Experts will share insights on effective mentorship programs and community-building initiatives that enhance student resilience. The webinar features perspectives from both educational leaders and current dental students and residents, offering a well-rounded view of successful support strategies. Participants will gain practical tools for identifying and assisting struggling students while fostering environments where all students can thrive.
This webinar is presented by the ADEA Section on Minority Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion, the ADEA Section on PRIDE and the ADEA Section on Student Affairs and Financial Aid. Learn more about joining this Section, as well as ADEA's other Sections and SIGs online.
Objectives:
- Implement practical tools for identifying and supporting struggling students through evidence-based intervention strategies.
- Design effective mentorship programs that provide meaningful guidance and support for our student populations.
- Create community-building initiatives that enhance student belonging and foster resilience throughout the educational journey.
Original Release Date: Dec. 11, 2025
Expiration Date: Dec. 11, 2028
Questions? Contact learn@adea.org
Disclaimer
The purpose of this presentation is to educate and inform. This is not a substitute for professional care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests at this presentation express their own experience, opinions and conclusions. Guest statements do not express the viewpoint of ADEA. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an ADEA endorsement.
CE Information
The American Dental Education Association is an ADA CERP-recognized Provider.
An evaluation form is available to participants after the conclusion of the live webinar. To earn continuing education (CE) credit for participation in the webinar, the online evaluation must be completed in full by Dec. 11, 2028. After completing the evaluation, webinar participants can print and save the CE Verification Form.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
The American Dental Education Association designates this activity for 1.0 continuing education credit.
All speakers agree that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
Veronica De Lara, M.B.A.
Director of Student Affairs
Texas Tech Health Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine
Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
Danielle Harris, M.B.A.
Director of Student Services
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
Ethel Harris D.D.S., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Restorative Dentistry
Meharry Medical College
Ethel Harris, D.D.S, M.P.H., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Restorative Dentistry at the Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where she serves as the Director of Integrated Oral Health Services at the Meharry Community Wellness Center. Her funded research focuses on periodontal disease and HIV. She has served on the executive board for the ADEA Section on Minority Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion, along with membership to various other sections, and as an Enid Neidle Scholar. At the Meharry Medical College, she teaches Dental Anatomy and Occlusion, Introduction to Operative Dentistry and Dental Auxiliary Utilization, serves on the admissions committee and is a Meharry School of Dentistry Deans’ Scholar. Dr. Harris completed her undergraduate studies (BS) at the Tennessee State University, her graduate studies (MPH) at the A. T. Still University and received his dental degree from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry where after several years in private practice, she returned to her alma mater as faculty full time.
Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
Katherine Velasco, D.D.S.
Assistant Professor and Clinical Team Leader
Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine
Dr. Katherine Velasco is a Colombian-born dental professional with over 25 years of experience in clinical practice, education, and leadership. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1998 and spent a decade in private practice, including three years serving underprivileged communities.
Her passion for dentistry led her to join Roseman University School of Dental Medicine, where she instructed more than 900 students and was recognized as Outstanding Faculty and HDA Faculty of the Year.
Currently, Dr. Velasco works as an Assistant Professor and Clinical Team Leader in the International Dental Graduated Program at Nova Southeastern University. In addition to her mentoring and clinical responsibilities, she serves in the Student Progress Committee and continues to practice dentistry one day a week.
Dr. Velasco is a distinguished fellow of the International College of Dentists (ICD), American College of Dentists (ACD), and Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA). She remains as an active leader in organized dentistry through her involvement with the Hispanic Dental Association, American Dental Association, and American Dental Education Association, where she has held leadership roles at institutional, state, and national levels. Her professional achievements have also been recognized in the bibliographical compendium of Who’s Who in America for her contributions to dental education and the advancement of the profession.
Beyond her professional life, Dr. Velasco finds her greatest fulfillment in seeing others grow and succeed with her guidance. She values balance in work and family life and enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking, painting, engaging in creative projects, and exploring new places
Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
Jompobe “Joe” Vuthiganon, D.M.D.
Associate Professor in the Department of Reconstructive & Rehabilitation Sciences
Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Dr. Vuthiganon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Rehabilitation at the Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine (MUSC CDM). He received his dental degree from MUSC CDM and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry. Following residency, he came back to Charleston, SC, and joined the faculty full time at his dental alma mater.
Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
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