We’re pleased to announce Dr. Shamika Karikari as our 2023 User Conference Keynote Speaker!!

The 2023 User Conference is coming to Chicago from May 31 – June 2 and we’re thrilled that Dr. Karikari is willing to join us. Her keynote address will leave you empowered and motivated to document, assess, and share the stories of your communities.

You have the power to make a difference and create a meaningful student experience. Power exists when people connect. In her keynote address, Dr. Karikari will discuss how coming together creates opportunities. Whether through a strategic assignment process, thoughtful resident engagement, community development initiatives, or educational staff selection, the efforts that you put in on a daily basis enable students to build communities in meaningful and educational ways. Dr. Karikari will highlight how the communal nature of leadership motivates all of us to build community. We need to harvest that power to grow communities in meaningful and productive ways.

This keynote address will motivate you to consider the power you have to create community and collect the data to show the impact of your work.

Meet Dr. Karikari!

Dr. Mika Karikari serves as the Associate Director of Resident Education & Development at the University of Cincinnati and has been a professional in student affairs and higher education for 15 years. A graduate of the Ph.D. in Educational Leadership: Student Affairs in Higher Education at Miami University, Dr. Karikari’s dissertation focused on Black women leaders in student affairs. Her work highlighted Black Feminist Leadership approaches as a model to understand and approach leading others.

Dr. Karikari believes in the power of leading authentically and creating an environment where others can do the same. She values creating inclusive environments for people to thrive and be their best selves. Dr. Karikari has experience in multiple functional areas including residence life, orientation, career services, learning center, and advising. These experiences have allowed her the opportunity to work with different colleagues in a variety of environments. Dr. Karikari values people and relationships and her work in student affairs and strong connections in the field have demonstrated that.

When not working, she enjoys reading, baking, watching sports, and hanging out with friends. As a proud Cincinnati, Ohio native, Dr. Karikari has settled comfortably back in her hometown with her husband, Emmanuel, and their 3-year-old son, Kash, and 1-year-old son, Blaze.