O’Connor Lecture to Explore Nursing’s Role in Combating Human Trafficking

Salka Valerio, lead organizer with Citizen Action of New York, will deliver the fall A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Chair Lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Slade Theatre, Yager Hall. The topic of this year’s lecture is “Recognizing and Responding: The Role of Nurses in Combating Human Trafficking.”

After earning an associate’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Broome College, Valerio began a professional career at the Crime Victims Assistance Center as a caseworker for the Safe Harbor program, where her work focused on supporting teens impacted by exploitation and trafficking. Through education, resources and direct support, Valerio provided critical guidance to vulnerable youth.

Now serving as a lead organizer with Citizen Action of New York, Valerio works in the Southern Tier and Albany region on housing and education policy while amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. Recognized for leadership across New York State, Valerio co-chaired the 2023 Black Excellence Awards in Binghamton, where community leaders were honored, and frequently facilitates training sessions designed to strengthen grassroots advocacy.

Hartwick College School of Nursing Chair and Associate Professor Kim Smith will host the event. Miya McCann, assistant professor of the School of Nursing and chair of the nursing events committee, will moderate the discussion.

The O’Connor Chair Lecture series is endowed by the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation of Delhi, NY. The series aims to provide nursing students and guests with insights into the challenges that seasoned professionals encounter across various areas of nursing and related disciplines.

The O’Connor Chair Lecture will be live-streamed. For more information, contact McCann at [email protected] or 607-431-4785.