2024 Alumni Reunion Distinguished Faculty Member

Elton Beckett is the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Faculty Award. Professor Beckett is a treasured leader and voice of our community, inspiring generations of students and alumni to be lifelong learners. Professor Beckett served as a Faculty Fellow for the Completion for Upper-division Student Program (CUSP). CUSP is a nationally-recognized initiative featured in the New York Times that increased senior graduation rates from 54% to 86% in two years. As Faculty Fellow, Professor Beckett invested in student success, transformed lives, and helped students achieve degree completion. Prior to John Jay College, he served as a principal at Vocal Solutions, LLC, a faculty member of the Department of Speech and Theater, Long Island University Brooklyn, and in various roles for the Collaborative Arts Project (CAP21), Tisch School of the Arts, NYU, and the Theater for the Handicapped. His current interests include African American identity in early American theater, preservation of African American dialect in performance, and adapting Lessac Kinesensic Training techniques for English language learners. He was a founding member of both the acclaimed Jomandi Production Company in Atlanta and New Perspectives Theater in New York City, and has performed extensively in television, commercials, voice-over and on stage. Beckett has been honored with the 2012 Distinguished Teaching Prize, 2015 Distinguished Faculty Service to Student Award, and 2016-17 Black Student Union Outstanding Dedication Award.