Fielding doctoral student Carol A. Preston-Brown selected to present at 14th Annual Narrowing the Gulf Conference

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Thu, Mar 14, 2013

Identified as an emerging scholar, Preston-Brown will present a workshop based on her dissertation research titled “Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water: An Intervention for Youth Aging Out of the Foster Care System," in which she states: 

Education outcomes for former foster youth are dismal. Although 70% of youth in foster care want to go to college (Rassen, Cooper, & Mery, 2010), the resources available for their success in California Community colleges are clearly insufficient.  My dissertation research begins with the mandate of the Chancellor of California Community Colleges to create systems of support for former foster youth who transition to community colleges.  My work also addresses the significance of academic K-12 preparation, which should lay the foundation to support quality-of-life-goals, so former foster youth can become contributing members of society.  

The annual Narrowing the Gulf Conference focuses on improving classroom instruction and supporting services for underrepresented students in postsecondary education. Preston-Brown’s research dovetails well with the theme of the conference given that she discusses former foster youth on the community college campus. Her research follows the theories of Maslow, Friere, Chickering, and Erickson as she explores the lack of positive outcomes and support for these students.

To view the full conference schedule, click here.

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Fielding alumna Dorianne Cotter-Lockard accepted for presentation at the International Association of Management, Spirituality, and Religion Conference in Lourdes, France

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Fielding alumni and current student to present at upcoming Systems Thinking in Action Conference

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Tue, Nov 06, 2012

Fielding Graduate University alumni Joan Goppelt (HOD '09) and Keith Ray (HOD '09) with Act Too Consulting, Inc., will be presenting with current MOD student Samantha Cooprider with Learning as Leadership at the Systems Thinking in Action Conference November 12-14 in Indianapolis, IN.

Joan and Keith presented the highly successful scholar-practioner class titled Integrating Research & Practice at the last all-school Fielding Summer Session 2012 alumni track to a packed room of Fielding alumni, students, and faculty.

Keith Ray, PhD, has over 20 years of experience in organization development, organizational research, strategic change, project management, software development, and systems engineering. In 2008, he co-founded Act Too Consulting, Inc., which provides organization development and research services to a variety of clients. Keith has a BS in physics and a doctoral degree in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University. Keith is interested in complexity and narrative in organizations.

Joan Goppelt, PhD, has over 25 years of experience in leadership development, organizational change, software development, and project management. In 2008, she co-founded Act Too Consulting, Inc., which provides organization development and research services to a variety of clients. Joan has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s degree in computer science, and a doctoral degree in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University. Her interests include collaboration, adult learning, and new concepts of leadership.

Samantha Cooprider has been a facilitator, executive coach, and COO with Learning as Leadership (LaL) since 2000. She developed a Leadership in Action course at the University of California, Berkeley, and is a facilitator of LaL’s on-site We Lead leadership training program. Samantha has a BA from the University of California at Berkeley with a focus on leadership organizations and social change and is currently pursuing a master’s in organizational development at Fielding Graduate University.

For further information about the conference: http://www.systemsthinkinginaction.com/

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Preparations are set for the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging in Los Angeles, CA in February 2013

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Thu, Nov 29, 2012

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, baby boomers will turn 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day for the next decade making them the fastest growing segment of the population. Future implications indicate: “tomorrow’s elderly will have quite different social, demographic, health, and economic characteristics than today’s elderly… as average length of life continues to increase, issues regarding the quality of active life expectancy are likely to assume greater importance.” In anticipation of this growing segment of our population, the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging, hosted by Fielding Graduate University’s Institute for Social Innovation, brings together notable speakers and workshop leaders to explore new and innovative approaches to positive aging. This year’s topic is “Life-Reimagined: New Approaches to Positive Aging” and the conference will take place February 10-12, 2013 at the Center for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.

The Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging includes a variety of workshops that explore themes of creative expression, community, wellness, and life transitions.  Dr. Katrina Rogers, Provost of Fielding Graduate University and Senior Vice-President states:  “Positive aging promotes creativity, wellness, and growth. It means taking personal control of your life instead of being a victim or passive observer. In this model, aging presents a new opportunity for being socially active, for engaging with the community, for being productive, and for seeking a new meaning and purpose in life. This is why the conference is larger each year: people are interested about how to age well.” The conference provides opportunities to engage in physical and creative activities, including yoga, meditation, music, and connecting with others with similar interests.  Conference registration is open to the public.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Wendy Lustbader, MSW, who currently serves as Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Ms. Lustbader has considerable experience working with older people, their families and caregivers, and lectures nationally on subjects related to aging.  As a medical social worker, she specialized for almost twenty years in out-patient mental health at the Pike Market Medical Clinic in Seattle, and has also practiced in a home health care agency, hospital geriatric unit, and nursing home. Ms. Lustbader’s first book was co-authored with Nancy Hooyman, Taking Care of Aging Family Members. This is a practical guide to caregiving which is still considered the best book of its kind by experts in the field of aging. At the opening reception on Sunday, February 10th, Ms. Lustbader will speak about her latest book, Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older.

The conference will also host a webinar with world-renowned American contemporary spiritual teacher and author Ram Dass. He is known for his personal and professional associations with Timothy Leary at Harvard University in the early 1960's, for his travels to India and his relationship with the Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, and for founding the charitable organizations Seva Foundation and Hanuman Foundation. His practice of karma yoga or spiritual service has opened up millions to their deep, yet individuated spiritual practice and path. Dass continues to uphold the boddhisatva ideal for others through his compassionate sharing of true knowledge and vision. His unique skill in getting people to cut through and feel divine love without dogma is still a positive influence on people all over the world.

Dr. James E. Birren is one of the "reigning pioneers" in the organized field of gerontology since the 1940s. He is a past president of The Gerontological Society of America, and author of over 250 publications. Dr. Birren will receive Fielding's Creative Longevity and Wisdom Award in recognition of his six decades of seminal contributions including the influential work on guided autobiography.

Featured speaker Dr. Brian de Vries, Professor of Gerontology at San Francisco State University, and will share his extensive work on aging experiences, including bereavement among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults.  He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of American, a member of the Leadership Council for the American Society on Aging, and co-chair of the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network constituency group. Most recently, Dr. de Vries has become a policy advisor for AARP, California. 

Early registration for the three day conference is $275 until January 14th, 2013, and $300 after. Single day tickets are $125. Registration includes meals and opening reception Sunday evening.  To attend only the Sunday dinner reception featuring keynote speaker Wendy Lustbader is $80.

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Diversity and leadership conference takes place Feb. 22-23

Participants in the program will discuss the relationship between leadership, diversity and social justice.

*****

By Caitlin O’Donnell ’13

Elon University will host this week its annual INTERSECT: Diversity and Leadership Conference, a two-day event coordinated by The Center for Leadership and The Multicultural Center.

Faculty, staff, students and other attendees will engage in dialogue, reflection and training through workshops and keynote speeches exploring the relationship between leadership, diversity and social justice.

Featured presenters this year include Christina Lovelace, a spoken word artist and motivational speaker; Silvia Cristina Bettez, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and activist Zach Wahls. In February 2011, Wahls became an overnight Internet celebrity after testifying before the Iowa House of Representatives about growing up with two moms and his support for same-sex marriage.

Participants will also attend sessions revolving around issues of immigration, non-verbal communication and strengthening an organization’s identity led by Elon students, faculty and staff.

Seniors Lizzy Appleby, Jessica Elizondo and Will Brummett will guide a discussion about participating in civic engagement in the community. Rebecca Bishopric, Elon’s coordinator for violence prevention and response, will lead a session about identity-based discrimination and violence and instruct participants in how to safely intervene in situations of harassment on campus.

The conference was founded from two previously independent organizations, an earlier version of the Diversity Leadership Conference, launched in 2009, and the Leadership Development Institute, created in 1997. Previous keynote speakers include activist and BET personality Jeff Johnson and anti-racism author Tim Wise.

A committee of eight students coordinated this year’s conference. The theme of the event reflects Elon Commitment strategic plan's call for an unprecedented commitment to diversity and global engagement.

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by Eric Townsend, Staff Last Updated - 2/19/2013

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Preparations are set for the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging in Los Angeles, CA in February 2013

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Thu, Nov 29, 2012

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, baby boomers will turn 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day for the next decade making them the fastest growing segment of the population. Future implications indicate: “tomorrow’s elderly will have quite different social, demographic, health, and economic characteristics than today’s elderly… as average length of life continues to increase, issues regarding the quality of active life expectancy are likely to assume greater importance.” In anticipation of this growing segment of our population, the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging, hosted by Fielding Graduate University’s Institute for Social Innovation, brings together notable speakers and workshop leaders to explore new and innovative approaches to positive aging. This year’s topic is “Life-Reimagined: New Approaches to Positive Aging” and the conference will take place February 10-12, 2013 at the Center for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.

The Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging includes a variety of workshops that explore themes of creative expression, community, wellness, and life transitions.  Dr. Katrina Rogers, Provost of Fielding Graduate University and Senior Vice-President states:  “Positive aging promotes creativity, wellness, and growth. It means taking personal control of your life instead of being a victim or passive observer. In this model, aging presents a new opportunity for being socially active, for engaging with the community, for being productive, and for seeking a new meaning and purpose in life. This is why the conference is larger each year: people are interested about how to age well.” The conference provides opportunities to engage in physical and creative activities, including yoga, meditation, music, and connecting with others with similar interests.  Conference registration is open to the public.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Wendy Lustbader, MSW, who currently serves as Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Ms. Lustbader has considerable experience working with older people, their families and caregivers, and lectures nationally on subjects related to aging.  As a medical social worker, she specialized for almost twenty years in out-patient mental health at the Pike Market Medical Clinic in Seattle, and has also practiced in a home health care agency, hospital geriatric unit, and nursing home. Ms. Lustbader’s first book was co-authored with Nancy Hooyman, Taking Care of Aging Family Members. This is a practical guide to caregiving which is still considered the best book of its kind by experts in the field of aging. At the opening reception on Sunday, February 10th, Ms. Lustbader will speak about her latest book, Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older.

The conference will also host a webinar with world-renowned American contemporary spiritual teacher and author Ram Dass. He is known for his personal and professional associations with Timothy Leary at Harvard University in the early 1960's, for his travels to India and his relationship with the Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, and for founding the charitable organizations Seva Foundation and Hanuman Foundation. His practice of karma yoga or spiritual service has opened up millions to their deep, yet individuated spiritual practice and path. Dass continues to uphold the boddhisatva ideal for others through his compassionate sharing of true knowledge and vision. His unique skill in getting people to cut through and feel divine love without dogma is still a positive influence on people all over the world.

Dr. James E. Birren is one of the "reigning pioneers" in the organized field of gerontology since the 1940s. He is a past president of The Gerontological Society of America, and author of over 250 publications. Dr. Birren will receive Fielding's Creative Longevity and Wisdom Award in recognition of his six decades of seminal contributions including the influential work on guided autobiography.

Featured speaker Dr. Brian de Vries, Professor of Gerontology at San Francisco State University, and will share his extensive work on aging experiences, including bereavement among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults.  He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of American, a member of the Leadership Council for the American Society on Aging, and co-chair of the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network constituency group. Most recently, Dr. de Vries has become a policy advisor for AARP, California. 

Early registration for the three day conference is $275 until January 14th, 2013, and $300 after. Single day tickets are $125. Registration includes meals and opening reception Sunday evening.  To attend only the Sunday dinner reception featuring keynote speaker Wendy Lustbader is $80.

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Academy Director Shares Insights at CBA Conference

Director of Academy of Art University’s School of Multimedia Communications, Jan Yanehiro, will be the keynote speaker at the Cherry Blossom Alumnae’s 5th Annual CBA Conference on Sunday, October 14, 2012, 12pm-3pm at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC), 1840 Sutter Street in San Francisco in the Issei Memorial Hall. Yanehiro will share insights to this year’s theme “What Every Asian American Woman Should Know.” Her achievements include pioneering the magazine format on television as co-host of “Evening Magazine,” a nightly San Francisco program that ran for 15 years on KPIX TV-CBS5, and hosting 6 documentaries on the redress and relocation issues of Japanese Americans during World War II. She has also won multiple awards including an Emmy and the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award. Yanehiro will share her thoughts alongside other successful Asian American women. Asian

Week September 25

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