Friday, November 21, 2008

Professor Dr. Ellen Marshall Honored

Cincinnati, OH--

The criminal justice instructor earns a Celebration of Teaching award for her dedication to UI&U learners

Dr. Ellen Marshall, coordinator and instructor for Union Institute & University’s online criminal justice program, was honored recently by the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities for her exceptional dedication to the teaching profession and to her learners. At a luncheon held at Xavier University, the GCCCU paid tribute to Dr. Marshall by presenting to her a Celebration of Teaching award.

“She’s a superstar,” said Dr. Carolyn Turner, dean of UI&U’s undergraduate programs, of Dr. Marshall. “She understands the needs of the adult learner and she plays an invaluable role at UI&U with regards to the development, implementation, and oversight of the criminal justice program. And her experience and first-hand knowledge make her an exceptional instructor.”

As a Delaware police officer, Dr. Marshall was assigned to the Patrol Division, Special Operations Division, and the Criminal Investigations Division. She earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the UI&U, focusing on police psychology and traumatic stress in the emergency services. Dr. Marshall is currently writing a text on traumatic stress in law enforcement and developing a Reintegration Program for officers returning from military deployment. A lifelong learner, she is working on her third graduate degree in educational leadership and a certificate program in educational technologies. Dr. Marshall also served as a faculty advisor for UI&U’s undergraduate program in psychology. In addition to her work at UI&U, Dr. Marshall also serves as a faculty member in the Criminal Justice Department for Delaware Technical & Community College.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Dr. Kevin Sharpe, Union Institute & University Professor, was Founding Editor of Science and Spirit Magazine

CINCINNATI, OH -

Dr. Kevin Sharpe, a core professor at Union Institute & University’s (UI&U) Graduate College, died Thursday, November 6, of cancer, in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The longtime UI&U doctoral faculty member was 58.

Sharpe began his career at UI&U in 1987. “Kevin was a vibrant colleague and scholar who personified the tradition of the UI&U hallmark quality of interdisciplinary perspective/ inquiry,” said fellow faculty member, Dr. Larry Ryan. “Kevin had a way of stimulating learners – and colleagues – to look beyond usual explanations and rationales to discover new meaning and new knowledge.”

Throughout his more than 20 years as professor, Kevin supervised numerous dissertations and also served as the chairman of the concentration chairs in UI&U’s pre-cohort Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies program since 2005. He was an ultimate lifelong learner, Union scholar, and interdisciplinarian, having merged a deeply scientific mind with his spirituality. His impressive CV details his activities and accomplishments, but notable achievements include his work as founding editor of Science & Spirit Magazine and its companion Web site and recipient of a major multi-million dollar grant to fund the magazine from the prestigious John Templeton Foundation in 1995. Having been ordained as an Anglican priest in 1976, he wrote often about this topic, and served as co-director of the Oxford Institute for Science and Spirit, president of Science & Spirit Resources, Inc., and vice president for Interdisciplinary Affairs at the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science. “He believed that we as humans are most of all meaning makers and that the way to show our love for our world is by continuing to explore it, coming to know more, and then asking more questions so that our explorations never end,” said his wife, UI&U alumna Leslie Van Gelder.

Sharpe earned a B.S. in mathematics, a master of divinity, a master of theology, and two Ph.D.s; one in mathematics from La Trobe University in Australia and the other in religious studies from Boston University. He served as a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in Religion and Science in Chicago, a director of the Institute for Emerging Physics and Biology, a member of the editorial advisory boards for the Anthropology of Consciousness, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, and the Center for Humility Theology at the John Templeton Foundation. In addition, he was the author of more than 130 journal articles and a number of books, including Science of God: Truth in the Age of Science, Sleuthing the Divine: The Nexus of Science and Spirit, David Bohm’s World: New Physics and New Religion, and Has Science Displaced the Soul? Debating Love and Happiness. And, among his many interests was the exploration of the early cave paintings and markings, a topic he taught, lectured, and wrote about extensively.

“Kevin made a difference in many of our lives, touching countless learners and colleagues at Union and beyond. Obviously, he learned a long time ago how to celebrate the very best of the human spirit, and every interaction available to us,” said UI&U President Dr. Roger H. Sublett. “His considerable intellect was complimented by a deep spiritual caring which, from my experience, is unique among academicians. I admired both in him, and know that it served him well.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Pamela Sharpe; his sister, Karen; daughters Miriam and Kiri and their husbands; and his only grandson, Max. His father, James Henry Sharpe, passed away earlier this year. Messages and well wishes for the family can be sent to Leslie Van Gelder Box 111 Glenorchy 9350 (or leslievg@ksharpe.com). Donations can be made in Kevin’s name to the New Zealand Cancer Society, to the Quebec Labrador Foundation in the US, and Harris Manchester College in the UK.

Services and burial will be held on Thursday, November 13 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Union Institute & University, Brattleboro, to Host December 4th Information Session for Doctor of Psychology Program

Brattleboro, VT--

Union Institute & University (UI&U) in Brattleboro will host an Open House to introduce prospective learners to its doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), from 5:30-7 pm., Thursday, December 4th, at the program’s offices at the Marlboro Technology Center, 28 Vernon Street, First Floor, Brattleboro, VT.

Consistent with UI&U’s mission, the Psy.D. program integrates social justice into all of its courses and emphasizes multiculturalism in clinical practice. “We train people to become more aware of injustices, such as trauma, abuse, oppression and racism, and prepare them to be active agents of change, both with their clients and the larger social system,” said Dr. William Lax, Dean of the program. Learners are trained to be culturally competent clinicians, able to provide mental health services to individuals, families, groups and organizations. The program also includes an optional emphasis area in family psychology with specialized coursework and training.

The UI&U Psy.D. program integrates face-to-face and online courses to offer flexibility for working adults who need to balance career, family, and other social and civic responsibilities. In addition to the online courses, learners attend two week-long fall and spring academic meetings, as well as eight day-long Saturday meetings in Brattleboro once a month for the first three years of the program.

To learn more or to register, call: 800.336.6794 x8408 or email: Admissions.PsyD@tui.edu . UI&U’s Brattleboro offices are located minutes from Interstate 91 at the juncture of the Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts borders. It is easily accessible throughout the greater New England region. Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2009 Brattleboro cohort.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Breastfeeding Expert Named Advisor to Union Institute & University’s Maternal Child Health: Lactation Consulting Program

CINCINNATI –

Union Institute & University (UI&U) has named breastfeeding and lactation consulting expert Anna Cadwell Blair, Ph.D., CLC, as advisor of the university’s maternal child health: lactation consulting program. Dr. Blair is known internationally for her work on breastfeeding and is the co-author of Maternal & Infant Assessment for Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, now in its second edition, and Reclaiming Breastfeeding for the U.S. Prior to her appointment as advisor, she served as an adjunct professor for Union’s master of arts in health and wellness program.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Blair expand her role here at Union,” said Dr. Carolyn Turner, Dean of the Cincinnati Undergraduate Center. “Our learners now have the opportunity to be guided through the program by an internationally known expert.”

Dr. Blair operates a clinical practice at the Massachusetts-based Center for Breastfeeding, part of Healthy Children, a non-profit research and educational institution dedicated to improving child health outcomes through partnerships with public, private and non-profit agencies. She is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences on children’s rights, children’s health, maternity practices and post partum support. Dr. Blair earned a master’s degree in organizational behavior from Vermont College, and a Ph.D. in health communication from Union Institute &University. Her mother, Dr. Karin Cadwell, her father, and her sister, are also Union graduates.

Union’s bachelor’s degree in maternal child health: lactation consulting prepares learners for a career as a lactation professional. Graduates of the program will be qualified to professionally counsel expectant mothers and mothers of young infants about best practices for the care and feeding of the young infant, and may also be qualified to provide instruction for and/or make presentations to the medical profession (especially in a hospital setting), and community, governmental, and non-profit agencies. The program also prepares graduates to sit for the International Board Certification for Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) examination offered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. The flexible program is ideal for busy adults, as most of the courses can be taken online and the seminars are held all over the country.

Union will host an information session about the bachelor’s degree in maternal child heath: lactation consulting, from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, November 13, at Union Institute & University, 440 East McMillan St., Walnut Hills. Dr. Blair and maternal child health faculty will be available to discuss the program, the International Board certification process, and career opportunities in this growing field. Parking is free, refreshments will be served. To reserve a space or for information contact: Michelle Chevalier at 513-487-1219, or email michelle.chevalier@tui.edu.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Union Institute & University Hires Dr. Toni Gregory as Assistant Dean of Cohort Ph.D. Program

CINCINNATI –

Union Institute & University has hired Dr. Toni Gregory as Assistant Dean of the Cohort Ph.D. program. Dr. Gregory has an extensive background in leadership, management and organization theory and specializes in the study of organizational learning and the impact of culture and complexity on organizational transformation. She has been a core faculty member at the Fielding Graduate Institute in the School of Educational Leadership and Change from 1997-2007, where she also served as an administrator for the Grounded Theory/Grounded Action Research Concentration.