Expert on human development to speak at the Mount

Mount Saint Mary College’s Center for Adolescent Research & Development (CARD) will hold its annual conference, "Adolescence in the 21st Century: Fostering Agency, Purpose, and Engagement," on Saturday, April 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Educators, social service personnel, and the public are invited to register. The conference will be held in the college’s Hudson Hall Auditorium, 330 Powell Avenue, Newburgh, N.Y.

William Damon, Ph.D., director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence and a professor of education at Stanford University, is the keynote speaker.

One of the world’s leading scholars, Damon focuses on the positive aspects of “growing up” rather than on severe behavioral problems.

He is at the forefront of the emerging positive psychology movement in the U.S., speaks regularly to public and academic audiences, and has written widely about personal development and moral commitment at all ages of life. (17 books, numerous chapters and articles, and his research and insights have been regularly covered in national publications)

His current research explores how people develop character and a sense of purpose in their work, family, and community relationships.

Damon’s work is used in professional training in journalism, law, and business. He received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard and his Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.

The conference will also address topics including: teaching practices that encourage student engagement; conflict as a factor to maturity; technology and adolescent development; social justice involvement; and engagement among autistic adolescents.

Twelve professors will present, including local educators: Diane Bliss from Orange County Community College; Sr. Margaret Murphy (philosophy and religious studies), Moira Tolan (business), Matt Hollibush (education) and Irene Van Riper (education) from Mount Saint Mary College; and the Mount’s visiting Fulbright scholar Olga Lomakina from Volgograd State University in Volgograd, Russia.

The Mount Saint Mary College Center for Adolescent Research & Development has conducted program evaluations for area schools and social service agencies. It also develops educational outreach programs for parents.

CARD is a clearinghouse for research initiatives including the psychological, social, cultural, educational, and health-related issues endemic to contemporary adolescents and young adults.

The Center’s faculty include: Co-directors Paul D. Schwartz, professor of psychology, and Frances R. Spielhagen, associate professor of education; and Amanda M. Maynard, associate professor of psychology and Sarah M. Uzelac, assistant professor of psychology.

Mount Saint Mary College, ranked a Top-Tier Regional University (North) by U.S. News & World Report, offers strong undergraduate preparation for careers in health professions, education, business, psychology, human services and liberal arts, as well as master’s degrees.