31st Annual ConferenceEastern Community College Social Science Association“Advancing the Social Sciences in the Information Age: Change, Innovation, & Research”Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus
Program Abstracts
Friday, April 1, 2005, 11:00am-12:15pm
Virtual Environments for Teaching and Learning: Using the World Wide Web
Tools for Becoming Proactive in Public PolicyRosemarie Pelletier, Asst. Professor of Political ScienceNorthern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus
A demonstration of how to use the Commonwealth of Virginia’s General Assembly web site to identify specific pieces of legislation, track status and interaction with policy makers. This session will focus on how to use the web as a major teaching tool and how I have used it for over 15 years as the main/central information source.
SCOUTing Online Information for Student MotivationJennifer Reynolds, Librarian and Barbara Tyler, Librarian AssistantNorthern Virginia Community College, Loudoun CampusSterling, VA
SCOUT, a web-based information outreach initiative was developed on the Loudoun campus of NVCC by librarians and counselors as a requirement for STD 100-Orientation. SCOUT develops independent learners by providing students with easy access to online information about important campus and college activities, services, procedures, and policies.
King’s Psychology Network: The Development of a Comprehensive Web site in PsychologyRosalyn M. King, Ed.D., Professor of Psychology & Chair, Center for Teaching ExcellenceNorthern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus
An overview of a continuous work in progress–the development of a comprehensive web site to enhance understanding, student learning and interaction in the teaching of psychology; as well as provide a database of psychology content for students of psychology, worldwide; and, the lay public. Visit the web site at: www.psyking.net
The Game of Politics Simulations: Classroom, Online and Civic Education ApplicationsDon Jansiewicz, ProfessorCaroll Community CollegeBaltimore, MD
The Game of Politics macro and micro simulations are designed to bring American politics to life. These simulations can be used in the classroom, online or for conferences. The simulations are set 4-6 years in the future and include a wide variety of issues that help students understand the complexity of our system. The simulations have been class-tested, and increase learning without sacrificing course content. Participants in this session will experience the simulation by assuming some simulation roles and confronting challenging issues. Visit the web site at: www.gameofpolitics.com.
Friday, April 1, 2005, 11:00am-12:15pmDesigning Interactive Courses For Distance LearningDistance Learning: Improving Student Participation and Critical Thinking Skills through UncertaintyAnthony W. Walsh, Professor EmeritusState University of New York, Hudson Valley Community CollegeTroy, NY
I have been an active participant in various forms of distance learning for over twenty years and have noted that the more predictable the materials, the less student participation there was. Conversely, the greater the uncertainty, the greater the extent of student participation. Two quite different student bodies were chosen: 1) traditional community colleges from Hudson Valley Community College, and 2) very nontraditional students from Empire State College’s distance learning college. In both cases the subject was economics and the assignments were the same. As students became comfortable with the general line of reasoning, the discussion items would change dramatically in a direction students could not anticipate. In all, it was a challenging experience for everyone.
Distance Education: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!Michael H. Parsons, Ed.D., Professor of Sociology, Hagerstown Community College &George Perry, Ed.D., Professor of Health Sciences, West Virginia Community College of Shepard University
Distance Learning is a rapidly growing delivery system in higher education. It is essential that the process foster critical thinking on the part of students taking distance courses. Dr. Parsons has taught these courses for over seven years. Each course endeavors to emphasize critical thinking. Dr. Perry conducted a statewide assessment in Maryland to determine the level of critical thinking found in community college offerings, including Dr. Parsons’ courses. Critical thinking did NOT meet acceptable standards. Parsons will explain what strategies he used to foster critical thinking; Perry will explain what was missing. They will interact with the audience discussing what factors influence the development of critical thinking and what corrections need to be made. Video examples will be shown.
Friday, April 1, 2005, 2:00pm-3:30pm
The Role of Information in Building Global Understanding
Migrations, Myths, Memory and MegabytesJames Baer, Professor of HistoryNorthern Virginia Community College, Alexandria CampusMany myths have emerged about the experience of immigrants, especially in American history. While many of these myths are based on accurate accounts, there are new ways and technologies that make it possible to test the assumptions these myths are based on. One of these is to engage international students in community colleges, many of whom are immigrants themselves, and use their experiences. Another method is to use information databases on the internet that include letters and voices of immigrants. Testing assumptions in this way can pull in students and make them more active participants in the investigation of history and help alter traditional roles of students and teachers.
EXPLORING THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC SPACE FOR A DEMOCRATICALLY VIABLE EUROPE **NewVikas Sharma, Ph.D. CandidateDepartment of HistoryPunjab University, Patiala-Punjab, India
A democratically viable Europe requires a ‘public space’ or ‘public sphere’….We can broadly define the public sphere as an institutionally delimited space of citizen interaction….This sphere, which in principle is independent of both the market and the state provides a discursive as well as an institutional arena in which citizens can discuss, deliberate, and evaluate issues of public relevance….This tells us little about how to construct such a public sphere in the real world of European policy-making, or, indeed, whether such a public sphere is emerging at European level….However, since public spheres are institutionally delimited, this issue asks the following questions: Are current institutional structures and socio-political practices at European public space emerging? These questions, in turn, assume the prior question of whether there is a way of thinking about ‘public space’ that can make it a methodologically robust object of empirical study.
Role of the Social Sciences in Building a Global Community: An Exploration of Study Abroad Programs
Rosalyn King, Professor of Psychology, NVCC- Loudoun,; Jill Mckee, Adjunct Professor of Political Science, NVCC-Loudoun; & Michael Sanow, Professor of Sociology, CCBC at Catonsville
This session will focus on question and dialogue about the social sciences’ role in developing study abroad programs to expand the global perspectives, cross-cultural competencies, bridge global awareness and understanding of students.
The session moderators will seek answers to questions such as: what should be the role and aim of these programs in the community college and what are some ways that program models could be structured? What should students be required to do, by type of study abroad program structure? What strategies can be developed to get more community college students interested in travel and study abroad? What resources can faculty advisors tap to gain financial support and assistance for worthy but financially strapped students? Participants actively involved in international education and study abroad programs are invited to participate in this dialogue and exchange.
Students from CCBC, Catonsville Campus will participate in a discussion of the impact of their most recent study abroad tour to Poland and Berlin during the Winter semester. The tour was an experiential study as part of the course, Holocaust and Global Racism. These students will discuss how this study abroad experience enhanced their knowledge about the Holocaust, but challenged them to think about many philosophical, political, global and personal issues that challenge us in the world today.
Friday, April 1, 2005, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Professional Development
Best Practices in Professional Development at the Community College: A Panel DiscussionRobin Hailstorks, Diane Finley, Esther Hanson, Swazette YoungProfessors of Psychology, Prince George’s Community College, Largo, MD
The community college plays an increasingly essential role in helping to broaden the roles of faculty and students, not only for those who are involved at the two-year level, but also for thoseat both 4-year and secondary institutions. In order to help meet the challenges for those who desire to develop a wide range of skills, communication and partnerships within and among various institutions need to be cultivated. Plenary practices can then take shape. The culmination of such efforts will be discussed in a panel discussion of best practices in professional development. Four full-time faculty members representing the psychology department at Prince George’s Community College will discuss several successful, ongoing professional development endeavors – two of which actively involve both students and faculty: Science, Technology, and Research Training; Mid-Atlantic Teaching Conference of Psychology; adjunct orientation and professional development workshops. The panel session will heavily emphasize a collaborative exchange of ideas among the conference participants.
Friday, April 1, 2005, 3:45pm-5:00pmResearch Foresight and Implications on the Role, Use, Ethics and Impact of Print and Other Media
Writing the Lives of Women: Technology for Advancement of the Social Sciences
Tina Marie Johnson, former NVCC student and Graduate StudentCognitive Developmental Psychology and English, Tufts University, Medford, MA
Writing the lives of women is a technology in the sense that Foucault speaks of technologies of the self or those technologies that in part help us to understand ourselves. My work is necessarily routed in qualitative methods and I will provide explanations as to how writing the lives of women can be done scientifically. As an illustration of writing the lives of women as technology of the self, I will use my MA thesis work. In this presentation, I will introduce you to my work, a cognitive case study of the eminent American poet, Deborah Digges.
CliophobiaDavid Lipton, Independent ScholarHighland Park, New Jersey
Clio is the Muse of History. Historical truth may be distorted by those who fear her. Hence, the neologism “Cliophobia” suggests the motive for misrepresentation of the past. Among the abusers of historical accuracy, some construe history as a tool to influence their material situation. Others believe that history can influence the well-being of the beliefs and social structures that are important to them. In addition, one can create false information or modify an existing situation, or willfully omit specific events having significant influence on subsequent human activity. Additionally, the implementation of these motives may be varied, so that they may be maximally effective for each of eleven generic communications media I have identified. During this presentation, I will distribute copies of a matrix that plots the following: 1) media type vs. 2) motives for alterations vs. 3) individual or collective benefit. However, the internal boxes of the matrix will be blank. The presentation will not be biased by implying that omitted persons and groups are not “Cliophobic,” or that they are less so than those who are cited. However, the completion of the internal boxes of the matrix could be assigned to students as a pedagogical technique, I believe research can show that all persons and all groups are equally culpable.
It is true that the foregoing seems to offer instruction in the abuse of history. Nevertheless, I hope that users of this material will understand that humanity can benefit from historical accuracy, even if some communicators do not maximize the benefits to themselves or to their group.
The Production of Homophobic Sites in Print Media: An Analysis of Reports on Public Sex
Aaron Tobler, Ph.D. CandidateDepartment of AnthropologyAmerican University, Washington, DC
Recent court rulings and elections have revealed the necessity for the social sciences to problematize how print news media reveals heteronormative discourses evident in newspaper articles. An instance of such heteronormativity on a local level is the coverage of public same-sex sexual activity in municipal parks and forests. This presentation will examine the issues of heteronormativity and homophobia that are present in such reporting, and how such print media produces a “homophobic site” where a site marginalizes homosexuality while homosexuality in turn marginalizes a site. In doing so, I will analyze newspaper articles from the Washington Post, the Washington Times and the Washington Blade on their reporting of various instances of public same-sex sexual activity and the subsequent law enforcement activity that followed.
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL GAP: A CHALLENGE TO AFRICAN MEDIA *NEW
SAMUEL OLUWASEYI ODUYELA, PH.D. CANDIDATEDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONSTRINITY UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, DC
The aim of this paper is to show that with Internet technology growing so rapidly there is no longer a digital divide but a gap. This presentation intends to stress the need for Africans to focus on content as opposed to agonizing over infrastructure needs. Although Africa needs technological advancements for the advancement of communications technology, it would be made redundant if the information presented is irrelevant. Africans need to design a broad policy agenda, from within their own communities, on how it can realistically adopt and adapt the new technologies to work for its development in sustainable ways…. Nevertheless, we cannot overlook the fact that a vast divide exists between Africa’s standpoint and the technological advancements of the first world….It is not surprising that Africa exhibits the worst elements of the digital divide in its multidimensional aspects. This is because Africa has also the highest levels of poverty and underdevelopment globally. It is also the least developed in terms of infrastructure. There are more telephone lines in Tokyo than there are in the whole of Africa. There are more telephone lines in New York, if not in Manhattan,than there are in Africa….development of infrastructure is not the only problem facing the African community; responsibility and skill are needed for this equipment in order to make the advances in ICT relevant.
Friday, April 1, 2005, 3:45pm-5:00pm
Transforming the Role of Students and Teachers: Undergraduate Student Research & Projects
Cross Cultural Impacts of Using Constructivist Models of Teaching and Learning: Innovative Student Interpretations and ProductsRosalyn M. King, Professor of Psychology, Don Hayes, Librarian, NVCC-Loudoun, and Students:Cedric Tchakounte, Chris Alexander, Mariela Blanco, Maria Regalario
This presentation will discuss the use of constructivist strategies in teaching and learning in the college classroom. An overview of the constructivist approach will be highlighted, followed by a discussion of the impact of such teaching strategies on student learning.Select students will provide examples of products developed by them as a result of the constructivist model. These include portfolios, newsletters, and web sites. In addition, a discussion of the impact on knowledge acquisition and understanding of subject content will be discussed.
Student Use of the World Wide Web to Convey Information and Promote Learning through Development of Education and Information Web SitesLauren Hefty, Ismail DeLorenzo and Kate Reynolds, StudentsNorthern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus
This session will present the educational web sites of 3 students on: Bipolar Disorders, Brain Injury and Trauma, and Language. The students will discuss their personal experiences with the respective subject and the impetus to share their insights, knowledge and understanding with the public, worldwide. Two of these students were winners in the Fall 2004 Psychology Fair and received the 2005 World Web Award from King’s Psychology Network.
The Snowman as a Cultural SymbolAshley Dawson, StudentHagerstown Community College, Hagerstown, MD
The snowman is a cultural artifact in America. I will have a model of one, explain how to construct it collaboratively with young students, and then explain the cultural significance of the symbol.
Xenogears: Fei the Uniter (Poster Presentation)Gabriel VegaNorthern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus
This poster presentation displays the tri personality of Fei, Id, and the coward, represented in a video game; and how they are united to become one true personality.
The Changing American FamilyMichael BurgerHagerstown Community CollegeHagerstown, MD
Television has had a major impact on changes in the American family. I will narrate a video presentation which explores changes in the family across three generations.
Global Influence of Transpersonal Psychology in Conveying Information About Self, Human Nature, and Personality
Rosalyn M. King, Professor of Psychology & Students: Daniela Sileo, Mari Walls, Okan Akay, James Davenport, Habeeb Alam, Stefanie Reed, and Torian StarnsNorthern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus
This panel presentation will provide an introduction to transpersonal psychology and the contributions of selected theorists who have made significant contributions in understanding human personal psychological growth and behavior. A panel of students and their professor will discuss selected theorists such as Freud, Jung, Adler, James, Erikson, Kelly and others, as they make assessment of man’s desire to understand one’s self, the need to utilize one’s capacities to the fullest and the universal ways these patterns are actualized.Saturday, April 2, 2005, 9:00am-10:30am
Innovations in Teaching, Classroom Strategies and Student Learning
What is the “New Economy” and What Happened to the “Old” One? Helping Our Students Understand the Historic Change to the Information AgeRobert Hauser, Assistant Professor of HistoryPenn State University, McKeesport, McKeesport, PA
There have been three fundamental revolutions in human history: The agricultural revolution; the industrial revolution, and the information revolution. In this presentation, each revolution will be briefly explained, indicating the key technology of each and the profound change brought about by each. The ramifications of the information revolution – especially the economic ones – will be highlighted. This overview of the historical context of the information age is designed to facilitate a greater understanding of what the New Economy is and what it means for us as we prepare ourselves and our students for life in the 21st century.
Teaching By Doing: Economics for the Kinesthetic and Multimodal LearnerLaura Jean Bhadra, Adjunct Professor of EconomicsNorthern Virginia Community College, Loudoun CampusSterling, VA
VARK assessments reveal people’s preferences about taking in information visually, aurally, via reading and writing, or kinesthetically (see http://www.vark-learn.com). Statistics show that 50-70% of the population is multi-modal, meaning they learn through a variety of methods. However, traditional economics lectures are poorly designed to engage student learners who do not fall into the read-write mode towards which most courses are geared. This presentation proposes alternative methods of teaching economics to multi modal and kinesthetic students, such as the use of films illustrating economic principles, group work, and class activities.
Getting More Mileage Out of Sociology
Michael Sanow, Professor of Sociology & Coordinator, Center for Service Learning and Joan Hellman, Professor of Reading and English, Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus.
Sanow and Hellman have been using a well-chosen book in their respective Sociology, English, and Developmental Reading classes to develop engaging writing assignments, discussions, and cultural education. Their discovery of Leo Bretholz’ Holocaust memoir, Leap Into Darkness, has sparked students’ interests and made Sociology a powerful force in the English and Reading classes. This session will provide sample assignments and ideas for how to make this book relevant to any class.
They ARE Worth Saving! A Strategy for Supporting At-Risk Community College Students
Arthur Sutton, Graduate StudentDuquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Nurturing is an essential strategy for assuring success for at-risk students. The process is neither well-known nor universally practiced in community colleges. This research project was based on a participant-observer model designed to identify critical incidents in implementing the strategy. This presentation will describe the research design so that interested participants may replicate it; and describe the critical incidents identified that make the strategy functional. A discussion will follow, allowing participants to adapt the strategy to their environment.
Saturday, April 2, 2005, 10:45am-12:15pm
Bridging East and West: Promoting Global Understanding through Dialogue and Teaching on World Religions and Philosophies
Moderators: Rosalyn M. King, Professor of psychology, NVCC-Loudoun &John Hutchinson, Professor of Sociology & Chair, Center for Service Learning, And
Panel of Distinguished Scholars:B. Jalali, Islamic School of sufism & American UniversityMark LaWall & Rich Wolford, Ekoji Buddhist templePeter Ainslie, Disciples of ChristMichael Sanow, Community College of Baltimore County at Catonsvillezainab alwani, NVCC-LoudounMeena Nayak, NVCC-LoudounLaura Shulman, NVCC-Loudoun
A panel presentation and discussion of the similarities and common threads in the world’s major religions and philosophies – Christianity, Zen Buddhism, Hinduism/Yoga, Islam, Sufism, Judaism/Kabbalah, Native American Indian/Shamanism. Panel members will also discuss the importance and benefits of incorporation such dialogues in the college classroom to promote global communication and understanding.
Saturday. April 2, 2005, 12:30-1:30pm
Closing Remarks, Boxed Lunch
——– Download Session Abstracts Here in PDF:
Presenters ‘ Biographical Sketch
Peter Ainslieis a minister of the Disciples of Christ and serves churches in Baltimore and Bethesda, MD. Peter has studied the relationship of western and eastern religions for many years.
Okan Akay is a student at NVCC-Loudoun Campus.
Habeeb Alam is a student at NVCC-Loudoun Campus.
Christine Alexander is a former NVCC student and teaches elementary education.
Zainab Alwani teaches Arabic and Introduction to Islam on the NVCC-Loudoun Campus and Johns Hopkins University.
James Baer is professor of History at NVCC, Alexandria campus and campus representative for the Center for Teaching Excellence. He is past recipient of the Chancellor’s Fellowship.
Laura Jean Bhadra is adjunct professor of economics at NVCC-Loudoun Campus.
Mariela Blanco is a student at NVCC-Loudoun Campus.
Michael Burger is a student at Hagerstown Community College.
Barbara Connolly is professor of economics and holds the Martha and Ted Nierenberg Distinguished Chair for Economic and Business Strategy. She also is department chair of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Richard Cox is professor in Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Information Sciences where he is responsible for the archives concentration in the graduate degree programs. He has written extensively on archival and records management topics and published eleven books. See program for complete biographical sketch.
James Davenport is a student at NVCC-Loudoun.
Ashley Dawson is a student at Hagerstown Community College.
Ismail DeLorenzo is a student at NVCC-LO.
Diane Finley is a professor of psychology at Prince George’s Community College.
Robin Hailstorks is currently chair of the Department of Psychology at Prince George’s Community College. She is a Professor of Psychology and has taught more than twenty undergraduate and graduate courses in human development and psychology. She is an active member of the American Psychological Association and a former member of the Board of Educational Affairs of the American Psychological Association.
Esther Hanson is professor of psychology at Prince George’s Community College
Robert Hauser is assistant professor of History at Penn State University in McKeesport. He has taught courses in History for 34 years, including the history of technology and American society. He also teaches courses on how to integrate the Internet into classroom teaching. Hauser has made presentations in the US, Italy, Venezuela, Poland, USSR, Great Britain, and Sweden.
Don Hayes is Librarian in the Learning Resources Center at NVCC-Loudoun.
Lauren Hefty is a student at NVCC-Loudoun
Joan Hellman is a professor of reading and english at Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville.
John Hutchinson is professor and chair of sociology and anthropology; and Chair, Center for Service Learning at Community College of Baltimore County, Essex Campus.
B. Jalali was born and raised in Iran. He attended Leeds University in England. He is a professor of Mathematics and Director of Mathematics and Statistics Education Services at American University. He has been a student of M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi (Islamic School of Sufism) since 1980.
Don Jansiewicz is professor of political science at Carroll Community College in Baltimore, MD. He has published The New Alexandria Simulation for state and local government; and, The Game of Politics for American government. His goal is to provide effective teaching tools for faculty and students.
Tina Marie Johnson is a graduate student at Tufts University completing a Master’s in child development. She is interested in human transformation and linguistics. She will continue her doctoral studies in cognitive developmental science.
Rosalyn King is a professor of psychology and Chair, Northern Virginia Regional Center for Teaching Excellence at NVCC and the Loudoun campus. She is a monitor for the Resident Associates Program at the Smithsonian Institution. King leads study tours abroad each May and has traveled to France, Italy, Austria, with planned tours to Spain and Greece. She is the 2005 ECCSSA conference chair.
Mark LaWall, CSAC, NCAC II is director of Adult Buddhist Education at the Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Fairfax Station, Virginia, where he teaches Adult Dharma School and facilitates a meditation group. Mark is a therapist and his work includes meditation and Naikan.
Nancy Lee is assistant professor and department Chair, Social Science & Education.
David Lipton is historian, interested in world history, ethnohistory, the philosophy of history, histories of the Antartic, Polynesia, the oceans, cartography and pre-Columbian native americans.
Gerard Morin is professor of history and government at Northern Essex Community College. He teaches world history, western civilization, history of China and Japan and political science. He spends his summers teaching at the American School in Tokyo, Japan.
Jill McKee is adjunct professor of political science at NVCC-Loudoun, coordinates a student internship program on Capital Hill and leads study tours abroad.
Meena Nayak is assistant professor of English at NVCC-Loudoun, a published literary author and teaches a special course in Greek and Hindu mythology.
Samuel Oluwaseyi Oduyela is a graduate student in the department of communication, school of professional studies at Trinity University, Washington, DC.
Michael Parsons is professor of social science and education at Hagerstown Community College. He also served as Dean of Instruction for 21 years.
Rosemarie Pelletier is adjunct professor of political science at NVCC-Loudoun.
George Perry is professor of health sciences at West VA Community College of Shepard University.
Stephanie Reed is a student at NVCC-Loudoun.
Maria Regalario is a student at NVCC-Loudoun.
Jennifer Reynolds is Librarian in the Learning Resources Center at NVCC-Loudoun.
Kate Reynoldsis a student at NVCC-Loudoun.
Michael Sanow is professor of sociology at Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville. He is Chair, Center for Service Learning and presently involved in research related to the holocaust and leads study abroad tours to Poland and Krakow.
Vikas Sharma is a doctoral student in history at Punjabi University in Patiala-Punjab, India. He is currently studying the Indian Diaspora, with special reference to the US from 1947 to September 11, 2001.
Laura Shulman is professor of religious studies. She teaches religion at several campuses of NVCC and through the Extended Learning Institute.
Daniela Sileo is a student at NVCC-Loundoun.
Torian Starns is a student at NVCC-Loudoun.
Arthur Sutton is a graduate student at Duquesne University in Pittsburg, PA.
John Tamplin is professor of English at Penn State University. He has studied Hinduism, Buddhism and Sanskrit at the Himalayan Institute; and Hebrew language and scripture at Cleveland College of Jewish Studies. He is a published poet and served as Editor of The ECCSSA Journal, an international journal that publishes scholarly and pedagogical articles in the social sciences for thirteen years.
Cedric Tchakounte is a student at NVCC-Loudoun Campus.
Robert Templin is President of Northern Virginia Community College and former head of the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology.
Aaron Tobler is doctoral candidate in the department of anthropology at American University, Washington, DC. His research interests include queer theory and homophobia, mass media and text and discourse analysis within the United States.
Barbara Tyler is a library specialist in the Learning Resources Center at NVCC-Loudoun.
Gabriel Vega is a student at NVCC-Loudoun.
Mari Wallsis a student at NVCC-Loudoun and Vice President of the Inner Search Foundation, Inc, and Healing School in McLean, Virginia.
Anthony Walsh is Professor Emeritus, State University of New York-Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY.
Elizabeth Wilcoxson is Assistant Dean of Humanities, Human Services and Social Sciences and Director of International Studies at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA. Her areas of expertise are modern Europe and Russia. She is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Rich Wolford is a member of the Board of Directors at the Ekoji Buddhist Temple and oversees outreach locally and nationally through the Buddhist Churches of America In his professional life, Rich is a partner at Brand Sync, a brand marketing consulting firm headquartered in Richmond, VA.
Swazette Young is currently an associate professor of psychology at Prince George’s Community College, where she teaches General Psychology, Educational Psychology, and Human Growth and Development. Dr. Young who is also an attorney, is currently a member of the Eastern Psychological Associaiton, and Division 52 of the American Psychological Association.