AUSB Celebrates Opening of New Downtown Campus

Antioch University Santa Barbara celebrated the opening and dedication of its new downtown campus located at 602 Anacapa, at the corner of Anacapa and Cota streets. Over 200 guests attended the event that including remarks from Victoria Risken, AUSB Trustee’s Chair, Tom Parker, Hutton Parker Foundation, Bob Kupic, campus architect and designer, Helene Schnieder, Santa Barbara City Mayor, and Dr. Nancy Leffert, AUSB President.

In Ms. Riskins opening remarks she said that nothing was more meaningful than Antioch’s “mission to educate young people and contribute to the community.” Tom Parker discussed the importance of the partnership between the Hutton Parker Foundation and AUSB and went on to say, “Yes, they educate their kids, but what they really do is teach them to engage the community, because that’s what they do.” Bob Kupiec discussed his creative thought-process behind his designs, for the 30,000-square-foot campus and 18 classrooms. “A wonderful piece of architecture cannot be created without a visionary partner,” stated Kupiec. “Nancy, Vicki, you are partners an architect dreams of.”

Nancy Leffert then took center stage to praise and thank all of the individuals and organizations for their help and dedication to this project. “To be here tonight is rather unbelievable,” Leffert said with emotion. “And it is the result of the work of many people who believe in the work and core values of this special education institution.”

Congresswoman Lois Capps had visited the new campus a few weeks ago, and described it as the “gateway to Santa Barbara.” “If I may use Congresswoman Capp’s words,” said Leffert with a smile, “I think that our new campus will serve as a gateway to new lives.”

Leffert then led Santa Barbara City Mayor Helene Schnieder to where the official ribbon cutting ceremony would take place, in front of the donor recognition wall located in lobby entrance of the building. Mayor Schnieder praised the work of AUSB and the importance of it to the Santa Barbara community. Both women were smiling and laughing as Leffert handed Schneider the over-sized dedication scissors to cut the large orange ribbon, symbolizing the official opening and dedication of the new university campus.

Antioch University Names Ms. Felice Nudelman Chancellor

On July 1, Antioch University will welcome its 5th chancellor. In a unanimous decision, the Antioch University Board of Governors has appointed Ms. Felice Nudelman to succeed Dr. Toni Murdock who announced her retirement last November.

Felice Nudelman is the Executive Director of Education for The New York Times Company where she is responsible for developing and overseeing education initiatives, including The New York Times Knowledge Network. She has helped lead the strategic thinking and implementation of their national and international education programs. She also led the development of a business model in e-Learning that includes collaboration with colleges and universities to create and deliver on-line courses.

Antioch’s long-standing commitment to social justice and the common good resonated with Ms. Nudelman, who has a deep appreciation for the quality of education Antioch University provides its adult learners, both inside and outside the classroom. “I am thrilled to join a community that has such exceptional faculty and academic programs like the PhD in Leadership and Change, and I am honored to serve Antioch during this next phase of development,” said Nudelman.

Before joining The New York Times, Ms. Nudelman served as executive director for Pace University’s School of Education, receiving Pace’s Outstanding Contribution award for her work. In her work with faculty, students, and administration at Bloomfield College, Ms. Nudelman’s leadership as associate dean of academic affairs led to increased focus on student-centered services and faculty support, gaining Bloomfield a national award in the area of academic advising.

Ms. Nudelman is known for her significant experience in national and international initiatives and excellent relationship-building skills.

In 2007, she led the creation of The New York Times Knowledge Network, a service that works collaboratively with colleges and universities in the design and delivery of e-learning courses and certificates. An innovative partnership, the Network worked successfully with the Texas Education Agency to launch Project Share in 2010.  Project Share is a learning community initiative which offers professional development programming to the 400,000 teachers and four million K-12 students across Texas (www.projectsharetexas.com).

Mr. Art Zucker and Dr. Charlotte Roberts, members of the Board of Governors and co-chairs of the search committee, expressed their excitement with the outcome of the committee’s work.  “I am extremely proud of the process we followed.  It was inclusive and collaborative, garnering input through various forums from the faculty, administration, staff, and our boards,” said Zucker, who also serves as the board’s vice chair. “Felice is clearly a creative thinker with proven strategic, organizational, and interpersonal skills.”

“We had a truly impressive pool of candidates in this search, and all of us feel a deep sense of satisfaction with the outcome,” said Roberts, president of an executive consulting firm whose work in systems and leadership extends to boards. “With representatives from all sectors of the University present around the table, we collaborated with one goal in mind and that was to select a leader who will take this institution to the next level and beyond. Ms. Nudelman’s track record for identifying opportunities and mentoring teams for successful implementation align perfectly with the challenges Antioch University faces.”

In 2003, Nudelman partnered with The American Association of State Colleges and Universities to launch the American Democracy Project, a multi-campus initiative involving more than 240 institutions focused on higher education’s role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens for our democracy (http://www.aascu.org/programs/ADP/).

She has brought her insights and wisdom to her service on the Board of Trustees for the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), and as a board member of Epsilen LLC, the Education Writers Association, NYU-Poly Enterprise Learning Board, and SXSWedu Advisory Council.  She is also a member of the College Board Innovation Advisory Board, has served on the University of North Texas Board of Visitors, and was Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors for The National Teachers Hall of Fame.

An alumna of the 1995 Harvard Management Development Program, Ms. Nudelman obtained her B.A. in Fine Arts and Philosophy from Allegheny College, and her M.F.A. from the Pratt Institute.

Chancellor Murdock, who has known Felice since they served on the CAEL Board together, is pleased with the Board’s selection of the next chancellor.  “Felice’s enthusiasm for Antioch’s core values – excellence in teaching and learning, nurturing student achievement, supporting scholarship and service, a commitment to social engagement, and building and serving inclusive communities – will serve the system well. This University is in good hands.”

A native of New Jersey, Ms. Nudelman will make her new home in southwest Ohio.

For additional information please contact:

Lynda Sirk, Director of University Communications
Antioch University
lsirk@antioch.edu
O 937.769.1222
C  614.394.4070

Seasonal Migrators in Santa Barbara – Our Environment In Focus Series

Seasonal Migrators in SB
Tuesday, February 21, 4:00-6:00pm
Antioch University Santa Barbara, 602 Anacapa Street
Come learn about animals that seasonally migrate to our central coast region. We’ll view beautiful pictures of these special migrators as we discuss their habitats, migration routes, and lifecycles. We’ll also examine current environmental issues affecting the Santa Barbara coastline and these animals.

Harbor Seals & Monarch Butterflies
Saturday, February 25, 9:00am-1:00pm
Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve
Attend this exciting fieldtrip to watch miracles in our own backyard. We’ll first visit a harbor seal rookery – you may even see a new pup being born! We will then visit Ellwood’s Monarch Butterfly Preserve. Take the 101 South to the Bailard Ave. exit. Turn towards the ocean and park in the lot on the bluff – meet there at 9am and we’ll walk 1/2mile to view the rookery.
Each quarter, AUSB sponsors a collaborative lecture series on
Contemporary environmental issues affecting our world. Please join us!
For information, contact Dr. Dawn Osborn, BA Program Faculty at dosborn@antioch.edu.

PsyD student, Raymond Prince, receives NCSPP award for his work with GLBT community

Raymond Prince, 3rd Year PsyD Student, (pictured far left) has received the Student Award presented by the GLBT Committee of NCSPP, the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. This award is only given every 3 years. This award carries a $1500.00 prize and was presented to him at the NCSPP annual conference in New Orleans.

The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Committee Student Award is presented to a student who is currently enrolled in an NCSPP member school (i.e., AUSB), and has demonstrated noteworthy commitment to issues of diversity as concerns the psychological welfare of individuals who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgendered (GLBT).

Social Responsibility, relational competence, and advocacy are the core of this award. Raymond’s contributions have been reflected in his clinical applications, his scholarship, the way he models professional identity, and his consistent development as an advocate for GLBT persons, issues, and concerns.

In Dr. Juliet Rohde-Brown’s nomination package for Raymond, she wrote that Raymond:
“is strongly committed to augmenting awareness in the psychological community in regard to GLBT individuals and particularly GLBT individuals of color. He advocates for greater understanding both in the academic realm and in his clinical training pursuits.”

Further, she stated that he:
“exemplifies the practitioner/scholar model. An engaging, empathic, and intelligent human being, he is a role model for his colleagues.”

Of note is that Raymond received the Stephen Logan Memorial Scholarship from the Gay and Lesbian Business Association of Santa Barbara in 2010. The award was for current and potential contributions to the gay and lesbian community. Raymond researched and proposed methods for improving the quality of care for LGBT youth in residential settings as well as advocated for increased attention to the psychological needs of the LGBT community.

We congratulate Raymond for receiving the NCSPP Student Award and in his continued work with the GLBT community and commitment to issues of diversity. Raymond’s work clearly demonstrates the core values of Antioch University.

Winter Social Justice Series starts Saturday, February 4.

The Winter Social Justice Series starts Saturday, February 4, with the film Tapestries of Hope. A feature-length documentary, Tapestries of Hope reveals the story of human rights activist Betty Makoni and the Girl Child Network (GCN) in Zimbabwe, Africa. The documentary exposes the myth behind the belief that raping a virgin cures a man of HIV/AIDS. The stories are told by the girls of Zimbabwe with Makoni helping them to become re-empowered and find their voice. These events are open to the public and free admission. Learn more information about this film and the Social Justice series.

Leadership Coach, Speaker, Author, Alumni: Jennifer Van Homer, Class of 2003

This month we feature Antioch University Santa Barbara graduate Jennifer Van Homer (B.A. Class of 2003) in our spotlight on alumni.

Jennifer Van Homer, BS, MSC, CHIC firmly believes that excellence in leadership is crucial in order to address organizational challenges and create sustainable change. Jennifer works with leaders and organizations to increase their personal and professional effectiveness by bringing their actions into alignment with their most important commitments and goals.

One of Jennifer's goals was making time to complete her Bachelor's Degree. She entered Antioch University Santa Barbara in 2000, working as a full-time professional with two children as well. It was at Antioch that Van Homer gained the knowledge and experience of working with others that led her to her current position as a Master Somatic coach, trainer and organizational consultant. She uses sound principles and practices of adult development and somatic awareness.

Van Homer graduated from Antioch University Santa Barbara, in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Business. Her interest in the well being of young people led her to co-create a leadership program for youth at the Strozzi Institute in Petaluma, California. In addition to being a Master Somatic Coach she is also a certified Hudson Institute Coach.

Jennifer is a sought after leadership coach, author and speaker. Before becoming a coach she worked extensively in Human Resources Leadership, including ten years at Patagonia, a local maker of outdoor clothing, apparel and gear for climbing. She contributed to the formation of the unique corporate culture at Patagonia.

When asked about WHY she chose AUSB to claim her education, Jennifer Van Homer said: 

"I chose Antioch because it offered me the flexibility I needed to complete my degree being the mother of two children and working full-time!"

Read more about the Antioch Santa Barbara Difference.

Jennifer shares this message for prospective students of Antioch University Santa Barbara: 

"Antioch is a great place to expand your perspectives and learn to coordinate and collaborate with others. The teachers are fantastic and the learning environment is fun and challenging. I was a student in the weekend program which required a lot of collaboration with my cohort. It was a great experience and taught me a lot about teaming. It’s great to be in an adult learning environment and to be in a place that invites the whole student!"

Jennifer Van Homer lives in Santa Barbara, where she enjoys spending time with her two children and yellow Labrador. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, surfing and skiing. Jennifer recently released the book "A Princess and Her Garden – A Fable of Awakening and Arrival" co-written with her mother, Patricia R. Adson, Ph.D. Van Homer is also the co-author of "The Relating Game: 96 Ways to Sustain Passion Over Time", which is a deck of cards designed to stimulate conversation and emotional intimacy with your partner. For more information on this Antioch Alumni please visit her websites at:

A Princess and Her Garden http://aprincessandhergarden.com/

The Relating Game http://therelatinggame.com/

Leadership Coaching & Consulting http://jennifervanhomer.com/ 

Antioch University Board of Trustees Welcomes New Members, Leadership

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – Antioch University Santa Barbara (AUSB) Board of Trustees has named Luis Villegas as its new Vice Chair and welcomes new trustees Robert Kupiec and Mary Ellen Tiffany, announced Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Victoria Riskin.

Luis Villegas was elected to the Vice Chair position, having joined the AUSB Board of Trustees in 2009. Mr. Villegas is Vice President of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and previously served as Vice President and Hispanic Segment Market Manager for Pacific Capital Bancorp. He has served on the Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board for six years, recently as its Executive Director. He is also currently a member of the Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees, serving as President in 1999 and 2000 and he was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors of the California Community College Trustees. Mr. Villegas is also the Past President of the California Association of Latino Community College Trustees.

Robert Kupiec brings more than 25 years of experience as an architect and principal of Kupiec Architects PC. A graduate of the Pratt Institute School of Architecture, he received the New York Society of Architects Award for Excellence in Total Design. Mr. Kupiec had been responsible for numerous commercial, institutional, and residential projects throughout the country and abroad including AUSB’s new downtown Santa Barbara campus, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and The New York and Brooklyn Public Libraries. Mr. Kupiec is a past Chairman of the National Institute for Architectural Education and also past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the VanAlen Institute for Projects in Public Architecture.

Mary Ellen Tiffany is currently the Vice President, Business Development Officer with Montecito Bank & Trust. She began her financial career in the Trust Department of NationsBank in Fort Myers, Florida, and later joined SunTrust Bank Southwest as the market manager of their Sanibel-Captiva Island private bank. Prior to joining Montecito Bank & Trust, Ms. Tiffany was Director of Major Gifts at The Foundation for Santa Barbara City College. She has served also as Executive Director of two non-profit organizations and as Special Assistant on trade and energy issues to the Governor of Alaska from 1986-1990.  Currently she serves on the boards of the Santa Barbara Symphony, Path Point, Inc., Parks & Recreation Community Foundation and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

"We are honored that Luis has agreed to serve as vice chair and that Bob and Mary Ellen have agreed to join the Antioch University Santa Barbara Board of Trustees,” said Victoria Riskin, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “They bring special wisdom, talent and impressive experience to the planning process for the growth of the university." 

BACKGROUND:

Antioch University serves more than 4,000 adult students around the world and across the country, online and at its five campuses in four states. Each campus offers degree programs that meet—and often anticipate—the pressing needs of its region and the wider world.  The University is also home to the landmark PhD in Leadership and Change; Antioch Education Abroad, an exceptional opportunity of immersive service and study programs; and WYSO, a leading public radio affiliate and an essential source of global news and opinion.

The Santa Barbara campus is particularly distinguished with its unique undergraduate degree completion program in liberal studies and graduate master’s and doctoral programs in clinical psychology and education that integrate students’ academic experience and experiential learning.

Antioch University is a nonprofit private 501(c) (3) organization and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit www.antiochsb.edu.

Need a Career Theory and Practice course for LPCC licensure?

AUSB offering new online Career Theory and Practice course for LPCC licensure this January

Career Theory and Practice
This course will provide both the theoretical foundation and the practical experience necessary to understand and foster the career/lifestyle development for clients both individually and in groups. Students will be prepared with the necessary knowledge and skills to collect, evaluate, and use occupational and life development data in helping individual clients and various client populations to make effective decisions and take appropriate actions in their career/life development.

Class Schedule and Outline
This is an on-line 4.5 unit course offering 45 hours of contact time at Antioch University Santa Barbara. The course begins January 26, 2012 and ends March 26, 2012. Students will have weekly on-line assignments and activities that they may complete in a manner that fits their schedule. Each week will require 6 hours of contact time, except for the first and last week which will require 8 hours of contact time, including a learning conversation with the instructor. Syllabus, resources, as well as a guide to on-line discussions and assignments will be posted on Sakiii.

This course aimed at helping licensed graduates seeking grandparenting for LPCC will fill up quickly and registration is limited. The tuition for Antioch University alumni is $340 per unit (4.5 units $1,530) or for other professions, $603 per unit ($2,713.50)

Last year the California legislature authorized a new counseling license at the Master’s level. The Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) was added as a Master’s level license to make California the 50th state to provide this license.  Recently the BBS (Board of Behavioral Sciences) decided to offer licensed MFT and LCSW professionals a short window of opportunity to apply for grandparenting for LPCC licensure. 

The application process requires submitting information about academic coursework completed, which is then reviewed by the BBS for eligibility. Many of our alumni will find that as graduates of our MACP program, you have already completed most of the requirements, but will likely be asked to take a 4.5 unit Career Counseling course. Other current licensed MFT’s that completed their degree at another institution may also be eligible.

If you have not already taken this course within our program or another academic setting you will be delighted to know that we will be offering the course:  Career Theory and Practice this Winter beginning January 26, 2012. While decisions regarding eligibility are determined solely by the BBS, this course has been designed by Antioch University in accordance with criteria specified by the BBS as part of the LPCC licensure process.

To register, download the Special Student Registration form, complete the information and send to the Office of the Registrar (address information on form.)

Questions

    For registration questions contact Julia Dubiel, Registrar, dubiel@antioch.edu, 805.962.8179 x5105.
    For questions about the course, contact Elizabeth Wolfson, Chair MA Psychology Programs, ewolfson@antioch.edu, 805.962.8179 x5155
    For questions about the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license, contact the BBS (Board of Behavioral Sciences), http://www.bbs.ca.gov/

Lifelong Learner: Sharon Woodlief, Class of 2005

This month we feature Antioch University Santa Barbara graduate Sharon Woodlief (M.A. Class of 2005) in our spotlight on alumni.

Sharon Woodlief's interest in lifelong learning began in her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After moving to Santa Barbara to pursue a graduate study program in Political Science she found herself drawn to Psychology.

Sharon researched graduate programs that could provide a course of study that was rigorous yet consistent with her personal philosophy of Social Justice and Experiential Learning. Once she found Antioch University Santa Barbara, Sharon knew she would be on the right course both academically and personally (an added bonus was the University was located around the corner from where she lived downtown).

Woodlief graduated from Antioch University Santa Barbara, in 2005 with a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology. The photo is of Sharon Woodlief from her graduation from Louisiana State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree. It was significant time for her as it was at that graduation that she confirmed her objective to go to graduate school and ultimately find a path that would allow Sharon to continue to enrich her life as well as to encourage Ms. Woodlief to appreciate the world around her.
 
When asked about her experience at AUSB, Sharon Woodlief said:

"My classes at Antioch consisted of an array of diverse students, and the class environments were open to allowing all of those hungry and thoughtful scholars to think and challenge one another as well as being encouraged to challenge the brilliant faculty. I felt my knowledge base grow academically because the faculty was prepared to teach with skill and competence. Moreover, I felt my sense of intellect and self-confidence intensify, as I applied theories and ideas not only in my school work but in my community, and even with my family and friends."

 
Sharon shares this message for prospective students of Antioch University Santa Barbara:

"There is so much that I learned at Antioch that I still find myself routinely recalling themes and lessons, and in all manner of circumstances in my life. That is what education at Antioch is: taking what is learned in the classroom and applying what is learned throughout one’s life."

Since graduating from Antioch Santa Barbara in 2005, Woodlief has gone on to earn a Ph.D. in Education from the UCSB, with an emphasis in educational leadership and organizations. Her dissertation research was focused on multicultural awareness education. Sharon worked in Admissions at Fielding Graduate University’s School of Psychology. It was there that she began work with Antioch University Santa Barbara’s current President, Dr. Nancy Leffert. 
 
Sharon Woodlief is an Editor at Out of the Woods Publishing, Inc. She has just finished work on editing a novel titled: "The Farmhand" authored by former Louisiana correctional officer David Bruce. Woodlief's role in editing this tale on the psychology of people in the Louisiana prison system was based on her background in Clinical Psychology. Sharon Woodlief states, "When you see this book on the New York Times bestseller list and on the silver screen, you heard about it here first, from an Antioch Grad! I am so honored to have been chosen to participate in this work, and I am excited about what the future holds for me." For more information on this Antioch Alumni please visit her LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sharon-woodlief-ba-ma-phd/3/84b/8ab

Assessment and Psychotherapy: An introduction to the use of psychological testing in psychotherapy

This presentation will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the AUSB campus, 602 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara. It will provide an introduction to psychological testing for those unfamiliar with the topic, and more specific attention will be given to the Personality Assessment Inventory, an increasingly popular multi-scale psychological measure. The presenter, John Lewis, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist based in Santa Barbara and Ventura who specializes in forensic assessment and consultation, as well as employment matters such as suitability and selection.

The event is sponsored by Sierra Tucson and AUSB and includes lunch and two CEUs. Seating is limited, so please pre-register by December 8, 2011! $15 pre-registration, $20 at the door (cash or check only). Easy Online Registration at www.sierratucson.com, click on “Events, Professional Events”. Call 805.962.8179 ext. 5171 with questions.