Dialogues - CAHSS Winter 2018

2 NSU CAHSS Dialogues Greetings Colleagues, My earlier message in the fall of 2017 asked you to “reflect on various socioeconomic complexities and human challenges facing our country and our globe from multidisciplinary, multiprofessional, and multicultural perspectives.” Unfortunately, these challenges have recently come to bear with full force on the South Florida community. NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and indeed, the nation, continues to mourn the heartbreaking events that took place at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School in February. Such horrific events remind us of our mortality, but also provide an opportunity for us to reach out and support those affected by the tragedy. Our college remains resolute in its resistance to terror, and it is with great pride that I recognize the numerous ways in which CAHSS has responded to this terrible moment and supported the South Florida community. The following are just a few examples of the college’s heartfelt initiatives in response to the tragedy: • The Brief Therapy Institute’s Family Therapy Clinic in the Department of Family Therapy (DFT) is providing ongoing, free therapy sessions for those directly affected by the tragedy in Parkland. Arlene Gordon, Ph.D., clinic director, is managing these services. • Christine Beliard, Ph.D., DFT faculty member, and several advanced family therapy doctoral students provided on-site emergency crisis counseling in Parkland on February 15. • Douglas Flemons, Ph.D., DFT faculty member, and colleagues from NSU’s Office of Suicide and Violence Prevention facilitated “Processing Parkland” for students, staff members, and alumni. Some of the attendants were first responders to the MSD shooting. • Kara Erolin, Ph.D., a Green Cross Academy field traumatologist who is a part of our faculty, provided two “Introduction to Psychological First Aid” trainings for NSU students, alumni, faculty members, and community providers. To date, 95 participants have received the training including staff members from local community agencies. • Six students were able to be a part of history and attended the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C., on March 24, thanks to financial sponsorship from the CAHSS Graduate Student Government Association. Please visit our website at nsunews .nova.edu/one-month-later-nsu -continues-to-respond-to-marjory -stoneman-douglas-high-school -tragedy/ , to see a detailed list of all the services CAHSS has offered or is providing. In addition to the aforementioned undertakings, I am also proud of the CAHSS Graduate SGA’s decision to focus on a critical topic for the winter Interdepartmental Symposium in connection with the recent events. The symposium, Putting Knowledge into Action: Responding to School Violence, took place on March 17, reflecting the college’s continued commitment to the South Florida community. Furthermore, the CAHSS Graduate SGA Endowed Scholarships Fund for Community Outreach (now in its 10th year), will be awarding funds to students involved in local and national outreach initiatives relating to the tragedy. My heartfelt appreciation goes to all students, faculty and staff members, alumni, and community partners for your tremendous caring efforts. Best, Honggang Yang Dean, CAHSS, NSU From the Dean’s Desk