Senator Manchin has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the work performed by the WV ATC. We appreciated and enjoyed the time he took to meet with us.
February 24, 2012
A Visit With Senator Joe Manchin
The West Virginia Autism Training Center and its College Program for Students with Asperger's Syndrome were pleased to visit with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) during his visit to campus on Wednesday of this week.
Senator Manchin has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the work performed by the WV ATC. We appreciated and enjoyed the time he took to meet with us.
Senator Manchin has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the work performed by the WV ATC. We appreciated and enjoyed the time he took to meet with us.
February 14, 2012
Talking Diversity
The Multicultural Leadership Ambassadors of Marshall University presented information on Diversity to Board members at a President's Meeting earlier this week.
Each Ambassador, including Marshall University senior and Finance major Eren Niederhoffer (middle, facing Board members) discussed his or her personal experience with diversity, then concluded with a message important to them about the topic. Niederhoffer's message included the advice to "pause," and "learn from others," rather than be quick to judge, for it is through learning from others that true personal growth occurs.
There was a lot of wisdom exchanged in that 30 minute presentation.
The Multicultural Leadership Ambassadors are recruited by the university's Office of Multicultural Affairs, and trained to be peer educators. The students represent, according to the office, "diverse cultures, geography, sexual-orientation, gender, and ethnicity including Appalachian culture." The Ambassadors have been in existence since 2009 and serve as the "official student voice" for the Division of Multicultural Affairs.
Each Ambassador, including Marshall University senior and Finance major Eren Niederhoffer (middle, facing Board members) discussed his or her personal experience with diversity, then concluded with a message important to them about the topic. Niederhoffer's message included the advice to "pause," and "learn from others," rather than be quick to judge, for it is through learning from others that true personal growth occurs.
There was a lot of wisdom exchanged in that 30 minute presentation.
The Multicultural Leadership Ambassadors are recruited by the university's Office of Multicultural Affairs, and trained to be peer educators. The students represent, according to the office, "diverse cultures, geography, sexual-orientation, gender, and ethnicity including Appalachian culture." The Ambassadors have been in existence since 2009 and serve as the "official student voice" for the Division of Multicultural Affairs.
January 13, 2012
Welcoming A New Addition To The Program
The College Program is pleased to announce the hiring of Bianca Hynes, who will be filling the newly developed role of Student Support Specialist in our Old Main office. This position will primarily focus on supporting sophomores and juniors enrolled in the program.
Bianca is well acquainted with the WV ATC and the College Program. She worked as a full-time "Extra Help" staff for several months, then provided direct support to the first-year college students when the program's Transition Specialist was away on maternity leave. During that time Bianca impressed everyone with her work ethic and dedication to students.
The Kentucky native earned an Associate degree in Education from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, a B.A. in University Studies (with an emphasis in Communications, Psychology, and Sociology) from Morehead State University, and is currently enrolled in Marshall University's graduate Mental Health Counseling program.
Welcome (again) Bianca! We're happy to have you here.
Bianca is well acquainted with the WV ATC and the College Program. She worked as a full-time "Extra Help" staff for several months, then provided direct support to the first-year college students when the program's Transition Specialist was away on maternity leave. During that time Bianca impressed everyone with her work ethic and dedication to students.
The Kentucky native earned an Associate degree in Education from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, a B.A. in University Studies (with an emphasis in Communications, Psychology, and Sociology) from Morehead State University, and is currently enrolled in Marshall University's graduate Mental Health Counseling program.
Welcome (again) Bianca! We're happy to have you here.
November 29, 2011
Developing Training For College Professors
It's always enjoyable to spend time with enthusiastic, energetic colleagues.
Professionals at Florida-based Nova University have formed a team dedicated to training college professors about autism spectrum disorders. The team, which includes Karly Cordova, Michele McGuire, Linda Howard, and Heidi Jameson, are developing supports and connections that will have long-term positive outcomes at the university and beyond.
I was proud to be part of their team for the day!
September 2, 2011
Introductions
As the 2011 Fall semester gets underway, the College Program for Students with Asperger's Syndrome is adding supports to those we serve. Transition Specialists Kerrie Harris and Jackie Clark will continue to provide integral supports to students entering and exiting college. We recognized, however, that the middle group -- those sophomores and first semester juniors -- were in need of professional oversight.
So, it's with great excitement that we introduce Hillary Brown.
Beginning September 1, 2011, Hillary will serve as the Student Specialist for the College Program, focusing on sophomores and juniors enrolled in our program. Hillary earned a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University, and an undergraduate degree in psychology.
Experience in the university's H.E.L.P. program, clinical work performed at community-based jobs, and an incredible work ethic made her the ideal candidate for this position.
We're pleased to invite Hillary into our program family. Here's to a terrific Fall semester!
So, it's with great excitement that we introduce Hillary Brown.
Beginning September 1, 2011, Hillary will serve as the Student Specialist for the College Program, focusing on sophomores and juniors enrolled in our program. Hillary earned a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University, and an undergraduate degree in psychology.
Experience in the university's H.E.L.P. program, clinical work performed at community-based jobs, and an incredible work ethic made her the ideal candidate for this position.
We're pleased to invite Hillary into our program family. Here's to a terrific Fall semester!
August 4, 2011
Register Now For Annual Conference
Registration for the annual Autism Society of West Virginia conference, to be held in mid-September in Bridgeport, West Virginia, can be completed by following this link.
Click on the colored link, and follow the instructions provided. See you in September!
Click on the colored link, and follow the instructions provided. See you in September!
July 22, 2011
Friend of CPSAS To Tour Brazil With University Guitar Ensemble
Jason Breslin, a graduate of Marshall University and a student who formerly received support from the College Program for Students with Asperger's Syndrome, will be part of an ensemble representing Marshall University in Brazil in August, 2011. The following press release provides details:
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Members of Marshall University’s Guitar Ensemble will represent Marshall in Brazil early next month. The ensemble, directed by Júlio Alves, associate professor of music, will perform in the Brazilian cities of Brasília and Goiânia.
The members of the group are both current and former students in Marshall’s Department of Music, including Tiago Negreiros, Alexandre Lopes, Danilo Moraes, Michael Pitaniello, Pedro Silva, and Jason Breslin. Alves and Brazilian guest guitarist Júlio Cruz will also join the group in the performances.
The first three recitals will occur in Brasília. The first will be at the Professional Education Center School of Music of Brasilia (CEP- EMB) Aug. 3, followed by a performance at the University of Brasília (UnB) Aug. 5, and a last performance at the Mosteiro de São Bento, a traditional monastery in the Brazilian capital. Then the group will perform in Goiânia, at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG). The recital there will mark the beginning of the academic semester of that institution. UFG and Marshall, Morehead State University, and Santa Catarina State University (UDESC, in Brazil) compose the Music Abroad Generating New Experiences for Talented Students (MAGNETS) student and faculty exchange project.
In addition to those performances, Lopes and Moraes will join Alves in his recital at the 5th Guitar Festival of BRAVIO (Guitar Society of Brasília) July 28. The members of the group will also participate in ensemble exchange experiences with the Guitar Chamber Orchestra of the School of Music of Brasília (Camerata de Violões do CEP-EMB) and students of the University of Brasília, and will attend workshops given by faculty of both schools on Aug. 2 and 5.
For Alves, who has been directing the MU Guitar Ensemble since 2006, these experiences abroad represent the synthesis of the learning process the students went through at Marshall.
“There are several reasons for which this tour, supported by the Music Department and the College of Fine Arts, is to be celebrated,” Alves said. “It will give the opportunity for our students to develop their music skills even further by performing and working with the Brazilian faculty and students, and to make new connections that can lead to other opportunities in their professional careers. The communities of the two Brazilian cities will also be enriched with the presence of the MU Guitar Ensemble. They will be able to hear our talented musicians perform music originally composed for guitar ensemble, as well as arranged for this instrumental formation, from several periods and styles.”
Negreiros has recently joined the guitar faculty at the CEP-EMB. Lopes earned his M.A. in guitar performance last spring. Moraes, a prize winner in the 2010 guitar competition at BRAVIO, finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts in guitar performance last spring and will begin his M.A. at Marshall this fall. Pitaniello, a junior at Marshall, is one of the students from Marshall who studied in Brazil (at UDESC) last spring as part of the project. Silva, a guitar student from UFG, was a member of the MU Guitar Ensemble during the fall semester of 2010. Breslin also graduated summa cum laude from Marshall last spring.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Members of Marshall University’s Guitar Ensemble will represent Marshall in Brazil early next month. The ensemble, directed by Júlio Alves, associate professor of music, will perform in the Brazilian cities of Brasília and Goiânia.
The members of the group are both current and former students in Marshall’s Department of Music, including Tiago Negreiros, Alexandre Lopes, Danilo Moraes, Michael Pitaniello, Pedro Silva, and Jason Breslin. Alves and Brazilian guest guitarist Júlio Cruz will also join the group in the performances.
The first three recitals will occur in Brasília. The first will be at the Professional Education Center School of Music of Brasilia (CEP- EMB) Aug. 3, followed by a performance at the University of Brasília (UnB) Aug. 5, and a last performance at the Mosteiro de São Bento, a traditional monastery in the Brazilian capital. Then the group will perform in Goiânia, at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG). The recital there will mark the beginning of the academic semester of that institution. UFG and Marshall, Morehead State University, and Santa Catarina State University (UDESC, in Brazil) compose the Music Abroad Generating New Experiences for Talented Students (MAGNETS) student and faculty exchange project.
In addition to those performances, Lopes and Moraes will join Alves in his recital at the 5th Guitar Festival of BRAVIO (Guitar Society of Brasília) July 28. The members of the group will also participate in ensemble exchange experiences with the Guitar Chamber Orchestra of the School of Music of Brasília (Camerata de Violões do CEP-EMB) and students of the University of Brasília, and will attend workshops given by faculty of both schools on Aug. 2 and 5.
For Alves, who has been directing the MU Guitar Ensemble since 2006, these experiences abroad represent the synthesis of the learning process the students went through at Marshall.
“There are several reasons for which this tour, supported by the Music Department and the College of Fine Arts, is to be celebrated,” Alves said. “It will give the opportunity for our students to develop their music skills even further by performing and working with the Brazilian faculty and students, and to make new connections that can lead to other opportunities in their professional careers. The communities of the two Brazilian cities will also be enriched with the presence of the MU Guitar Ensemble. They will be able to hear our talented musicians perform music originally composed for guitar ensemble, as well as arranged for this instrumental formation, from several periods and styles.”
Negreiros has recently joined the guitar faculty at the CEP-EMB. Lopes earned his M.A. in guitar performance last spring. Moraes, a prize winner in the 2010 guitar competition at BRAVIO, finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts in guitar performance last spring and will begin his M.A. at Marshall this fall. Pitaniello, a junior at Marshall, is one of the students from Marshall who studied in Brazil (at UDESC) last spring as part of the project. Silva, a guitar student from UFG, was a member of the MU Guitar Ensemble during the fall semester of 2010. Breslin also graduated summa cum laude from Marshall last spring.
May 14, 2011
Bridging Troubled Waters
When you find yourself doubting the power of community and the role it plays in effecting the day-to-day life quality of others, watch this clip.
Then get involved.
Then get involved.
May 9, 2011
Spotlight On: Student Achievement
What an achievement! Along with family and friends, we're proud of each for demonstrating the grit and determination it takes to reach that important milestone.
During his senior year, Ian was named Outstanding Philosophy Student of the Year by department faculty.
After two semesters interning at Legal Aid of West Virginia, Ian has chosen law as a career and is currently preparing applications for law schools.
Congratulations, Ian! And good luck in your upcoming life adventures.
March 22, 2011
Speaking engagements can be a grab-bag of sorts, where the speaker hopes the outcome is worth the effort invested.
Sometimes, honestly, it isn't.
I've given talks about the most effective ways to instruct and support students with ASD on lots of university campuses, and on occasion I encounter an audience that just doesn't get it. Folks listening to the presentation either don't believe me, or they think what I'm describing can't be done in a typical university setting. The possibilities are so far outside the culture of the college that what I'm talking about seems like science fiction.
That's not Shawnee State University!
Administrators at SSU, located in Portsmouth, Ohio, realized they have a growing number of students with ASD enrolled and living on campus. Rather than ignore the challenges, professionals there embraced the idea of learning more about how to effectively support the students.
Which is is how I ended up speaking to more than 20 professionals on campus this morning.
I was impressed with the culture I observed during my time at SSU; staff there were interested in the students living on the spectrum, and with learning the skills needed to support those students best. They seemed to appreciate diversity, and recognize that students with ASD can -- and do -- contribute to the community in which they live.
Too few colleges are this open and supportive, so I hope prospective students will contact Housing administrator Marcie Simms,740-351-3549, Counselor Linda Koenig,740-351-3213, or Disabled Student Service Coordinator Jim Weaver, 740-351-3276, to talk about possibilities.
Sometimes, honestly, it isn't.
I've given talks about the most effective ways to instruct and support students with ASD on lots of university campuses, and on occasion I encounter an audience that just doesn't get it. Folks listening to the presentation either don't believe me, or they think what I'm describing can't be done in a typical university setting. The possibilities are so far outside the culture of the college that what I'm talking about seems like science fiction.
That's not Shawnee State University!
Which is is how I ended up speaking to more than 20 professionals on campus this morning.
I was impressed with the culture I observed during my time at SSU; staff there were interested in the students living on the spectrum, and with learning the skills needed to support those students best. They seemed to appreciate diversity, and recognize that students with ASD can -- and do -- contribute to the community in which they live.
Too few colleges are this open and supportive, so I hope prospective students will contact Housing administrator Marcie Simms,740-351-3549, Counselor Linda Koenig,740-351-3213, or Disabled Student Service Coordinator Jim Weaver, 740-351-3276, to talk about possibilities.
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