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Faculty News
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Parent-child interaction therapy
Griffin Chair connects with students, community You don’t have to be a student in one of Bill Ballenger’s political science seminars to learn from his expertise in Michigan government and politics. Ballenger, CMU’s Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government, is an esteemed resource in the Michigan political community, sharing his research and commentary with media outlets throughout the state. He also is editor and publisher of the biweekly newsletter Inside Michigan Politics. While at CMU, Ballenger has used his connections to invite a number of prominent political and community figures — including several CMU graduates — to be guest speakers in his classes and to participate in the biannual Griffin Policy forums. “Our goal in establishing the Griffin Chair was to build interest in politics among students, faculty, and members of the community, and Bill certainly has helped CMU make great strides in accomplishing this ongoing mission,” said E. Gary Shapiro, dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. “The variety and depth of the topics discussed at the Griffin Policy forums, as well as the significant community presence at these forums, are indicators that Bill’s influence has reached far beyond CMU’s campus,” said Shapiro.
Griffin Endowed Chair Bill Ballenger (far right) poses for a photograph with forum panelists and CMU dignitaries after the Griffin Policy Forum in April. Front row, from left: Panelist Lana Pollack, donors Robert P. Griffin, ’47, and Marjorie Griffin, ’44, and Ballenger. Back row, from left: Panelists Mike Johnston, Dave Poulson, Wil Cwikiel, and Bill Rustem and CHSBS Dean E. Gary Shapiro. Ballenger, who became the second occupant of the Griffin Endowed Chair in the fall of 2003, says he is concerned that many citizens lack knowledge about state government. “The news media pays more attention to federal and local government than to state government, yet ironically it was the states that created the U.S. government as well as every sort of local government imaginable throughout the country,” said Ballenger. “In colleges and universities, there is an emphasis on what I would describe as ‘textbook’ or ‘ivory tower’ descriptions of state government and how it works, and not enough real world, hands-on experiences. One of the goals of the Griffin program is to connect CMU students to the hurly-burly of modern-day state politics as it’s practiced on the ground and in the trenches in the state Capitol and throughout Michigan,” he said. Ballenger also hopes to inspire more students to serve in state government. “I help my Griffin seminarians connect with mentors and find internships or part-time jobs in and around Lansing, whether they’re interested in running for office, working on campaigns, getting a civil service job, working on legislative or executive branch staff, lobbying, or even writing about state government as a journalist,” said Ballenger. “Our future as a nation depends on the quality of the people we can recruit into public service or into working with the institutions of government at the state level,” he said. Ballenger, who holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard, is a former state representative and senator and served as deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Gerald R. Ford.
NIH funds Parkinson's research at CMU
Psychology professor Justin Oh-Lee reviews slides with his students in CMU’s neuroscience laboratory. Oh-Lee recently was awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop treatments that will help enhance the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. More than 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease, and an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. It is a disease that crosses cultural and national boundaries and causes patients to suffer from debilitating symptoms such as tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity, and impaired balance. With support from a grant from the National Institutes of Health, scientists and students in CMU’s neuroscience laboratories hope to develop treatments that will help individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease enhance the quality of their lives. That’s the goal for researcher Justin Oh-Lee, a CMU psychology professor who has been awarded a three-year grant totaling $191,474 from NIH. Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that results from the death or damage of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Dopamine is a vital chemical that enables smooth movement of the body’s muscles. Although scientists have not found a treatment that slows or stops the progression of Parkinson’s, they have developed several treatments of its symptoms including levodopa, a commonly prescribed drug that is modified by brain enzymes to create dopamine. Oh-Lee’s research will focus on reducing the harmful side effects produced by levodopa and making the drug delivery more effective. “With prolonged use and disease progression, levodopa becomes less effective, limited by the development of several disabling motor response complications, including involuntary movement and motor response fluctuations in almost every patient after five to 10 years,” said Oh-Lee. Oh-Lee’s goal is to stave off those side effects for as long as possible in order for Parkinson’s sufferers to lead healthy lives. “We’re trying to prolong the efficacy of levodopa therapy as long as we can to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease,” he said. Oh-Lee competed with several nationally prominent scientists for the grant. He received a high score from the NIH due to the proposal’s scientific merit and potential for clinical application. “In addition to research and service opportunities, I am excited about this NIH support as I will be able to get more CMU students involved in research,” he said.
Clinic offers parent-child interaction therapy CMU psychology professor Larissa Niec is offering parents of children with disruptive behavior disorders an innovative opportunity to improve their discipline techniques and enhance the quality of their relationship with their children. The National Institute of Mental Health recently gave Niec a three-year grant worth $175,000 per year to study group treatment for children ages 3 to 6 who exhibit behavior problems that are beyond what is considered normal for their age. These children are often described as defiant, uncontrollable, overactive, attention seeking, and extremely impulsive. “Overall, our goal is to enhance the quality of life for parents and children,” said Niec. “Children with disruptive behavior disorders who do not receive effective treatment are at risk for multiple problems as they grow older, including difficulties with school adjustment, interactions with peers, and delinquency.” In the study, therapists will observe parents and children through a two-way mirror and will coach the parents through a microphone connected to an earpiece worn by the parents. This enables the parents to immediately put into practice what they’ve learned from the therapists, said Niec.
Psychology professor Larissa Niec and Jenelle Shanley, third-year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program, set up toys for children who participate in CMU’s Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Clinic. Groups of two to five families whose children share similar behavior problems will work under the leadership of two therapists. The parents will take turns at interacting with their children while several parents observe in another room with the therapists. The program lasts approximately 14 weeks. “Not only will parents learn from the therapists, but they also will learn and obtain support from other families who understand what it’s like to live with a child with difficult behaviors,” said Niec. Niec will complete her research at the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Clinic, which she opened on CMU’s campus in 2000. The clinic serves referred clients from Mount Pleasant and surrounding communities. “We provide state-of-the-science intervention for families,” said Niec. “No other clinics that offer parent-child interaction therapy for families are available in mid-Michigan.” The clinic commonly uses group therapy programs due to the overwhelming demand for services for young children. “With the ongoing reductions in health care resources, it is critical for us to be able to reach families in a way that is effective and cost-effective,” said Niec. The Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Clinic is housed within the Psychological Training and Consultation Center in CMU’s Health Professions Building. Clients who meet criteria for the new program will receive services free of charge. For more information, call (989) 774-3808.
CHSBS faculty recognized as 'excellent teachers' Two CHSBS faculty members received the university’s top teaching award. Luz Marcela Hurtado of the foreign languages, literatures and cultures department and Katherine Rosier of the sociology, anthropology and social work department each received CMU’s Excellence in Teaching award. Hurtado and Rosier, along with three other teaching excellence award recipients, were honored during CMU’s May commencement ceremonies. Hurtado was recognized for her preparation, high expectations, and respect for students and their questions and opinions.
“I see Dr. Hurtado as a teacher with excellent skills who motivates her students to do their best and is dedicated to bringing them to a high level of proficiency in Spanish.” “Since her arrival at CMU in 2001, she has served our students with compassion and respect in numerous ways that have always encouraged their educational and social development.” “It is apparent that her students always come first to her and that she is passionate about the material she teaches.” Rosier was recognized for her care, passion for teaching, and high expectations of her students. Some of the individuals who nominated Rosier made these comments:
“She is a force — a person who throws her whole being into her teaching.” “She holds high expectations and challenges her students to be their best, while supporting them along the way.” “She knows her students; she cares about them. She is one of those instructors who has an impact on students’ lives, and she reciprocates the compliment by viewing teaching as an interactive process allowing students to have a meaningful impact on a teacher’s life.”
Steffel receives new CHSBS teaching award English professor Susan Steffel had an unexpected interruption while teaching during the final week of classes in April. CHSBS Dean Gary Shapiro and Associate Dean Pamela Gates came to her classroom to present her with the first annual CHSBS Excellence in Teaching Award. Steffel’s students broke into applause, and she tearfully expressed her gratitude for the recognition.
During the award presentation, Dean Shapiro shared several comments made by Steffel’s peers and former students during the nomination process. One peer noted: “She is my personal benchmark for teaching professionalism here at CMU.” Another peer stated: “She is one of the most professional, effective, and influential teacher educators in the state.” “Never in my academic and professional career have I encountered a more life-changing, challenging, and caring role model,” said one former student. Another alum noted: “I feel as if I am not capable of adequately capturing the magnificence of this woman. She is the example by which I measure myself as a teacher.”
CMU holds inaugural Book Recognition event CMU hosted its inaugural Book Recognition Event on April 11 to honor faculty, staff, and emeriti faculty who have authored, co-authored, edited, translated, or illustrated a book published from 2000 to 2004. The reception was held during National Library Week. Organizers plan to make it an annual event. The College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences was well represented with more than 50 entries from faculty and emeriti faculty. A copy of the book recognition publication is available on the College’s Web site at www.chsbs.cmich.edu/chsbs/FacandStaff.htm.
Pamela Gates (left), CHSBS associate dean, Mary Obuchowski (center), English professor, and Susan Steffel (right), English associate professor, attend CMU’s inaugural Book Recognition Event in April.
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The main office of CHSBS is located at:106 Anspach Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Phone: (989) 774-3341 FAX: (989) 774-7106 E-mail: chsbs@cmich.edu |
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Some
of the individuals who nominated Hurtado made these comments:.jpg)
“Passion
is the only word I can use. She loved the subjects that she was
teaching; she absolutely loved the light-bulb moment in a
student’s eyes.”.jpg)
The
award is designed to recognize a CMU faculty member who goes
above and beyond what is expected in creating exceptional
learning opportunities for students. The recipient is selected
by a committee of CHSBS representatives..jpg)