Georgia Southern University invites attendance to the 14th Annual Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference

January 26, 2015

SAVANNAH, Ga. –January 21, 2015- Georgia Southern University announces its 14th Annual Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action and Change to be held on February 20 – 21, 2015, at the Coastal Georgia Center in downtown Savannah, GA.

The conference is aimed towards educators of all levels, professional and school counselors, psychologists, social justice advocates, women and gender studies, volunteer service providers, social workers, and anyone interested in diversity and cultural issues. Conference attendees will gain knowledge of how identity can influence interpersonal relations in corporate and educational settings.

Those interested can register for the conference online through the Division of Continuing Education’s website. The registration fee for the conference includes two days of instruction, conference materials, 2 continental breakfasts, 1 lunch, refreshment breaks, and continuing education credits.

The two-day conference seeks to provide a forum for meaningful discussions centered on topics including race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual identity development. The conference will feature three keynote speakers who will dig deep into this year’s theme, “Rediscovering Personal Responsibility.” The speakers aim to address topics including identity development, white/male/heterosexual privilege, cultural diversity, anti-oppression/anti-racism, and cultural and ethical competence in counseling and education.

“As mental health providers and educators, we are our own best tools in our work with diverse populations. To stay culturally sharp means that we must continually assess ourselves. This year’s theme highlights the importance of renewing ourselves in order to help us better serve those with whom we work,” said conference chair, Dr. Beth Durodoye.

Dr. Michelle Fine is a Distinguished Professor of Social Psychology, Women’s Studies, and Urban Education at the Graduate Center, CUNY; Fine’s primary research focuses on the study of social injustice.

Dr. Joel Filmore is a nationally known professional counselor, educator, researcher, author, trainer, and public speaker. He is an Assistant Professor in the counseling program at Winona State University, where he teaches graduate-level counseling courses to prepare others for a career in counseling.

Dr. Daryl E. Chubin is the author of eight books, an independent consultant, the founding director of the AAAS center for Advancing Science and Engineering Capacity, and a former Senior Vice President at the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. He served as Assistant Director for Social and Behavioral Sciences and Education in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Past conference sessions have covered topics such as the impact of same sex parenting on child social identity, the roles of school counselors in gender-based violence, working with families with special needs, issues of privilege and identity, and counseling single mothers of multiple heritage children.

The Coastal Georgia Center is located at 305 Fahm Street, just off Oglethorpe Avenue in downtown Savannah. For additional information about this conference from the Georgia Southern Division of Continuing Education, contact Mary Jernigan at 912-478-2584 or crossc@georgiasouthern.edu.