Univ. at Shady Grove Contemporary Social Issues Seminar Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2012 

Contacts:

 Erin Chrapaty, 301-738-6391

 chrapaty@umd.edu

 Steve Simon, 301-836-1516                                                                                                              ssimon@veandco.com

The Universities at Shady Grove and Rockville Institute Present Contemporary Social Issues Seminar Series

Free Seminars to be Presented at USG on March 28, April 11, April 25

Rockville, Md.—The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) and The Rockville Institute for the Advancement of Social Science are partnering once again this spring to offer an interactive seminar series to stimulate an exchange of ideas among practitioners, researchers, policymakers, students, and the general public about contemporary social issues. Beginning Wednesday, March 28 with the first discussion about “Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Workforce,” the three-part 2012 Contemporary Social Issues (CSI) Seminar Series will unite social scientists, researchers and other well-known experts to discuss  important social issues of our time.

“We are proud to partner with Rockville Institute to offer this opportunity for discussion about issues that impact our community,” said Dr. Stewart Edelstein, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University System of Maryland and Executive Director at USG. “It benefits everyone when community members, leaders and students are able to have an open dialogue on timely, real-life issues”.

All seminars in the series are free and open to the public.  No registration is required.  Each will be held at the Universities at Shady Grove, in the Camille Kendall Academic Center (Building III, Room 3241), 9636 Gudelsky Dr., Rockville, Md., 20850. For more information about the fifth annual CSI Series at USG, visithttp://shadygrove.umd.edu/csi.

The three seminars in the CSI series will include:

• Wednesday, March 28 at 4:30 p.m.: “Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Workforce” Tamara Daley, PhD, Senior Study Director, Westat; Lennie Gladstone, Admissions Associate, Ivymount School; and Karen Lee, Executive Director, SEEC, Montgomery County will be talking about the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the challenges faced by those living with it, and effective ways to integrate adults with ASD into the workforce.  Presentations will include perspectives at the individual, family, and agency levels.
• Wednesday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m.: “Tracking Adolescent Risk Behaviors: Promoting Healthier Teens in Maryland” Joseph Hawkins, Senior Study Director, Westat; James Ross, Senior Study Director, Westat; and Robert Fiedler, Center for Health Promotion, Maryland Dept. Health & Mental Hygiene will be talking about the many  risks that youth face because of certain behaviors (unprotected sex, alcohol and substance abuse). Presenters will discuss initiatives and programs to reduce unhealthy youth behaviors related to smoking.
• Wednesday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m.: “Military Deployments: Have They Led to Higher Alcohol Use Rates in the U.S. Air Force?”  Chris Spera, PhD, Associate Director, Westat; Sharie Cantellon, Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention; and a representative of the Air Force will discuss how military deployments have increased and lengthened, and the effects on service personnel, particularly, the use of alcohol.  The presenters will discuss findings from an anonymous web-based survey administered to active duty U.S. Air Force members.

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About The Universities at Shady Grove

The Universities at Shady Grove is an innovative model for delivering top-quality college degree programs. USG is not one university; instead it is a collaboration of nine leading public universities in Maryland offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Montgomery County. Established in 2000, USG serves more than 4,000 full- and part-time students.  Participating USG partners include:  Bowie State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and University of Maryland University College. More information on all of the undergraduate and graduate programs is available atwww.shadygrove.umd.edu.

About the Rockville Institute

The Rockville Institute for the Advancement of Social Science is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to advancing the social sciences by performing research and disseminating research finding sot the public. Research areas that the Institute associates are active in include health care, education, employment and training, criminal justice, Native American issues, racial/ethnic minorities, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and children and families.