The College of Education and Human Sciences and the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools will host a fall series of research presentations and leadership talks beginning Sept. 8, covering social, behavioral and educational challenges important to Nebraska and beyond.
Each presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
The free, public events will explore social, behavioral and educational challenges important to Nebraska and beyond. All times are Central Daylight Time.
Series schedule:
- Sept. 8-9 — Alex Mason, professor, CYFS and UNL’s Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies.
- Sept. 22 — Lisa Knoche, director of the Nebraska Academy of Early Childhood Research (NAECR) and CYFS research professor.
- Oct. 1 — Andy Garbacz, professor and co-area chair of the school psychology program within the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Alex Mason | Sept. 8-9
Leadership presentation: Sept. 8, 10:15-11:15 a.m., Nebraska Union Chimney Rock Room.
Research presentation: Sept. 9, 1-2 p.m., Nebraska Union Chimney Rock Room
Mason earned his Ph.D. in interdisciplinary social psychology from the University of Nevada–Reno and completed postdoctoral training in developmental psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
He has served in research scientist and faculty positions, including leadership roles, at the University of Washington, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and at Omaha’s Boys Town.
Mason’s funded research contributes to an understanding of youth positive and problem development, while translating the knowledge gained into the design, evaluation and scale-up of effective preventive interventions. The goal of his work is to help all youth thrive, experiencing lasting health and well-being.
Lisa Knoche | Sept. 22
Research presentation: Sept. 22, 9-10 a.m., Nebraska Union Chimney Rock Room.
Leadership presentation: Sept. 22, 2-3 p.m., Nebraska Union Chimney Rock Room.
Knoche is an applied developmental psychologist with expertise in the design, development and evaluation of early childhood intervention and prevention programs to promote healthy development in young children and support family engagement in early learning.
She is particularly interested in identifying effective professional development strategies for early childhood professionals. She is committed to research excellence and community impact.
Throughout her career, Knoche has led multidisciplinary teams and collaborative research initiatives that connect researchers, practitioners, community partners and policymakers to address complex challenges facing children and families.
Andy Garbacz | Oct. 1
Research presentation: Oct. 1, 2-3 p.m., Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, Ubuntu Room.
Leadership presentation: Oct. 1, 9-10 a.m., Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, Ubuntu Room
Garbacz’s work focuses on improving access to relevant and effective mental health services in schools and community settings. Within a public health framework that emphasizes prevention and early intervention, he develops, refines and tests family-school-community programs and practices to strengthen both implementation and clinical outcomes.
Garbacz is a licensed psychologist and licensed school psychologist with experience in community mental health, schools and medical settings.