Harold Washington College, One of the City Colleges of Chicago, and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Welcome Fulbright Scholar Dr. Vincent Sezibera

CHICAGO, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Through a joint proposal, Harold Washington College (HWC), one of the City Colleges of Chicago, and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology have brought a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence to Chicago to join an interdisciplinary team from the two institutions.

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Vincent Sezibera, Ph.D., is the senior lecturer in the department of clinical psychology at the National University of Rwanda, and an outpatient consultant and therapist at the NUR University Center for Mental Health. His scholarly work centers on post-traumatic stress disorder and child and adolescent traumatic grief. Dr. Sezibera holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, focused on trauma and bereavement among young survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in which approximately one million of the country's 10 million people were killed in ethnic conflicts.

"It is indeed an honor to share this Fulbright grant with City Colleges," said Dr. Michele-Nealon-Woods, president of The Chicago School.  "Dr. Sezibera brings a global view and unique experience that will broaden the perspective and learning experience at both institutions."

Dr. Sezibera is co-teaching two undergraduate courses at HWC during spring semester.  Additionally, as a member of a joint interdisciplinary team, he will share his expertise with psychologists, sociologists and social workers at HWC as the group develops a plan for internationalizing undergraduate curriculum in the Departments of Applied Science and Social Science.

"The Fulbright award gives our students unique exposure to Dr. Sezibera's experience working with youths in traumatic circumstances," said Cheryl L. Hyman, Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago.  "His expertise will help us as we work to ensure our healthcare and social science offerings prepare our students for the challenges of today's world and enable them to better serve their communities."  

Dr. Sezibera's history of working with genocide survivors, knowledge of their needs and familiarity with Rwandan culture will also provide valuable insight for several of the international and multicultural initiatives at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.  His input will be particularly beneficial in connection with the school's Global Hope Training Initiative, a train-the-trainer program currently in place in Rwanda and Zambia that works with elementary and secondary school teachers to address students' post-genocide trauma.  During spring break, Dr. Sezibera will travel to The Chicago School's Washington, D.C. Campus, where he will consult with its Center for African Psychology.  He will also visit with the Rwandan Embassy and the Rwanda Relief Organization operating in the District of Columbia.

The Center for International Studies at The Chicago School will coordinate the academic and community schedule for Dr. Sezibera.  He will spend time at Garfield Park Preparatory Academy, a contract school operated by The Chicago School in partnership with the Chicago Public School system.  Chicago Youth Centers, Erie Neighborhood House and the Marjorie Kovler Center of Heartland Alliance have also extended invitations for him to visit.  

Dr. Sezibera will work with Dr. Nancy Dubrow, director of the Center for International Studies and associate professor at TCSPP, and Dr. Sammie Dortch, chair of the applied science department at HWC, and their colleagues to develop on and off campus colloquia and to produce a scholarly publication on "The Effect of Violence on Children and Youth from Chicago to Rwanda."

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is the nation's leading nonprofit graduate school dedicated exclusively to the applications of psychology and related behavioral sciences. The school is an active member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, which has recognized TCSPP for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and advocacy. The school's community service initiatives have resulted in three consecutive years of recognition on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, including the additional "With Distinction" honor in 2010.  In 2009, the school was named to The Chronicle of Higher Education's annual list of "Great Colleges to Work For." Campuses are located in Chicago; in Los Angeles, Westwood, and Irvine, California; and the newest campus in Washington, D.C. Doctoral psychology programs and masters psychology programs are offered on-ground and in an online-blended format.

For more information about The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gradpsychology. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thechicagoschool.

About City Colleges of Chicago

The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), District 508, is the largest community college system in Illinois and one of the largest in the nation, with 5,800 faculty and staff serving 120,000 students at seven campuses and thirteen satellite sites city-wide.  The City Colleges of Chicago is in the midst of a Reinvention, launched by Chancellor Cheryl Hyman shortly after her appointment by Mayor Richard M. Daley in March 2010.  Reinvention is a collaborative effort to review and revise CCC programs and practices to ensure students leave CCC college-ready, career-ready and prepared to pursue their life's goals.

CCC includes seven colleges: Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S Truman College, Harold Washington College and Wilbur Wright College.  The system also oversees: the Washburne Trade School, the French Pastry School, two restaurants, five Child Development Centers, the Center for Distance Learning, the Workforce Institute, the public broadcast station WYCC-TV Channel 20 and radio station WKKC-FM 89.3FM.  For more information about City Colleges of Chicago, call: (773) COLLEGE or visit www.reinventingccc.org.

SOURCE City Colleges of Chicago