ATHENS, Ohio -- Tom Balistrieri, Ed.D., known for his Passage Student Development Model -- a model that focuses on assisting young people in becoming wiser adults -- will make a series of presentations to several groups on the Athens campus on May 12 and 13.
Balistieri's interactive group presentations are based on the premise that most of our culture's problems and manifestations of those problems in the form of violence to self and others (including drinking, drugs and eating disorders) are based on disconnect.
People are disconnected from themselves, their families, their communities and anything that is greater than themselves. Through music, slides and interaction with his audiences, Balistrieri presents the outcomes of that disconnection and discusses what we can do to facilitate change.
On Monday, May 12, at 8 p.m. in the Baker Center Ballroom, the public is invited to attend "The Culture of Toys," a hard-hitting 60-minute presentation on what our culture is doing to us and what in turn we have learned and continue to perpetrate.
Balistrieri says, "This can be a difficult presentation to hear." He adds that he has been taught by his elders that the purpose of a teacher is "to move the souls of the student not to have them like you not to have them agree with you but to move their souls." The presentation is created to move your soul, to have you examine your life and to determine what brings meaning to your life, according to Balistrieri.
Balistrieri has served as a student development professional for more than 20 years. He has worked at universities around the country and studied with indigenous elders from varying cultures. He is the director of student development and counseling at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, also teaching classes such as cross cultural psychology and indigenous cultures and modern technology.
Two sessions that focus on Balistrieri's Passages Student Development Model will be offered for faculty, staff and graduate students; one session on Monday, May 12, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in Grover Center E304 and another on Tuesday, May 13, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in Ellis Hall 214.
This model is based on the premise that students are becoming adults and require acknowledgement, mentoring and guidance from involved, caring staff, community members, faculty and alumni. It involves breaking down barriers between and among departments so that student development professionals can work more effectively in connecting with students.
Student leaders are invited to a presentation titled "Monarchs, Warriors, Magicians and Lovers," on May 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. in Baker Center 327. Balistrieri calls this presentation fun and fast-paced to help more students get involved in their university community.
"Two-Spirited People" targets issues faced by minority populations on campus, especially members of the LGBT community. This presentation will be offered on May 13 at 8 p.m. at United Campus Ministry (UCM), located at 18 N. College St. It is open to the public.
Balistrieri's appearances are sponsored by the Celebrate Every Body Planning Committee, whose members are from the Departments of Health Education and Wellness, Counseling and Psychological Services, Counselor Education, Campus Recreation, WellWorks and the College of Health and Human Services. His visit is made possible through a Pepsi Grant from the Division of Student Affairs and with a contribution from Campus Recreation.
