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On Common Ground Tel: (908) 879-8516 | |
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Admin. Office: 20 Linabary Lane Chester, NJ 07930 |
Program Office: 43 Maple Avenue-Suite 9 Morristown, NJ 07960 |
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| Trainer's Bios: Chris MillerChris is Co-director of On Common Ground (prevously YES, Inc.). Since 1987 he has been involved with individual, group and organizational development work with a range of audiences in a variety of settings. This mélange of experience has included:
Chris' undergraduate educational background is in Business Administration. He has completed advanced training in the areas of human and race relations, adventure-based counseling, group facilitation, communication, addictions counseling and neuro- linguistics. He combines his business acumen with "street smarts" and a passion for human relations, especially diversity issues, and personal development. Chris is a founder, former Co-director and Advisory Board Member of ANYTOWN-NJ (NJ based youth leadership and bias prevention program for high school students). He has co-authored several articles on topics including creating effective leadership programs and preventing violence in schools. Chris authored the "KNOW" curriculum that accompanies Michael Fowlin's "You Don't Know Me 'til You Know Me" performance and is currently working on other curriculum projects including "Community Building in Diverse Environments" and "The Teambuilding Toolbox" (soon to be available through oncommonground.biz). Chris has also appeared several times on television and in videos to discuss important youth issues including violence, substance abuse and compulsive gambling. Judith Springer, Psy.D.The guiding principles of Judith’s life and work experience have been her desire to help people develop emotional intelligence skills and to aid them in creating effective groups with a genuine sense of community. These goals have been reflected across a variety of settings:
By far the most satisfying aspect of her work experience has been the training programs Judith has helped to develop and implement for and with youth and adults. This passion for training culminated in the co-founding with Chris Miller of YES, Inc. in 1995. Training venues have varied from elementary schools to corporate environments. In all settings, however, their focus has been on helping people develop emotional competencies and build safe, supportive communities together. Rita Johson-Ray, Psy.D.Rita is a Senior Trainer with YES, providing expertise in human relations and diversity training with students and staff. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University and a Doctorate in Psychology from Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP). She holds a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing in the state of New Jersey as an elementary school teacher and a Standard Certificate as a School Psychologist and has had extensive experience working as a school psychologist. Presently, Rita is teaching undergraduate psychology courses full time at Cheyney University, in Pennsylvania and serves as part time lecturer at Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey. Rita has also expressed her commitment to diversity work as an Advisory Board member, as well as serving as an Advisor and Co-director for "Anytown-NJ". Anytown is a program sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) that provides diversity and leadership training for high school students throughout the state of New Jersey. Pete SpringerPete is a Senior Consultant at On Common Ground. During his senior year of high school at the Pingry School, Pete became involved with the school's Peer Leadership program and facilitated a year-long discussion group for incoming freshmen. Since 1995, Peter has continued his involvement in human relations and organizational effectiveness training and has gained extensive experience in designing and implementing programs. Since 1996, he has served as a counselor and advisor for the Anytown, NJ program, which was created to fight bias and racism in NJ. As an Anytown staff member, Pete has lead workshops, facilitated discussion groups, mentored new staff, and served as music director. Pete's training experience includes programs focused on peer leadership, peer mediation, peer mentoring, conflict resolution, sexual harassment awareness, transitions, gender issues, racism and bias prevention, diversity awareness, and community service. Pete graduated from Bowdoin College in 1999 with a degree in economics and psychology. Following graduation, he worked for two years as an economic strategy consultant, helping large corporations with complex strategic issues. Pete is an avid traveler and has enjoyed traveling to 19 countries, including Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Turkey. Peter is currently completing a Masters Program in Organizational Psychology at Rutgers University. Christopher IrvingChristopher Irving is the Director of Higher Education Programming for On Common Ground. In 1996 Chris attended the Anytown, NJ program which introduced him to the human relations field. In 2000 Chris became a counselor at Anytown, NJ in which he lead workshops, facilitated discussion groups, mentored new staff, and worked with young people throughout the state. In 2003 Chris interned with On Common Ground and brought his experience in the higher education field with him. Chris' training experience includes programs focused on student leadership, resident advisor mediation, student government teambuilding and goal setting, conflict resolution, sexual harassment awareness, college transitions, gender issues, racism and bias prevention, and diversity awareness. Chris currently serves as Assistant Director of the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement at Bloomfield College. In 2004 he was asked to spear head all the initiatives of On Common Ground into higher education and is looking forward to expanding the mission of On Common Ground to colleges and universities all over the country. Current YES Interns Include:
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