Newswise — In the wake of the April 16 fatal shootings at Virginia Tech, several Central Michigan University faculty members are available to speak about the events from various perspectives.
SOURCE: Joseph Rivard, professorDepartment of teacher education and professional developmentCentral Michigan University
Rivard is an authority on the prevention of school violence, addressing the aftermath of critical incidents, and understanding adolescents in crisis. His study of high school students led to the development of a collaborative training program by CMU and the Michigan State Police for law enforcement personnel to help them establish trust relationships among police, youth and the community.
SOURCE: Betty Kirby, assistant professorDepartment of educational leadershipCentral Michigan University
Kirby, an expert on school violence, is a former high school principal with significant experience working with issues related to teen victimization. She has worked closely with the Michigan Victim Alliance and the National Center for Victims of Crime to implement educational projects designed to educate teens and raise awareness of the frequency of victimization.
SOURCE: Stephen Thompson, coordinatorSexual Aggression ServicesCentral Michigan University
Among the media reports circulating is word that one of the Virginia Tech shooting victims may have been the girlfriend or ex-girlfriend of the shooter.
Thompson can speak about the conditions that can lead to an outbreak of violence in a relationship. He is a national authority on issues dealing with sexual aggression, rape, harassment, avoidance and prevention strategies, behavioral analysis, and profiles of offenders.
He is the author of the book "No More Fear" and a comprehensive study of the criminal profile of date/acquaintance rape offenders, and he also founded Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates, a nationally recognized CMU program designed to boost sexual assault awareness on campus.
Thompson is scheduled to visit Virginia Tech in July to educate local police regarding methods for dealing with sexual aggression and stalking. The visit was planned prior to the shootings.
SOURCE: Kevin Love, professorDepartment of managementCentral Michigan University
Love is available to provide commentary on the shootings based on his experience in professional emergency management and having worked with SWAT teams in designing and evaluating emergency scenarios.
A personnel selection and evaluation expert, Love worked with the Michigan State Police to measure organizational culture and attitudes during a major restructuring. Other law enforcement projects include using interactive behavioral simulations to select and train undercover officers. Love also developed an assessment center for the selection and certification of professional emergency managers, a key player in the battle against terrorism. He continues to publish research and provide managerial consulting services regarding the use of assessment center-based police promotional systems.
SOURCE: Bill Ballenger, Griffin endowed chairman in American governmentDepartment of political scienceCentral Michigan University
Ballenger is available to speak about gun control issues. A lifelong political "junkie," he knows Michigan politics inside and out. Ballenger's weekly newsletter, Inside Michigan Politics, is a must-read for anyone involved in state government. He also is knowledgeable about voting behavior, trends, elections, campaigns and issues.
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