October 29, 2007

Dental hygiene educators to gather at SIUC

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Dental hygiene educators will meet with colleagues from all over Illinois and garner information on a variety of timely topics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Nov. 2-3.

The University's Illinois Dental Hygiene Educator's Meeting will bring about 50 professionals to Carbondale for an informative and entertaining program at the Dunn-Richmond Center, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale. The SIUC Dental Hygiene Program is hosting the event.

Beth Winfrey Freeburg, associate professor in the Department of Workforce Education at SIUC, will speak on "Triangles: The Importance of Education for Women." Freeburg previously was site coordinator for workforce education and development off-campus degree programs at Scott Air Force Base and the Great Lakes Naval Station and also has many years experience in human resource development acquired in business and industry. She's researched human performance improvement, behavior standards and the role of appearance in correlation to work and school competency. She recently co-authored a textbook focusing on contextual research skills for undergraduates.

John S. Washburn, a nationally renowned speaker and consultant, will share his knowledge acquired in nearly 30 years involvement with employment and training. Washburn's training programs are used throughout the United States, Jamaica, Nepal and various other countries. He will speak on the comprehensive management training and development program "Modelnetics."

He was formerly a workforce education and development professor at SIUC and previously was research manager for the Illinois State Board of Education's Department of Adult, Vocational and Technical Education. He is now principal owner of a consulting firm whose clientele is international in scope. An SIUC alumnus with bachelor and master's degrees in technical and industrial education, he holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois. He has earned numerous awards on all levels for his contributions in the areas of employment and training, including the University Council for Vocational Education Visiting Scholar Award in 1996.

Cynthia Sims, assistant professor of diversity and adult learning in workforce education and development at SIUC, will present "Self-Exploration: Know Yourself as a Privilege Holder." She's taught at DePaul University, Northern Illinois University and Moraine Valley Community College. She also served as faculty development coordinator for Illinois Campus Compact, associate dean of Academic Support Programs at Triton College and coordinator for the Center for Service Learning at the College of DuPage.

Sims earned her doctorate in adult and continuing education at Northern Illinois University, her master's of science in social work from the University of Chicago and master of arts in public service management from DePaul University. She also holds a bachelor's of science in business administration from the University of Louisville.

The meeting also includes opportunities to explore and dine at some of the scenic sites of Southern Illinois.

"The Illinois Dental Hygiene Educator's Meeting gives us the opportunity to network and share ideas," said Joan Davis, assistant professor in the dental hygiene program in SIUC's School of Allied Health. "The speakers also enhance our teaching and education skills."