Slippery Rock professor will be keynote speaker at conference


April 5, 2012 at 5:10a.m.

Photo

McCollin

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

Dr. Michelle McCollin, associate professor in the Special Education Department at Slippery Rock University, will be the keynote speaker at the 2012 Lawrence County Women’s Conference on April 14. The conference runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Castle High School. The $10 admission cost includes lunch plus participation in all scheduled learning and pampering sessions. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. and walk-ins are welcome at a cost of $12.

Dr. McCollin, a resident of New Castle, will focus on challenging women to broaden their horizons. As an educator, raised and trained in New York City, she affected the lives of children and families through her tenure as an elementary schoolteacher, district staff developer/literary specialist, junior high school principal and director of professional development and funded programs for District 23 in Brooklyn, where she gained more than 15 years of experience.

McCollin received a dual bachelor’s degree in African American studies and international relations from Syracuse University, a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Long Island University, a second master’s degree in school/district supervision and administration from Brooklyn College and a doctorate in special education with an emphasis on mild moderate disabilities from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La.

In addition to her tenure at SRU, McCollin volunteers as a mentor to the Diamond Girls Program supported by the New Castle YMCA and works as a regional diversity consultant for the NCBI-National Coalition Building Institute. She also advocates for individuals with disabilities through her involvement with the Gaskins Panel, Butler MH/MR Board of Directors, ARC of Pennsylvania and Butler County.

After her presentation, participants may attend one of the many sessions scheduled on money, health and lifestyle. There also will be health screenings, a pampering room and a marketplace of local vendors.