The following professionals will be speaking at the “Students at Risk” conference taking place June 24, 2008 at Purdue University Calumet.

Nicolette Paplaczyk, Ed.D.

Nicolette Paplaczyk is currently the Student Services Chair for the Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, IL. 

Dr. Paplaczyk received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Loyola University Chicago.  She holds a Master of Arts Education Administration degree from Dominican University- Type 75 General Administration Certification-Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist 1 unlimited certification; Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Rosary College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology-Illinois Elementary Education K-9, Type 3 Certification from Rosary College in River Forest, IL. 

As Student Services Chair Dr. Paplaczyk coordinates social work and psychologist services, coordinates community support services, serves as special education vocational coordinator, and chairs multi-disciplinary staffing, annual review and manifestation staffing.  She has an extensive knowledge of disability law/labor law; provides supervision of community support personnel, drug counselors, family therapists, crisis interventionists and prevention counselors.  Dr. Paplaczyk places all students recommended for alternative day programs in one of approximately 25 private schools; and works with deans and counselors to monitor individual progress to assure that students are able to meet both state and local requirements for graduation.

 Jennifer Harte, M.A., L.M.F.T.

Jennifer Harte M.S., Ed. S., is a practicing school psychologist for the Chicago Public School system.  She is responsible for the provision of psychological services at five schools which includes conducting evaluations, providing direct psychological services to students, consulting with teachers within the classroom regarding academic and behavioral issues, and participating on problem solving teams to address the needs of at-risk students.  Jennifer has 15 years of clinical experience as a marriage and family therapist in various environments such as group homes, community agencies, and private practice.  She has extensive training and experience in crisis counseling for issues involving trauma, suicide, and loss. 

Karen R. Orr, J.D. 

Karen Orr graduated cum laude with her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law, having first completed her undergraduate degree from Indiana University.  She achieved Bar Admission in Indiana in 1989; U.S. District Courts for Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana in 1989; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 1997; and U.S. Supreme Court in 1999.   Included in her Professional Associations are:  Tippecanoe County Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association (Young Lawyers Section, director and counsel to the chair, 1996-2000), American Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association, Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana.  Karen Orr is a member of the Business Law Survey Commission, the Indiana Bar Foundation (2002 - 2006), the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (2004 - 2005), and the Indiana State Bar Association, Board of Governors.

Karen’s Publications and presentation are included in:  Network, Young Lawyers Section of Indiana State Bar Association, editor, 1998-1999; The Appellate Advocate, contributing author, 1998-1999; Advanced Corporate Practice, ICLEF Seminar, 2003; Business Contract Drafting Shows, ICLEF Seminar 2005; ICLEF Practice Skills Summit, Business Transactions, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.

Leslie Rittenmeyer, Psy.D., M.S., B.S.N.

Leslie Rittenmeyer is a tenured Associate Professor of Nursing at Purdue University Calumet. 

Dr. Rittenmeyer received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois.  She received her M.S. degree from Saint Xavier University in Chicago in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, and her B.S.N. from the University of Illinois Chicago UIC campus. 

Dr. Rittenmeyer has an extensive background in nursing , psychiatric nursing and mental health.  Her advanced mental health clinical training includes her Masters practicum at Porter-Stark Mental Health Center in Valparaiso, IN; Doctoral therapy practicum at Dreikers Psychological Services Center in Chicago, IL; Doctoral Assessment Practicum at Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago, IL; Doctoral Internship at Dreikers Psychological Services Center; and Post Doctoral Residencies at St. Leonard House Ministries in Chicago, IL and Northwest Psychological Services in Highland, IN.  She has held positions as a nurse educator for 28 years.

Maureen Panares, D.P.N.

Maureen Panares is the current director of the Student Health Services Center at Purdue University Calumet.

Dr. Panares received her doctorate degree from Rush University Chicago, Illinois in 1999. In addition she holds an Associate’s degree and B.S. degree from the School of Nursing at Purdue University Calumet.  Dr. Maureen Panares is a licensed, board certified Advanced Practice Nurse APN.  Her doctorate degree was a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Practice as well as in Community Health.  Her board certification is from the American Nurses Credentialing Center ANCC.  While completing her degree and afterward, she worked with an internal medicine practice for Rush University Hospital until 2001. In 2001, she began her career as a university based health center director as well as practicing APN at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN.  In 2006 she was named the Director of the Student Health Services Center at Purdue University Calumet where she opened the Student Health Service Clinic. 

Sarah Howard, M.A., L.P.C.

Sarah E. Howard is currently the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Life and Dean of Students at Purdue University Calumet.

Ms. Howard received her M.A. Degree in Counseling and Human Services from DePaul University, Chicago, IL.  She holds a LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) certification from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.  She is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA), the Association of Judicial Administrators (ASJA), and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).  She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in adult education at National Louis University in Chicago.

Her interest is in helping students understand the consequences of their behavior and taking responsibility for their actions.  She also advises students of their rights.  She is committed to working with students who are in crisis (along with members of the Purdue University Calumet Students in Crisis Prevention/Intervention Team) – distressed, disturbed and dysregulated. 

Kenneth Jackson, Ph.D., N.C.C.,  L.C.P.C.

Kenneth Jackson is the current Director of the Counseling Center at Purdue University Calumet.

Dr. Jackson received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago.  He also holds a M.A. from Northeastern Illinois University Chicago in Community and Family Counseling and School Counseling.  His B.S. degree is from Indiana Wesleyan University in Art Education.  Dr. Jackson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Indiana and Illinois, and a LCPC Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois.  He is a National Certified Counselor, N.C.C. with the National Board for Certified Counselors.  He also holds Illinois education certificates:  School Counselor Type 73, and General Administration Type 75.   He is a professional member of the American Psychologist Association, A.P.A., the American Counseling Association, A.C.A., the National Career Development Association NCDA, the American College Counseling Association ACCA and American School Counselor Association ASCA.