Building Safer Communities: Reducing Community and School Violence

8:15 – 9:00 am: Registration & Continental Breakfast   

9:00 – 9:15 am: Welcome/Introduction

• Victor Desantis, PhD – Vice President for University Relations and Strategic Initiatives
• Daniel Wubah, PhD – University President

9:15 – 10:00 am: Keynote Address  

• Samantha Koch - Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD)  

Description:

In this empowering session, Sam Koch will discuss how Pennsylvania is experiencing a welcome decline in shootings and homicides statewide. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) efforts to further reduce gun violence across the Commonwealth. Attendees will gain insight into key initiatives supported by the agency, including its Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Initiative, and major funding opportunities such as the Violence Intervention and Prevention and BOOST grant programs. The session will also examine recent trends and highlight the role of Pennsylvania’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention, re-established in 2024 under Executive Order 2024-02, in coordinating statewide prevention efforts.

10:10 – 11:10 am: 1^st Breakout Speakers  

Session 1 A: Utilizing Social Workers in Law Enforcement Agencies

Moderator: Karen Rice, PhD, LSW, ACSW - Professor/Department Chair, School of Social Work, Millersville University

Presenters:

• Kim McDevitt, MA - Executive Director, MHA of Lancaster County
• Sargeant Todd Grager - Lancaster City Police Department
• Kelly Saalbach, MSW, LSW - Police Social Worker, Lancaster City Police Department  

Description:  

An overview of the current mental health needs within the county will be shared along with barriers identified to addressing those needs. A police social work model, including the history of utilizing social workers within law enforcement agencies, ways in which social workers are utilized, and outcomes of these collaborations will be discussed. One model, implemented within the Lancaster City Police Department, will be discussed to demonstrate its effectiveness in addressing identified community needs. 

Session 1 B: Breaking Cycles: Innovations in Reentry Support and Family Resilience

Moderator: Katharine DeSantis - Public Policy Manager, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Panelists:

• Mary Glazier, PhD - Professor Emeritus, Millersville University, and Chair, Advisory Council of Ambassadors for Hope
• Rachel Berner, Founder of Second Chance Jobs, LLC
• Will Kiefer, Founder and Executive Director of Bench Mark Program

Description: 

Transformative approaches to supporting formerly incarcerated individuals and their families are catalysts for building safer communities and promoting social equity. This panel explores cutting-edge policy innovations and community-based solutions that restore dignity and create pathways to success beyond incarceration. Experts will share recent breakthroughs in comprehensive reentry programming, from targeted employment training to integrated health services, that address the complex challenges of reintegration. We'll examine how supporting family and community bonds during and after incarceration strengthens these outcomes and helps to build stronger, safer, and more resilient communities. 

11:20 am – 12:20 pm: 2^nd Breakout Speakers  

Session 2 A: Building Safer Schools Through Immersive Training

Presenters:

• Britta Barrickman, Ed.D., CCP - Chief Impact Officer, Pennsylvania School Boards Association  
• Michael Deitz - Director of School Safety, Pennsylvania School Safety Institute 

Description:  

The Pennsylvania School Safety Institute (PennSSI) offers immersive training experiences to educators and law enforcement to address security threats in schools and other locations where students and staff may be present. Educators and law enforcement navigate immersive scenarios together, improving their assessment of situations, developing clarity in their communications and building their experiences for a stronger response. In this session, the team will explore universal contributors to safety threats and review situational awareness and substance use awareness, including discussion on how this has modified practices in a local school district. 

Session 2 B: Using Restorative Circle Process for Support, Accountability and Healing

Moderator: Denise Muller, MPH, MA, Safer Communities Program Director at Millersville University 

Presenters:

• Susan Hochstedler - Restorative Programming Graduate Intern, Advoz
• Jill Heine, MARJ - Restorative School Practitioner - McCaskey HS, Advoz

Description:  

Restorative Circle Process, a structured method of group engagement with roots in numerous indigenous traditions, has emerged as an increasingly popular format for promoting individual and collective support, accountability and healing, hence ultimately violence prevention. In this workshop, participants will experience several essential elements of the Restorative Circle Process and hear about how Lancaster-based Advoz: Mediation & Restorative Practices has successfully facilitated numerous such processes with youth, families, schools, organizations and communities in situations of conflict, harm and community building.   

12:30 – 1:30 pm: Networking lunch with Keynote Speaker  

• Abigail Hurst, MSW – Director of Trauma Informed Programs for Everytown for Gun Safety

Description:

Join Abigail Hurst, MSW, for a keynote that will follow her journey as an advocate for change at the state and national levels addressing the intersectional problems of gun violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Abigail will share lessons learned throughout her life and career in the gender-based violence movement and gun violence prevention movement and offer actions members of the audience can take to create change in their own communities. The keynote will end with a message of hope that illustrates resilience at the individual and community levels. 

1:45 – 2:45 pm: 3^rd Breakout Speakers  

Session 3 A:Promoting Community Resiliency and Recovery: Innovative Programs and Student Perspectives on Safer Communities

Moderator: Marc V. Felizzi, PhD, LCSW – Associate Professor/ DSW Program Coordinator, School of Social Work, Millersville University

Presenters:

• Wanja Ogongi, PhD, LSW - Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Millersville University
• Abigail Wilson, DSW - Lone Oak Therapeutic Riding Academy
• Heather Girvin, MSW, PhD – Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Millersville University and Lone Oak Therapeutic Riding Academy 
• Krista Gamache, LMSW - Millersville University Alumna
• Michelle Cooper, BS - MSW Student, Millersville University
• Aaron Guhl, BA - MSW Student, Millersville University

Description: 

In this session, we will explore two innovative community-based programs in Pennsylvania and Kenya that have helped to empower communities, reduce violence, and promote community self-reliance. Participants will learn how these programs are designed, implemented, and sustained, with real-world examples of their impact. 

This interactive session will feature community leaders sharing their experiences, successes, challenges, and lessons learned. In addition, students from Millersville University will present their research and firsthand experiences related to building safer communities, offering fresh perspectives and insights grounded in academic and fieldwork engagement.

Attendees will engage in collaborative discussions to explore challenges, share best practices, and identify creative solutions tailored to their communities. Whether you're already involved in community organizing and program development or seeking to establish a new initiative, this session will offer inspiration and practical takeaways to help drive meaningful change.  

Session 3 B: Breaking the Cycle: Innovative Strategies for Community Violence Intervention

Moderator: Denise Muller, MPH, MA, Safer Communities Program Director at Millersville University 

Presenters:  

• Lashira Council, CAADC, LPC - Executive Director at Chester Community Coalition
• Shakyra Morales, LMSW - HVIP Therapist at Chester Community Coalition
• Kwon Prescott - Intervention Specialist at Chester Community Coalition
• Ebonie Cunningham Stringer, PhD, MS - Executive Director at Not One More and Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at The Pennsylvania State University
• Shawn Bridges, Director of Outreach at Not One More

Description:  

In this session, we will explore innovative strategies to address and reduce violence within our communities. Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs focus on empowering individuals and neighborhoods to break cycles of violence through prevention, mediation, and support services. Participants will gain insights into how these programs are designed, implemented, and sustained, with real-world examples of their impact.  

This interactive session will feature leaders in CVI sharing their experiences and lessons learned. Attendees will engage in collaborative discussions to explore challenges, share best practices, and identify creative solutions tailored to their communities. Whether you’re already involved in violence intervention or seeking to establish a program in your area, this session will provide inspiration and key takeaways to take action and drive meaningful change.  

3:00 pm – Conference Closing Remarks  

• Karen Rice, PhD - PhD, LSW, ACSW - Professor/Department Chair, School of Social Work, Millersville University 
• Jill Stemple – Director of the Bureau of Policy, Planning, and Program Development within the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)

Samantha Koch, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs at the Pennsylvania Commision on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD)

Sam Koch is the Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD). In this role, she serves as the agency's primary liaison to the General Assembly and Governor's Office, and supports statewide policy, funding, and legislative efforts on key public safety issues impacting individuals and communities across the Commonwealth. Sam spearheaded the development and launch of Pennsylvania's Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Grant Program and accompanying technical assistance initiative and has authored multiple state-level plans and reports on behalf of the agency. Sam also helped launch Pennsylvania's Office of Gun Violence Prevention, serving as its Interim Director. Before joining PCCD in 2019, Sam held policy roles in the Governor's Office and Pennsylvania Department of Education, and has experience in the nonprofit sector with organizations like the Clery Center. She holds a political science degree from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. 

 

Dr. Karen Rice, Professor and Department Chair at Millersville University

Dr. Karen Rice joined the School of Social Work at Millersville University of Pennsylvania (MU) in 2006. She is an alumna of Millersville University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology. She later earned her MSW from Temple University and PhD in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She has served as Department Chair since 2012.

Rice is responsible for internationalizing all three social work programs, which now offer opportunities for service learning, internships, and research around the globe. In response to limited institutional resources, Rice identified alternative funding streams through the creation of The Learning Institute, the School of Social Work’s continuing education program that facilitates professional development and community activism. Her strategies for strengthening the School of Social Work included building bridges between administration and faculty, enhancing working relationships, and raising the profile of the School. These efforts resulted in the expansion of The Learning Institute beyond the School of Social Work so that the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals are explored through an interdisciplinary and international lens and specific action steps are provided to participants at each event to foster both individual and collective action to promote positive social, economic, and environmental change.

Recognized for her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), global education, human rights, sustainable development goals, child welfare, and behavioral healthcare, Rice has been solicited to serve on professional association boards such as the Global Awareness Society International (GASI), International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD), and the North Atlantic Journal of Social Work Education. Further, she has been recruited to serve on boards within her community given her areas of expertise. These include the United Way of Lancaster County’s Equity Committee, Governor Wolf’s HEAL PA Poverty Reduction Action Team Co-Chair, Lancaster County Children and Youth Advisory Board, HDC MidAtlantic Resource Committee, and Touchstone Foundation’s Scholarship Committee.

Rice is a staunch advocate who is constantly seeking ways to enhance current practices, policies, and programs that support individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. These efforts resulted in the development of a free daylong workshop, Leadership Summit: Dialogues on Racism, for high-school youth to develop dialogue skills in order to implement what they learned within their schools as agents of change; a free community-based summer camp program, Global Champions 4 Humanity, for youth in grades 3-7 aimed to foster global citizenry; and the creation of a social justice advocacy leadership program, Ubuntu Leaders Fellows Program, for college students to work with a faculty mentor to identify, develop, and implement a project that responds to one or more of the United Nation’s Global Goals.

In addition to her work within the School of Social Work and community, Rice remains an accomplished educator and an active scholar, presenting at local, national, and international conferences. She is an accreditation site visitor for the Council on Social Work Education and serves as a member of their Commission on Educational Policy. Rice is a reviewer for a number of journals including: Advances in Social Work, Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, Social Work Education, and Journal of Human Rights and Social Work.

 

Katherine DeSantis, Public Policy Manager at the Lancaster Chamber

Kat DeSantis is the Public Policy Manager at the Lancaster Chamber, serving as a strategic advocate for the Lancaster County business community. In her role, Kat is responsible for implementing the Chamber's pro-business agenda, collaborating with elected officials and community stakeholders to advance policies that solve business, workforce, and quality of life issues. As an advocate for citizen participation, Kat has expanded the chamber's civic engagement offerings by hosting candidate forums, launching a civics bee for middle school students, and creating a nonpartisan voters guide for each election. After work, you can find Kat volunteering as a coach with Girls On The Run and as an emergency medical advocate with the YWCA. She received her education from Washington College, where she obtained degrees in Political Science and Philosophy and earned the distinction of Phi Beta Kappa, following her graduation from Hempfield High School.

 

Dr. Mary Glazier, Professor Emeritus Millersville University and Chair, Advisory Council of Ambassadors for Hope

Dr. Mary Glazier is Professor Emerita of Sociology. Her teaching focused on courses in criminology, including Policing and the Courts, Juvenile Delinquency, and Modern Corrections. While at Millersville University, she served as the Director of the Center for Public Scholarship and Social Change (CPSSC). Under her leadership, the CPSSC supported numerous community organizations, including Ambassadors for Hope, by providing research and community education assistance. Dr. Glazier currently serves as the chair of the advisory board of Ambassadors for Hope, the only organization dedicated solely to addressing the needs of children with incarcerated parents. She is also a member of the board of the Lancaster City Police Foundation. Her current research activities focus on the needs of unsheltered homeless individuals in Lancaster City.

 

Will Kiefer, Executive Director and Founder of Bench Mark Program

Will Kiefer is the Executive Director and Founder of Bench Mark Program, a fitness-based mentoring program for at-risk youth in Lancaster, PA. Born and raised in Gettysburg, PA, he moved to Lancaster to attend Franklin and Marshall College in 2010. In January, 2014, during his final semester, Will started Bench Mark as a tool to connect with older at-risk youth in Lancaster City who were not successfully engaged in traditional mentoring programs. What began as a simple desire to be of service in the community has developed into an organization that serves over 100 youth each day across seven different initiatives in Lancaster County. Bench Mark employs a team of twenty-eight individuals to serve youth in a variety of capacities: within the detention center, within the high school, within the community, and within the local workforce. Six of these team members are youth who have graduated from the program themselves. The focus of Bench Mark is to support youth with 1:1 and group mentoring over the span of years, not months, boasting an average program service time per student of 38 months. Bench Mark’s referral partners include the Lancaster County Dept. of Juvenile Probation, Lancaster County Children and Youth Agency, and the School District of Lancaster, among others. The organization’s $1.5M+ annual operating budget is supported by six different funding streams, including donations, contracts, and grants. Will has successfully secured five grants from the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency to advance Bench Mark Programs work, and in January, 2024 was invited to speak before the US House of Representatives, Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Work and Welfare about the nature of Bench Mark’s mentoring model. In October 2024, Bench Mark Program was awarded the Community-Based Provider of the Year Award, a state-wide award from the Juvenile Court Judges Commission. When Will is not at work, he loves spending time with his wife Karla, who is currently studying to get her law degree at Penn State Dickinson Law School, and their adopted son Kenny, who is studying to get his Bachelor's Degree at Washington College.

 

Dr. Britta Barrickman, Chief Impact Officer, PSBA

Britta Barrickman, Ed.D., CCP is chief impact officer for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA). She manages an array of member services in the areas of school safety, crisis communications, human resources, board services, and research and evaluation. She works closely with educational leaders and law enforcement in the development and implementation of Pennsylvania School Safety Institute (PennSSi) programming. Barrickman has been working with school leaders across Pennsylvania since 2005 and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Penn State University and a doctorate in education from Temple University.

Michael Deitz, Director of School Safety, Pennsylvania School Safety Institute (PennSSI)

Michael Deitz serves as the Director of School Safety for the Pennsylvania School Safety Institute (PennSSI), where he leads the design, coordination, and implementation of comprehensive school safety programming across the Commonwealth. He manages the Institute’s daily operations, including oversight of the Great PA Schools Learning Lab, and is responsible for developing immersive, scenario-based training and classroom instruction for educators and law enforcement officers. A veteran of both the U.S. Army and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Deitz is also a retired law enforcement officer. He holds a Juris Master from Liberty University School of Law and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership. 

 

Susan Hochstedler, Restorative Programming Graduate Intern 

Susan has worked in the fields of community building and leadership development for the last 15 years and received her Master of Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. Previously, she has worked as a freelance writer and editor. Susan is passionate about equipping others to engage in conflict in healthy ways, creating safe and trauma-informed spaces, and community building using dignity as a catalyst. When she is not working or studying, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and being outside. 

 

Jill Heine, Restorative School Practitioner - McCaskey HS

  

Krista Gamache, Forensic Interviewer at Lancaster County Children's Alliance

Krista received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from Millersville University. She is a licensed social worker and is working towards obtaining her clinical license. After graduating, she worked as a therapist providing treatment to youth with problematic sexual behaviors. Currently, she is a forensic interviewer working at Lancaster County Children’s Alliance. LCCA provides forensic interviews to children which are developmentally-sensitive and legally sound interviews to gather factual information regarding allegations of abuse and/or exposure to violence. LCCA also provides mental health services, family advocacy, and specialized medical examinations for children who have been sexually abused. Over the last 7 years, Krista has engaged in public outreach and gained experience with domestic violence, youth with behavioral issues, and children who have been sexually abused. Krista is passionate about juvenile justice, criminal justice, prison reform, and vulnerable populations. She hopes to continue contributing to building safer communities while educating others along the way.

 

Michelle Cooper, MSW Student at Millersville University

Michelle Cooper received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology from Penn State University in 2014. After graduating, she joined the YWCA York’s Victim Services team as a Medical Advocate where she was responsible for providing medical system education and onsite support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 2015 she became the YWCA York’s first Human Trafficking Advocate and Special Victim Case Manager, taking on leadership of York County’s Human Trafficking Task Force and working with a multi-disciplinary team to help identify and support survivors of human trafficking. In 2018, Michelle took on the role of Health Education Specialist for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), a role responsible for statewide grant management and advocate support for those funded under PCADV’s Medical Advocacy Project grant. In 2020 she became the Technical Assistance and Education Team Manager for PCADV and provides supervision to a team of technical assistance specialists while also overseeing the revision and implementation of core curriculum for domestic advocates statewide. In 2024 she was invited to chair the Victims Services subcommittee for Pennsylvania’s Statewide Human Trafficking Advisory Board with the goal of statewide resource development to better support the needs of human trafficking survivors.  Currently, she is enrolled in Millersville’s Master of Social Work graduate program with a focus on Trauma and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy.

 

Aaron Guhl, MSW Student at Millersville University 

Aaron earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Millersville University, where he developed a strong interest in understanding human behavior and the systems that shape individual and community well-being. After graduation, he created a small wood furniture restoration business, combining creativity with craftsmanship. This entrepreneurial path unexpectedly opened the door to social work after it connected him with a local nonprofit focused on community engagement. As a transracial adoptee, Aaron’s personal journey has significantly influenced his professional focus. His lived experience led him to explore the adoption and foster care systems more deeply, recognizing the importance of culturally competent, inclusive, and supportive services for children and families. As a result, he joined an organization, called Fostering Hope - York, that focuses on providing clothing and essential items to local families and children who experience foster care. Combining his personal insight with his growing passion for social work, Aaron applied to Millersville University’s Master of Social Work program, where he is pursuing a concentration in Children, Youth, and Families. He is committed to building a career that strengthens support systems for vulnerable populations, particularly those impacted by adoption and foster care, and aims to contribute to lasting, meaningful change. 

 

Abigail Hurst, Director of Trauma-Informed Programs

Abigail Hurst is the Director of Trauma-Informed Programs for Everytown for Gun Safety, the nation’s largest gun violence prevention organization. In her role, Abigail leads the organization’s trauma-informed initiatives to support people and partners in the movement to end gun violence. Throughout her career Abigail has been passionate about creating systemic change through collective storytelling and advocacy with deep roots in the field of gender-based violence and survivor-centered programs. Abigail has managed the Everytown Survivor Network Fellowship Program-- a national leadership program for people who have been personally affected by gun violence and has previously served as a lobbyist and Policy Specialist for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence representing survivors of domestic violence at the state and federal levels. Abigail is a proud alumna of Millersville University's School of Social Work.  

 

Dr. Marc Felizzi, Associate Professor and DSW Program Coordinator at Millerville University

Dr. Marc Felizzi earned his Master’s in Social Work at Delaware State University and his PhD in Social Work at Widener University.  He has spent the last 30 years studying the effects of family violence, juvenile violence, and the consequences of family instability on youth. Dr. Felizzi has written extensively on these topics, and his findings and opinions have appeared in local and national publications. He has been interviewed on a number of national radio and television shows regarding juvenile violence. He has authored several book chapters and articles in international publications and has presented on a number of topics at local, national and international conferences. Dr. Felizzi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work where he teaches Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Family Violence, Social Work Practice, and Youth Violence and Corrections. He also teaches classes in conjunction with the Master of Science in Emergency Management program in Emergency Mental Health and Trauma. Dr. Felizzi is also the Principal Investigator/ Project Director for the University's Health Resources Service Administrations' Opioid Workforce Expansion Program (OWEP) Grant.  Dr. Felizzi is active on a number of community boards, including Touchstone Foundation, the Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Disability Services, the New Castle County Interagency Council, and the Newark, DE, Interagency Council. Dr. Felizzi also has a thriving clinical practice in Wilmington, DE where he works with children, adolescents, and their families. He is a member of the Association of Social Workers in Sports, a member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee,  and a  local board member of the National Association for Mental Illness.

 

Dr. Heather Girvin, Associate Professor at Millersville University 

Heather Girvin, Associate Professor, teaches in the BSW, MSW, and DSW programs at Millersville University.  Dr. Girvin earned her Bachelor of Sciences in Sociology from Dickinson College and a Master’s Degree in Social Service and doctorate in social work from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research.  Dr. Girvin’s practice experience centers on children and families, primarily in child protective services and foster care.  She has worked in residential programs and public child welfare agencies; provided in-home services; and worked as an out-patient therapist.

After teaching at Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research and The University of Maryland, Graduate School of Social Work, Dr. Girvin arrived at Millersville University during the inaugural year of the MSW program.  She has been instrumental in the development and accreditation of that program and continues at its helm.  Dr. Girvin teaches across all program levels, focusing primarily on courses that relate to diversity and cultural competence, child welfare, family violence, and social theory.  Dr. Girvin is dedicated to the development and implementation of active and innovative learning, emphasizing critical thinking as a mechanism by which students learn to be competent practitioners. 

Dr. Girvin’s research has centered on families and children, with overarching interests in trauma, social justice, and social change.  Dr. Girvin has completed evaluations of child maltreatment prevention and treatment programs and partnered with colleagues to develop, implement, and assess interventions that address trauma and violence.  More recently, Dr. Girvin has adopted a more global perspective, traveling with colleagues to South Africa, Haiti, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua to participate in service learning projects with students and conduct research.  Her interest in trauma experienced by families continues, with increased interest in methods of “helping” and the use of the expressive arts strategies to address trauma and activate social change processes.

 

Dr. Abigail Wilson, Adjunct Professor at Millersville University

Dr. Wilson has her Doctor of Social Work degree from Millersville University and is a Licensed Social Worker in Pennsylvania. She is the Director of Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Education Services at the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services. In her free time she volunteers as a therapist and leader at Lone Oak Animal-Assisted Therapeutic & Educational Services. She is trained in Natural Lifemanship, working with horses to provide therapeutic services. She received her MSW (macro concentration) in 2016 with a Specialization in Child Welfare and Child Well-being from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice. Her research interests focus on child welfare, recruitment and retention, and innovative services.

 

Dr. Wanja Ogongi, Associate Professor at Millersville University 

Dr. Wanja Ogongi is an Associate Professor at the Millersville University School of Social Work in Pennsylvania, USA.  Born and raised in Kenya, Dr Ogongi graduated from the University of Nairobi with her B.A, earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and her PhD in Social Work at Widener University, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ogongi teaches a variety of courses in the BSW and MSW programs; and has served on dissertation committees for several doctoral students. Her areas of teaching include Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE), Introduction to Social Work, Social Work Macro Practice and Social Work Field Education. Dr Ogongi has practiced social work professionally in the areas of International Human Rights (focus on women and children), Child Welfare, Refugees and Unaccompanied Minors, and Medical Social Work. Her areas of interest for research and presentation include Social and Community Development, International Social Work Education, Multicultural Mental Health, and Issues affecting the African Diaspora in the United States.

 

Denise Muller, MPH, MA, Safer Communities Program Director, Millersville University 

A passionate leader in trauma-informed community building, Denise Muller is dedicated to co-creating safer, more inclusive spaces. As the Safer Communities Program Director at Millersville University, she leads a $3.9 million initiative, supporting nonprofits across Pennsylvania to implement peer-led community violence intervention (CVI) programs. 

With over 25 years of experience, Denise has championed culturally responsive, school-based, multi-tiered systems of support, equipping K-12 educators in rural, urban, and tribal communities with essential tools to enhance student well-being. Her leadership extends to congregational settings, where she has provided spiritual care while modeling a leadership approach that integrates contemplative practices with social justice. She also spearheaded a statewide prisoner reentry initiative, mobilizing volunteers and partner organizations to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and opportunity.  

Guided by a deep commitment to social justice, Denise fosters partnerships that empower diverse communities, advancing compassion, equity, and sustainability. Beyond her professional work, she embraces a life of creativity and exploration, finding meaning in yoga, storytelling, knitting, birding, and adventuring with her spouse. 

 

Lashira Council, Executive Director of Chester Community Coalition

Lashira Council is a dedicated Executive Director for Chester Community Coalition. She is a Chester native, who lost her oldest brother to gun violence, and is committed to the work it takes to combat the gun violence epidemic in the City of Chester. She is passionate about her work and invests her time and energy in helping individuals and families affected by this issue to find the support and hope they need. 

Ms. Council is also a licensed professional counselor who earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 2002. She later earned her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College. Her professional experience includes providing leadership and training for clinical professionals at an outpatient recovery center, facilitating group and individual therapy, and assessing programs for improvement. 

Through her leadership, she has inspired many in the community to become involved in this critical effort, making a positive impact. Lashira’s dedication and commitment to helping those affected by gun violence is truly admirable and showcases her ability to make a positive difference in her community. 

 

Shakyra Morales, HVIP Therapist at Chester Community Coalition

Shakyra Morales is a Licensed Master Social Worker and Coordinator of Chester’s Hospital-linked Violence Intervention (HVIP).  She is also a certified teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor, coordinating the implementation of the program in the City of Chester.    

Previously, she worked within the University of Pennsylvania Health System as a Neurology Social Worker and Clinical Research Assistant Project Manager. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and a Masters in Social Work with a Direct Practice in Mental Health and Substance Abuse, from the University of Texas. 

Shakyra has served in various settings dedicated to mental health including juvenile reentry, transitional living for homeless youth, acute psychiatric care, and women’s trauma. Her passion lies in supporting youth exposed to community violence, eliminating the stigma of behavioral and mental health treatment, and promoting balance between mental and physical health. 

 

Kwon Prescott, Intervention Specialist at Chester Community Coalition

Kwon Prescott is currently an intervention specialist at Chester community coalition. He is a member of the hospital-linked intervention program team through the partnership with Crozer Chester Medical Center. He provides peer support and trauma informed services, as he works to assist families and individuals who have been impacted by gun violence. 

Kwon spent time at Delaware Community College where he studied communication and arts. He is a graduate from STEM Academy in Chester, PA. Kwon is a former correctional officer at George W. Hill correctional facility, where he saw an opportunity to help prevent incarceration and violence through peer support. 

His passion has always been to help others. Kwon was born and raised in Chester, Pa. in a community that is infused with violence and poverty. He has memories of losing family and close friends to gun violence. 

Kwon is also a survivor of gun violence which has catapulted him towards positive change, to include a desire to be more involved in social services with a focus on trauma informed care. It is impressive how Kwon has taken his experiences and turned them into a powerful drive to help others, especially in the field of trauma informed care. His journey to get here shows his commitment to making a positive impact in his community. 

 

Dr.  Ebonie Cunningham Stringer, Executive Director of Not One More and Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at The Pennsylvania State University 

Dr. Ebonie Cunningham Stringer is the Executive Director of Not One More: A Peace and Justice Project, and is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Penn State Berks.  As a sociologist she is committed to evidence-based practices that serve families, youth and communities impacted by violence and the criminal-legal system.  Dr. Stringer is also a Prison Fellowship Justice Advocate for returning and incarcerated citizens, and partners with several local and national organizations engaged in this work. She also offers community education for churches and other civic organizations that want to become engaged in justice work.  

Dr. Stringer is a committed scholar-activist who works to empower others and through education and community engagement. As an educator, her objective is to teach in ways that inspire students to transgress intellectual boundaries and become civically engaged. Dr. Stringer works side by side with her students in teaching, research, and justice advocacy, holding her faith as foundational to her work professionally and in the community. 

 

Shawnfatee Bridges, Director of Outreach at Not One More

Shawnfatee “Shawn” Bridges is the Director of Outreach for Not One More: A Peace and Justice Project.  The program works with youth who have engaged in or been harmed by community violence using restorative justice methods. Mr. Bridges is also the Director of Reentry Services for the nonprofit organization "TheRealDeal610" where he helps returning citizens reintegrate into society. Shawn is also a member of Prison Society and the conveyor for Berks County, where he ensures that the men and women are treated fairly in state and county detention facilities. Additionally, Mr. Bridges helps facilitate programs and workshops for two other nonprofit organizations; Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) and "Let's Circle Up" Restorative Justice. 

As the owner and operator of Bridgesinspirit LLC, Mr. Bridges provides affordable expungement and pardon services. He has been recognized with the NAACP Community Image Award for his work in the community. 

Mr. Bridges is a living testament to the power of resilience and perseverance. Though his journey has been marked by hardship and adversity, he has emerged stronger and more determined. He continues to advocate for criminal justice reform and works tirelessly to support those wrongly convicted.  In his “spare” time, Shawn an AAU girls' basketball coach and inner-city coach for KTB, demonstrating his commitment to mentorship and youth development. 

 

Susan Billy, Manager of Behavioral Health Support Services for IU13

Susan brings over 30 years of experience in education, having worked with school districts, local education agencies, and statewide departments. She joined the IU13 Human Resources Team in 2004 as a Human Resources Generalist, where she supported employees with both professional and personal needs, and assisted program supervisors with a wide range of personnel matters.

In 2013, her role expanded to include her appointment as the Region II Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services through the Pennsylvania Statewide System of Support. In recent years, Susan transitioned from her HR Generalist role to serve as the Manager of Behavioral Health Support Services at IU13. In this capacity, she oversees initiatives related to mental health, student assistance, suicide prevention, trauma-informed practices, and bullying prevention.

Susan also serves as the Social Emotional Wellness Lead for IU13 under the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Statewide System of Support. She co-leads the Lancaster County Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative, in partnership with Mental Health America of Lancaster County and the Touchstone Foundation. Additionally, she is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) Mental Health Group, where she chairs the Professional Development Committee.

Susan earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Frostburg State University, obtained her Instructional Certificate in Elementary Education, and completed a Master’s Degree in Education at West Chester University.

 

Dr. Miranda Blackburn, Associate Professor at Concord University

Dr. Blackburn is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Concord University with a background in military and correctional social work, clinical mental health, crisis intervention, and program development. As a retired Behavioral Health Officer in the Army National Guard, she brings a systems-focused approach to supporting military and veteran populations. 

She earned her Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) from Millersville University, where her 2024 dissertation, “Suicide and the Citizen-Soldier: Disrupting the Clinical Narrative,” explored systemic factors contributing to military suicide. Dr. Blackburn holds independent clinical licenses in Ohio and West Virginia, is a Board-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Psychological Autopsy Investigator through the American Association of Suicidology. She also contributed to the 2024 CSWE Specialized Practice Guide for Military Social Work, advancing educational standards for work with military populations. 

Active in both state and national suicide prevention efforts, Dr. Blackburn serves on the West Virginia Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, and is a board member of the WV Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She also serves as a Tier 1 Trainer with Star Behavioral Health Providers, promoting military cultural competence among mental health professionals. 

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The Ware Center – Millersville University
42 N. Prince St.
Lancaster, PA 17603
717 871-7018

Millersville University's Ware Center is Lancaster’s premier performing arts center. Located on Lancaster’s famous Gallery Row, our mission is to foster creativity, learning, and understanding in our great community.

Parking:  Event parking at the Ware Center can be found at the Prince Street Garage (corner of Prince and Orange) or the Hager surface lot, both of which are within a block of our facility.

 

Start planning your trip at Discover Lancaster

Millersville University to Host 5th Annual SDG Conference on Building Safer Communities

MILLERSVILLE, PA — April 6, 2025 — Millersville University will host its 5th Annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Conference on Thursday, June 5, 2025, focusing on "Building Safer Communities: Reducing Community and School Violence." This one-day conference will take place at The Ware Center in downtown Lancaster, PA from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, bringing together policymakers, community leaders and advocates, agency heads and staff, and educators to address one of today's most pressing social challenges.

Community violence remains a profound and urgent challenge impacting individuals and families across our region, the Commonwealth, and the nation. In Pennsylvania alone, community violence results in the injury or loss of 4,600 lives each year, according to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. While collaboration across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors has led to important progress, critical gaps remain.

The conference aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue on innovative solutions, best practices, and resource sharing to promote peace, justice, and community safety in alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

"Our annual SDG Conference has become a vital platform for cross-sector collaboration on urgent social issues," said Dr. Victor DeSantis, Vice President of University Relations and Strategic Initiatives. "This year's focus on building safer communities reflects our institution's commitment to fostering environments where everyone can live, learn, and thrive without fear of violence."The day-long event will feature:

• Keynote addresses from regional experts on violence prevention and community resilience

• Interactive workshops led by successful community and school safety innovators

• Panel discussions with local and regional leaders

• Networking opportunities for participants to build meaningful connections

• Resource fair showcasing tools and programs for violence reduction

Conference participants will explore various approaches to reducing violence, trauma-informed community building, successful school safety initiatives, and collaborative models that have shown measurable results in communities across the region and the Commonwealth.

Registration is now open at https://www.millersville.edu/ceged/events/ . Early bird registration rates are available until May 1, 2025. Cost is $20 per person, and event registration includes light breakfast and lunch.

For more information about the conference, please contact Dr. Victor DeSantis at victor.desantis@millersville.edu or 717.871.5955.

About the SDG Conference Series
Millersville University's annual SDG Conference series, launched in 2021, brings together diverse stakeholders to address critical challenges related to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Each year, the conference focuses on a specific aspect of sustainable development, providing a platform for dialogue, learning, and collective action.

About The Ware Center
The Ware Center, located in the heart of downtown Lancaster, is Millersville University's center for visual and performing arts, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. The facility provides an ideal setting for collaborative discussions and community-focused events.

Contact: Dr. Victor DeSantis, Vice President of University Relations and Strategic Initiatives, Millersville University, 717.871.5955, victor.desantis@millersville.edu https://www.millersville.edu/ceged/events/