FACULTY NEWS

Roger Weissberg

Psychology Professor Named to Edutopia Magazine’s 2008 “Daring Dozen”

“Remain optimistic, keep generating alternative solutions and plans, work with others, and things usually turn out well.” This advice comes from psychology and education professor Roger Weissberg. An expert on social and emotional learning in childhood education, Weissberg was recently named to Edutopia magazine’s 2008 “Daring Dozen,” which honors those who are “reshaping the future of education.”

Weissberg, president of the UIC-based Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), is profiled and interviewed in the on-line edition of Edutopia, which is published by The George Lucas Educational Foundation.

For the past 25 years, Weissberg has trained scholars and practitioners about innovative family, school and community interventions. Through his research, outreach and program development, he has become a leader in the campaign to establish social and emotional learning as an essential part of education from preschool through high school.

Under Weissberg's leadership, CASEL has been at the forefront of efforts by the state of Illinois to ensure that the social and emotional needs of children are recognized and addressed in schools. In 2004, Illinois became the first state in the nation to adopt student learning standards in social and emotional learning. New York State passed similar legislation two years later.

Weissberg's acclaimed research includes nearly 200 publications focusing on preventive interventions with children and adolescents. He has written curricula on school-based programs to promote social competence and prevent problem behaviors, including drug use, high-risk sexual behaviors, and aggression. To recognize the extraordinary distinction he has brought to CASEL and to UIC, the College of Arts and Sciences has named him an LAS Distinguished Professor for 2008.

Adapted from a UIC News Bureau press release by Brian Flood, April 15, 2008.