As director of school programs for the national nonprofit organization The Ophelia Project, Jane Kerschner (BS74) is dedicated to creating safe social learning environments for young people. The Ophelia Project serves as a catalyst to initiate change in the social climates of schools and community organizations. Their research-based programming is focused on reducing peer aggression in schools and youth organizations to create long-term, systemic change. Educating teachers, administrators and parents about the issue is especially important. "I think leadership is the answer," Kerschner says.
From October 23 to 24, The Ophelia Project will host "Creating Safe Social Climates: It's About YOUth," a national conference in Evanston at the Hotel Orrington. The conference will present current research on peer aggression and actions that educators, counselors, parents, mentors and community leaders can take to begin to change the culture.
Kerschner is working with the School of Education and Social Policy to develop a program for Northwestern students as part of the conference. Anyone interested in attending may contact The Ophelia Project at 888/256-5437 or check www.opheliaproject.org.
Inspired by Dr. Mary Pipher's best-selling book Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls, The Ophelia Project was founded in 1997 with the goal of increasing social and emotional support for adolescent girls. Since its inception, the organization has expanded to encompass efforts to halt all forms of relational aggression in schools, youth organizations and the adult workplace.
"We would like to integrate what we know about relational aggression to try to empower people to care about each other," Kerschner says. "Everyone has to be involved in creating a safer social climate, particularly in a school setting. Schools need to make it 'OK to report,' which sends the message that when you do something to take a stand, you can truly make a difference."
As a Northwestern alumna, Kerschner is proud that two of her daughters currently attend Northwestern. Kira Romansky is a junior in the School of Communication, and SESP alumna Jill Romansky McCulloch (BS01) is working toward her doctorate in psychology.
Last Modified: 8/14/09