The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Professor Dr. Nancy Zarse Named CASTL-Carnegie Scholar

Experiential Learning Through Role Play Earns Zarse Coveted Spot in National Carnegie Program

CHICAGO, May 20, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Carnegie Foundation's Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) has selected Dr. Nancy Zarse as a 2010 scholar and participant in its 2010 National CASTL Leadership Program to be held at Creighton University on June 2-5, 2010. Dr. Zarse, associate professor of forensic psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP), was accepted into the program for her ongoing work using role play as a teaching technique in the unique hostage negotiation course she teaches graduate students in the Department of Forensic Psychology. She is one of only 28 scholars selected to participate as a 2010 CASTL Scholar.

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The CASTL Program seeks to support the development of a scholarship of teaching and learning that fosters significant, long-lasting learning for all students; enhances the practice and profession of teaching; and brings to faculty members' work as teachers the recognition and reward afforded to other forms of scholarly work. Carnegie's developmental summer institute partners new scholars with former National Carnegie Scholars, who provide mentorship as they work with incoming scholars on their "work-in-progress." The theme of this year's leadership program, "Creativity," will invite an exploration of innovative teaching practices and creative ways to study and assess student learning.

"I am grateful for and excited about the opportunity to collaborate with renowned scholars to advance the learning experience for my students and inform the development of other experiential learning opportunities consistent with the innovative approach to education here at TCSPP," said Dr. Zarse.

Students at TCSPP have been praising the Hostage Role Play as a great learning experience ever since Dr. Zarse developed it four years ago. Her hostage negotiation course provides a detailed analysis of the negotiation process, including communication techniques, perpetrator types, assessment of suicide and violence potential, critical incident management, survival strategies, media relations, debriefing, and training. As the capstone of the course, students participate in an eight-hour hostage negotiation scenario developed by Dr. Zarse that simulates a real-life situation. Local law enforcement and FBI participate in the role play as hostage takers and as part of the law enforcement response team. Each student has an opportunity to play both a hostage and a member of the negotiation team in order to experience the situation from both perspectives. See a gallery of photos from the latest Hostage Negotiation Role Play.

"The role play serves as a problem-based collaborative exercise," said Dr. Zarse. "Students have the opportunity to put into practice what they have learned throughout the course, to learn how to manage their anxiety, and to develop skills that enhance their confidence in responding to critical incidents."

After receiving a Psy.D. in 1989 from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Zarse served as a forensic psychologist at several high-profile correctional settings, including the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and as chief psychologist at two federal prisons. She has led hostage negotiation teams, provided individual and group therapy, performed psychological evaluations, and conducted violation hearings for maximum security military prisoners. Dr Zarse is a trained hostage negotiator certified by the FBI, and regularly provides training and mental health consultation to the Chicago Police Department, South Suburban Emergency Response Team (SSERT), the FBI, and the Chicago Bar Association.  She is a recognized speaker and trainer on violence and risk assessment and stress management.

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is the nation's leading nonprofit graduate school dedicated exclusively to the applications of psychology and related behavioral sciences. The school is an active member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, which has recognized TCSPP for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and advocacy. The school's community service initiatives have resulted in three consecutive years of recognition on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service to disadvantaged youth. In 2009, the school was named to The Chronicle of Higher Education's annual list of "Great Colleges to Work For." Campuses are located in Chicago; in Los Angeles, Westwood, and Irvine, California; and a new campus is proposed for Washington, D.C., which is awaiting final approval from the Higher Learning Commission. Programs are offered on-ground and in an online-blended format.

For more information about The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gradpsychology. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thechicagoschool.

SOURCE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

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