Speaker Series
Expert Insight to Help You Take the Next Step in Your Health and Human Development Career
Our speaker series invites thought leaders, practitioners, and researchers to shed light on health and human development fields, the graduate or medical school application process, and how to successfully enter the job market.
Upcoming Presentations
All presentations take place on Fridays, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Regina Peruggi Room and on Zoom.
Past Events
Featured Speaker: Pre-Health Advisor Eugene Rubin
Preparing for the MCAT and Other Professional School Entrance Exams
Featured Speaker: Meghan Lee, outreach specialist at The Princeton Review
Get Psyched! Exploring the Disparate Fields of Clinical, Counseling, and Developmental Psychology, Social Work, and other Mental Health Professions
Panelists: Nava Silton, Psychology professor and director of the Center for Health, Human Development, and Creativity; Debbie Giordano, director of the Counseling and Wellness Center; Lighthouse Guild Outreach and Referral Coordinator Lisa Beth Miller; and Madeline Schupak, counseling extern.
Discover Your Voice: The Ins and Outs of the Vocal Mechanism
Dive into the complexity of this simple structure and learn tips on maintaining vocal hygiene and hands-on exercises that promote vocal health.
Featured Speaker: Nathalia A. Fonseca, SLPD, CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE, director of Clinical Education and Clinical Services, The Ruth Smadbeck Communication and Learning Center
Exploring Careers in the Creative Arts
Creative arts therapy professionals share their thoughts about working in dance, art, and drama therapy.
Panelists: Jan Dijkwel, assistant professor of Dance at MMC; Glenn M Smulyan ATR-BC, LCAT, a licensed and board-certified Creative Arts Therapist who has spent the past seven years working in LGBTQIA mental health services; and Mark Beauregard, RDT-BCT, LCAT, the founder and supervising clinician of Beauregard Creative Arts Therapy PLLC.
Are You Stressed Out? Let’s Talk About It!
A look at the meaning and causes of stress and ways to cope.
Featured Speaker: MMC Visiting Instructor of Psychology Leila Gastil
Body Positivity: Weight-Inclusive Nutrition for Theatrical Students and Others
Learn how to plan and prep meals/snacks for long rehearsals and school days, break the disordered eating cycle, and honor and respect your body.
Presenter: Libby Parker, MS, RD, CDN, CEDS-S, an international best-selling author, speaker, and certified eating disorders specialist
Introductory Meeting
This workshop, conducted by Pre-Health Advisor and Career Counselor Eugene Rubin, offers guidance on preparing for professional and graduate school. Learn about admission requirements, the timeline for applying, strategies to improve competitiveness, and more.
Presenter: MMC Pre-Health Advisor and Career Counselor Eugene Rubin
Exploring Clinical and Administrative Careers in Health Care
Learn about career paths in social work, mental health counseling, addiction and substance abuse counseling, and more.
Panelists: Clinicians and administrators from the Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center, which provides an array of social services to residents of the Upper Manhattan community.
Overview: Thomas Jefferson University Art Therapy program
Featured Speaker: Rachel Brandoff, Ph.D., associate professor and coordinator of the Art Therapy ConcentrationCareers in Creative Arts Therapy
Practitioners of dance/movement, recreation, drama, and art therapy discuss the rewards and challenges of working in their chosen fields, as well as the academic preparation that’s required.
Panelists: Kiara Mendez, an MMC graduate and practicing drama therapist, and Deb Brass, an MMC Art Therapy professor. Moderated by Mina Candelario, a Psychology major and peer mentor in MMC’s Pre-Health Peer Mentorship Program.
How KidZone TV Empowers Hospitalized Children
MMC’s Center for Health, Human Development, and Creativity hosted this talk with administrators of KidZone TV, a highly acclaimed interactive TV studio at Kravis Children’s Hospital of Mt. Sinai, on how their in-house TV production supports patients and families.
WATCH Click here to view video of the discussion.
Overview: Touro University Professional Programs
MMC’s Center for Health, Human Development, and Creativity hosted this discussion with admissions officers from Touro University’s School of Health Sciences about programs, admission criteria, and Touro’s linkage agreements with MMC.
WATCH Click here to view video of the discussion
Exploring Research-Based Theatre
James Clements and Samuel Adrain, adjunct Theatre Arts professors and co-artistic directors of the investigative theatre company What Will the Neighbors Say?, present a workshop on bringing research to life on stage.
LGBTQIA+ Healthcare Advocacy
In this workshop, Ellen Ensig-Brodsky, a renowned pioneer in LGBTQIA+ healthcare issues, discusses LGBTQIA+ healthcare advocacy in New York State and New York City and the history and status of LGBTQ+ empowerment.
Graduate and Professional School Application Process
Recent MMC graduates share their experiences in navigating the graduate and professional school application process.
Workshop: Stress and Stress Management
Professor of Psychology Leila Gastil leads an exploration of stress and how best to manage it.
The Art of Creation with Dr. Nava Silton
Psychology professor and Director of the Center for Health, Human Development, and Creativity Nava Silton, Ph.D., delves into the psychological and educational principles she used to launch her gaming company, Dr. Nava Games. It uses fun and innovative card and tabletop games to teach concepts such as socio-emotional development, kindness, grit, executive functioning, and relationship building. Dr. Silton will also discuss a brand-new video game she is creating.
Preparing for Graduate & Professional School
Learn about the following:
- Is graduate or professional school right for you?
- What do graduate & professional schools look for?
- Get an overview of the application process
- Meet the staff of the Office of Career and Professional Development
Watch the Recording
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Art, History, and Disability: A Life Story with a Twist
Presenter: J. Albert Mann, award-winning children’s author
Beginning with the first piece of literature she received from MMC as a high school student, J. Albert Mann—award-winning children’s author and MMC alumnx—will recount how she created a meaningful career out of art, history, and her disability. Like any life story, this one has a big twist…although not one of plot.
Benefits of attending this workshop:
-Recognizing your life’s direction through “negative” experience.
-Understanding how your social identity informs both this journey and the creative process.
-Discovering your agency and artistic intention through historical perspective.
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LGBTQIA+ Healthcare Advocacy
Presenter: Ellen Ensig-Brodsky, longtime advocate and renowned pioneer for LGBTQIA+ rights
In this workshop, Ellen will speak about her lengthy and illustrious career in championing the rights of LGBTQIA+ community members. This workshop will provide a unique opportunity to hear from Ellen, on a personal and professional level, about the history, challenges, and status of LGBTQIA+ empowerment. Ellen will discuss LGBTQIA+ healthcare advocacy in New York State and New York City and the history and status of LGBTQ+ empowerment.
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