Fisher College Presents A Breakfast Panel Discussion on Adoption:
Psychology, Human Services, and Gender Studies

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

8:00am - 9:30am

116 Beacon Street, Alumni Hall, Boston, MA

Free and open to the public

What does it mean to be a parent, a child, a family?  Learn about the complex and enduring issues surrounding adoption, foster care and family connections from Fisher faculty, alumni and experts in the field.   This topic is relevant to anyone interested in psychology, social work, human services, criminal justice, early childhood education, gender issues, and most importantly, learn about the value of having a choice.   Moderating the panel is Dr. Tunde Turi-Markovic, Assistant Professor and Program Director of Psychology at Fisher College.  

Panelists include:

Fisher College alumna Cindy McGuiggan ’85 is a birth mother who placed her son in 1983 and reunited with him in 2000. Currently she is the Treasurer, Board Member, and Massachusetts Representative for American Adoption Congress. She also sits on the Financial Committee, Scholarship Committee, and Conference Committee on behalf of the American Adoption Congress. She is currently enrolled in the online program at Fisher College and will be graduating in May 2012 with a bachelor degree in Business with a concentration in Human Resource Management.

Paul Shibblehute is a birth father who was reunited with his birth son in 1998. He is the New England Regional Director/Legislative Committee Chairman and former President of the American Adoption Congress. Paul has helped organize grassroots efforts in New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut. His activities also include serving on the NH DHHS Commissioners Adoption Advisory Committee and served as the Vice President of ACONE (Adoption Community of New England). In 2005 Paul received the Angel in Adoption Award from the U. S. Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

Christopher Mittell, Director of Intensive Foster Care, Cambridge Family & Children’s Service.