Melinda Kincaid’s passion for psychology stems from her belief in establishing a therapeutic bond in the working relationship between client and therapist. She has four years of experience in working interpersonally in the object relations, family systems, and experiential therapies.

Kincaid began her journey into the study of psychology with an interest in human behavior. She was intrigued with learning about how the brain works and why we do what we do. Kincaid learned that human behavior is varied and diverse, but there are certain commonalities. She found herself drawn to psychology in general from the need to grow personally. To learn more, understand and be content with herself were part of her goals and studies. Lastly, Melinda Kincaid knew that she wanted to help others.

When asked about her experience at AUSB, Melinda Kincaid said:
“My Antioch experience was wonderful. They make it a priority not only to educate you, but also to prepare you for actually doing the job when you are done with the academics. Self-awareness, examination, and growth are also important aspects to the Antioch education. Especially in this profession, as a licensed marriage and family therapist, it is essential to challenge and know yourself very well.”

Melinda shares this message on WHY she chose to attend Antioch University Santa Barbara:
“I chose Antioch SB for a few reasons. I wanted a very experiential program experience and Antioch Santa Barbara offered that. Also, the accelerated program and schedule worked for me. I was able to attend without having to move from my home in San Luis Obispo, given the one day/week with some weekends class schedule. The Antioch staff and philosophy offers a very well rounded educational experience.”

Mrs. Kincaid is married to her husband, Aaron who is supportive and loving. The two met in high school and were married nine years later in Yosemite, Ca. Having lost both of her parents, Kincaid credits her husband for helping her stay grounded and balanced. The Kincaids recently welcomed the birth of their son, Aden. Since then Melinda has become adamant about living sustainably and consciously with respect to the planet.

Melinda enjoys spending time in nature: camping, running, hiking, biking, swimming, snowboarding, dance and Bikram yoga. Her volunteer work has included working with at risk youth, informing and inspiring them toward higher education (EAOP). She has also worked with children on their literacy and social skills in JumpStart.

Melinda Kincaid, MA, LMFT provides individuals, couples and family therapy. She specializes in relationship issues, trauma/PTSD and adolescents. For more information on this Antioch Alumni please visit her Psychology Today profile.

Sharon Woodlief’s interest in lifelong learning began in her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After moving to Santa Barbara to pursue a graduate study program in Political Science she found herself drawn to Psychology.

Sharon researched graduate programs that could provide a course of study that was rigorous yet consistent with her personal philosophy of Social Justice and Experiential Learning. Once she found Antioch University Santa Barbara, Sharon knew she would be on the right course both academically and personally (an added bonus was the University was located around the corner from where she lived downtown).

Woodlief graduated from Antioch University Santa Barbara, in 2005 with a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology. The photo is of Sharon Woodlief from her graduation from Louisiana State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree. It was significant time for her as it was at that graduation that she confirmed her objective to go to graduate school and ultimately find a path that would allow Sharon to continue to enrich her life as well as to encourage Ms. Woodlief to appreciate the world around her.

When asked about her experience at AUSB, Sharon Woodlief said:
“My classes at Antioch consisted of an array of diverse students, and the class environments were open to allowing all of those hungry and thoughtful scholars to think and challenge one another as well as being encouraged to challenge the brilliant faculty. I felt my knowledge base grow academically because the faculty was prepared to teach with skill and competence. Moreover, I felt my sense of intellect and self-confidence intensify, as I applied theories and ideas not only in my school work but in my community, and even with my family and friends.”

Sharon shares this message for prospective students of Antioch University Santa Barbara:
“There is so much that I learned at Antioch that I still find myself routinely recalling themes and lessons, and in all manner of circumstances in my life. That is what education at Antioch is: taking what is learned in the classroom and applying what is learned throughout one’s life.”

Since graduating from Antioch Santa Barbara in 2005, Woodlief has gone on to earn a Ph.D. in Education from the UCSB, with an emphasis in educational leadership and organizations. Her dissertation research was focused on multicultural awareness education. Sharon worked in Admissions at Fielding Graduate University’s School of Psychology. It was there that she began work with Antioch University Santa Barbara’s current President, Dr. Nancy Leffert.

Sharon Woodlief is an Editor at Out of the Woods Publishing, Inc. She has just finished work on editing a novel titled: “The Farmhand” authored by former Louisiana correctional officer David Bruce. Woodlief’s role in editing this tale on the psychology of people in the Louisiana prison system was based on her background in Clinical Psychology. Sharon Woodlief states, “When you see this book on the New York Times bestseller list and on the silver screen, you heard about it here first, from an Antioch Grad! I am so honored to have been chosen to participate in this work, and I am excited about what the future holds for me.” For more information on this Antioch Alumni please visit her LinkedIn profile.

“… The two years I spent in the MFA program were two of the most productive years of my writing life thus far. When I graduated, I had most of the material that would comprise my next two books of poems, along with a prose manuscript-in-progress that’s currently serving as the basis for a long work of creative nonfiction. None of this would have happened without the guidance and encouragement I got from my mentors at Antioch…. “

Beth Kaplin’s work expands conservation education in the Albertine Rift

(Keene, NH) — Beth Kaplin, core faculty member in the Department of Environmental Studies at Antioch University New England, has received a third round of funding from the MacArthur Foundation to continue her work building an educational system for conservation biologists in the Albertine Rift.

The Albertine Rift, rich in biodiversity and natural resources, encompasses some of Africa’s most important ecosystems. Yet Rwanda and the other countries in the Rift region sorely lack people trained to manage those resources. Kaplin’s project focuses on training teachers, revising curriculum and developing an exchange of teachers and students between AUNE and the Albertine Rift universities.

Through the first two cycles of MacArthur funding–six years –the work has already borne fruit in the region:
AUNE is a partner in a fledgling network of academic and research institutions in the Albertine Rift, called the Regional Network for Conservation Educators in the Albertine Rift.

A new master of science program in Biodiversity Conservation at the National University of Rwanda, the first of its kind in the region, opened in January 2012 with twenty-four students, and just finished its first semester. Kaplin returned from teaching in the program in August, which helps her follow what the students are doing and assess how the program is functioning.

Bernadette Arakwiye, the first female Rwandan student in conservation biology at AUNE, began her studies this fall, with scholarship help from International Women’s Peace scholarship and the Diane Fossey Gorilla Foundation.

Two other Rwandan students are also studying at AUNE, as are two ES doctoral students from Malawi and Uganda, will be doing research in Rwanda. The first Rwandan doctoral student finished his degree with Kaplin two years ago. “These folks will return to the Rift and contribute to building the country’s and region’s capacity for conservation work,” she said.

A visiting scholar from the National University of Rwanda, Jean Pierre Kabuyenge, spent October at AUNE, observing teaching and research.

Several AUNE students are now working in the region.

Building a conservation culture

Kaplin has been pursuing this goal, with financial help from the MacArthur Foundation, for the last six years. “Historically, through colonialism and political instability, some of these countries don’t have a high-functioning educational system,” she said. Few people from the region hold master’s or doctoral degrees in conservation areas like wildlife management.

At the same time, ecotourism, anchored by the region’s famed mountain gorillas, has become very important to the economies of countries like Rwanda, where tourists pay as much as $500 to spend two hours with the gorillas. This critically endangered species lives in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and contiguous parks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Poverty is high around the national parks, and these countries struggle to determine how to manage the parks most effectively with this kind of high human-population pressure,” Kaplin said. “Most of these people live a subsistence lifestyle, using wood gathered from their surroundings to cook on and growing all that they eat themselves.

“Rwanda needs people trained in managing wildlife, ecosystem services, climate change adaptation, biodiversity monitoring and park management, but there are few people in this area of expertise,” she said. “So the MacArthur Foundation grant is about how to build capacity in the country–and they decided one of the best ways is through higher education. We’re creating the next generation of leaders in natural resource management and biodiversity conservation.”

The Road to the Rift Region

Kaplin was drawn to Rwanda after hearing a talk by her future graduate advisor. She eventually went to Rwanda in 1990 to research seed dispersal and biodiversity for her master’s thesis and, after finishing her doctorate in 1998, decided to return to continue research and conservation work. In 2006, the MacArthur Foundation funded the first three-year project to develop a curriculum in conservation biology at the National University of Rwanda. Kaplin took a leave from AUNE and, her daughter in tow, moved to Rwanda for twenty months to launch the Conservation Biology Education Project. She returns every year.

“At first I did not think I would return to Rwanda after completing my graduate research due to the genocide and war and what had happened,” she said. “But then I came to realize that the best thing I could do was to contribute to the development of higher education for environmental and conservation biology work.

“I was not trained to help with AIDS research or genocide survivors or refugees. But I could help to build capacity for biodiversity conservation and conservation of ecosystem services, and help rebuild their educational system and programs that would train people in country for this work.”

Antioch University New England’s Department of Environmental Studies

In 1971, AUNE offered the first environmental studies program in the country. Its Department of Environmental Studies has a history of delivering visionary, progressive and interdisciplinary programs aimed at helping students solve some of today’s most complex environmental challenges. The department offers a master of science degree in environmental studies with concentrations in conservation biology, advocacy for social justice and sustainability, science teacher certification, sustainable development and climate change, and self-designed studies. It also offers a master of science degree in resource and conservation management and a PhD in environmental studies.

About Antioch University New England (AUNE)

Antioch University New England offers highly respected doctoral, master’s and certificate programs in education, environmental studies, management and psychology. Located in Keene, New Hampshire, this unique institution serves approximately one thousand students each year. Our graduates have gone on to be leaders of positive change, working toward a more just and sustainable society. Founded in 1964, Antioch University New England is the oldest of Antioch University’s graduate campuses. Learn more at: www.antiochne.edu

About Antioch University

Antioch University serves adult students around the world and across the country, online and at its five campuses in four states. Each campus offers degree programs that meet–and often anticipate–the pressing needs of its region and the wider world. The University is also home to the landmark PhD in Leadership and Change; Antioch Education Abroad, an exceptional opportunity of immersive service and study programs; and WYSO, a leading public radio affiliate and an essential source of global news and opinion.

Antioch University is a nonprofit private 501(c) (3) organization and member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, www.antioch.edu.