Nationally Recognized Educator Appointed New Executive Director of NYIT's Vocational Independence Programs
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) today announced the appointment of nationally recognized educator, social worker and researcher, Ernst O. VanBergeijk, Ph.D., as executive director of the college’s Vocational Independence Programs (VIP) at its Central Islip, N.Y., campus, and as associate dean.
“Building on the current platform, there are unique opportunities to position VIP as a national model for educating and integrating students with learning disabilities into a college environment,” said Dr. VanBergeijk. “I am looking forward to working with the knowledgeable and experienced VIP staff to further promote students’ growth and deliver to them one of the most vibrant and diverse academic experiences available today.”
Prior to joining VIP, VanBergeijk was an assistant professor at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, where he served as chairman of the college’s local institutional review board, and research associate for Children and Families Institute for Research, Support and Training. In addition, he served as a field adviser and lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work, and a research associate at Yale University Child Study Center, a position he continues to hold.
VanBergeijk brings more than 20 years experience in the special education and social service fields. As a social worker, he has conducted special education evaluations, designed individualized education programs, crafted behavioral treatment plans and provided counseling, advocacy and crisis intervention for students. He also has developed and implemented parent training curricula. Equally impressive is VanBergeijk’s nationally recognized work in the special education field, including work on Asperger’s Syndrome, independent living skills, crisis intervention and decision-making in child protective services.
VanBergeijk holds a Doctor of Philosophy in social work from Columbia University, and a Master of Social Work and bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan.
Located on NYIT’s Central Islip, N.Y., campus, VIP is designed for students with learning disabilities. A certificate program offers over 20 vocational majors and NYIT’s degree programs can place students on associate or bachelor’s degrees tracks.
About NYIT
NYIT is the college of choice for more than 14,000 students currently enrolled in more than 100 courses of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees from eight schools, including engineering, architecture, business, communication arts and medicine. A private, independent college, NYIT embraces an educational philosophy of career-oriented, professional education for all qualified students, and supports applications-oriented research to benefit the greater global community. Students attend classes at NYIT’s Manhattan and Long Island campuses, as well as online and in a number of programs throughout the world. To date, more than 66,000 alumni have earned degrees at NYIT. For additional information, visit www.nyit.edu.
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