Conference Theme

America has become a suburban nation with more people living in suburbs than ever before.  As a result of constant growth, suburbs are faced with both opportunities and challenges never quite seen before.  What works in suburban growth: Challenges and Opportunities echo this year’s conference theme.

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Kennesaw State University is hosting its fifth annual conference on suburbanization on FRIDAY, April 13, 2007.  This year’s conference provides a platform on governments, corporations, community groups, educators, citizens and suburban researchers to learn and share experiences and insights with one another regarding suburban issues.

 This conference consists of panel presentations,discussions and a featured speaker, including Georgia State Senator Chip Rogers who will discuss the very controversial Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act passed into law last spring.  Suburban experiences will be expressed by groups and individuals from a variety of disciplines, perspectives, professions and fields.  Among the topics and issues to be examined include immigration and multiculturalism, urban/suburban planning, crime & drugs,  legal issues and homeland security, K12 & higher education, local/regional politics, transportation & mass transit, business and economics, and community involvement.

Contact Information

For registration information, please contact the:

Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

General office: 770-423-6739      

Fax: 770-499-3423 

For other conference info, please contact:

Dr. Rebecca Petersen

rpeterse@kennesaw.edu

(770) 420-4732

Conference Registration

Before April 9th

Send an Email to rpeterse@kennesaw.edu

Include your Name, Affiliation, Address, Daytime Telephone Number, and Email.

Registration is $50.00 ($15.00 for students)

Method of Payment:

Check: (Payable to Kennesaw State University)  Mail to:

Dr. Rebecca D. Petersen                                                

Kennesaw State University

Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice                                                              

1000 Chastain Rd.  MB #2204                                        

Social Science Building #22                                             

Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591

Credit Card: Please register and pay on line:

https://epay.kennesaw.edu/C20923_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=227

Schedule

8:00 am   

Registration and Coffee

8:30 am 

Opening:

Sam Abaidoo, Chair, Department of   Sociology  and  Criminal  Justice,  Kennesaw   State University 

Welcome:

Lendley Black, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kennesaw State University

Introduction: 

Lana Wachniak, Associate    Dean, College of Humanities & Social    Sciences, Kennesaw State University

 8:45 am 

Plenary Session: Suburban Growth: Challenges and Opportunities

Tom Weyandt, Director, Comprehensive  Planning, Atlanta Regional Commission                                 

Jesse Hambrick, Police Office and Author, Douglas County Meth Task Force                                             

John Anderson, Architect, Kennesaw State University

Paul Harris , Center for Immigration Studies Director & Political Science Professor, Augusta State University

9:45  —  10:00

Break   

10:00 

Concurrent Session 1:  Immigration & Multiculturalism in the Suburbs

Charles Jaret, Sociology Professor, Georgia State University 

Harry Trendell, Geography Professor, Kennesaw State University  

Suttiwan Cox, Director, PATH Academy                              

Jo-Anne Schick, Executive Director, Georgia Project  

Feland Meadows, Early Childhood Education Professor, Kennesaw State University

Concurrent Session 2:  Regional Politics & Planning for the Future in Suburbia

David Montanye, Director, Cobb DOT                   

Peter Olson, Partner, Law Offices of Jenkins & Olson

Andrew Taylor, President, Taylor & Mathis Real Estate Company

Crew Heimer, I-75 Northwest Corridor Transit Project Manager, Georgia Regional  Transportation Authority                                       

Chris Chovan, Project Manager, Atlanta Regional Commission

Malaika Rivers, Executive Director, Cumberland Community Improvement District

11: 00 — 11:15

Break

11:15

Concurrent Session 3:  Crime, Drugs & Safety in the Suburbs

Susan Farah, Director, Second Chances             

Ralph Reichert, Director, Terrorism Emergency Response & Preparedness, GA Office of Homeland Security

Miriam Boeri, Sociology Professor, Kennesaw  State University

Becky Vaughn, President and CEO, Georgia Council on Substance Abuse                            

Kermit E. Stokes, Lieutenant, Georgia State Patrol 

Concurrent Session 4:  The Key to Suburban Success: Community Planning, Collaboration   and Involvement

Lydia C. Jones, Director, Small Business Development Center, Kennesaw State University 

Akanmu G. Adebayo, Executive Director, International Services & Programs, Kennesaw State University                   

Jeff Watkins, Director, Planning & Development, Cherokee County     

Lanie Shipp, Executive Director, Town Center  Area Community Improvement District           

Brenda Rowe, Director, Prevention Services & Programs, Georgia Department of Human Resources

12:30 

Keynote/Luncheon Speaker

Chip Rogers, Georgia Senator (Cherokee/Cobb)  

 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act

1:30

Closing Remarks

Rebecca Petersen       Chair of the Suburban Conference