Professional Development & Potpourri
Garden Room

Now What?
Recognizing and Defusing Risk

Reports of violent actions within a school setting have become common occurrences today. The uncertainty and stress caused by these events can be crippling at times. However, there is a science to threat and the escalation toward violence. When hearing names like Oklahoma City, Columbine High School, Arora, Sandy Hook and Virginia Tech, many will call up connections to tragedies, some as far back as 1995 and 1999. In the decades since these incidents, the science of threat detection has been progressing. The purpose of this presentation is to help staff recognize the pathway an individual goes through as they escalate toward the mindset and behaviors that accompany violent actions. We will review steps that staff can take when working with an escalating student far before they progress to a violence mind set. As members of the higher ed community recognize what these behaviors look like; they can better mobilize resources to assist students that are progressing toward violence.