McDowell Institute
- Contact Information
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- University-wide
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Danielle Empson
Director of the McDowell Institute
216 Navy Hall
dempson@commonwealthu.edu
570-389-5221
Bloomsburg
- Social Media
Fostering wellness through education.
The McDowell Institute at Commonwealth University supports the facilitation of social, emotional, and behavioral wellness of children, youth, and young adults across school and community settings. This mission is accomplished through training, technical assistance, and information dissemination.
Empowering Education: Susan W. McDowell's Legacy
Susan W. McDowell established the McDowell Institute at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg in 2012 with a generous $2 million gift. In 2024, McDowell provided additional support to extend the Institute's reach beyond its Bloomsburg roots to CU's Lock Haven and Mansfield campuses and their surrounding communities. In total, McDowell has contributed more than $3 million to support the program.
The Institute focuses on helping educational professionals develop strong ethical standards and skills to address non-academic barriers to learning. Emphasizing promotion and prevention, it supports healthy development and learning for all children, particularly vulnerable populations.
Susan’s commitment to making positive changes is evident in her support of social and emotional well-being for young children and adolescents. The Institute leverages her ongoing financial contributions alongside other resources, such as grants and donations, to fund outreach and collaborative initiatives.
Speaker Series and Webinars
Micro-Credentials
What is a Micro-credential?
A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition that allows an aspiring or currently practicing educator, as well as, related human service provider to demonstrate expertise in a particular area or topic. McDowell Institute micro-credentials are virtual and grounded in research and best practice and designed to be:
Personalized: You can create your own learning journey, based on your interests and career goals
Flexible: You can study, learn and grow when it’s convenient for you in an asynchronous manner
Performance-based: You are awarded the relevant micro-credential based on demonstrated expertise
What is required to earn a Micro-credential?
Pre-requisite Core Components - Asynchronous Virtual Module Orientation Series on Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)-Projected time commitment: 2 hours
Micro-credential Specialized Areas of Interest- After completion of the pre-requisite core components students identify their specialized area(s) of interest. The projected time commitment to complete any selected specialized area of interest ranges between 8 – 10 hours. Act 48 hours are able to be award to all McDowell Institute Micro-credentials. The micro-credentials currently available include:
- McDowell Institute: Bullying Prevention in Pre-Kindergarten Programs
- McDowell Institute: Bullying Prevention in K – 4 Programs
- McDowell Institute: Bullying Prevention in the Middle School
- McDowell Institute: Bullying Prevention in the High School
- McDowell Institute: Comprehensive Bullying Prevention PK-12
- McDowell Institute: Youth Suicide Prevention
