Eastern Student Nicole Green of Tolland Presents at Northeast COPLAC Conference

2016 Oct 27

Twelve students from Eastern Connecticut State University presented their research and creative activity at the Northeast Regional Research Conference of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) on Oct. 21-22. Hosted by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), eight colleges in the COPLAC consortium participated in the undergraduate conference.

Nicole Green '18, a Elementary Education and English double major from Tolland, delivered a oral presentation titled "Redefining the Role of the Sibling: Looking into the Lives of Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities." Green was mentored by Education Professor Tanya Moorehead.

"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other physical and intellectual disabilities are on the rise in recent years," said Green. "As these diagnoses increase, unfortunately, they are not being met with the proper amount of resources. Many resources have grown out of research: there are social groups, programs in schools, colleges and universities, local community organizations and federal laws to help children with disabilities and their parents. However, where are these resources for their siblings? How do the siblings factor into the life of a child with a disability? How does this impact the future, and how much responsibility will the sibling have when the parents are no longer able to make decisions for the child with a disability? The goal of this research is to bring awareness and shed light on the concerns that siblings of children with disabilities have and how their role transforms and transitions over time."

"We are here to showcase and celebrate the talent, insight, collaborative spirit and inquiry of students from our COPLAC campuses in the Northeast and to recognize the support and guidance they receive from their dedicated faculty," said MCLA President James Birge.

"Undergraduate research is one of the best aspects of an Eastern liberal arts education," said Carmen Cid, dean of Eastern's School of Arts and Sciences. "It provides our students the ability to develop their talents in a meaningful and successful career path. Those who present at COPLAC represent the leaders of tomorrow for Connecticut."

Established in 1987, COPLAC is dedicated to the advancement of high-quality liberal arts education in a public college setting. COPLAC represents a distinguished sector in higher education consisting of 30 colleges and universities in 28 states and one Canadian province. Eastern is Connecticut's designated public liberal arts university and joined COPLAC in 2004.