Leadership Bios

Pamela Lane-Garon, Ph.D.
Director
Mediator Mentors
CSU Fresno

I was a classroom teacher (K-12, regular and special ed) for 15 years and a child and family therapist for five. I received my Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 1997 from Arizona State University where I concentrated on the social-cognitive development of children in the context of conflict. I am a mediator and mediation trainer, having studied with CDR, Colorado, Community Boards of San Francisco, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine, and others. In addition to my ‘day job’ as Professor in the Kremen School preparing future teachers, counselors and administrators, I assist local schools developing conflict resolution education and peer mediation programs. My research over the last twelve years at Fresno State has focused on the effects of conflict resolution practices on students, processes and settings. I currently serve as President of the Central California Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution and am on the Board of the National Association for Conflict Resolution’s Education Section. One of the greatest pleasures of my work is to observe changes in all participants of mentored, peer mediation. The university student, the elementary or middle school student, the site-based teachers, administrators and sometimes even parents and professors—develop in positive ways—as a result of engaging in constructive conflict resolution processes.

Karen DeVoogd

Coordinator

Mediator Mentors

CSU Fresno

I am an experienced classroom teacher and teacher educator. I am currently working as a faculty member with teacher candidates completing their preliminary credential at CSU Fresno in the CalStateTEACH program. I am also assisting Dr. Pam Lane Garon with the Mediator Mentor program.

I am pleased to join Dr. Lane-Garon with the Mediator Mentor program which connects college students at Fresno State with elementary and middle school mediation programs. This exemplary model is designed to help elementary students learn and retain conflict resolution skills as they assist their peers. The college students benefit from this experience as they too learn vital communication skills. Perhaps even more significantly, the mentors enter into a relationship that puts them into a powerfully positive role as someone respected and emulated by a younger student. It is very rewarding to be part of this project that connects young people in our valley, as they are learning life long skills of productive conflict resolution. It give me great hope to see the students involved in Mediator Mentors grow into articulate, peaceful and responsible community members.