Transformative Education Retreat
Santa Barbara, September 21-24, 2000

Hosts and Facilitators:
Global Academy Institute for Integrative Education
Fielding Graduate Institute

The Global Academy Institute for Integrative Education and the Fielding Graduate Institute invited representatives from leading transformative education institutions to explore the future of transformative education (TE) and the creation of a network of like-minded organizations. 

Attendees:
Christopher M. Bache, Ph.D., director of transformational learning, Institute of Noetic Science and former professor of religious studies at Youngstown State University, Ohio. 
Linda-Susan Beard, Ph.D., associate professor of english, Bryn Mawr College
Winston O. Franklin, president, Institute of Noetic Science 
Harris L. Friedman, Ph.D., academic dean, Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center 
Judy Goggin, vice-president education & enterprise Development, Elderhostel 
Miguel Guilarte, Ph.D., associate dean and faculty, Human and Organizational Development Program, Fielding Graduate Institute 
Christina Hardy, program coordinator of philosophy, cosmology & consciousness, California Institute of Integral Studies 
Judith L. Kuipers, Ph.D., president of Fielding Graduate Institute and former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
David Lane, Ph.D., director, Professional Development Foundation, England 
Walter Link, chairman, the Global Academy
Will McWhinney, Ph.D., co-founder and emeritus faculty, Fielding Graduate Institute 
Maureen Murdock, M.A., core faculty, Counseling Psychology Program, Pacifica Graduate Institute 
Maureen O’Hara, Ph.D., president, Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center 
Mike van Oudtshoorn, Ph.D., lead consultant on the development of a corporate university with the Reuters group of companies and a member of the Professional Development Foundation, England 
Tom Valente, president and co-founder, the Global Academy. Former vice president of education, Omega Institute.
Brian Van Way, director of distance learning On-line, Naropa University.

The aim of the meeting was to explore the creation of a network of like-minded institutions that are contributing to TE and consequently to the transformation of education itself, and together examine the issues that will be critical for the future. We also wanted to focus on potential designs for new educational institutions that can best contribute to the changing needs of society.

Co-designed by Tom Valente and Walter Link of the Global Academy, and Will McWhinney and Miguel Guilarte of Fielding Graduate Institute, this meeting assembled representatives from the three key institutions within the field of TE:

  Smaller, fully accredited "niche" universities, such as Fielding, Naropa, California Institute of Integral Studies, and Saybrook, who focus on masters and doctoral degree programs in fields that integrate knowledge development and personal development, and who have a particular focus in TE. 
  Representatives of and organizations working with mainstream universities within the framework of TE. One such organization is the Center for Contemplative Studies, which brings meditation into the country's leading universities. This group also includes present and former professors
  Institutes that typically do not offer credited degree courses, but have important educational offerings, including the Institute for Noetic Sciences, Professional Development Foundation (U.K.), and Elderhostel.

The conference was held in a venue that was in keeping with the understanding that in order to generate creative thought and integrate knowledge, the physical environment is as important as the meeting style. In addition to panel discussions, presentations, and brainstorming sessions, the meeting schedule was created to give space and support for deep reflection and exchange within a nourishing, natural environment.

The agenda included:
The changing face of education.
What do Integrative Education institutions contribute, in terms of content, process, facilitation, and outcome?
Integrative Education and Technology.
Markets for Integrative Education.
Developing concrete schemes for the work of Integrative Education.
What is next? The confluence of actions.

As a result of the first conference, we intensified the exchange between the various institutions in terms of practical projects such as online education, curriculum exchange, and infrastructure building. The momentum created in this conference naturally led to the decision to continue with the development of the network. A follow-up conference is planned for autumn 2002. 

Biographies of Attendees:
Christopher M. Bache, Ph.D., is director of transformational learning, Institute of Noetic Science. Previously a professor of religious studies at Youngstown State University for 22 years, Bache focused on transpersonal psychology, comparative spirituality, consciousness research, Buddhism, and world religions. Dr. Bache is the author of Lifecycles: Reincarnation and the Web of Life and Dark Night, Early Dawn: Steps to a Deep Ecology of the Mind. He has also published numerous articles on consciousness studies, the psychology of mysticism, and near-death studies.
Linda-Susan Beard, Ph.D., is associate professor of English at Bryn Mawr College. She specializes in South African and African American comparative literature. She has spent a year as an American Council on Education fellow and has worked extensively with the Michigan Judicial Institute training each new class of Michigan’s judges on diversity issues.
Winston O. Franklin is president of the Institute of Noetic Science. Prior to joining IONS he pursued 20 years of public service and management of foundations and governmental and nonprofit research organizations. He spent 10 years as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist.
Harris L. Friedman, Ph.D., is academic dean at Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. Dr. Friedman has extensive experience in the field of psychology as an administrator, clinician, consultant, researcher, and teacher. 
Judy Goggin is vice-president education & enterprise development at Elderhostel. She joined the staff of Elderhostel in 1978, and currently works to advance partnership models and collaborative ventures for Elderhostel in the profit and not-for-profit worlds.
Miguel Guilarte, Ph.D., is associate dean and faculty of the Human and Organizational Development Program at the Fielding Institute. Dr. Guilarte received his doctorate from Columbia University. He also holds degrees in Engineering, Theology, and Philosophy. He has served as a professor at the University of Michigan. His current work examines distance learning and Internet technology and the manner in which it is reshaping education.
Christina Hardy is the program coordinator of Philosophy, Cosmology & Consciousness Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is also a doctoral student at the same institution.
Judith L. Kuipers, Ph.D., is president of Fielding Graduate Institute. Prior to her appointment at Fielding Graduate Institute, Dr. Kuipers served as Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Previous positions include vice president for scademic sffairs at California State University-Fresno and dean of undergraduate studies at Oregon State University.  She has been an A.C.E. Fellow, a Fulbright scholar, and the recipient of numerous research grants. 
David Lane, Ph.D., is a director of Professional Development Foundation in England and a visiting professor at Syracuse University and London University. He is senior lecturer at University College, London and is an external examiner for twelve universities in the UK and USA. Dr. Lane has published many books in the field of professional development.
Will McWhinney, Ph.D., is emeritus faculty at the Fielding Institute and is a former faculty member of UCLA.  He completed his doctoral studies at Carnegie Mellon University. His special interests include education and consciousness at midlife and resolution of complex issues and social change.
Maureen Murdock, M.A., is core faculty of the Counseling Psychology Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara. Her books include: The Heroine’s Journey and Spinnning Inward: Using Guided Imagery with Children. Her areas of interest include female development and mythology, memoir, and personal myth. 
Maureen O’Hara, Ph.D., is president of Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. Dr. O’Hara’s research and scholarship interests include the humanistic psychotherapy process, She is involved in the development of deep learning processes and in designing learning organizations.
Mike van Oudtshoorn, Ph.D., is a consultant with Professional Development Foundation in England. His focus is on management assessment and organizational visions and change, the learning organization as well as empowerment. He was the lead consultant on the development of a corporate university with the Reuters group of companies.
Brian Van Way is director of distance learning on-line, Naropa University.

Global Academy Institute for Integrative Education Partner
The Fielding Graduate Institute is a graduate school offering doctoral, masters, and certificate programs to mid-career adults worldwide. Fielding is dedicated to supporting research that advances knowledge and responsible practice in fields related to its academic programs, including human and organizational development, psychology, and educational leadership and change.

For more information on the organizations and institutions participating in this retreat please visit their websites:

California Institute of Integral Studies   www.ciis.edu
Elderhostel   www.elderhostel.org
Fielding Graduate Institute   www.fielding.edu
Institute of Noetic Science   www.noetic.org
Naropa University   http://www.naropa.edu
Pacifica Graduate Institute   http://www.pacifica.edu
Professional Development Foundation   www.pdf.net
Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center   www.saybrook.edu
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