TAMIU Professional Development Course Focuses on Youth Violence

Youth violence—from homicide to lesser forms of aggressive behavior such as bullying—is the topic of the next Texas National Guard Professional Development Course offered by the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Border Studies Institute. The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Fernando A. Salinas Lecture Room (Western Hemispheric Trade Center 111).

The lecture will also be available online.

It is free and open to the public, but first responders are highly encouraged to attend.

“Youth violence encompasses a myriad of behaviors ranging from homicide to bullying and cyber-bullying. It can also include aggravated assault, harassment, intimidation, sexual assault, burglary, theft and robbery. This lecture seminar will examine predictive causes of youth violence and the efficacy of prevention programs,” explained Dr. Claudia E. San Miguel, TAMIU assistant professor of criminal justice and seminar instructor.

Dr. San Miguel recently co-wrote a study on youth violence, “A Multi-variate Analysis of Youth Violence and Aggression: The Influence of Family, Peers, Depression, and Media Violence,” with Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson, TAMIU assistant professor, psychology.

A native of Laredo, Texas, San Miguel earned her B.S. and M.S. in criminal justice from TAMIU and her Ph.D., also in criminal justice, from Sam Houston State University.

This course is presented as part of a comprehensive program designed to provide the training and expertise required for personnel working to secure the nation’s southern border. Partners include TAMIU, the Texas National Guard, Laredo Community College, and various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education training hours will be awarded to law enforcement who attend.

For more information, please contact San Miguel at 326.2529 or csanmiguel@tamiu.edu or visit offices in Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall, room 302J.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Additional information is also available @txamiu on Facebook and Twitter.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu