![\"Rebecca](\"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/collegeofeducation\/files\/2017\/03\/p7a1629.jpg\")
<\/a>By Maia Farris<\/p>\nRebecca Bolante: Director of Threat AssessmentWhen trying to prevent a tragedy, OSU alumna and Director of Threat Assessment, Rebecca Bolante, says threat assessment is \u201cnot about finding someone who would do something bad, it is the opposite — it is about creating a supportive plan so their situation changes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebecca Bolante is a stellar graduate from the Oregon State University College of Education who was studying in the PhD in Counseling program when the Virginia Tech shooting occurred. This event sparked her interest in threat assessment, and she changed her research focus to answer the question, \u201cHow can we prevent something like this happening in Higher Education?\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2014, Bolante graduated from Oregon State University with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. Bolante continues her work as the Director of Threat Assessment Management programs at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. Along with her Ph.D., her education background includes a Master\u2019s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Western Oregon University.<\/p>\n
Bolante was first introduced to the counseling program here at OSU when one of her professors spoke highly of the program. The flexible, hybrid program including both online and on-campus classes was perfect for her needs. Working full time and as a mother made finishing a degree more challenging, but her passion of caring for others, education, and research propelled her to earn her degree.<\/p>\n
With her research on threat assessment, she learned the best tactics to prevent violence and continues to share these techniques with various professionals like counselors, law enforcement, human resources, and legal counsels . \u201cThe key to threat assessment\u201d, she says, \u201cis a team approach\u201d. Overall her research created the Threat Management Resources program at Chemeketa. This program focuses on three parts: prevention (threat assessment), what to do during an event, and disaster behavioral health recovery, and can result in a certificate.<\/p>\n
Currently, Bolante\u2019s work at CCC is filling the need to provide the support, education, and training in Threat Management for working professionals. The program has even expanded to places outside of the state to provide the training where it is needed. Bolante\u2019s work doesn\u2019t just engage with the national conversation about mental health and safety nationwide, she contributes to it.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of her research she thought that all campuses had threat assessment teams, given they are highly recommended by the Secret Service, FBI, and the U.S. Department of Education. In reality, most colleges and communities do not have someone like Bolante to help facilitate the aftermath of traumatizing events; however, she hopes that her workshops on how to set up a response room, to-go box, and other trainings will help see an increase. She believes campuses should all have threat assessment teams because \u201cthere is a need and it continues to grow\u201d. Fortunately, here at Oregon State we have our own Threat Assessment Team with Oregon State Police lieutenant, Eric Judah, co-founder of the team, who also assists Bolante with various training.<\/p>\n
After learning about the College of Education\u2019s new Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health program, Bolante expressed interest in the online aspect. She shared that her last part of her academics was online and although she originally questioned how it would work out, she stated that \u201cthe online experience went very well\u2026[because] it is very efficient to handle the details. I can see how it would benefit counselors in training\u201d.<\/p>\n
Some improvements that Bolante hopes for the future is more work in counselor education involving threat assessment and disaster behavioral health. Bolante admits that she \u201cmade an assumption that counselors have training [in disaster response], and although there is more now, it is a different skill set with emphasis on psychological aid.\u201d She also emphasizes the importance in education about spirituality and belief systems because they play a significant part of responding to disasters since \u201cpeople\u2019s belief systems oftentimes get confused and unsure during these times\u201d.<\/p>\n
One thing she loves about her job is seeing people \u201cget off the pathway to violence and receiving positive support\u201d. Bolante shares that \u201cif we could learn more about the warning signs and report them prior to an incident we could reduce mass violence.\u201d With work keeping her busy and oftentimes dealing with dark topics, she knows how important self care is and enjoys gardening, music and family time.<\/p>\n
Bolante is fortunate to have her hard work and determination supported by her family, husband, and children. Another person who is a continuing supporter of Bolante\u2019s education and work is Dr. Cass Dykeman, a faculty member in OSU\u2019s Counselor Education program. Bolante says that he has \u201cbeen a champion for these initiatives\u201d and together, they have created recent publications; including one this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Maia Farris Rebecca Bolante: Director of Threat AssessmentWhen trying to prevent a tragedy, OSU alumna and Director of Threat Assessment, Rebecca Bolante, says threat assessment is \u201cnot about finding someone who would do something bad, it is the opposite — it is about creating a supportive plan so their situation changes.\u201d Rebecca Bolante… Continue reading