ELIZABETH REA KOSIER 3401 Grimsby Lane Lincoln, Nebraska 68502 (o) 402-423-7707 (cell) 402-770-7929 interactalliance@neb.rr.com EDUCATION May 1993 July 1974 May 1973 Juris Doctorate University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln, Nebraska Master of Arts: Communication Disorders University of the Pacific, Stockton, California Bachelor of Arts: Liberal Arts/Communication Disorders University of the Pacific, Stockton, Califoniia WORK EXPERIENCE October 2002 to present President/Owner Interaction Alliance RESPONSIBILITIES: Leading private consulting business that provides collaborative process consulting locally and nationally; neutral facilitated processes including group facilitation and mediation; training; and organizational, project, and leadership development. 1998 2003 Adjunct Faculty University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law, Lincoln, Nebraska RESPONSIBILITIES: Developing and co-teaching mediation course. January 1993 to October 2002 May 1992 to December 1992 July 1986 to August 1990 Executive Director The Mediation Center: Resources for Collaborative Decision Making, Lincoln, Nebraska RESPONSIBILITIES: Administering private non-profit corporation that provides county-wide services in the area of consensus building and collaborative strategies; developing and conducting presentations, public education and training programs; marketing; leading strategic planning and organizational development; spearheading policy and program development; facilitating referral networks; consulting on collaborative systems design; fostering community and statewide liaisons; writing grants and promotional materials; supervising and cultivating personnel and volunteers; and overseeing fiscal management including budgeting and fundraising Law Clerk Bums and Associates, P.C., Lincoln, Nebraska RESPONSIBILITIES: Legal research and writing; gathering case information; preparing documents; and assisting attorneys in trial preparation. International Student Advisor South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
RESPONSIBILITIES: Administering International Student Affairs Office to facilitate educational objectives for foreign students and faculty; comprehensive policy and program development and implementation; immigration advising and documentation; counseling and academic advising; marketing, recruitment and admissions management; developing enrollment and retention strategies; and contributing to midwest international education efforts as regional leadership team member. August 1984 to July 1986 Off-Campus Housing Director South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinating housing assistance program; compiling and disseminating rental information; mediating landlord/tenant disputes; advocacy, counseling and advising; fostering community, campus and local government interface; developing community resources; organizing and conducting presentations; and providing administrative support for student legal aid services. 1981 to 1984 Self-employed freelance artist to accommodate child rearing. October 1978 to June 1981 September 1974 to July 1978 Communication Disorders Specialist/Vocational Counselor Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center, Clearfield, Utah RESPONSIBILITIES: Designing and implementing communication skills training component for vocationally disadvantaged adults with developmental disabilities; counseling; program development and management; establishing staff development program; revising facility's records management procedures; and organizing and conducting public events. Communication Disorders Specialist Seattle Public Schools, Seattle, Washington RESPONSIBILITIES: Delivering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services for students with multiple disabilities; counseling and advising; providing public education; supervising graduate interns; developing district-wide guidelines; and implementing state and federal laws. CONTINUING EDUCATION April 2005 April 2005 (NE) March 2005 January 2005 July 2004 May 2003 April 2002 December 2001 June 2001 Heartland Regional Mediation Conference, (MO) Developing Logic Models Using A Theory of Change: Mario Hernandez Introduction to the Policy Governance Model: Mariam Carver (NE) The Logic Model: Joyce Schmechel (NE) Wraparound Training: Pat Miles (NE) Defining Competency and Beyond: Terry Tafoya/Tamanawit Unltd. (WA) Cross Cultural Competency Advanced Training: Roberto Chené (NM) National Association for Community Mediation Regional Training Institute (OR) Family Group Conferencing Training: Nebraska Mediation Center Association Training Institute
April 2000 December 1998 October 1998 May 1998 August 1997 April 1997 March 1996 July 1995 May 1995 March 1995 March 1994 November 1993 June 1993 November 1992 May 1992 and September 1992 June 1987 Wraparound Training: John VanDenBerg (NE) Advanced Special Education Mediation Training: Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution Training Institute Advanced Mediation Training: Jim Melamed/The Mediation Center, Inc. (OR) Cross-cultural Perspectives Training: Angeles Arrien/Angeles Arrien Foundation (CA) Advanced Family Mediation Training: Zena Zumeta/Mediation Training and Consultation Institute (MI) Public Policy Collaboration Training: William Potapchuk/Program for Community Problem Solving (Washington, D.C.) Facilitation Training: Carl Moore/Westem Network (NM) Victim-Offender Mediation Training: National Crime Prevention Council (Washington, D.C.) Federal Court Mediation Training: CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution (NY) Special Education Mediation Training: Atlanta Justice Center (GA) Cross-cultural Mediation Training: Mediation Center for Family Law (CA) Family Mediation Training: Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution School Mediation Training for Trainers: National Association for Mediation In Education "Using Mediation in the Practice of Law" - Nebraska State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Basic Mediation Training and Community Mediation Training Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution Advanced Training Institute for International Student Advisors (MN) 1974-1989 Other courses: "Communication in the Business Setting" and "Human Behavior in Business" (Univ. of Utah), "Program Evaluation (Univ. of Northern Colorado - Greeley), "Chinese Culture" (South Dakota State University), "Alternative Modes of Communication" (Univ. of Washington) DISTINCTIONS 1995-2002 Nebraska Mediation Center Association Training Institute - Lead Trainer Designation 1994 Admitted to the practice of law in Nebraska April 12, 1994 1993 National Association of Women Lawyers - 1993 Outstanding Woman Graduate of University of Nebraska College of Law 1993 The Mediation Center: Resources for Collaborative Decision Making - Mediator Certification (275+ hrs of continuing education and training;; 1,000+ hrs of facilitation and mediation practice) PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Past /Officer Nebraska Mediation Center Association Board of Directors Past Author Faculty Author & Trainer Heartland Regional Mediation Conference Community Services Fund Board of Directors; Marketing/Public Relations Conmittee Chair; Worksite Development Committee Co-chair Nebraska State Bar Association Annual Meeting Nebraska State Bar Association and NSBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Mediation in Nebraska: An Innovative Past, A Spirited Present, and A Provocative Future. 31 Creighton L. Rev. 183 (1997) Nebraska Mediation Center Association Training Institute and Nebraska Continuing Legal Education Council on Education in Management Employment Law Seminars Seminars and/or training manuals on Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, Group Facilitation, Public Policy Facilitation, Cross-cultural Dynamics in Conflict, Victim-Offender Mediation, Restorative Justice, Strategies for Effective Interaction, Program Development, Collaborative Leadership, Organizational Development and Change Through Collaborative Strategies 1996 Nebraska Mediation Conference Investing in Children & Families Through Partnerships Conference (NE) 1996 & 1999 National Arbor Day Foundation Conference on Trees, People, and The Law 1996 & 1995 Governor's Conference on Community Service (NE) Heartland Mediation Association (Kansas Continuing Legal Education) 1995 Midwest Educational Leadership Conference on Autism (KS) University of Nebraska 1995 Student Leadership Conference and 1995 Women's Leadership Conference 1995 National Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution Lancaster County New Americans Task Force Human Services Federation; Past Education Committee Co-chair Keynote Speaker and Former Representative Former Chair 1992-93 Lincoln-Lancaster Mediation Center Founding Board of Directors; Fundraising Committee Chair 1992 South Dakota College Personnel Association Conference Nebraska Mediation Coalition; 1993 Statewide Conference Committee (for South Dakota) to National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA) and to Government Relations Advisory Committee for NAFSA Region IV Leadership Team South Dakota State University (SDSU) International Student Relations Committee SDSU Academic Senate
Former Facilitator Former Appointee Former Appointee Speaker SDSU Staff Development Gender Issues Workshops SDSU North Central Accreditation Task Force on Student Life SDSU Long Range Strategic Planning Program 1989 NAFSA Region IV Conference; 1988 Joint Conference of Canadian Bureau for International Education and NAFSA Region IV; SDSU Student Leadership Conference; Tri-Region Library Association Conference South Dakota State University in-service training and academic/community education programs on Multicultural Education; Valuing Diversity; Counseling Special Populations; Decision-Making; International Education; Immigration Regulations; Race, Ethnicity, and Cross-cultural Interaction; Effective Communication; and Non-legal Mediation CURRENT & PAST COMMUNITY SERVICE Co-chair Officer Volunteer Volunteer Past Volunteer & Former Co-chair Past Co-chair Past Chair Past Chair Past Chair Harris Overpass Community Advisory Group Homestead Girl Scout Council Board of Directors Woodsshire Homeowners Association Board of Directors Antelope Valley East Downtown Citizen Subcommittee Homestead Girl Scout Council Performance Assessment Task Force Downtown Lincoln Association Business Improvement District Board UNL College of Law Client Counseling Competition Judge UNL Friends of Foreign Students: member and host family Beattie Elementary School Healthy Lifestyles Program (for students) and Parent Education Program 1989 Brookings Area United Way Fund Drive SDSU Campus United Way Fund Drive (two years) Brookings Chamber of Commerce Area Betterment Committee (two years) Brookings Chamber of Commerce Education and Government Affairs Committee Brookings Committee on Human Rights (mayoral appointee) (two years) Brookings Chamber of Commerce Campus/Community Relations Board Brookings County Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Committee 1986 Candidate Brookings City Commission Invited Artist COMMERCIAL BUSINESS Brookings Summer Arts Festival Board of Directors Brookings Area Arts Council Fundraising Auction (annually) Officer Hawley Terminal Inc. Board of Directors (California Commercial Real Estate Corporation) References available upon request.
Interaction Alliance Connecting People, Process & Purpose Elizabeth (Betsy) R. Kosier MA JD 3401 Grimsby Lane Lincoln, NE 68502 Phone: 402-423-7707 Cell: 402-770-7929 Professional Profile Locally and nationally, organizations look to Betsy Kosier for her training, facilitation and process expertise. She specializes in designing strategies that strengthen human dynamics for optimal interaction and/or organizational performance and sustainability. Drawing on her background in communication, conflict resolution, international education and law, Betsy helps organizations capitalize on their strengths and enhance effectiveness through: Facilitated processes for decision-making, planning, issue clarification & problem resolution; Organizational development & preparation for change; Mediation, conflict resolution & consensus building strategies; Leader, manager & team development; and Customized seminars and training programs. Organizations value Betsy s talent for strategically moving groups of any size through decision-making to plan implementation. Her experience, including ten years as the founding director of an innovative non-profit organization in Lincoln, Nebraska (The Mediation Center: Resources for Collaborative Decision Making), provides Betsy with a depth of knowledge about what is critical to organizations vitality and productivity. She is committed to discovering individual and organizational capacity by improving the quality of human interaction within and among organizations and individuals. Serving clients in private, public, and non-profit arenas with over 30 years of professional experience, Betsy develops and conducts educational programs on topics that range from mediation, conflict resolution, negotiation, and cross-cultural communication to collaborative practices for leadership, management, public policy, organizational development and planning. Betsy is an engaging public speaker who regularly makes presentations to an array of audiences of any size. Betsy develops seminar materials and process summaries that demonstrate her talent as a thoughtful, clear and proficient writer. She is adept at capturing ideas, inviting inquiry and stimulating reflective learning. What Clients Say About Betsy Kosier She is professional, informative, and the best prepared presenter for any class I have ever attended. (Attorney) Betsy has a great capacity to listen and a wonderful sense of how to not be drawn into the fray. (Professor) She is a master at facilitating. (Manager) I highly recommend her to anyone. (Project Administrator) Client Focus Betsy is known for her ability to assess individual and organizational effectiveness. By employing a keen awareness of the impact of human diversity, Betsy is highly skilled at helping people reconcile differences and at fostering a cohesive understanding of issues and perspectives. Her insight is evident in her role as organizational consultant, seminar leader, meeting and retreat facilitator, mediator and process consultant. Education Betsy has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Communication Disorders from University of the Pacific, in Stockton, California and returned to school in 1990 to earn a Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law, where the National Association of Women Lawyers named her the 1993 Outstanding Woman Graduate. A life long learner, Betsy also has completed hundreds of continuing education hours in her field since 1992. Academic Experience For seven years, Betsy taught a mediation course as an adjunct faculty member of the UNL College of Law and she is the author of a review of mediation development in Nebraska. She has served as faculty for Continuing Legal Education through the Nebraska State Bar Association and has contributed to college level courses in Human Resources; Management; Organizational Change; Counseling Special Populations; Race, Ethnicity, and Cross Cultural Interaction; Public Administration; School Administration; Negotiation; and Conflict Management. Professional Affiliation/Certification Nebraska Mediation Center Association Training Institute Faculty 1993-2002 Nebraska State Bar Association Mediator certification from The Mediation Center: Resources for Collaborative Decision Making Training/Educational Style Betsy uses an array of facilitative approaches that encourage participants to teach themselves, including traditional lecture and discussion, preparatory reading, small group activities, role-play simulations, written and reflective exercises, and demonstrations. The depth of her knowledge translates well into an energetic training style, and Betsy designs learning processes with attention to the internalization of concepts and to practical application. Her skill as an accomplished artist and writer also ensures a good measure of creativity.