June 21, 2012 Kent Pekel Appointed President and CEO of Search Institute
Pekel joins Search Institute from University of Minnesota to become third chief in 50+ year history of global nonprofit leader in youth development
NEWS RELEASE
Minneapolis, Minnesota — The Board of Directors of Search Institute announced today their selection of Kent Pekel for President and CEO, effective August 1, 2012.
Mr. Pekel is an educator who has worked at the school, district, state, federal, and university levels. He is currently the founding Executive Director of the University of Minnesota’s College Readiness Consortium. From 2000-2005, Pekel was Chief-of-Staff to Superintendent Patricia Harvey and, later, Executive Director of Research and Development in the Saint Paul Public Schools. From 1995-2000, Pekel held several senior staff-level positions in the Clinton Administration. Prior to his time in Washington, he taught at the high school level in Minnesota and at the college level in China.
Search Institute Board Chair Morris Goodwin, Jr., says, “The board is grateful to the staff of Search Institute and especially Gene Roehlkepartain, for their tireless devotion, patience, and dedication in upholding the legacy built together with Dr. Benson, during a very difficult transitional period after his unexpected loss. I could not be prouder of the hard work of the board and the CEO search committee, in particular, for conducting a thorough six-month, nationwide search, culminating in the selection of a sensational new leader in Kent Pekel.”
June 6, 2012 National Study Reveals Key Family Strengths with Links to Critical Outcomes for Youth and Communities
While public debate focuses on family structure, study finds it matters little for a family’s level of strengths
NEWS RELEASE
Minneapolis, Minnesota — A groundbreaking national study released today by Search Institute shows how critical outcomes like academic performance, civic engagement, and healthy lifestyles are directly linked to family strengths.
The American Family Assets study creates a new portrait of America’s families that focuses on family relationships, rather than family structure. It introduces a new, research-based framework of Family Assets made up of relationships, interactions, opportunities, and values that help families thrive. It is based on a survey conducted online by Harris Interactive in June 2011 of a broad, diverse cross-section of more than 1,500 families.
January 20, 2012 AstraZeneca,United Way of Delaware Kick Off Statewide Youth Health Initiative
NEWS RELEASE
Wilmington, Delaware — AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) and United Way of Delaware today launched a $3.4 million youth health initiative to encourage young people in Delaware to make healthy choices, maintain good health, and succeed in school.
The multi-year partnership—“Young Health Program: IM40”—is aimed at 12 to 15-year-olds who live in high-need neighborhoods in each of Delaware’s three counties.
Rooted in the 40 Developmental Asset approach pioneered by Search Institute and endorsed by Johns Hopkins University, “Young Health Program: IM40” will seek to increase the inventory of an adolescent’s assets—common sense, positive experiences and qualities that relate to such things as support, boundaries, values and commitment to learning.
October 13, 2011 Roehlkepartain Named Acting President and CEO of Minneapolis-Based Search Institute
NEWS RELEASE
Minneapolis, Minn — Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Executive Vice President of Search Institute, has been named Acting President and CEO of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization, following the October 2 death of Peter L. Benson, who had served as President and CEO since 1985.
“Losing a visionary leader such as Peter Benson can be challenging for a nonprofit organization,” said Morris Goodwin, Chairman of Search Institute’s Board of Directors. “Fortunately, Peter was a collaborative leader who built a strong leadership team under Gene’s guidance. The Board of Directors is confident in Gene’s ability to guide the organization into a new phase of work.”
October 3, 2011 Dr. Peter Benson, President and CEO of Search Institute, Leaves Legacy of International Leadership in Positive Youth Development
NEWS RELEASE
Minneapolis, Minn – Dr. Peter L. Benson, president and CEO of Minneapolis-based Search Institute, died Sunday, Oct. 2, after a year-long fight with cancer. Dr. Benson’s international reputation in human development emerged in the 1990s through his innovative, research-based framework of the Developmental Assets. Dr. Benson’s work wove together rigorous scholarship with a passionate commitment to understanding—and influencing—society to be more attentive to children , youth, and families. His insight, vision, and passion made him a widely sought speaker, writer, and consultant for major national and international events, organizations, and policy initiatives.
“We are deeply sad at the loss of our friend and colleague Dr. Peter Benson,” said Morris Goodwin, Chair of Search Institute Board of Directors. “He was a truly unique and wonderful leader, who taught us and so many around the world how to see children as the gifts they are, instead of the challenges they face. He was a pioneer in positive youth development, and we honor his memory and recommit ourselves to carry on his great and important work for young people.”
November 17, 2010 General Mills Foundation and Search Institute Partner on Pioneering Study of the American Family Results will Guide Efforts to Further Support and Engage Families
NEWS RELEASE
HOUSTON, Texas (November 17, 2010) – General Mills Foundation and Search Institute today announced a comprehensive study of the strengths of American families during Search Institute’s BigTent Conference at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center. Results of the study, “The State of Families Today: Strength Within, Strength for Our Communities,” presented by General Mills Foundation, will be released in 2011.
“The mission of the General Mills Foundation has always included a strong emphasis on supporting families,” said Ellen Goldberg Luger, Executive Director, General Mills Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with Search Institute to advance a national conversation about the strengths of the American family.”
The research will focus on family dynamics, including how families live out key strengths, such as cultivating strong relationships among family members, maintaining consistent routines, establishing clear expectations, and accessing resources and support from the community. It will also examine the benefits of a strong family for children, teens, parents and other family members.
The study aims to examine families’ strengths, hopes and aspirations and empower them to become catalysts for change in the health and well-being of all children, families and communities. The goals of the study include:
* Sparking a national conversation about the importance of strong families for the health and vitality of children, youth, parents and communities; * Encouraging parents and youth to take concrete steps to make or keep families strong; * Motivating community organizations to do more to support and promote family strengths; * Contributing to and stimulating innovative research on families with children and teens; and * Informing future policy impacting children, youth and families.“Strong families are critical to the health and well-being of individuals and communities,” said Peter L. Benson, Ph.D., president and CEO, Search Institute. “And while there is a body of research from which to draw, there are gaps in that research. Our joint study will close that gap, and the results will guide both organizations’ efforts to further support and engage families.”
While it is widely understood that a strong family is critical for individuals’ growth and development, most applicable research overemphasizes families’ problems. An additional gap in existing research includes studies of families with preteens and young teens. Understanding and nurturing families’ strengths during this period is vital for ensuring that kids have the opportunity to succeed and that parents experience a nurturing family life.
The core of the new study will be a national survey of parents and their children, ages 8 to 13. Data will be collected in spring 2011. The initiative is part of Search Institute’s resource for parents and families, ParentFurther.com, which focuses on everyday steps for raising successful kids.
The BigTent Conference is the world’s leading conference for people who care about schools, youth, families, and communities. For more information, go to www.BigTentConference.com.
About General Mills
One of the world’s leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Yoplait, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2010 global net sales of US$16 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales. General Mills works with communities to enrich the lives of children and families and enhance the health and vitality of neighborhoods and cities around the world. Since the General Mills Foundation was created, it has awarded more than $420 million to nonprofit organizations and helped more than 4.4 million kids lead healthy, active lives. Visit us at www.facebook.com/GeneralMillsGives.
About Search Institute
Founded in 1958, Search Institute is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide catalytic leadership, breakthrough knowledge, and innovative resources to advance the health of children, youth, families, and communities. ParentFurther is its initiative and website focused on offering parents information and resources to help kids succeed. For more information, go to www.search-institute.org, or contact Sara Thompson at 612-692-5555 or sarat@search-institute.org.
November 4, 2010 Holthouse Foundation for Kids Encourages Registration and Attendance of National BigTent Conference
NEWS RELEASE
INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
HOUSTON, Texas (Nov. 3, 2010) — Houston-based Holthouse Foundation For Kids has pledged major support of the inaugural BigTent Conference for youth development as a Chairman Sponsor, the highest level of sponsorship available.
Michael Holthouse, who founded Holthouse Foundation For Kids with wife Lisa in 1999, is making a special appeal to the greater Houston community, other Texans and those in neighboring states who can get to Houston within a short flight or easy drive to register and attend the BigTent Conference Nov. 18-20 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Hosted by Search Institute, the BigTent Conference is designed to attract thousands of youth-serving professionals, volunteers, and young peopleunder one “big tent” to focus on the betterment of kids in every community in America. BigTent targets teachers, school administrators, business and community leaders, elected officials, faith-based organizations, youth programs, child psychologists, family counselors, parents and students. The conference combines presentations, practical workshops, celebratory community building, and a challenging call to action. This event aims to motivate and equip individuals, organizations, and communities to do their part to ensure that young people are ready for college, work, and life by age 21.
October 20, 2010 BigTent Conference Offers 150 BigVoice Scholarships to Students Eager to Speak Out for Youth in America
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Oct. 20, 2010) — Youth can apply now for one of 150 BigVoice Scholarships that will allow them to attend The BigTent Conference (www.bigtentconference.com) in Houston Nov. 18-20, 2010. The scholarships are valued at $60,000 and cover registration fees for all conference workshops and events at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Building upon more than 50 years of positive youth development work, Search Institute has teamed to present this national conference with numerous strategic partners and sponsors who are equally committed to making a meaningful difference for youth.
September 9, 2010 Search Institute Secures Match to Receive $4.9 Million U.S. Department of Education Grant to Increase Student Achievement
Impacting Over 7,500 Students Across Four Pilot Sites, Search Institute’s Building Assets-Reducing Risks Program is One of 49 Recognized through the Investing in Innovation Fund
(Minneapolis, MN-September 9, 2010) Announced in August, The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized Minneapolis-based Search Institute® as one of the national 2010 Investing in Innovation Fund’s (i3) highest-rated programs. As one of only 49 programs to receive funding, Search Institute was charged with securing $1 million (a 20 percent match) in funds in order to receive the USDE i3 grant of $4,999,711. Securing the match gives Search Institute nearly $6 million to expand its Building Assets-Reducing Risks® (BARR) program to more than 7,500 American students over the next four years.
Search Institute is proud to partner with the U.S. Department of Education as well as the following organizations and individuals to increase student achievement: The Cargill Foundation, Best Buy Children’s Foundation, The Minneapolis Foundation, The Rural School and Community Trust, Target Corporation, The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation, Otto Bremer Foundation, and members of Search Institute’s Board of Directors.
We would also like to extend special thanks to Naviance, a partner that has generously donated an in-kind gift of its Naviance Succeed software to support data services at our pilot sites.
Download the full media alert.
September 8, 2010 Search Institute Hosts First-of-Its-Kind Gathering For All Who Care About Kids
BigTent Is the World’s Leading Conference for All People and Organizations Who Care about Schools, Youth, Families, and Communities
(Minneapolis, MN, September 2, 2010)—Search Institute believes that no single person or program has all of the answers for today’s youth. The BigTent Conference brings together multiple organizations and individuals committed to helping young people thrive. With multiple perspectives and approaches under one “big tent,” Search Institute hopes that organizations and individuals can come together to share strategies, build relationships, learn new techniques, and engage in meaningful dialog that will maximize the impact of existing messages, programs, and efforts.
BigTent links people with a deep understanding of the issues our children, schools, communities, and families face. Building upon more than 50 years of positive youth-development work, Search Institute has convened partners and change-makers dedicated to making a difference for youth.
Download the full media alert.
August 9, 2010 Klobuchar, Franken, Ellison Announce St. Louis Park School Program’s Selection For National Implementation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/05/10] – Today, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) announced that the Department of Education (ED) has awarded $4,999,711 to the Minnesota based Search Institute to expand an innovative St. Louis Park High School academic program. Sens. Klobuchar and Franken and Rep. Ellison all wrote letters to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan strongly supporting the Search Institute’s application for the ED’s Investing in Innovation (i3) fund. With intentionality on high-need students, student achievement,and student growth, BARR is a promising strategy with a focus on the first-year of high school.The goal of BARR is to increase student achievement for all first year high school students using the Developmental Assets framework and improving school climate as the means for these changes.As part of Search Institute’s greater plan to expand the program, Search Institute has also partnered with the highly recognized program, Admission Possible. Read the full media alert.
June 17, 2010 Father’s Day Is Not Just about Sports, Yard Work, and Grilling!
ParentFurther and Search Institute celebrate dads, grandpas, and other positive role models with creative activities and supportive suggestions to strengthen relationships.
May 18, 2010
Search Institute Partners with Target to Promote Summer Learning
Target recently launched a Facebook-based campaign—based on Search Institute research—to promote summer learning. Each week, new summer learning tips for parents will be posted on the Target Facebook page.
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Go to Target’s Play + Learn Facebook page
May 4, 2010
Search Institute to Receive National Award
The Association of Children’s Museums will present its Great Friend to Kids Award to Search Institute on Saturday, May 8. Past winners of this award include Fred Rogers, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Barbara Bush, UNICEF, and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
April 30, 2010
Peter Benson to Speak at TEDxTC Conference
Dr. Benson will be presenting a call to action for improved support for young people at this year’s TEDxTC conference in St. Paul.
April 14, 2010
ParentFurther Offers Resources for Families during Financial Literacy Month
It’s tough for parents to talk to their kids about money—in fact, it’s often more uncomfortable than talking about sex. But ParentFurther, Search Institute’s parenting resource, offers valuable information and advice to help parents talk to their kids about this difficult issue.
Download the media alert
Visit the Kids and Money section of ParentFurther
March 31, 2010
Search Institute Launches a New Parenting Web Site
ParentFurther is a new online resource for families that offers parents the step-by-step guidance and tips they need to raise successful kids. Instead of focusing on what is wrong with our kids, ParentFurther provides positive, strength-based parenting advice that highlights what is right with kids and parents. With topics about young children as well as older teens, ParentFurther provides interactive content in the areas that matter most to families.
Visit ParentFurther.com
Download the media alert.
November 16, 2009
Peter Benson to Discuss Minnesota Dropout Epidemic at Two-Day Graduation Summit
Peter Benson, president of Search Institute, will attend the Minnesota Alliance with Youth’s two-day Minnesota Dropout Summit to address increasing dropout rates in Minnesota. The summit will start tomorrow, November 17, 2009.
October 14, 2009
Nathan Eklund to Present at Education Minnesota Conference
Nathan Eklund, Senior Education Consultant at Search Institute, will be discussing his book, How Was Your Day at School?, and teacher job satisfaction and retention at this year’s Education Minnesota Conference.
October 5, 2009
Special Discount on Conference Registration for Ohio Educators
Ohio educators will receive a special discount at this year’s Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth conference!
September 29, 2009
National Youth Development Conference Coming to Cincinnati in November
Search Institute’s Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth conference will be held in Cincinnati this November. The conference is a gathering of positive youth development leaders and enthusiasts from around the country and the world.
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Learn more about the conference
September 2, 2009
Peter Benson to Announce New Bill for Positive Youth Development with Senator Amy Klobuchar
The Student Attendance Success Act is legislation being proposed by Senator Klobuchar that will identify factors in middle-school students that lead to later truancy in school in an attempt to reduce truancy in older students.
September 1, 2009
Peter Benson to Join His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, at National Conference
Dr. Benson will be taking part in the Mind and Life Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century conference on October 8-9, 2009.
June 22, 2009
Peter Benson to Join His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, at International Conference
Dr. Benson will be a panelist at the Mind and Life Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century conference this October.
June 11, 20009
Interview Opportunity: Teen Voice 2009 Study Results Released
A new national study exploring the importance of teen motivation and engagement in civic life finds that only 7 percent of 15-year-olds in the U.S. experience a strong combination of three key factors critical to their success, according to research conducted by Search Institute.
June 8, 2009
Only Seven Percent of Teens Have All Three Life Experiences Key to Their Futures
Search Insitute and the Best Buy Children’s Foundation have released the findings from the Teen Voice 2009 study. The study looked at three factors in teens—“sparks,” “teen voice,” and “relationships and opportunities”—and how prevalent they are in America’s teens.
Download the media alert
Learn more about the @15 project and Teen Voice 2009
November 5, 2008
Youth Around the World See Spirituality as Important, Want to Talk About It
A two-year global research project reveals that today’s youth view spirituality as an important part of their lives, though most rarely talk to others about it. Respondents to the far-reaching study, led by Search Institute’s Center for Spiritual Development, included young people from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds, spanning 17 countries and six continents.
Download PDF of the media alert
Download the study and other information
October 15, 2008
Search Institute’s Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence to Present First Public Release on How Youth View Spiritual Development
On November 5 at a pre-conference event leading into the 12th Annual Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth Conference, the CSD will release the results of a three-year global research project, revealing how today’s youth understand and experience spiritual development in their everyday lives.
Download the media alert Learn more about the Center for Spiritual Development
September 30, 2008
SPARKS: How Parents Can Help Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers by Peter Benson, Ph.D., President and CEO of Search Institute® and a leading authority on childhood and adolescence, describes a simple yet powerful plan for awakening the spark that lives inside each and every young person.
Download the media alert Get the book
September 10, 2008
Search Institute®, a national leader in discovering what kids need to succeed, hosts its 12th annual Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth® Conference November 6-8 on the theme Igniting Sparks: Connect to Hope. Conference assemblies, learning sessions, hot topics, and pre-conference seminars will provide learning opportunities for every community and education sector.
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Visit the conference website
June 14, 2008
Stay Close—Search Institute Book Offers Creative Solutions for Nurturing Long-Distance Relationships between Adults and the Children They Love
June 01, 2008
The 40 Developmental Assets are the subject of a feature article, Making a Difference Using Developmental Assets, in the June 2008 issue of VOYA. VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) is a bimonthly journal addressing librarians, educators, and other professionals who work with young adults. The only magazine devoted exclusively to the informational needs of teenagers, it was founded in 1978 by librarians and renowned intellectual freedom advocates Dorothy M. Broderick and Mary K. Chelton to identify the social myths that keep us from serving young people and replace them with knowledge.
May 01, 2008
Parenting Preteens with a Purpose Friday, May 2, 2008. The article in Gina Chen’s Family Life Notebook column provided information about author Kate Thomsen’s book signing 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Barnes & Noble in DeWitt, NY, and included a quote from the author. The article can be read here.
May 07, 2008
Kate Thomsen, M.S., author of Parenting Preteens with a Purpose (Search Institute Press, 9781574821994) will appear on Bridge Street, a local Syracuse, NY, program on ABC affiliate, WSYR Channel 9. Thomsen will be interviewed about her book on May 7.
March 13, 2008
New Book from Search Institute Addresses Teacher Job Satisfaction
How Was Your Day at School? cordially challenges teachers and administrators to increase job satisfaction and improve school climate for educators as well as students. Founded on the strength-based approach of 40 Developmental Assets, this book reveals the tools needed to retain the teachers who are so critical to student achievement.
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Learn more or buy the book
March 13, 2008
Interview Opportunity: How Was Your Day at School? Release
New book from Search Institute senior education consultant to discuss the challenges that teachers and administrators face in increasing job satisfaction and teacher retention.
