The Citadel 171 Moultrie Street Charleston, SC 29409

(843) 953-5098 (Office) (843) 953-7258 (Fax) wendell.rodgers@citadel.edu

OBJECTIVE

An executive level position in a dynamic, future oriented, social service environment where time-tested expertise in Community Service and Rehabilitative Counseling can be counted on to generate numerous mutual growth opportunities.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Innovative, adaptable team leader whose personal enthusiasm inspires others to greatness as well. Outgoing, energetic manager who considers all the viable alternatives, then applies remarkable insight and confidence in the abilities of subordinates so that even the most complex challenges can be resolved correctly, effectively, and efficiently.

QUALIFICATIONS

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

• Founded drug prevention program geared to minority youths under the age of 10. Operation, which started in 1989 with 10 boys, now has > 500 young males participating and has spread to two states.
  
  
• Took control of treatment facility; developed community support. In less than two years
  • One location has grown to four.
  • List of 900 clients being serviced has increased to > 2000.
  • Staff has tripled in size (from 100 to 300).

  In addition, program has doubled the monies received from state grants.

• Convinced Department of Corrections of the wisdom/cost-effectiveness of operating a single, co-ed residential facility instead of two separate ones, saving the community nearly $500,000/year in operational cost.
  
  
• Examined recidivistic patterns of criminals; conceived/developed approach to turnaround attitudes of repeat offenders; persuaded leadership of various agencies to combine efforts in order to produce the most effective rehabilitative results. These strategies have saved the state > $40,000 per prisoner who did not return to correctional facility once released, translating to 1,000,000's of dollars that can be spent on more worthwhile causes.
  
  
• Corrected/developed/implemented communication skills program whose participants could enter the community and use their newly learned abilities to:
  • Gain meaningful employment.
  • Interact more effectively with others.
  • Separate themselves from the need for drug dependence.

  Each participant who succeeded went from being a $15,000 burden on the community, t a $25,000 contributor to the economy.

• Produced/wrote/hosted weekly Public Television show that increased worthwhile program's exposure to the community at no cost for advertising.
  
  
• Took initiative/approached various community agencies and business leaders in regards to starting a local basketball team made up of convicted drug offenders. With sponsorship/approval from the powers that be, this rehabilitative program achieved many positive effects during its five-year existence.
  
  
• Instituted residential program for male/female offenders that started as $120,000 grant receiving 70% from federal government and 30% from city funds and grew to $500,000 cost that was funded 100% by the Federal Department of Corrections.

Experience

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/SPECIAL TRAINING

• M.A., Criminal Justice, SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, Saginaw, MI
• M.A., Rehabilitation Guidance Counseling, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, MI
• B.A., Communication/Social Work, EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, Yipsilanti, MI

CERTIFICATIONS

• Master Addiction Program (M.A.C.), 1996
• Criminal Justice Specialist (C.C.J.S.), 1996
• Completion, National Academy of Corrections Program, 1987

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL TRAINING

• New Jersey University Behavioral Health Care
  • "M.I.C.A. Skills Development"
• New Jersey Business Network
  • "Managed Care Planning: Contract and Negotiations"

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• State of New Jersey Governor's Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Treatment Committee
• New Jersey State Corrections Association
• Saginaw Youth Commission
• Delta College Community Criminal Justice Advisory Board
• Career Opportunity Center (COC)
• Corrections Law Enforcement Advisory Board
• Various Community Organizations
• Guest Speaker, lecturer and workshop presenter for numerous organizations across the country
• National Exchange Club
• Board Member - Charleston Little League Association
  

PRESENTATIONS

• National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence North Jersey Area - Newark Branch
• New Jersey Addresser of Tobacco and the Treatment & prevention of Other Addictions.
• Ralph Bunch Institute of International Studies and the William Patterson College of New Jersey "International Conference on Youth and Families at Risk"
• City of Elizabeth, Municipal Alliance "Gang Awareness"
• City of Elizabeth, Department of Health and Human Services "HIV/AIDS Among Youth"
• National Association of Prevention Professional and Advocates New Jersey State Elks Association "Peer Leadership"
• "T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More." Fifteenth Annual At-Risk Youth National Forum, February 16-19, 2003, Myrtle Beach, SC.
• "Parents as Team Members in School Improvement - Motivating Middle School Students." Destination Graduation - A Symposium Sponsored by the New York State Education Department and the National dropout Prevention Center. May 12 - 14, 2003, Albany, NY.
• "The Citadel GEAR UP Leaders - Learning, Education, Assisting, Developing, Encouraging, Responsible Students." Fifteenth Annual Dropout Prevention Network Conference, October 26-29, 2003, Kansas City, MO.

PUBLICATIONS

Hewett, S., Rodgers, W. (2003). Contributor to 101 "Answers" for New Teachers & Their Montors: Effective Teaching Tips for Daily Classroom Use by Frank Schargel.

Hewett, S., Rodgers, W. (2003). Framework for student success. Education, 124, 86-91.

AWARDS

• 1992 Service Award, Saginaw/Bay Counties Commission for Substance Abuse Services
• 1991 Principal Award, Buena Vista School District
• 1991 Kool Achiever Awards Nominee (Brown & Williamson Tobacco)
• Numerous Awards from Community Organizations

MEDIA INVOLVEMENT

"Substance Abuse In The Community".
A television program out of Wildwood, New Jersey.
Developed the weekly format and hosted the show.

"Mr. Rodgers 'Say No' Program"
A weekly radio talk show on youth, substance abuse and crime.

Guest on "Teen Talk" a program hosted by teens:
Topic: "Mentoring Program for Youth".

Guest on "Momentum", Channel 19 Delta College
Topic: "Teens and Drug Abuse".

Published articles in:
Michigan Associations of Alcohol & Drug Counselor Newsletter.