(Posted September 12, 2005)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University, New Albany, will give a public talk on keeping students connected on campus at 7 p.m.. Thursday, Sept. 15 in Alumni Hall in the Brumbaugh Academic Center on the Juniata campus.

Carducci will speak on "Don't Shy Away from Fostering Campus Connectedness in Students: Helping Shrinking Violets to Blossom" during his lecture. The event is free and open to the public. In addition, he will give a series of workshops and make guest appearances in various Juniata classrooms during his stay on campus.

Carducci believes that a critical element in collegiate success for all students is establishing a sense of connectedness with the campus community. "The transition to college and making campus connections can be a tumultuous task for students in general and shy students in particular," Carducci said in a press release.

Shy students can experience difficulty in making social contacts, find it awkward to start conversations and find it hard to interact with other students and seek help from faculty or staff. Students who have difficulty maintaining campus connections can isolate themselves by not attending classes, avoiding social activities, excessive sleeping, online gaming or substance abuse.

Carducci's presentation will explain why people can be shy, and also will demonstrate some strategies that can counteract a student's natural inclination to shy behavior.

Carducci is the author of "Shyness: A Bold New Approach" which offers ideas for controlling shyness in children and adults. He also wrote "The Shyness Breakthrough: A No-Stress Plan to help Your Shy Child Warm Up, Open Up and Join the Fun" and "The Shyness Workbook: 30 Days to Deal Effectively with Shyness" and "The Pocket Guide to Making Successful Small Talk."

He has been a featured guest on "Good Morning America" and has been featured in articles in U.S. News and World Report, Vogue, Allure, Jet, the New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

Carducci earned a bachelor's degree in 1974 and a master's degree in 1976, both from California State University, Fullerton. He earned a doctorate in 1981 from Kansas State University.

He is a professor of Psychology at Indiana University Southeast and director of the university's Shyness Research Institute. He has been a member of the Indiana University faculty since 1979 and also is a member of the faculty of the University Graduate School at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.