Experts on Mass Violence Prevention and School Safety to Speak at UCCS 2024 McConkie Leadership Conference

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The College of Public Service at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) announced that several leading experts on the topic of mass violence prevention and school safety will be the featured speakers at the 2024 McConkie Leadership Conference. The event will be held from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at Boot Barn Hall, 13071 Bass Pro Drive, Colorado Springs.

This year’s theme is “Leading Through the Community Impact of a School Shooting - 25 Years Post Columbine.”

The event will tackle the important topic of mass shootings and leading through the community impact of these events. Attendees will hear from an expert in the psychology of mass shooters, school safety and security experts who will discuss the Uvalde school shooting and provide an overview of lessons learned, research, and best practices in prevention, and a former district attorney who prosecuted three of the most high-profile cases in recent Colorado history.

Scheduled speakers for the event are:

• Peter Langman, Ph.D., is a sought-after expert on the psychology of school shooters and perpetrators of mass violence. He conducts trainings on understanding the psychology of school shooters and identifying potential school shooters for professionals in mental health, education, and law enforcement.
• George Brauchler served as the elected District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District (JD), Colorado’s most populous district from 2013-2021. As a state prosecutor, he handled the felony cases from three high-profile mass shootings: Columbine High School (1999), Aurora Theater (2012), and recently, STEM Academy School (2019).
• Susan Payne serves as school safety, crisis response and prevention expert with the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence. She is the founder and former Executive Director of the Safe2Tell non-profit prevention initiative developed as a response to the Columbine tragedy in Colorado. She also served as the Director of Safe Communities Safe Schools at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.
• Michael Garcia currently manages the National K-12 End User Business for HID Global and serves as a contributing Board Member on the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools and Zero Now. In 2022, Garcia was named one of the Most Influential People in the Security Industry by Security Magazine based on his achievements in protecting our nation’s schools.
• David Riedman is the creator of the K-12 School Shooting Database. He conducts research on gun violence in schools and has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles on homeland security policy, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency management.

Registration is now open here. The cost is $185 and includes a light breakfast and lunch.

For questions about the event, please contact Janet Van Kampen at [e-mail].