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Lisa Sargese

Adjunct Faculty, Religion

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sargesel@montclair.edu
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Lisa is an adjunct professor in the Department of Religion. Lisa holds two Master’s degrees: an M.T.S. in Theological Studies (Drew University, 2002) and an M.A. in Counseling and Human Services (Montclair State, 2006). She earned her B.A. in Philosophy, from MSU in 2000. Lisa is a professor of religion, psychology, women's studies and philosophy, a certified hypnotist, peer support group facilitator, public speaker on topics ranging from health and nutrition to spirituality and eating disorder recovery. She teaches for Bergen Community College, the Ciarco Learning Center, and taught at Saint Peter's University in addition to Montclair State where she has taught for 21 years.

At Montclair State Prof Lisa was the interfaith dialog facilitator for Conversations on Faith and Spirituality, an interfaith discussion group for students and others that met weekly at MSU during the Fall and Spring Semesters. Along with Dr. Esmilda Abreu-Hornbostel, she presented at the White House and was awarded a place on the Honor Roll for The President of the United States of America’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge from the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships supported by the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Lisa has conducted Qi Gong workshops, presented on eastern contemplative practices, and led meditations for beginners, in addition to many personal-development programs she has created for students.

Prof Lisa has published a memoir on her journey toward wellness, eating disorder recovery, personal development, healing, and well-being titled "Diary of a Fat Girl: How I Lost 140 Pounds, Overcame Binge Eating Disorder, and Learned to Love Myself After Weight Loss Surgery". Her inspirational YouTube, Professor Lisa Says, was featured in the Oprah-plugged book 'The Peep Diaries' and the feature-length documentary 'Peep Me' from Chocolate Box Entertainment.

Prof Lisa has been a peer support group facilitator, public speaker, and has earned her certification as a Qi Gong therapist. She is a certified hypnotist-counselor and member of the National Guild of Hypnotists. She trains in Nei Gong, Qi Gong, and meditative martial arts. Her students and clients have been helped by her YouTube videos on mental health and spirituality.

Prof Lisa is part of the Farm to Consumer Defense movement and was an assistant to the North Jersey Chapter leader of the Weston A. Price Foundation. She continues to be a warrior for wellness in her work on and off campus.

Specialization

Prof Lisa was the interfaith dialog coordinator for the Montclair State University Council on Faith and Spirituality.

Prof Lisa is certified in Qi Gong Therapy, meditation, and movement and leads meditations on and off campus.

Prof Lisa has used Socratic Dialogue as a healing modality in peer support groups on and off campus. "Eating and Body Image (EBI)" was a successful on-campus peer support which she facilitated wit Dr. Susan Skalsky that met weekly at the MSU Drop-In Center. They presented a paper on this support-group model at the American College Health Association national conference, NYC, June 2006.

Resume/CV

Links

Research Projects

Social Networking and Culture

Lisa is featured in the Oprah-plugged book "The Peep Diaries: How We're Learning to Love Watching Ourselves and Our Neighbors" and the new documentary "Peep Me" from Chocolate Box Entertainment.

Real Recovery

Lisa received the "Mirror Mirror" Award in 2009 for her work in body positivity. TheSkinnyOnine is Lisa's daily blog about recovery from disordered eating, depression and body dysmorphism. The term "Real Recovery" emphasizes that recovery is not necessarily an ongoing "daily struggle" wherein one views one's self as an addict for life. The idea of Real Recovery honors the human capacity for transformation and healing with an emphasis on our body's innate intelligence and views vitality as our natural state of being.