Saying Goodbye to Long-time Colleague and Youth Advocate, Paul Snyder
In December 2018, after 26 years at the University of Minnesota, Paul Snyder, HYD-PRC colleague and Konopka Institute for Best Practices staff, has embarked on new adventures.
Securing his first position with the UMN in 1991, Snyder has held a variety of positions -- UMN Extension Services, Institute for Disabilities Studies, and the Center for Learning and Cognition. He found his long-term home in the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health. Since 2009, Snyder has served as director of the HYD-PRC core research project, Partnering for Healthy Student Outcomes.
Paul brought many talents to the UMN. His expertise ranges from supervision of social work students, professional coaching, and project management to areas including healthy youth development, community-university partnerships, community education, student engagement, school connectedness, and violence prevention. Paul also embodies and lives the vision of Dr. Gisela Konkopka by being someone who listens to all youth and young adults, encourages them to dream, and helps them find ways to make those dreams a reality.
“Paul has greatly expanded our understanding of important ways to support middle school teachers and staff, as these professionals foster healthy development of young people during their early adolescent years” noted Renee Sieving, HYD-PRC Director. “PHSO’s Teacher Professional Development Program – Whole Learners – reflects best practices from years of Paul and his colleagues’ work in supporting middle school teachers in urban, suburban, and rural schools throughout Minnesota.”
We will miss Paul and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.