Now more than ever, STARS-Nashville CEO, Rodger Dinwiddie, says that the pandemic brings a unique set of challenges for the social and emotional barriers of our youth and that this new norm reveals greater disparities in communities across the country.
Right now one of the greatest issues that we all face is the lack of equity in access to technology and will be a challenge going forward especially in rural and urban communities.
About Rodger Dinwiddie, CEO of STARS-Nashville
Rodger Dinwiddie has been the CEO of STARS-Nashville (Students Taking A Right Stand), an evidenced-based Student Assistance Program, since 1986. Prior to joining STARS, he served as the Executive Director of another nonprofit organization working with the juvenile court for five years and was a classroom teacher in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools for 7 years.
Rodger is an Olweus Technical Assistance Consultant for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and Safe Dates Program, and he serves as the Tennessee State Olweus Coordinator in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education and Clemson University. He currently provides consultation in the areas of best practices in bullying prevention and intervention, school climate improvement, bullying in the workplace, improving workplace relationships and culture, as well as the development of social emotional competencies. Rodger is also a national trainer for the Hazelden/Betty Ford Center. He is a Past-President of the International Bullying Prevention Association and former president of the National Student Assistance Association.
Rodger is a native Nashvillian, where he is involved in numerous community organizations, including the Nashville Rotary Club. He and former CEO of Oasis Center, Hal Cato, were named Nashvillians of the Year by the Nashville Scene for their work in the collaboration and development of the Youth Opportunity Center, a partnership between Oasis Center and STARS. Rodger is an alumnus of Leadership Nashville, 2008, and most recently recognized as one Nashville’s Most Admired CEOs by the Nashville Business Journal, 2019. STARS has been recognized by the Nashville Tennessean as a member of the Best Places to Work, Hall of Fame.
He received his BS from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and his M.Ed. from Middle Tennessee State University. He is married to Suzanne, has two adult children, Joe and Anna, and two grandchildren, Benjamin and Corinne.
For more information about STARS-Nashville:
STARS-Nashville
Facebook: @STARSNash