WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-US Newswire/ -- "Bernard Luskin will receive APA Media Psychology Division life achievement recognition for contributions to Media Psychology at a convention reception in Washington, D.C., on August 5, 2011," announced Dr. David Shapiro, Chair of the Awards Committee and former Division President.

"Bernie Luskin has been active in Media Psychology for most of his professional career," said Rachel Bishar, the first Ph.D. recipient from the first university doctoral program in Media Psychology. In 2002, we launched this first university Ph.D. program enrolling what we called, "The Magnificent Seven," i.e., the seven beginning MA, Ph.D. Students who pioneered this important unique new graduate program in Media Psychology," said Bishar.

"The master's degree, EdD and Ph.D. programs we began at Fielding were triggered by the 1998 APA Media Psychology Division Task Force report entitled Psychology and New Technologies, chaired by Lilli Friedland and me. The findings identified emerging professional areas of work where media psychology is emerging," Luskin explained.

"This spring we will have the first graduates from the new Touro University Worldwide MA degree program in Media and Communications Psychology and, with Bernie's leadership, will start an EdD program with a concentration in Media Psychology by summer 2012," said Dr. Michael Hamlin, TUW Director of Academic Affairs.

"Bernie Luskin has been developing the application of psychology to media and technology all of his professional life. We worked extensively together in the mid-eighties when Bernie was CEO of Philips Interactive Media. We developed interactive compact disc, producing titles in art, reference works, games and movies. Our programs included the first Sesame Street interactive CD, the first Compton's and Grolier's Encyclopedia on CD plus such interactive movies as "Voyeur" starring Robert Culp," said Dr. Jean Pierre Isbouts, Professor of Media Psychology.

Throughout his career, Bernie Luskin has served as president of Mind Extension University, a leading cable network dedicated to education, founding Chancellor of Jones International University and founding President of Coastline Community College, where he was central in the establishment of KOCE-TV. He worked nationally in helping to establish the PBS Adult Learning Service as a pioneer in telecommunications in education, distance education, online learning, and interactive media.

"These innovative programs paved the way for programming today. In fact, the work in applying behavior to interactive compact disc led to interactive disc, DVD and movies now digitally accessible in many ways," said Eric Doctorow, EVP and home video chief at Miramax Films.

"My interest in psychology and technology began in the 1960s while I was teaching using computer assisted instruction at Orange Coast College and completing a doctorate in Education and Technology at UCLA," explained Luskin. "I am flattered and pleased to be acknowledged and look forward to continuing to work in developing media psychology," he said.

For enrollment information regarding an MA or EdD degree program in Media and Communications Psychology, please contact: Alyssa.Mark@TouroW.edu, or call: (818) 575-6800

Touro University Worldwide (TUW)

Touro University Worldwide is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and presently offers online Masters' Degrees in Business (MBA), Organizational and Leadership Psychology, Media and Communications Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy. For program and enrollment information, visit: www.TouroW.edu.

About the Touro College and University System

Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris, and Florida. Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as Touro College Los Angeles, are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/media/.

SOURCE Touro University Worldwide

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Times Square Jumbotron Photo of APA Life Achievement Award and Bernie’s former PhD Students



From Left to Right: Scott Sobel, June Wilson, Jerri Lynn Hogg, Bernie Luskin, John Cabiria, Pamela Rutledge.

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New York, N.Y., - July 14, 2008 –Dr. Bernard J. Luskin has been appointed CEO/Provost for global e-learning programs at Touro University Worldwide.

In announcing the appointment, Touro's president Dr. Bernard Lander said, "Dr. Luskin is one of the world's foremost authorities on learning psychology and e-learning, and we are indeed very fortunate to have Bernie join us in building our blended and online offerings."

Dr. Luskin will work with and lead Touro campuses and programs worldwide on the development and delivery of courses and programs that rely entirely or in part on the internet."Dr. Luskin has special and unique expertise, experience, tested vision and a distinguished background as both an educator and an entrepreneur in media and online learning that we know will help propel our institution to the forefront of global e-learning and Media Studies," Dr. Lander added. "We plan a new program in Media Studies, and will be offering graduate programs in film, television, media studies and distance education. One special area will be in Media and Education for college and university faculty interested masters degrees in media and pathways to the doctorate."

Dr. Luskin joins Touro after having served as executive vice president and director of media studies at the Fielding Graduate University, where he also led the University's Media Psychology and Community College Leadership programs.  Dr. Luskin has served as president and CEO of three colleges and universities, including founding president of Coastline Community College, one of the first and leading institutions dedicated to online learning; president of Orange Coast College; and president of Jones International University, where he led the process of securing the first regional accreditation of an entirely online institution.  Dr. Luskin has received lifetime achievement awards in media and education from the UCLA Doctoral Alumni Association, California State University Los Angeles, The University of Florida Institute for the Future, The Council for Resource Development, The Irish Government and European Union. 

In the private sector, Dr. Luskin was founding CEO of Philips Interactive Media and president of Jones Education Networks, including Mind Extension University and Knowledge TV.  He is also credited with putting the first computer education program in a community college, spearheading the emergence of movies on CD and DVD working with Paramount Studios, and with producing a host of award winning programs, including receiving two Emmy's for educational television productions, and is founder of the syndicated New Media News.  His most recent book, Casting the Net Over Global Learning, is considered a major publication in facilitating distance education across the threshold from the 20th to the 21st century.

A licensed psychotherapist and school psychologist, Dr. Luskin earned his doctorate from UCLA, where he was a Kellogg and University Fellow. He is the author of numerous research studies, articles, books and a producer of television, motion pictures and internet programs. He has taught at UCLA, USC, California State University, Pepperdine, Claremont and Fielding Graduate Universities.

Dr. Luskin may be contacted at Bernard.Luskin@Touro.edu