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Professional Development Plan

Fred Biney
Ph.D. Human Services
June 2009 ID # A00169570
27 George Street, Middletown, CT 06457
1860-704-8453
1860-704-8572
bineyfred@sbcglobal.net / fred.biney@Waldenu.edu
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Part 1: Personal Professional Goals

Introduction

My personal and professional goal is to be a Motivational Social Activist for underprivileged

people, especially the youth. As a motivational social activist, first, I would empower and

influence people to deal with life stresses, develop alternative careers, find hidden talents, choose

healthy lifestyles, advocate for minority groups; including gay and lesbians, and finally low

income families. Thus, attaining a doctoral degree in Human Services from Walden University

with a specialization in Criminal Justice would be my first step in realizing my personal and

professional goal. Furthermore, as a motivational social activist, it is imperative for me to

understand the forces that had shaped and continues to shape human experiences. To this end, a

doctoral degree in Human Services would help me find answers to the problems affecting

Human Services delivery system in general. Secondly, I would focus my attention also on the

Criminal Justice System, since it’s would be my intended area of specialization. To make a

positive social change in the Criminal Justice System, it would be important for me to do an

extensive research on issues relating to juvenile delinquency, youth violence, demographic shifts,

economic disparity, urban decay, substance abuse, poverty; and its impact on the Criminal Justice

System. My research would also seek to understand the causes and the effects crime has on

society as a whole. I am very passionate about this area of study because it may sheds light on

economic disparities, poverty, substance abuse, and a host of psychological and mental health

problems facing people living especially in the inner city communities.

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Personal and Professional Goals:

In 1994, I got my bachelors degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology after

completing a semester of internship at the New Haven Superior Court House. Prior to the

internship, my plan was to gain admission into law school. However, after having the

opportunity to work with Prosecutors, Public Defenders, Judges, Sheriffs, Bondsmen,

Investigators, Social Workers, Probation Officers, Police Officers, and Court Clerks, I was forced

to re-evaluate my intentions. Thus, my experience as a student intern at the New Haven Court

House became a turning point in my personal and professional life. I realized that as a minority,

the best way to make an impact is to actively get involve with issues affecting minority youths in

the community. Based on my personal observation and participation in the legal procedures at

the New Haven Superior Court House, I firmly concluded that I won’t be able to make an impact

or do much to address the huge disparities existing between minority youth arrest and the

incarceration rate. For instance, at the office of the Chief Public Defender, where I worked as a

student intern; there were clients, mostly minorities seeking the free services of Public

Defenders, but there was only a handful of Public Defenders to handle all the cases.

Nevertheless, many innocent people, especially African American and Latino youths became

victims of Plea bargaining. Plea bargaining is process where an accused person has to admit guilt

even though he or she had not been trail and found guilty by a court of law. Once an accused has

entered into a plea, he or she is giving a reduced sentence.

To help address this discrepancies and to give something back to the youth in the

community, I decided to go to graduate school instead, to pursue a career in Urban Studies with a

specialization in City Planning and Economic Development. I chose this area because not only

do I want to bring a social change, but rather a “positive social change” to transform society as
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it’s being taught and stressed at Walden University. While working on my Masters degree at

Southern Connecticut State University, I also kept a close contact with the city of New Haven as

a community youth volunteer, youth mentor, and a youth career counselor. My coursework in

Urban Planning include, Land Use Planning, City and Regional Planning, Urban Design &

Development, Public Policy & Analysis, Statistical Methods in Planning, Economics of

Environmental Concern, Research in Urban Affairs and many more. Drawing on the voluminous

databases and literature reviews in Urban Studies, I decided to conduct an independent study into

the New Haven Criminal Justice System. I sought permission from the department chair person

and it was granted to conduct the independent research study. Leaning on Urban Planning and

Economic Development as my area of specialization, I titled my research, “The Effect of

Institutional Racism on Urban Planning and Development in New Haven with Special Reference

to the Superior Court”. In May of 1998, I was awarded my Masters degree.

Professionally, I became the Director of Public Relations for International Promotions &

Consulting Group in 1996 while still in graduate school. However, upon realizing that the

company’s aims and objectives do not match my vision, I resigned in the year 2000 to establish

the Rocky Hills Foundation for Human Research & Development, something I firmly and

passionately believed in. The Foundation is a non-profit organization whose aims and objectives

were geared mostly towards youth empowerment and development. My vision for establishing

the Foundation was to foster and further my commitment to the city of New Haven and also to

reach out to other inner city communities in Connecticut. The Foundation contracted, and also

volunteered to motivate and inspire inner city schools and youth clubs in Connecticut. Due to

the success of the program in Connecticut, I decided to take the Foundation international. After a

long and extensive research, Rocky Hills Foundation offices were opened in Ghana, Zimbabwe
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and Malawi in 2001. Furthermore, to serve and give back to Ghana, the country I was born and

raised, I co-founded the Rocky Hills Institute for Leadership Training in March 2002. First, the

aim of the institute is to provide an alternative approach to the traditional educational system in

the Country, which does not stress much on youth creativity, skills, personal and social

responsibility, accountability, leadership, and entrepreneurial training. Secondly, the institute

provided a second chance to under privilege and low income youth who could otherwise not

afford to enter the traditional colleges due to financial and other related circumstances beyond

their control. The institute became the first of its kind in West Africa. Additionally, I taught

Community college level courses in Sociology, History, Leadership and Entrepreneurial skills at

the Institute. Additionally, I also acted as the Director for Student Affairs until February 2007.

In February 2007, I had a special offer which made me return to the United States,

Hartford- the capital of the State of Connecticut to be the Senior Residential Advisor for the

city’s first newly established Job Corp Academy. Job Corp is the Nation leading and largest

educational and career skills training center for youth between the ages 16 through 24

administered by the U.S Department of Labor. After almost a year working at the Job Corp

Academy, I decided it was time for me to embark on another academic journey. Therefore, I

decided to obtain a doctoral degree in Human Services to enable me serve society more

effectively and efficiently. However, before I applied to any college, I went back to Ghana in

November of 2007, to open the Biney’s Natural Health Centre’s. The Centre’s were also opened

in response to a need, to fill a vacuum which has been created by the inadequate and ineffective

health care delivery system in the country. Thus, the aim of the Centre is to teach, create and,

raise awareness in people so that they may start practicing and focusing more on preventive

health care. The final ultimate goal of the centre is eventually helping to reduce unnecessary
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medical and doctors’ visits and, premature death, The Centre’s also cater for varieties of

inexpensive natural health products. The Centre teaches people how to use food supplements and

natural herbs found abundantly in the country to make up of the lack of nutrients in the

Ghanaians diet. A typical Ghanaian diet is made up mostly of Carbohydrates deprived of Fat and

Protein. The Centre also has natural health equipments for body Detoxification, Sauna’s,

Massage Therapies, Fitness, and Exercise Equipments. Nevertheless, the Centre’s also cater for

outreach program that reaches out to low income families, and those living in rural and hard to

reach areas. The Centre provided free services by offering teachings for the prevention and

controlling of blood pressure, prevention and controlling of blood sugar; prevention and

controlling of diabetes, prevention and controlling of cholesterol, and obesity. Finally proper diet

and nutritional values are also taught, including exercise and fitness programs.

Based on the above personal, professional and academic life history, I sincerely believe I

match Walden University’s profile of a student who is self driven, motivated and one who wants

to become a scholar-practitioner in other to bring a positive social change. Upon careful analysis

of various doctoral programs in different colleges, I saw the instant appeal, and the connection

between Walden University mission statement and my own vision. Furthermore, as a minority,

and a professional, I saw the opportunity being offered by Walden University to advance and

transform myself, to a scholar- practitioner, so that I may also transform society through positive

social change. Personally, nothing sounds better than this offer giving by Walden University.

Like a coincidence, Walden University and I shares the same vision of developing the individual,

communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, and societies. Thus, this could be seen and

verified through my past academic, professional and voluntary work that I have been involved.

The attainment of a doctoral degree would further enhance my work and also give me the
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necessary credibility, and the opportunity to deal with diverse group of professionals working to

make our society and world a better place. I chose Walden University’s route above all others

because their vision, mission, and goals are directly related to the advancement and betterment of

society in general; and to be part of the dream is a blessing. I believe I am uniquely qualified to

be a scholar-practitioner at Walden University based on my educational background and my

proficiency in research, which would be highlighted in the following pages.

Part II: Educational Background and Research Proficiency

In 1994, I got a Bachelors degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. In 1998,

I was awarded a Masters degree in Urban Studies with a specialization in Planning and

Economic Development. Courses that I took which were relevant in pursuing my doctoral studies

in Human Services and Criminal Justice Specialization include, an independent research study,

done at the New Haven Superior Court House, titled, “ The Effect of Institutional Racism on

Urban Planning and Development in New Haven With Special Reference to the Superior Court

House”, Land use Planning, City & Regional Planning, Urban Design & Development, Research

in Urban Affairs, Public Policy & Analysis, Statistical Methods in Planning, Economics of

Environmental Concern and many more.

Professionally, I founded the Rocky Hills Foundation for Human Research &

Development in March 2000. The Foundation is a non for profit organization whose aim was to

empower minorities living in the urban centers, especially the underserved and underprivileged

youth. Additionally, I utilized the foundation to conduct professional motivational seminars at

selected inner city schools. I also work with selected alternative incarceration centers, and

selected inner city youth clubs for workshops and training programs.

Furthermore, to enable me serve the youth of Africa, especially Ghana where I

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was born and raised, I opened the Rocky Hills Foundation offices in Ghana, Zimbabwe and

Malawi in the year 2001. In 2002, I also spearheaded the establishment of the Rocky Hills

Institute for Leadership Training in Ghana. The aim of the Institute is to give second chance to

talented and under privilege youth who may otherwise end up on the streets or in bad company.

The institute was the first of its kind in West Africa. At the Institute, I taught an introductory

course in Sociology, History, Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills classes. I also served as the

director for student affairs until February 2007. Moreover, as a motivational speaker, I wrote

three inspirational booklets. The first one is titled, “How to succeed in a Hopeless Situation”.

The second book is titled, “The Twelve Alphabets for Success”. The third publication is also

titled, “The Elephant’s Way to Succeed in The 21st Century”.

In February 2007, I returned to Hartford, the capital city of the state of

Connecticut to be the Senior Residential Advisor for the first Hartford Job Corp Academy. After

working and helping the youth at the newly established center for almost a year, I went back to

Ghana in November of 2007 to open up the Biney’s Natural Health Centre’s. The centers’ were

opened in response to the need to fill a vacuum which has been created by the inadequate and

ineffective healthcare delivery system in the country. The aim of the centre is to teach and help

people practice preventive health care, thereby eliminating the need for expensive medical and

doctor’s visits. The centre sells inexpensive natural health products. And also teaches people how

to use supplements to make up of the lack of nutrients in their Ghanaian diet which turns out to

be more carbohydrate than protein and fat. The centre also has equipments used to detoxify the

body. Finally, the centre also has an outreach program that reaches out to poor and rural areas in

the community to offer free services and also teach people how to control blood pressure, blood

sugar, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, proper nutrition and exercise.

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Upon careful analysis of my Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and threats

that may confront me in the pursuit of a doctoral degree, I still believe that my strength, as far as

research is concerned, correlates with my passion to succeed. I am very much motivated and do

have the ability to work independently. Some of my major weaknesses are in Math and English.

Because English is also my second language, I am always cautious and concerned with my

writing skills, but with the help of my college mentor, faculty, and the Student writing Center, I

sincerely hope that I would be able to complete my doctoral studies as planned. As far as

computer literacy is concerned, I have made a head way and would continue to improve on my

deficiencies to enable me to complete my program as outline. The opportunities that would

enable me complete my education successfully include my ability to be creative, investigative,

and my desire to get back my full educational investment. The threats I face currently and the

unforeseen ones are more in the areas of financing my education and future job stability. This is

because I am financing my education with the help of my wife, with no further financial

assistance from any source. Nevertheless, I still plan to move ahead with my strategic plan of

graduating from Walden University doctoral program in Human Services. To further this end, I

intend to make use of all the educational resources at my immediate disposal. This include:

Utilizing the voluminous databases located in Connecticut State and Private Universities. In

Middletown, Connecticut, where I live, I would have access to Wesleyan University and

Middlesex Community College. Both have reference and informational technology resource

centers. To further my research in Criminal Justice, I would also take advantage of the

Middlesex County Court House, the Criminal Justice Institute in Middletown, Leadership

Research Industries in Middletown, Community Renewal Team Inc in Middletown, and the

Connecticut Juvenile Detention Center, also located in Middletown, Connecticut.

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Part 111: Individualized Plan of Study and Program of Study

Overall Learning Goals

My major learning goal is to become a Motivational Social Activist, with a specialization in

Criminal Justice. Furthermore, entering the Criminal Justice specialization without a related

background course requires that I take three core courses in Criminal Justice. Thus, I intend to

use my educational training at Walden to broaden my understanding in the Principles of Societal

Development by taken KAM1 in the fall 2009. I would start with the Theories of Societal

Development (SBSF 8110), Current Research in Societal Development ( HUMN 8120), and

applied the knowledge gained in both the Breadth and Depth to the Professional Practice and

Societal Development (HUMN 8130), to design programs that would be beneficial to the

Criminal Justice System and underprivileged people in general. The Knowledge expected to be

gained from KAM 1 would be the historical and current social forces affecting and shaping our

society. The possible topics I would be working on in KAM 1 would be: The Role Poverty and

Diversity Play in Societal Development. In the Depth Component, I would examine: How

Poverty and Cultural Diversity Affects the Minority Offender in the Criminal Justice System. In

the Application part, I would use my Master’s thesis research project and demonstrate how the

theories and current research help address the issue of inequalities under the Criminal Justice

Systems. Based on my Program of Study I should complete KAM 1 by the fall of 2010. In KAM

11, the Theories of Human Development (SBSF 8210) would give me the theoretical, historical,

and the philosophical foundation to understand factors affecting human development as it relates

to Criminal Justice. Furthermore, this would enable me become a well informed social advocate.

Current Research in Human in Development (HUMN 8220) would also give me the opportunity
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to examined and evaluate research that has been done in the field of human development relating

to Criminal Justice. KAM 11 Application section would be satisfied by using the extensive

knowledge gain in the Breadth and Depth section of theories and research in human development

to design a project specifically relating to human development in the Criminal Justice

Professional field. In KAM 11 Breadth, the topic I would be working on is: How Race affects a

Person’s Development. In the Depth Component, my topic of research would be, the Impact of

Poverty on Human Development. In the Application stage, my project would be to: Analyzed the

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency by Understanding the Stages of Human Development. I would

start working on KAM 11 by fall of 2010 and complete it by summer 2011. KAM III, Principles

of Organizational and Social Systems would be started by fall 2011. I would start with the

Breadth, Theories of Organizational and Social Systems (SBSF 8310), followed by the Depth,

Current in Organizational and Social Systems (SBSF 8320). For the Application, Professional

Practice and Organizational and Social Systems (SBSF 8330) would also be completed by

summer of 2012. The same learning process would be repeated in other to accomplish KAM 111.

In KAM 111, The Breadth, Theories of Organizational and Social Systems would expand my

understanding of the theories and the history of Organizational and Social Systems as it relates to

the field of Criminal Justice. The Depth, Current Research in Organizational and Social Systems

would also lead me to the current research being done or conducted in the field, and who the key

players and the foremost experts are. The knowledge that would be gain in the depth would be

utilized in preparing my research project for the Application stage, Professional Practice and

Organizational and Social Systems. Moreover, Whatever I would be learning from the

Application part will be incorporated into my research thesis and be applied to my professional

life as a scholar-practitioner who affects positive social change thereby transforming individuals,
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communities, organizations, cultures and societies. The paper I would be working on in the

Breadth component is: The Differences in Systems Theories View of the World. In the Depth

Component, the topic I have chosen to work on is: The Intersection Between Poverty and

Education. In the Application Component, I would use System Theories in the Criminal Justice

System to: Examine Systems-based approaches that had proven to be effective in a criminal

justice settings

Based on my Program of Study, I would be taking Research Seminar 1: Human Inquiry

and Science (SBSF 8417) in the fall of 2011 after my Learning Agreement has been approved.

Research Seminar 11: Design in Human Services Research (HUMN8427) would also be taken in

the spring of 2011 after completing Research Seminar 1, and also completing two of my KAM’s.

Research Seminar 111: Data Analysis in Human Service (HUMN 8437) would also be done in

the summer of 2012. KAM V, Advance Theory and Practice in Human Services would also be

done after completing KAMs 1, 11, 111. I would start KAM V with Theory and Models of

Human Behavior for Professional Practice (HUMN 8512), and would be taken in the fall of

2012. Contextual Evaluation of Contemporary Theories and Models in Human Services (HUMN

8522) would also be taken in the spring of 2013. Integrating Theory and Practice in Human

Services (HUMN 8532) would also be done by the summer of 2013. In KAM V Breadth, the

topic I would be working on is: How Historical Theories and Models Could Be Applied in

Criminal Justice. In the Depth Component, I would write 30 pages of scholarly research paper

based on current research consisting of primarily of recent journal articles. The title of the paper

would be: How Current Research Interpretations of Theories and Models Could Be Applied to

Issues Affecting the Criminal Justice System. In the Application Component, the title of the

project paper I would be working on is: Manual for An Alternative Incarceration Center, Using
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Theories and Models in Criminal Justice Research. In KAM VI: Intervention Strategies in

Human Services would also start after completing KAMs, 1, 11, and 111. I would start with

Advance Theories of Intervention in Human Services (HUMN 8612) and complete it by the end

of fall 2012. I would also take Human Services Delivery Systems and Ethical Considerations

(HUMN 8622) in the spring of 2013. The next on my list would be Integrating Intervention

Strategies and Ethical Practice (HUMN 8632) in the summer of 2013. In KAM VI Breadth, my

research paper would be: Historical and Contemporary Philosophical and Ethical Issues

Affecting Intervention Strategies in Criminal Justice. In the Depth Component, I would be

working on a project paper titled: Contemporary Philosophical Foundation Used in Criminal

Justice Interventions. In the Application Component, my project would be to design: A Training

Manual for Intervention in a Juvenile Detention Center. KAM VII: Advance Case Study

Research and Applied Change in Human Services would be started by taken Theories of Case

Study Research and Applied Change in Human Services (HUMN 8712) in the fall of 2013.

Relating Case Studies to Applied Change in Human Services (HUMN 8722) would also be taken

by spring of 2014. A Case Study of Applied Change in Human Services (HUMN 8732) would be

completed by the summer of 2014. The paper that I would be working on in the Breadth

Component of KAMVII is: Theories and Strategies of Implementing Change in a Criminal

Justice System. In the Depth Component, the paper I would be working on is: Why the Current

Plea Bargaining system in the Criminal Justice System Must be Changed. In the Application

Component the project paper I would be working on is: Why Ethical and Moral Consideration

Must Be Used to Stop Plea Bargaining in the Criminal Justice System.

Based on my Program of Study, my first academic residency would be in the fall

of 2009. My second academic residency would also be in the summer of 2010, and my third
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academic residency would be in the fall of 2011. My final academic residency would be in the

fall of 2012 and my Dissertation is also expected to be completed by the fall of 2014.
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