On Tuesday, January 31st, Dr. Costas Synolakis, member of the Academy of Athens, Professor at the University of Southern California, Chairman of the Scientific Committee on Climate Change in Greece and President of the Athens College, delivered the inaugural lecture in Hellenic American University’s new Distinguished Lecture Series.

In his talk, titled "Planetary Health: The Hidden Threat" Dr. Synolakis addressed the implications that climate crisis has for the planet and humankind. He presented a series of complex global phenomena related to global warming, such as the increase in sea levels and the emergence of extreme climate events, in a way that was accessible to the general audience and underscored the urgency of addressing the threat to our planetary health. At the end of his talk, Dr. Synolakis fielded questions from University students, alumni, and faculty and other members of the audience.

The Distinguished Lecture Series brings to the Athens campus leading thinkers, researchers, and public figures from a broad spectrum of disciplines to share their insights and perspectives not only on their work but also on issues of broader social importance.

Image: Alexandra Aivalioti, Director, Communications and Public Relations, Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College-Psychico College, Leonidas Phoebus Koskos, President, Hellenic American University, Dr. Costas Synolakis, President, Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College-Psychico College, Dr. Themis Kaniklidou, Provost, Hellenic American University, Mary-Irene Triantafillou, Executive Director Of Development, Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College-Psychico College (from left to right).

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Hellenic American University is honored to welcome Professor Costas Synolakis, President of Athens College, to its Athens campus on January 31, 2023 to deliver the inaugural lecture in the University’s new Distinguished Lecture Series. Dr. Synolakis will speak on “Planetary Health: The Hidden Threat”. The event is organized by Hellenic American University/College and Hellenic American Union.

The Distinguished Lecture Series brings to the Athens campus leading thinkers, researchers, and public figures from a broad spectrum of disciplines to share their insights and perspectives on their work but also on issues of broader social importance. The series aims to enrich the student learning experience and spark debate within and beyond the university community on timely issues of social and cultural importance. In addition, an important strand in the series will feature young scholars who have made significant contributions to their profession but may not yet have gained the attention of the broader public.

Abstract of the talk:

Climate crisis can feel quite abstract, distant or overwhelming or maybe even like it is someone else’s problem, but in reality it poses a significant threat to human kind and our planet. What is the history of climate change and why should we care? The future of our planet is on the line and the natural systems, people, animals, and so much more that we care about, are at risk. As climate change crisis intensifies, people around the world are experiencing powerful and unprecedented weather phenomena such as tropical cyclones, intense rainstorms, severe droughts and extreme heat waves. Rising sea levels are flooding coastal areas, destroying homes and natural environments and threatening human and animal lives. We are all in danger and unless we act, it will all get worse.

Brief speaker bio:

Costas Emmanuel Synolakis earned a B.Sc. in Engineering and Applied Science, an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, all from the California Institute of Technology. An internationally recognized pioneer in the field of tsunami research and other natural hazards, Professor Synolakis has held professorships in engineering at the University of Southern California and the Technical University of Crete. He is a regular member of the Academy of Athens and serves currently as Secretary of the Division of Natural Sciences. In 2019, he was elected Chairman of the Scientific Committee on Climate Change in Greece, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Space Center. In July 2020, he assumed the Office of President of Athens College. A passionate educator and mentor, he has helped produce documentaries for Discovery Channel, BBC, National Geographic, History Channel and ZDF. He has received numerous distinctions in Greece and the US, including the Presidential Young Investigator Award and the International Coastal Engineering Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Useful Information

Venue: Hellenic American College, Auditorium, 2nd floor, 22 Massalias Street, Athens

Date & Time: January 31, 2023, 19:00 (Athens time)

Language: English

RSVP: Required through the EventBrite platform.

Admission: Free of charge

The event will be also delivered online through Zoom platform. For those who wish to participate online, the Zoom link and meeting ID follows:

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83158151203
Meeting ID: 831 5815 1203

Tel.: 2103680950
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reservation is required either you participate onsite or online.

The 1st Terra (in) Cognita International Conference: Dialogues between Greek Culture and Modern American Art, organized by Hellenic American University and supported by Terra Foundation for American Art, came to a successful close on November 13th, 2022.The 4-day conference brought together 40 scholars and artists from the US, Greece, and elsewhere in Europe to present their research and discuss cross-cultural influences in art, architecture, theater, cinema, literature, music, and dance.

The conference’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Sozita Goudouna, professor, curator, and founder and director of “Greece in USA,” a non-profit organization that promotes knowledge of contemporary and ancient Greek culture. Dr. Goudouna discussed the organization’s work and its role in helping Greek artists gain a voice in the U.S.

The conference featured 12 thematic panels, led by renowned scholars and artists such as Marie Koutsomallis-Moreau, Head of Collections of the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation; Dr. Thodoris Koutsogiannis, Chief Curator of the Hellenic Parliament Art Collection; Dr. Katherine Schwab, Professor of Art History in Fairfield University; and Nicholas Alexiou, Professor of Sociology at CUNY Queens College. The program of conference events included James Lane’s video exhibition “Re-Reverie”, a concert by the L’Anima String Quartet dedicated to the memory of Theodore Antoniou, and a presentation by Dr. Nina Papathanasopoulou, which explored the role of Greek myth in Martha Graham’s work and which was accompanied by a restaging of excerpts of the choreographer’s work.

In their text for the conference’s opening remarks, members of the Organizing Committee Drs. Panayotis Kalozoumis and Ermioni Karachaliou pointed out that: “the 1st Terra (in) Cognita International Conference experience shows that success is not a matter of size and resources. A small and relatively young university such as Hellenic American University can thrive through hard work and a commitment to excellence.”

For the organizing committee and the University’s executive leadership alike, the dialog and interaction that took place during the four days of the conference shed light on the terra incognita between the two cultures and opened the door to similar endeavors in the future. As University President Leonidas Phoebus Koskos notes, “Our role as an American university in Greece goes beyond offering academic programs. Enhancing cultural bonds between the U.S. and Greece is also part of our mission. The grant for organizing the conference was not awarded to Hellenic American University by chance.“

The organizing committee is eager to capitalize on the knowledge capital and potential for academic collaboration that emerged during the conference and has already begun planning a second conference.

Image on the top: Keynote Address - Dr. Kalozoumis, Dr. Goudouna, and Dr. Karachaliou

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Hellenic American University proudly hosted the 63rd Annual Conference of the European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA) on October 21-22, 2022. The hybrid event, which brought together academics and mental health professionals from around the world, was held at the University’s Athens campus and coordinated on-site by Dr. Alessandra Sax, Associate Professor of Psychology at Hellenic American University and Director of the Psychology programs and the Counseling Center.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Moving through Together: Addressing a Changing World”. The two-day event featured 40 talks, poster presentations, and panel discussions that explored international counselling and social justice issues in a wide range of counselling disciplines. The conference’s keynote address, delivered by Drs. Joshua Kreimeyer and Carol M. Smith, explored training for trauma counselling in the context of the war in Ukraine.

The University’s faculty, staff, and alumni were well-represented at the conference. Dr. Sax was joined by adjunct faculty member and coordinator of the University Counseling Center, Dr. Maria Agorastou, in a roundtable session where they presented case studies of using creative art and mindfulness in treating trauma. Aikaterini Aranitou (MSPSY ’23) presented her research on mental resilience during military service in an award-winning poster presentation, and Arthur Antonopoulos (MSPSY ‘22) delivered a talk on deciphering deception signals. Six students from the undergraduate and graduate psychology programs served as volunteers during the conference.

In the words of Dr. Sax, the 63rd EB-ACA Conference was an unqualified success: “The fruitful exchange and positive collaboration at the conference,” she says, “helped strengthen existing ties between Greece, Hellenic American University/Hellenic American College with the EB-ACA organization.”

Image: University welcomes mental health professionals from Europe and the US for 63rd EB-ACA Conference

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We are delighted to announce the launch of a new addition to Hellenic American University’s graduate programs: the M.S. in Stress and Health Management (MSSHM).

The program has been designed by Professor George P. Chrousos, one of the world’s leading experts in the biology and medicine of stress and one of the 100 most cited biomedical scientists internationally.

The MSSHM was licensed in February 2020 by the New Hampshire’s Department of Education, Division of Educator Support and Higher Education -- Higher Education Commission and is addressed to candidates who have an undergraduate degree in any subject. Psychologists, mental health counselors, life coaches, HR professionals, teachers, physicians, nurses, nutritionists, coaches, fitness trainers, wellness consultants, physical therapists and social workers are some of the professionals who can especially benefit from the program. The fact that the MSSHM is conducted exclusively in English makes it extremely useful to professionals who provide services to people of diverse population groups and nationalities and to health professionals working in tourist destinations.

The M.S. in Stress and Health Management aims to bring together students from diverse backgrounds—from teachers and mental health counselors to social workers and dieticians. The HR professional who needs to empower a team to better manage workplace stress and improve productivity. The coach who wants to help athletes build positive coping mechanisms to handle competitive stress. The physical therapist interested in expanding the range of therapeutic tools for managing pain. The structure and content of the program has been designed to use this diversity of expertise and prior education to create a stimulating learning environment for all participants.

Τhis interdisciplinary program draws on courses in the life sciences and psychology to help students build a strong understanding of the stress system and its role in health and disease. The program provides you with in-depth knowledge of the science of stress and the role of stress in chronic non-communicable and other diseases. You’ll become familiar with instruments to identify and evaluate stress. You’ll also acquire the practical skills to apply evidence-based stress management methods for individuals and groups in a variety of settings.

The MSSHM brings together core faculty of biomedical scientists and expert practitioners in clinical psychology, nutrition, psychotherapy and management. They include (in alphabetical order): Dr. Aristidis Charonis, collaborating investigator at the University Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Professor George Chrousos, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Endocrinology, Director of the Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and head of the unit on Clinical and Translational Research in Endocrinology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Dr. Evi Hatziandreou, Senior Director, Health Policy and Market Access, Dr. George Paltoglou, pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Anna Papageorgiou, nutritionist in the Department of Childhood Obesity at Mitera Hospital, Dr. Harikleia Stefanaki, pediatrician and post-doctoral researcher at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Dr. Effie Tsilibary, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Liza Varvogli, psychologist and psychotherapist.

Studying at Hellenic American College/Hellenic American University does not require the physical presence of the student in Athens or Nashua, but it allows attending courses in a hybrid class, with great interactive capabilities due to the use of the Blackboard Ultra platform.

Courses start in October and applications are open. For more information contact the Office of Admissions through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via phone at +30 2103680950.

Dr. Alessandra Sax, Assistant Professor and Director of the Hellenic American University’s Psychology programs and the Counseling Center, led a day-long workshop on trauma and the expressive arts at the Spring 2022 Learning Institute, organized by the European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA). Sax spoke as a guest professor at the Institute, which was held for the first time this year in hybrid mode at Edinburgh, Scotland and online, May 13-14, 2022. In her workshop, Sax explored the ways in which the creative and expressive arts can be used in child play therapy (and with adolescents and adults) and their role as a means for self-expression and self-discovery.

EB-ACA is a partnership of counseling professionals who share a commitment to developing a deeper understanding of the counseling profession and fostering public confidence and trust in its practice. The Learning Institute is among the most important events the Association organizes during the year.

We are excited to announce the 63rd Annual European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA) Conference, which will be held at the Athens campus of Hellenic American University on October 21st-22nd, 2022.

This year's conference theme is "Moving through together: Addressing a changing world." The Conference’s Scientific Committee welcomes proposals that address diverse issues in disciplines such as clinical mental health counseling, professional school counseling, career counseling, rehabilitation counseling, college counseling, higher education advising, and marriage, couples and family counseling. Preference will be given to proposals that reflect this year's conference theme, address international counseling issues, and tackle social justice and advocacy.

The conference is an excellent opportunity for professional development. Graduate students and faculty can submit proposals for up to two sessions. Undergraduate students can submit and present a poster.

Proposals should be submitted via this online form by July 6th, 2022.

If you have questions or comments, contact the Association at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

EB-ACA is continuing to monitor COVID-19 and will communicate any updates on the 2022 EB-ACA Conference.

Image: Poster of the 63rd EB-ACA Conference

A Call for Papers has been announced for the 1stTerra (in) Cognita International Conference, which Hellenic American University is organizing for November 10-13, 2022 in Athens, Greece. The theme for this year’s conference, which is supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art in Chicago, U.S, is Dialogues between Greek Culture and Modern American Art.

The Conference will feature research on cross-cultural exchange between modern American art and aspects of Greek culture, such as myth, ancient tragedy, Byzantine art and architecture, and symbolism. In its Call for Papers, recently published on the Conference website, the Conference’s Scientific Committee is inviting researchers, artists, graduate and postgraduate to submit abstracts for papers and poster sessions as well as proposals for themed panels.

The deadline to submit an abstract is June 30th, 2022. The detailed Call for Papers and submission guidelines can be found on the official website.

Contact Information: For any questions, please contact the organizing committee at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Conference Website: https://terra.hauniv.edu/

Image: James M. Lane, Emersion 2021, video installation.

Eleni Plemmenou, a 4th-year student in the B.S. in Psychology program, has been chosen to take part in a special youth session of the 31st EURASHE Annual Conference in Brussels this May. She is one of the ten university students from applicants from across Europe that EURASHE, the EU-funded European Association of Institutions in Higher Education, selected to participate in the conference and whose travel and accommodation costs it will cover.

This year’s conference, which will be held on the campus of EPHEC in Brussels May 23-24, is titled “Next Generation PHE: Skills relevance, Inclusion, Digitalisation, Innovation”. It will focus on how professional higher education can help Europe “build back better” as it emerges from the COVID pandemic. The creation of the special session this year—the European Year of Youth—reflects EURASHE’s wish to “put students and young people at the centre of these discussions and co-create the future of higher education together.”

Seema Regmi, an MBA student at our Nashua campus who hails from Nepal, has been formally accepted for Lehigh University’s 2022 Iacocca Global Village program.

Global Village is an intensive virtual and on-site summer program that teaches university students and young professionals entrepreneurship and leadership skills while preparing them to thrive in a global community.

Seema starts her program mid-May virtually and then will attend the five-week on-campus residency at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania before returning to Nashua for her MBA studies, where she will complete the final five-week virtual segment.

Each year, about 60 – 90 university students and young professionals from roughly 40 countries are selected to attend the Global Village program. Given the diversity of the student body as well as learning experiences such as team consulting projects and design challenges, Seema and her fellow “global villagers” can also expect to develop their interdisciplinary teamwork and cross-cultural leadership skills. With an alumni body of over 2,300 leaders from 141 countries, the Global Village experience is also an exceptional networking opportunity for participants.

Image: Lehigh University Packard Lab by Chris Knight, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0