Thomas J. Lombardo, Ph.D.   Phone: +1 (480) 580-5239 Email: tom@centerforfutureconsciousness.com Website: www.centerforfutureconsciousness.com

Tom Lombardo, Ph.D. is the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Future Consciousness in Scottsdale, Arizona and a national and internationally recognized researcher, writer, and speaker on the future.

Dr. Lombardo is also the retired Faculty Chair of Psychology, Philosophy, and the Future at Rio Salado College in Tempe, Arizona. He held this position from 1991 to 2010 and in this role he supervised over forty adjunct faculty members.

A prolific writer and popular speaker, Dr. Lombardo has published over thirty articles and books and given roughly thirty national and international presentations and workshops, focusing on topics such as the future, psychology, wisdom, and education, in the last six years.

His two most recent books on the future, The Evolution of Future Consciousness and Contemporary Futurist Thought, provide a detailed psychological study of the human capacity to think about the future and trace this capacity from prehistoric to contemporary times. Among the many positive reviews of the book, which include write-ups in the international journals Futura and Futures, Future Survey describes the books as “awesome,” “heroic,” and an “ambitious synthesis”; Wendell Bell, Professor Emeritus of Yale University, uses the terms “brilliant”, “encyclopedic”, and “masterpiece”; Walter Truett Anderson, President of the World Academy of Art and Science, states that the books represent “a maturing of future studies, placing it solidly within the larger frameworks of human thought, and I would recommend it to anyone practicing or teaching in that field”, and Tim Mack, President of the World Future Society, refers to the books as “innovative, thoughtful, enlightening, and entertaining.” As he states, “Dr. Lombardo has accomplished what most of us can only dream about.”

Dr. Lombardo has over thirty-five years of professional experience in: 1) college teaching (on-line and in-person), both graduate and undergraduate; 2) course, curriculum, and program development (creating over twenty complete three-credit college courses); 3) faculty evaluation and supervision (as a Faculty Chair, Head Psychologist, and graduate Dean); 4) counseling in academic and professional development (for mental health and clinical professionals and graduate and undergraduate students); 5) faculty and educational staff development (on topics such as deep learning, critical thinking, human diversity, and educational ethics) and 6) mental health and personal development (creating numerous workshops on personal and professional growth). He also has almost twenty years of teaching and curriculum development experience on the topic of the future. Dr. Lombardo has won numerous awards as a teacher and educator.

This spring of 2009, Dr. Lombardo was selected as the “Educator of the Quarter” by the international futurist magazine FUTUREtakes.

Dr. Lombardo is an Editorial Board Member of the prestigious international Journal of Future Studies. He is also a professional member of the World Future Society. Additionally, he is an Advisory Board member of Communities of the Future, a member of the Lifeboat Foundation, a member of The Friends of Wisdom and frequent contributor to The Wisdom Page, and an Educational Advisory Board member of the Acceleration Studies Foundation.

Of special note within the arena of education, Dr. Lombardo has developed, implemented, and systematically assessed a comprehensive approach to teaching and student performance regarding the interconnected capacities of deep learning, critical thinking, academic ethics, and wisdom. As the chair, he integrated this approach into all of the psychology and philosophy courses at Rio Salado College. Expanding upon this educational model, more recently, he has developed an integrative and holistic college educational program that brings together the arts and sciences with an overall focus on deep learning, character virtues, futures education, and wisdom.

For Dr. Lombardo, the development and modeling of wisdom, which he describes as the “highest expression of future consciousness,” should be the central goal of education. He has contributed numerous papers on wisdom and educational ethics to the premier wisdom website The Wisdom Page and has produced numerous publications and workshop presentations in these areas as well. Copthorne Macdonald, creator of The Wisdom Page, considers Dr. Lombardo to be one of the leading, most original thinkers on these topics worldwide.

Dr. Lombardo possesses a highly integrative and inter-disciplinary educational background including psychology, philosophy, science, intellectual history, evolution, the study of time, cosmology, science fiction, religion, and all aspects of the study of the future. As a sample, he has published papers, given workshops, or taught courses on “Globalization”, “Sustainability”, “The Future of Technology”, “Space Exploration”, “The Future of Science, Religion, and Spirituality”, “The Future of Marriage”, “Psychological Evolution”, “Mind and Consciousness”, “Science Fiction as the Mythology of the Future”, “Enhancing Future Consciousness”, “Evolutionary Cosmology”, “Creativity”, “Ethics and the Good Life”, and “Conscious Consumerism.”

Dr. Lombardo has created with his wife, Jeanne Belisle Lombardo, one of the most informative futurist sites on the Web: Center for Future Consciousness. As stated on the website:

“The Center for Future Consciousness applies a unique and powerful synthesis of contemporary psychology, educational theory, philosophy, and science to educational programs designed to help individuals and organizations increase their understanding of the future and constructively approach its challenges and possibilities. As a key theme, the development of character virtues, such as wisdom, optimism, courage and self-responsibility, is tied to the enhancement of future consciousness, personal growth and mental health, the evolution of human society, and realizing purpose and meaning in life. In essence, the Center connects an understanding of the future – through a broad and integrative education in trends, theories, and possibilities – with human psychology – our emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and other mental abilities for dealing with the future."

As a concluding point, Dr. Lombardo is especially fascinated with the nature of mind, self, and consciousness, and the potential evolution of these interconnected psychological capacities in the future. He sees the growth of wisdom, enlightenment, and moral character as critical dimensions in the future evolution of these capacities. His focus on “future consciousness” in writing and teaching, in fact, has a double-meaning: consciousness of the future and the future of consciousness.

Selected Presentations and Publications

“Wisdom in the 21st Century: A Theory of Psycho-Social Development” (Forthcoming) World Affairs Journal, 2010.

“Wisdom, Enlightenment, Science, and the Future” in Science, Wisdom, and the Future: Humanity’s Quest for a Flourishing Earth (Ed. Cheryl and Russ Genet). San Margarita, CA: Collins Foundation Press, 2010.

“Wisdom Facing Forward: What It Means to Have Heightened Future Consciousness” The Futurist, Vol. 44, No. 5, September-October, 2010.

“Virtue and Wisdom, Freedom and Self-Responsibility” GED Graduation Speech, Florence State Prison, Florence, Arizona, August, 2010.

“Wisdom, Innovation, and the Future” Keynote Presentation, FM Global Mid-Year Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, July, 2010.

“Integrative Futures Education at the College Level” Education Summit, World Future Society Annual Convention, Boston, July, 2010.

“Whole Person, Whole Planet Education for the Future” (with Linda Groff and Jeanne Belisle Lombardo) World Future Society Annual Convention, Boston, July, 2010.

“Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Futures Education” Journal of Future Studies, Volume 14, No. 4, June, 2010.

“The Wisdom of Future Consciousness” in Innovation and Creativity in a Complex World (Ed. Cynthia Wagner). Bethesda, Maryland: World Future Society, 2009.

“Creativity, Innovation, Evolution, and the Future” (with Jeanne Belisle Lombardo and Linda Groff) World Future Society Annual Convention, Chicago, July, 2009.

“The Ethics of the Future” World Future Society Annual Convention, Chicago, July, 2009.

“Wisdom, Enlightenment, and the Future” Conference on Wisdom, Science, and the Future, San Luis Obispo, CA, June, 2009.

“The Future Evolution of the Human Mind” Conference on Wisdom, Science, and the Future, San Luis Obispo, CA, June, 2009.

“Understanding and Teaching Future Consciousness” On the Horizon, May, 2009.

“The Future Evolution of the Ecology of Mind” World Future Review, Volume One, Number One, Feb., 2009.

“Evolving Future Consciousness” World Future Society Annual Convention, 2007, 2008, 2009.

“Consciousness of the Future and the Future of Consciousness” Institute of Applied Neuro-Linguistics, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, Brazil, July, 2008.

“Utopian Visions and Values for the Future” (with Jeanne Belisle Lombardo) World Future Society Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., July, 2008.

“The Future Evolution of Humanity, Consciousness, and the Human Mind” World Future Society Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., July, 2008.

“Ethical Character Development and Personal and Academic Excellence” The Wisdom Page, "http://www.wisdompage.com/", April, 2008.

“The Evolution and Future Direction of Marriage” (with Jeanne Belisle Lombardo) in WorldFuture 2008: Seeing the Future Through New Eyes (Ed. Cynthia Wagner). Bethesda, Maryland: World Future Society, 2008.

“Futures Education and the Ideal Future Self-Narrative” Future Times: Learning for Tomorrow, Spring, 2008.

“The Time of Your Life: Wisdom, Enlightenment, and the Future” The Wisdom Page, "http://www.wisdompage.com/", Winter, 2008.

“Philosophy, Wisdom, and the Future” Future Times: Learning for Tomorrow, Winter, 2008.

“Ethical Character Development and Personal and Academic Excellence” Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina, February, 2008.

“The Future of Psychology and the Psychology of the Future” Keynote Address, New Mexico Psychological Association, Albuquerque, New Mexico, November, 2007.

“The Psychology and Evolution of Future Consciousness” Journal of Future Studies, Vol.12, No. 1, August, 2007.

“The Evolution and Future Direction of Marriage” (with Jeanne Belisle Lombardo) World Future Society Annual Convention, Minneapolis, July, 2007.

“Enhancing Future Consciousness” (with Jonathon Richter) World Future Society Annual Convention, Minneapolis, July, 2007.

“Developing Constructive and Creative Attitudes and Behaviors about the Future: Part IV – Wisdom, Virtues, and the Ideal Future Self-Narrative” in World Futures Study Federation Futures Bulletin, Volume 32, No. 3, Summer, 2007.

“Wisdom and the Second Enlightenment” in World Futures Study Federation Futures Bulletin, Volume 32, No. 3, Summer, 2007.

“Time, Future Consciousness, and Personal Responsibility” The Personal Responsibility Handbook, Free Market News Network, Summer, 2007.

“Cosmic Visions of the Future: The Science Fiction of Stephen Baxter” Future Times: Learning for Tomorrow, Vol. 1, No.4, May, 2007.

“Developing Constructive and Creative Attitudes and Behaviors about the Future: Part III – The Self-Narrative, Optimism and Self-Efficacy, and the Evolving Future Self” in World Futures Study Federation Futures Bulletin, Volume 32, No. 2, March, 2007.

“The Second Enlightenment: Wisdom and Heightened Future Consciousness” Second Enlightenment Conference, Columbia, South Carolina, March, 2007.

“Developing Constructive and Creative Attitudes and Behaviors about the Future: Part Two – Thinking and Imagination” in World Futures Study Federation Futures Bulletin, Volume 32, No. 1, January, 2007.

“Reflections on Human Civilization: Alternative Realities in Robert Sawyer’s The Neanderthal Parallax” (with Jeanne Belisle Lombardo) Learning Tomorrow, Vol. 1, No. 3, January, 2007.

“Developing Constructive and Creative Attitudes and Behaviors about the Future: Part One – Deep Learning, Emotion, and Motivation” in World Futures Study Federation Futures Bulletin, Volume 31, No. 6, November, 2006.

“Futurist Faculty Appointment” in World Futures Study Federation Futures Bulletin, Volume 31, No. 5, September, 2006.

“The Future Worlds of Science Fiction: Simmons’ Hyperion Epic” in Learning Tomorrow, Vol. 1, No. 2, June, 2006.

The Evolution of Future Consciousness. Bloomington, IN: Author House, 2006.

Contemporary Futurist Thought. Bloomington, IN: Author House, 2006.

“The Future of Science, Spirituality, and Religion” World Future Society Annual Convention, Toronto, 2006.

“The Pursuit of Wisdom and the Future of Education” Creating Global Strategies for Humanity's Future. Mack, Timothy C. (Ed.) World Future Society, Bethesda, Maryland, 2006.

“Evolving Future Consciousness” American Association of Community Colleges Convention, Long Beach, April, 2006.  

“Science Fiction and the Future: Accelerating into the Future” Learning Tomorrow, Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring, 2006.

“Thinking Ahead: The Value of Future Consciousness”, The Futurist, January-February, 2006.

“The Pursuit of Wisdom and the Future of Education” MCLI Forum, January 2006.

“Science Fiction as the Mythology of the Future” Contact Conference, NASA, Ames, California, 2005.

“Conscious Consumerism” Maricopa Wellness Program, Rio Salado College, 2005.

“The Pursuit of Wisdom and the Future of Education” The School for the Future, King William College, Den Bosch, The Netherlands, 2005.

“Ethics and Values in Higher Education” MAT Annual Conference, Maricopa Community Colleges, 2005.

“The Value of Future Consciousness” in Foresight, Innovation, and Strategy Wagner, C. (Ed.) World Future Society, Bethesda, Maryland, 2005.

“Evolving the Mind: The Future of Psychology” Los Angeles Future Salon, UCLA, 2005.

“Science Fiction as the Mythology of the Future” World Future Society Annual Convention, Chicago, 2005.

"Evolving Future Consciousness through the Pursuit of Virtue" (with Jonathon Richter) in Thinking Creatively in Turbulent Times. Didsbury, Howard (Ed.) World Future Society, Bethesda, Maryland, 2004.

“Developing Future Consciousness” World Future Society Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., 2004.

“Science Fiction and the Study of the Future” World Future Society Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., 2004.

“Evolving Future Consciousness” World Future Society Annual Convention, San Francisco, 2003.

Doorways to the Future: Theories, Themes, and Principles. Bloomington, IN: 1st Books, 2001.

“The Future Evolution of Mind and Self” World Future Society Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, 2000.

“Integrative and Holistic Education within a Futures Framework” World Future Society Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, 2000.

“2000 Outlook: Philosophy” Ed Cetera, Winter, 2000.

“Creating the Future” Phoenix Leadership Development Council, September, 1999.

“Futures Education and the Future of Education” COTF Conferences on Futures Education, Rock Hill, South Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina, September and November, 1999.

“Purpose and Value of Thinking About the Future” The ABN Report: On Learning, Leadership, and the Future, Volume 7, No. 5, June, 1999.

 “Futures Education" World Future Society Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., 1999.

"The Human-Techno Mix: The Future of Education" Sedona Conference on Media, Education, and the Future II, 1999.

“Introduction to the Odyssey of the Future” Opening Address - Sedona Conference on Media, Education, and the Future, 1998.

“Unity, Diversity, and the Evolution of a Global Society” Sedona Conference on Media, Education, and the Future, 1998.

“Religion, Spirituality, and the Metaphysics of the Future” Sedona Conference on Media, Education, and the Future, 1998.

The Odyssey of the Future, Integrated Studies Textbook, Rio Salado College, 1996-2000.

“Integrative Education for the Contemporary and Future World: The PASS Program at Rio Salado Community College” International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, Austin, Texas, 1996.

“The Impact of Information Technology: Learning, Living, and Loving in the Future” Visions, Spring, 1996.

Student Handbook for Activated Learning (with J. Arle, P. Case, and V. Smith) Rio Salado Community College, 1994.

“General Systems Theory and Clinical Psychology” NCSPP Newsletter, Summer, 1990.

The Reciprocity of Perceiver and Environment. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers, 1987. Translated into Japanese, 2000.

References

• Wendell Bell
  Professor Emeritus in Sociology
  Yale University
• Ed Cornish
  Former President of the World Future Society and Editor of The Futurist
• Vernon Smith
  Vice-President, Rio Salado College
• William Halal
  George Washington University
• Timothy Mack
  President of the World Future Society
• Copthorne Macdonald
  Editor of The Wisdom Page
• Jonathon Richter
  The University of Oregon
• Ray Todd Blackwood
  Director of Technology
  University of Advancing Technology
• Reed Riner
  Professor of Anthropology and Future Studies
  Northern Arizona State University
• Richard Slaughter
  Former President – World Future Study Federation
• Rick Smyre
  Director of Communities of the Future

Education

Professional Employment

Awards

Professional Memberships

Professional Member of the World Future Society
Professional Member of the World Futures Study Federation
Affiliate Member of Evolve – Foundation for Conscious Evolution
Advisory Board Member of Communities of the Future
Member – Contact
Educational Advisory Board Member – Acceleration Studies Foundation
Member of the Editorial Board – Journal of Futures Studies