Where are they now?
The following graduates of the Beach Center's doctoral program describe their career path since completing their degree and offer advice for those interested in doctoral study.
Jeong Hoon Choi (Hoon Choi)
Beach Center on Disability
Haworth Hall, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Room 3136
Lawrence, KS 66045
email: yes5150@ku.edu
Work phone: (785)864-0662
Fax number: (785) 864-7605
Affiliated website: www.pbis.org
Current position
Graduate Research Assistant
Key responsibilities
My duties include assisting school-based partnership teams to design and guide whole-school models (PBS & SAM) in school settings through in-depth evaluation of the program using quantitative/qualitative data analysis and interpretation methods. I also am involved in providing appropriate ongoing monitoring systems and research designs to examine efficacy, disseminating the impact through publications, and managing a related website for the whole-school models.
What helped the most
Besides the normal coursework of the Ph.D. program, I participated in various research and program development activities in PBS and related school reform initiatives at the Beach Center. As a result, I acquired a broad foundation not only in school discipline and student social behavior but also in staff development, organizational culture, and their relationship to academic achievement. Those practical experiences will profoundly impact my career and research in the future.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Set your career goal
- Be specific on your interests, but be interdisciplinary at the same time
- Consider opportunities for extending and linking your previous experiences and incorporating it into research activities
Corine Frankland
Western New Mexico University
2055 State Road 602
Gallup, NM 87301
email: hcorine@yahoo.com
Work phone: (505) 722-3389
Fax: (502) 722-3145
Affiliated website: www.wnmu.edu
Current position
Associate Professor of Special Education and Coordinator of the WNMU-GGSC Special Education and Alternative Licensure Programs.
Key responsibilities
I teach three graduate special education courses per semester, serve as an advisor for students in the WNMU-GGSC special education program, and coordinate the Families as Faculty Project, a community outreach program which partners new teachers with community members who have children with exceptionalities.
What helped the most
The interdisciplinary nature of the program prepared me to effectively train special education service providers from geographically isolated areas. During my program, I explored family-professional partnerships across a variety of settings and challenges of families with children with exceptionalities. This breadth of knowledge empowered me to help my own graduate students understand the challenges faced by families with children with exceptionalities and, thereby, has helped my graduate students build meaningful partnerships with such families.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Look for a doctoral program that is aligned with your professional passion(s).
- Once you find a program that provides advanced training in your chosen area, call the director of the program (or lead faculty member) and request a phone or face-to-face meeting.During the meeting, inquire about the history and mission of the program, the number of persons who have graduated, and available financial, research and mentoring support. Look for a faculty member who takes interest in you and your professional goals!
Stelios E. Gragoudas
Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts, Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
email: Stelios.gragoudas@umb.edu
Work phone: (617) 287-4322
Fax number: (617) 287-4352
Affiliated website:
www.communityinclusion.org
Current position
Youth Leadership Specialist, Institute for Community Inclusion
Key responsibilities
I teach two professional development courses for general and special education professionals and assist school districts with implementing promising practices that will improve transitional outcomes for youth with severe disabilities.
What helped the most
First, the program provided me with a respect for research. Whatever I teach to my students or use for my projects, I make sure that I have the most up-do-date literature to support my conclusion. Second, and most important, the Beach Center taught me how important it was to put the research into practice. This is why I love teaching teachers: they can use the material I provide them to assist youth directly.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- One needs to enter this program with a desire to work with students with disabilities and their families in order to improve their lives directly, through work in the community and not only educating other future professionals in a university setting.
- As Professor Ann Turnbull once stated in class, future researchers need to find their own niche. In other words, future students need to fine something unique that they desire to study further. The Beach Center will then assist students develop that niche into something that will add to the field of special education.
Susan Keetle
Kansas City, Kansas Public School District
625 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
email: sukeetl@kckps.org
Current position
Instructional Coach
Key responsibilities
I am currently coaching at Douglass Elementary School, where I work with teachers in a variety of ways, including team planning, observations and feedback, co-planning and co-teaching, and facilitating professional development activities.
What helped the most
The variety of experiences I had while going through the doctoral program helped me to learn the most up-to-date practices and apply them immediately in real settings. The opportunities to work and talk with others with the same interests and passions allowed the deep processing that helped me solidify my own thinking.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Find a program that matches your passion because it makes it much easier to stay motivated and focused.
- Find a way to stay connected to the work in real, applied settings to make the work and study more meaningful.
Kristen R. Humphrey
email: kristen.humphrey@sbcglobal.net
Current position
I am currently home full-time with my young children. I also am the guardian and conservator for a young man with a disability. When time allows, I have been working on several writing projects. In addition, I am on the board of the Kansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
What helped the most
My degree I earned through the Beach Center gave me flexibility. My bachelor's and master's degrees are in social work. The Beach Center's flexible program of studies allowed me to gain the knowledge I desired from the disability field while enhancing my education and experience from the social work field. I also gained invaluable experience conducting research and writing. After completing my degree, I continued working for the Beach Center on a project with SRS. Since leaving the Beach Center, I have continued to write products related to social work and disability as well as a children's book. I plan to return to teaching in a university social work program. My education and experience at the Beach Center left me well equipped to teach at the university level or to work in other social work and/or disability professions.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
I remember being surprised at how many doctoral programs were available. Now, there are even more with on-line and distance-learning options. I recommend selecting a program that offers flexibility and individualization, and that is a high-quality program that has an excellent reputation. You want your degree to be from a program that you are proud of and that will mean something to those you will work for in the future.
Suk-Hyang Lee
Ewha Women's University
Dunchon-Dong Gangdong-GU 611 HanSol Sol Park 101-902
Seoul, Korea 134-060
email: deepjoy1@hanmail.net
or: deepjoy@ewha.ac.kr
Work phone: 82-3277-3365
Fax number: 82-2-3277-2679
Current position
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Special Education Research Center, Ewha Women's University
Key responsibilities
I am working on a research project that is investigating the potential and impact of self-determination on access to the general education curriculum of students with disabilities.
What helped the most
The doctoral program at the Beach Center provided me with opportunities to build capacity as a future professional in the disability field in the following two aspects. First, I was able to learn skills and knowledge that are necessary in the field by taking core classes, engaging research projects, doing presentations at a local and national level, and working on publications. Second, in addition to skills and knowledge, I had a chance to learn about the importance and values of team collaboration by working with wonderful mentors and other colleagues who are great role models that show respect and value others' strengths.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Visit the Beach Center homepage and see what areas interests you
- After obtaining some information about the area that you are interested in, please contact the professors who are involved in the area and ask them to provide more information or recommend another doctoral student in the area whom you can contact. The professors' contact information is available on the Beach Center site.
- Get more current knowledge and information about Beach Center projects by joining the Community of Practice at the Beach Center.
Hasheem Mannan
National Institute for Intellectual Disability
Trinity College Dublin
3 College Green
Dublin 2, Ireland
email: mannanh@tcd.ie
Work phone: (353) 1-896-2247
Fax number: (353) 1-677-9131
Affiliated website: http://people.tcd.ie/mannanh
Current position
Marie Curie Fellow
Key responsibilities
I started this fellowship in March 2007. During this fellowship, I will be working toward creating both an Irish national and international network of researchers that includes people with learning disabilities and family members. Also, I will be collaborating with researchers who have learning disabilities to develop and implement a national survey of people with learning disabilities and another national survey of family members who have children with disabilities.
What helped the most
The most helpful aspect of the doctoral program was the individually tailored career-progression planning and supports made available to me. In particular, considering my international disability policy interest, the doctoral program planned and supported by involvement with key work of international organizations, such as the World Health Organization. Also, the emphasis on publications and support systems made available meant that I gained valuable knowledge and skills for publishing. On a separate note, the supports outside of academic work to lead a quality family life was very much an integral part of the Beach Center doctoral program.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Know what you want of the program and communicate that to your advisor.
- Draw up a plan and go for it!
Amy McCart
Beach Center on Disability
Haworth Hall, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Room 3130
Lawrence, KS 66045
email:amymc@ku.edu
Work phone: (785) 864-4950
Fax number: (785) 864-7605
Affiliated website: www.pbis.org
Current position
Research Assistant Professor
Key responsibilities
Amy McCart is the principal investigator for multiple federal, state, and local projects through the U.S. Department of Education, among others. Her primary focus is supporting families facing multiple risk factors in implementing positive behavior support for their young children with challenging behavior and helping urban schools implement school-wide positive behavior support.
What helped the most
The most helpful part of the doctoral program were the relationships that I developed with the faculty and staff at the University of Kansas. Many of my professors were and are national experts in my field of interest. These individuals started as instructors and mentors and have become colleagues and friends. They have provided a base of knowledge on research and implementation that I find invaluable.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Make a connection to a professor who understands both the demands of research and true implementation in the field of disability
- Be open to new paths and directions; you never know where the program will lead you
Louise (Loui) Lord Nelson
Reliable Alliance in Special Education, Inc.
8708 Swiftsail Court
Indianapolis, IN 46256
email: lordnelson@raiseinc.com
Work phone: (317) 845-9878
Fax number: (317) 845-9878
Current position
President and Owner
Key responsibilities
Loui works on projects throughout the state of Indiana that involve improving the quality of life of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities and improving the quality of partnerships between families and professionals. This broad focus has allowed Loui to work on projects ranging from statewide educational initiatives to informed systems change through direct service to individuals.
What helped the most
The relationships I built while at the Beach Center have had a tremendous impact on my professional life. The Turnbulls and their associates, both within and beyond the Beach Center, bring a level of prestige to your work and provide a helpful and supportive network. In addition, I left with a publication and experience base upon which I have confidently built my own consulting business.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Review current and former work (published papers, media, surveys, etc.) from the institutes and centers of study which they are investigating
- If you receive a stipend, make sure you clearly understand the objectives tied to your funding
Amanda Reichard
Research and Training Center on Independent Living
4089 Dole Building
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
email: reichard@ku.edu
Work phone: (785) 864-1095
Fax number: (785) 864-5063
Affiliated website: www.rtcil.org
Current position
Research Associate
Key responsibilities
Primary investigator for NIDRR (National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research)-funded project creating and implementing an assessment model that state Medicaid programs can use to monitor cost utility and health outcomes of individuals with different physical disabilities served by HCBS (Home-Based Community Services).
What helped the most
The doctoral program provided me with the opportunity to continue practicing and honing my critical thinking and writing skills in the field, better understand and effectively evaluate disability (and health) policy and law, and begin to connect with relevant others in my field. In addition, the Turnbulls helped provide an environment conducive to grant writing of relevance to my interests as well as those of the Center.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
Assess your time, energy, and emotional commitment before entering any program. Your heart and your head need to be available at maximal capacity for the program to serve you well and for you to serve the program well.
Laura A. Riffel
email: caughtyoubeinggood@gmail.com
Work phone: (770) 862-5653
Fax number: (785) 830-8828
Affiliated website: www.pbis.org and www.behaviordoctor.org
Current positions
Director of Behavior Doctor Seminars
- We provide training to educators, parents, service providers, bus drivers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists.
- Our website provides free resources for adults working with children with challenging behaviors www.behaviordoctor.org
Webmaster, National Technical Assistance Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- We provide technical support via the website www.pbis.org to educators on three difference support levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
- I answer all the emails, upload past presentations, update the website and assist in the reorganization of the website.
Co-Director of the State of Oklahoma State-Wide School-Wide Positive Behavior Support
- Through a $4.5 million dollar grant, we provide technical assistance across the state to build capacity and sustainability for implementing PBS across the state
- This is a five-year plan in a collaborative effort between the State Department of Education and the Technical Assistance Center.
Visiting Professor, University of Central Oklahoma
- I teach courses for master's-level students in the area of Applied Behavior Analysis for classroom teachers.
- The students collect data on current students and analyze the data and develop behavior intervention plans.
What helped the most
The apex of my doctoral program was the ability to connect with great minds. My mentors included professors of such high magnitude that the very mention of their names still brings accolades from educators in the field. My mentors also include other doctoral candidates. Our dissertation support group remains connected. We are working on current and future studies based on the connections we formed during our doctoral program.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Look to your personal heroes for a course of study. Who do you consider outstanding in the field of education.
- One of my favorite mentors likes to say, "Before the gates of excellence, the high gods have placed sweat." (Hesiod) Make sure the fortitude and stamina are in place because you are about to enter the ride of your life.
Karrie A. Shogren
University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station/D5300
Austin, TX 78712
email: shogren@mail.utexas.edu
Work phone: (512) 475-8572
Fax number: (512) 471-2471
Affiliated website: www.edb.utexas.edu/sped/
Current position
Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education
Key responsibilities
Karrie teaches courses in the graduate program in autism and developmental disabilities and conducts research on self-determination, access to the general education curriculum, and positive psychology for children, youth, and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What helped the most
The doctoral program at the Beach Center on Disability provides outstanding preparation for future researchers and policy makers in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. the program integrates relevant and challenging coursework with high-quality field-based research and program development experiences. Students in the program are held to high expectations but are also provided the mentoring and support to meet and exceed those expectations.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Clearly identify your interests in the field and goals for your career
- Critically evaluate the match between your interests and goals and objectives of the doctoral program
- Ask questions and communicate with faculty involved in the program about the match between the program and your interests and goals
Mian Wang
Phelps Hall 2311, Department of Education
Gevirtz Graduate School of Education
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9490
email: mwang@education.ucsb.edu
Work phone: (805) 893-5605
Fax number: (805) 893-7264
Affiliated website: http://education.ucsb.edu
Current position
Assistant Professor of Education
Key responsibilities
I am committed to teaching and research responsibilities for the specific emphasis graduate programs in Special Education, Disabilities, and Risk Studies (SPEDR). My major responsibilities include teaching master's and doctoral-level graduate courses, conducting research, and supervising master's and doctoral students. I am also a primary researcher of the UC-wide Center for Research on Special Education, Disabilities, and Developmental Risk.
What helped the most
One aspect of the doctoral program at the Beach Center that proved to be most useful to me was about empowering doctoral students to become good researchers by providing them opportunities to participate in the federally funded research projects as well as participatory action research projects.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Contact one of the professors affiliated with the Beach Center who are likely to be the advisor of your study and ask about the ongoing research projects at the Beach Center in which you could possibly involved yourself throughout your program.
Nina Zuna
Beach Center on Disability
1200 Sunnyside Ave., Room 3136
Lawrence, KS 66045
email: nzuna@ku.edu
Work phone: (785) 864-7607
Fax number: (785) 864-7605
Affiliated website: www.beachcenter.org
Current position
Research Associate
Key responsibilities
My duties include conducting research, preparing manuscripts, presenting at conferences, and mentoring doctoral students.
What helped the most
Two aspects of the doctoral program that I found most helpful were: being an activite member of a research team and having an internship experience. As a student, I was connected to a research center that allowed me to utilize real data for coursework, presentations, and manuscripts. As a result, I gained hands-on experience in all aspects of my doctoral program. Completing my coursework while connected to a research center also allowed me to work closely with key leaders in the disability field who provided mentorship, modeled leadership skills, and extended multiple levels of support. My internship experience enhanced my understanding of the disability field from a larger social and policy perspective and allowed me to make connections with other national leaders in the disability field.
Advice for prospective doctoral students
- Closely match your research interests with your main advisor's
- Begin with the end in mind by ensuring the doctoral program offers opportunities for extra-curricular experiences that will adequately prepare you for your post-graduate position