Ph.D. Program Faculty By Specialization
Disability & Diversity in Education & Society
Subini Ancy Annamma, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Her research and pedagogy focus on increasing access to equitable education for historically marginalized students and communities, particularly students of color with... more
Gregory A. Cheatham’s scholarship focuses on the provision of effective, appropriate, and equitable services for young children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. He has a particular interest in language diversity including bilingualism for families and children... more
Professor Elizabeth B. Kozleski engages systems change and research on equity and justice issues in inclusive education and professional learning. Awards include the 2017 Boeing-Allan Visiting Endowed Chair at Seattle University, the University of Kansas 2016 Woman of Distinction award, the... more
Thomas M. Skrtic, Ph.D., is the Willamson Family Distinguished Professor of education in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. His academic interests are classical pragmatism, institutional theory, and democratic social reform, which inform several of his published... more
Early Childhood Unified
Dr. Carta is Interim Director of the Juniper Gardens Children’s Project, a Senior Scientist in the Institute for Life Span Studies, and Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Her science focuses on developing strategies to minimize the effects of poverty on children’s... more
Gregory A. Cheatham’s scholarship focuses on the provision of effective, appropriate, and equitable services for young children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. He has a particular interest in language diversity including bilingualism for families and children... more
Eva M. Horn is a Professor in the Department of Special Education and an investigator for the Lifespan Institute for Developmental Disabilities (LSI). She earned her doctoral degree in Human Development with an emphasis in Special Education from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Horn was a classroom... more
Jose Martinez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Dr. Martinez earned his doctoral degree in Special Education from the University of Florida. Dr. Martinez’s research focuses on the identification and evaluation of early intervention... more
Evidence-based Practices: Supporting Students with Intensive Interventions Needs in Tiered Systems
James D. (Jamie) Basham, Ph.D., is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. He earned his doctorate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Basham’s research is focused on student learning in modern learning environments... more
Kathleen Lynne Lane is a Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. She earned her master’s degree and doctorate in education from the University of California, Riverside. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Lane served as a classroom teacher of general and special... more
Suzanne Robinson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas and the Area Coordinator for High Incidence Special Education teacher education. Dr. Robinson earned her doctoral degree with a major in Special Education and a minor in Cognitive... more
Jason Travers is an associate professor and behavior analyst in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas where he coordinates the autism programs. Jason earned his doctorate at University of Nevada Las Vegas and is a former public school special educator for learners with... more
Instructional Design, Technology & Innovation
James D. (Jamie) Basham, Ph.D., is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. He earned his doctorate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Basham’s research is focused on student learning in modern learning environments... more
Michael J. Orosco is an associate professor in education specializing in bilingual special education at the University of Kansas. He was a bilingual special education teacher for five years before earning a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Orosco’s research... more
Sean J. Smith holds the rank of Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Dr. Smith has a background in the area of special education and technology, specifically towards the integration of technology across teacher preparation programs. He has authored and presented a number... more
Jason Travers is an associate professor and behavior analyst in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas where he coordinates the autism programs. Jason earned his doctorate at University of Nevada Las Vegas and is a former public school special educator for learners with... more
Special Education Policy & Systems Studies
Professor Elizabeth B. Kozleski engages systems change and research on equity and justice issues in inclusive education and professional learning. Awards include the 2017 Boeing-Allan Visiting Endowed Chair at Seattle University, the University of Kansas 2016 Woman of Distinction award, the... more
Suzanne Robinson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas and the Area Coordinator for High Incidence Special Education teacher education. Dr. Robinson earned her doctoral degree with a major in Special Education and a minor in Cognitive... more
Dr. Wayne Sailor’s academic pursuits are focused on comprehensive school reform at the elementary and middle school levels. He has done extensive research within the framework of multi-tiered systems of support and response to intervention (MTSS/RTI). Much of this research has been... more
Thomas M. Skrtic, Ph.D., is the Willamson Family Distinguished Professor of education in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. His academic interests are classical pragmatism, institutional theory, and democratic social reform, which inform several of his published... more
Strengths-Based & Inclusive Approaches to the Education of Adolescents with Extensive & Pervasive Support Needs
Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ph.D. is the Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education and Chairperson, Department of Special Education; and Director and Senior Scientist, Beach Center on Disability and co-Director, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities within... more
Dr. Jennifer Kurth is Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Her academic interests include methods implementing inclusive education, including methods of embedding critical instruction within the context and routines of general education as well as methods of... more
Dr. Mary E. Morningstar is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas and Director of the Transition Coalition, which offers online transition professional development and resources for secondary special educators and practitioners. Her research... more
Karrie A. Shogren, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Special Education, Senior Scientist in the Life Span Institute, and Director of the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Shogren's research focuses on self-determination and systems of support for students with... more
James R. Thompson, Ph.D. has over 30 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities as a direct support professional, special educator, rehabilitation counselor, teacher educator, and researcher. He has authored or co-authored over 70 books, book chapters, monographs, and... more
