Maya Israel, doctoral candidate, was named the Outstanding Woman Student in Partnership at the University’s annual Women's Recognition Program sponsored by the Commission on the Status of Women and Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center. The award honors women students who have made outstanding contributions to students through their collaborative work and interactions with campus departments, services or organizations. Israel's program advisor is Chriss Walther-Thomas.

The Department’s Judy Tate Outstanding Doctoral Student Medallion Award was given to Pam Epley, doctoral student in systems enhancement, family studies and policy analysis. The award is given annually to a doctoral student who demonstrates excellent potential through a record of outstanding doctoral scholarship in coursework, publications, presentations at professional meetings, or work associated with ongoing research projects. Her co-advisors are Ann and Rud Turnbull. Full article>>

Doctoral student Mary Dunbar has received the 2008 Dahlke Inclusion Community Award from the Department of Special Education. Dunbar is currently working on her dissertation in the area of technology and low-incidence disabilities. She demonstrated the award’s principles by making noteworthy contributions to the advancement of community integration of people with mental retardation. Sean Smith is Dunbar’s program advisor. Full article>>

Susanne James, doctoral student, received the inaugural Gordon R. Alley Family Scholarship Award. Alley’s wife, Eva, and children endowed $30,000 for the scholarship, which honors the life and work of the former KU professor and goes to a student majoring in special education. James' research interests include teacher preparation, literacy, and whole school reform. James’ advisor is Suzanne Robinson. Full article>>

Dissertation awards

Kyeong-Hwa Kim, 2006 doctoral graduate and assistant professor at the University of the Cumberlands, was honored with the Council for Exceptional Children Teacher Education Division Dissertation Award at CEC’s annual conference in Boston in April. Her dissertation, “Enhancement of Secondary Special Education Teachers’ Knowledge and Competencies in Working with Families through Online Training Modules,” was chosen as the best among more than a dozen other entries. Kim’s advisor was Mary Morningstar.

Presentation awards

Lisa Barrett Mann, Master’s student in autism spectrum disorders, is among twelve KU students who traveled to the State Capitol to present their research as part of the Graduate Student Research Summit. The title of her presentation is “Evidence-Based Interventions for Asperger Syndrome.” Mann’s project also won her recognition from the KU School of Education’s Graduate Studies Committee as the 2008 Outstanding Project. Full article>>

Appointments

The Council for Exception Children appointed KU doctoral student Trish Steinbrecher as the 2008 student representative of the executive board of directors. Steinbrecher will assist the 21-member board in the internal and external affairs of CEC as well as representing the interests of CEC’s student members. Chriss Walther-Thomas and Earle Knowlton are Steinbrecher’s program advisors; her area of study is teacher education and technology.