2023-2024 Dean's Report

Chapman University recognized Ph.D. in Education student Katelyn Kitchens as the recipient of the unifversity's highest honor for doctoral students, the 2024 James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate Award at the doctoral level. Kitchens successfully defended their Ph.D. dissertation in March 2024 on "New Ways of Being White: White Families Striving to Cultivate Antiracist Familial Cultures," an expansive work based on critical ethnographic study of white families committed to raising anti-racist children. 

Mirvais "Mir" Aminy, a Ph.D. student in Education, has secured a spot in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Scholars Fellowship program. Among thousands of applicants, only 40 were selected this year as Health Policy Research Scholars. Additionally, Aminy was chosen for the Justice Fellows Policy Program in Washington, D.C., through The Education Trust. He is one of the eight individuals selected nationwide for this prestigious opportunity.

In an inspiring showcase of academic dedication and a profound commitment to social change, Stacy Eldred, Ph.D. '24, stands out at Chapman University. Eldred's journey, marked by a relentless pursuit of equity and inclusion for adults with disabilities, has recently been highlighted due to her selection for the prestigious Provost Dissertation Fellowship for Spring 2024. Eldred's dissertation focused on the growing trend of U.S. colleges establishing educational programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Attallah College Associate Professor Whitney McIntyre Miller was one of the distinguished recipients of the 2024 Valerie Scudder Award at Chapman University. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievement in teaching, scholarly and creative activity and service to the university. Recipients are selected by a university-wide faculty review panel for their exceptional contributions.

Assistant Professor Jennifer E. Kong made an impactful presence at the 45th International Conference of the Council for Learning Disabilities, where she spearheaded multiple presentations on integrating technology in special education research. The conference concluded with the council honoring the “Leadership Academy Cohort 11” at the President’s Conference Reception. Kong was recognized as an emerging leader for her contributions to the field and the Council for Learning Disabilities.

Assistant Professor Jared Izumiand Instructional Assistant Professor Jeanne Anne Carriere received $10,000 in funding from the McGovern Training Program in Trusted AI for their project on developing coursework on the ethical and legal use of generative AI for psychologists. The 2023–24 year also saw Izumi recognized by the Early Career Research Awards Program of the Society for the Study of School Psychology with funding for his proposal, “Unveiling Rater Bias in Social-Emotional and Behavioral Screening with Cognitive Interviews.” This recognition highlights the significance, methodological rigor and feasibility of his research, marking a noteworthy accomplishment in his early career.

The School Counseling and School Psychology Programs at Attallah College hosted an on-campus conference, “Imagining a Resilient Future in the Schools,” as a professional development opportunity for educators, including school psychologists and school counselors. Associate Professor Amy Jane Griffiths led the conference, which emphasized how schools have responded to increased needs, the impact of mental health on attendance and strategies for schools to address these challenges.

Developed within Chapman’s Attallah College, the Chapman Transfer Admission Guarantee (C-TAG) programwas specially designed for future elementary and special education teachers from Santiago Canyon College (SCC) or Santa Ana College (SAC). Our first cohort from the C-TAG program graduated from their Master’s programs in Summer 2024.

As part of Attallah College’s MA in School Counseling and Ed.S. in School Psychology programs, in partnership with Groundswell’s OC Human Relations, Attallah graduate students had the opportunity to participate in a Restorative Justice Practice certification program facilitated by Assistant Professor of School Psychology Anna Abdou and Instructional Assistant Professor of School Counseling Randee Kirkemo. The program equipped participants with tools to address harm and conflict in schools through non-punitive, equitable, relational and healing-centered practices.