Disability
research expertise in OLPD
Exploring physical, mental, and emotional impairments and how they affect individuals, families, and communities. We are dedicated to advancing our research to promote inclusion and well-being. Many of our faculty possess significant expertise in these areas. See below for profiles of faculty and their research related to disability:
Faculty with expertise in this area
Heather Dorsey Heather Dorsey
- Senior Teaching Specialist
- 612-626-4780
- dors0034@umn.edu
I have been a faculty member of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota for 17 years. I teach in the First Year Inquiry program which involves multidisciplinary team teaching and learning communities.
Aditi Rajendran Aditi Rajendran
- Assistant Professor
- araj@umn.edu
My research explores how leadership shifts policies and practices towards more racially just schools and systems.
Marina B. Aleixo Marina B. Aleixo
- Affiliate faculty, CIDE; Director, International Initiatives
- 612-624-9671
- aleix001@umn.edu
Marina B. Aleixo, PhD, is affiliate faculty in the comparative and international development education program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Noro Andriamanalina Noro Andriamanalina
- Affiliate faculty, CIDE; Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Initiatives, Graduate School
- she/her/hers
- andri002@umn.edu
Noro Andriamanalina, PhD, is affiliate faculty in the comparative and international development education program at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Heidi Barajas Heidi Barajas
- Associate Professor Emerita
- 612-625-4823
- hbarajas@umn.edu
Heidi Lasley Barajas is currently serving as the interim Associate Vice President for Public Engagement at the University of Minnesota and is an associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development.
Cori Bazemore-James Cori Bazemore-James
- Affiliate Faculty, Higher Education; Assistant Vice Provost, Graduate School Diversity Office
- she, her, hers
- 612-624-9447
- cbazemor@umn.edu
Fall 2023: OLPD 8702—Administration and Leadership in Higher Education Dr. Cori Bazemore-James (she/her) is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians of Western New York and was raised in a Lakota community in South Dakota.
Joshua Collins Joshua Collins
- Associate Professor; Director of Undergraduate Studies
- collinsj@umn.edu
I am concerned with the challenges associated with learning and work for racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual minorities.
Joan DeJaeghere Joan DeJaeghere
- Professor, Department Chair
- 612-626-8258
- deja0003@umn.edu
As the oldest daughter of parents who had to leave secondary school due to financial needs, I am committed to concerns related to educational equity and wellbeing.
Nicole Dillard Nicole Dillard
- Assistant Professor
- she, her, hers
- 612-626-8971
- ndillard@umn.edu
My primary research interest explores areas of marginalized identities in organizations with a focus on narratives of mothering and work, women and leadership, and the work-life experiences of women of color.
Meg Fitzgerald-Sisk Meg Fitzgerald-Sisk
- Lecturer
- 612-625-0060
- mfsisk@umn.edu
My academic interests are in the fields of HRD, instructional design, and higher education, and my principal interest lies in exploring how faculty in higher education learn to teach.
Andrew Furco Andrew Furco
- Professor; Associate Department Chair
- 612-625-5663
- afurco@umn.edu
My primary research and teaching interests focus on the measurement and assessment of experiential education, community-engaged learning, and community-engaged scholarship in fulfillment of the public purposes of education.
Rashné R. Jehangir Rashné R. Jehangir
- Professor; Robert Beck Chair of Ideas in Education; Founding Director, CEHD First Gen Institute
- 612-625-3551
- jehan001@umn.edu
My academic work is at the nexus of research and praxis shaped by my early career as a student affairs practitioner and advisor in federally funded TRIO programs.
Minjung Kim Minjung Kim
- Lecturer
- kim00242@umn.edu
OLPD 5615 – Training & Development of HR OLPD 3601 – Introduction to HRD OLPD 3424 – Sales Training OLPD 5619 – Planning and Decision-Making I believe that exploring human resources development in a diversity of organizational contexts…
John LaVelle John LaVelle
- Assistant Professor
- 612-626-0884
- jlavelle@umn.edu
My empirical work has focused on the formal development of the evaluation profession, with a specialization on understanding international job markets and university systems that are set up to meet those needs.
Melissa Malen Melissa Malen
- Lecturer
- male0039@umn.edu
Melissa Malen is a Lecturer at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Karen Miksch Karen Miksch
- Associate Professor
- 612-625-3398
- miksc001@umn.edu
My research focuses on the law of higher education and the transition to college. Specifically, I am interested in access to higher education from a legal and policy perspective.
Roberto Orozco Roberto Orozco
- Assistant Professor
- orozc100@umn.edu
My research explores questions around race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality with relation to college student activism and student development, queer resistance and queer worldmaking in and outside of higher education contexts.
Katie Pekel Katie Pekel
- Executive Director of Educational Leadership; Co-Coordinator, Graduate Programs in Education Policy and Leadership
- 612-625-7002
- kpekel@umn.edu
As the Executive Director of Educational Leadership, Dr. Pekel serves as the department’s direct connection between the fields of research and practice in PK-12 education.
Debra Prenkert Debra Prenkert
- Senior Leader of Scholarly Practice
- dprenker@umn.edu
Dr. Prenkert has been in K-12 education for 28 years. She was a classroom teacher for 12 years at the elementary level.
Louis Quast Louis Quast
- Senior Lecturer
- he, him, his
- 612-626-3046
- louquast@umn.edu
Louis Quast's primary appointment is as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development , in the College of Education and Human Development.
Rebecca Ropers Rebecca Ropers
- Professor; Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Minnesota-Duluth
- 612-626-9545
- ropers@umn.edu
My scholarship focuses on how educators create environments that are accessible to, nurturing of, and reliant upon people in our diverse communities.
Matthew Schuelka Matthew Schuelka
- Lecturer
- schu1168@umn.edu
I have experience at all levels of education, from kindergarteners to graduate students. I have also lived and taught in several countries around the world: Bhutan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Stephanie Sisco Stephanie Sisco
- Assistant Professor
- 612-626-7255
- pleasant@umn.edu
My research seeks to understand how social issues appear at work and influence the learning and development of professionals of color.
Darrius Stanley Darrius Stanley
- Assistant Professor; Carmen Starkson Campbell Endowed Fellow for Innovation in Teacher Development
- he, him, his
- dstanley@umn.edu
My work centers the political, educational, and philosophical perspectives of Black people to unearth Black genius and possibility in education.
Nathaniel Stewart Nathaniel Stewart
- Assistant Professor; Carmen Starkson Campbell Endowed Fellow for Innovation in Teacher Development
- 612-625-3517
- stewart1@umn.edu
I am a former middle school science teacher and Black liberatory pedagogist, turned educational policy scholar.
Jonathan Stuart Jonathan Stuart
- Senior Lecturer
- 612-625-8697
- stua0042@umn.edu
Jonathan Stuart, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Bhaskar Upadhyay Bhaskar Upadhyay
- Professor; Director of Graduate Studies; Rodney Wallace Professor for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
- he, him, his
- 612-625-3286
- bhaskar@umn.edu
As a former science teacher, I am interested in research and teaching that addresses issues of science teaching and learning in the high-poverty urban schools.
David Weerts David Weerts
- Professor; Associate Vice Provost for Public Engagement, University of Minnesota System
- 612-625-2289
- dweerts@umn.edu
Over the past fifteen years, my scholarly work has focused on helping college and university leaders build productive relationships with external partners including state policy makers, community partners, alumni, and donors.
Nicola Alexander Nicola Alexander
- Professor; Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Diversity, and International Initiatives
- 612-626-3256
- nalexand@umn.edu
Policy does not always work in the way we expect or want. My research examines the implications of policy for society as a whole, entire student populations, and specified student groups.
Alexandre Ardichvili Alexandre Ardichvili
- Professor; Hellervik Chair in Leadership and Adult Career Development; Co-Director, Workforce Development and Research Lab
- 612-626-4529
- ardic001@umn.edu
Dr. Alexandre "Sasha" Ardichvili is a Professor of Human Resource Development at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Kenneth Bartlett Kenneth Bartlett
- Professor; Hellervik Chair in Leadership and Adult Career Development
- 612-624-4935
- bartlett@umn.edu
My program of research examines the process, outcomes, and context of human resource development, training, lifelong learning, and organizational change.
Peggy Benedetti Andrews Peggy Benedetti Andrews
- Lecturer
- pandrews@umn.edu
Prior to beginning an academic career, I worked in the field of human resources for more than 20 years and held staff and leadership positions at The Pillsbury Company, Personnel Decisions International, Ameriprise Financial (formerly American…
Gresham Donald Collom Gresham Donald Collom
- Assistant Professor
- he/him
- gcollom@umn.edu
Dr. Gresham D. Collom is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education in the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Peter Demerath Peter Demerath
- Professor
- 612-626-0768
- pwd@umn.edu
Demerath completes UMN GPS Alliance-Sponsored outreach trip to Papua New Guinea - Extended write up with pictures [PDF] My research and teaching are guided by a commitment to broaden equitable educational opportunity for all students.
Gerald Fry Gerald Fry
- Professor
- 612-624-0294
- gwf@umn.edu
My background is Amish, although as a city-reared Kansas boy I was the only member of my extended family who didn’t speak Amish. Maybe that’s what prompted my interest in learning languages.
Michael Goh Michael Goh
- Professor; Campbell Leadership Chair in Education and Human Development; Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Higher Education
- mgoh@umn.edu
From 2017-2022, I served as the University of Minnesota systemwide vice president for equity and diversity for the university’s five campuses.
Christopher Johnstone Christopher Johnstone
- Associate Professor
- 612-625-2505
- john4810@umn.edu
Christopher Johnstone is an Assistant Professor of Comparative and International Development Education.
Sehoon Kim Sehoon Kim
- Associate Professor; Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Human Resource Development
- 612-626-4079
- kimsh@umn.edu
Sehoon Kim is an Associate Professor of Human Resource Development at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Ethan (Hanwen) Li Ethan (Hanwen) Li
- Lecturer
- he, him, his
- lixx2959@umn.edu
Ethan (Hanwen) Li is a Lecturer in the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Meixi Meixi
- Assistant Professor
- she, her, they, them
- 612-624-5717
- meixi@umn.edu
Spring 2022: OLPD 8087 - Culture, Learning, and Human Development Fall 2022 & 2023: OLPD 5122 - Indigenous Education ( course site ) Spring 2023: OLPD 8103 - Comparative Education From mangrove forests to highland mountains, I grew up navigating…
Walter Novillo Walter Novillo
- Lecturer
- 612-624-9719
- novi0007@umn.edu
My education background is in human resource development, business, public administration, and law.
Rosemarie Park Rosemarie Park
- Associate Professor
- 612-625-6267
- parkx002@umn.edu
I was trained as an elementary teacher in Great Britain and have taught in elementary and adult literacy settings in Great Britain and the United States.
Calvin Phillips Calvin Phillips
- Affiliate Faculty; Vice President for Student Affairs
- 612-626-1642
- cphill34@umn.edu
Calvin D. Phillips, D. Ed. is the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and serves as the chief student affairs officer of the University of Minnesota multi-campus system.
Gary Prest Gary Prest
- Director, Administrative Licensure; Co-Coordinator, Graduate Programs in Education Policy and Leadership; Co-Director, Urban Leadership Academy
- 612-626-8647
- pres0004@umn.edu
As a University of Minnesota alumni, I am grateful to serve this great institution and its students as the Director of Administrative Licensure and lead in leadership development for educational administrators.
David Quinn David Quinn
- Rodney S. Wallace Associate Professor for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
- dquinn@umn.edu
David M. Quinn is Rodney S. Wallace Associate Professor for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota.
Ana Carolina Rodriguez Ana Carolina Rodriguez
- Coordinator of the Master of Learning and Talent Development
- she, her, hers
- rodr0667@umn.edu
Dr. Ana Carolina Rodriguez is Coordinator of the Master of Learning and Talent Development program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Awa Saidy Awa Saidy
- Affiliate Faculty; Associate Director, African Studies Initiative
- She/Her/Hers
- said0003@umn.edu
Awa K. Saidy is affiliate faculty for the Comparative and International Development Education graduate programs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Roozbeh Shirazi Roozbeh Shirazi
- Associate Professor; Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Comparative and International Development Education
- 612-624-2367
- shir0035@umn.edu
Coming to the field of comparative and international education from a background in political science, I have always sought to understand the social, political, and cultural labor that schools perform, with particular attention to how knowledge is…
Christine Sonenblum Christine Sonenblum
- Lecturer; Administrative Licensure Coordinator
- 612-625-8300
- sone0001@umn.edu
Early research projects concerned inclusive education services for students with disabilities, team-decision making in development of Individualized Education Programs, and post-school outcomes for students who had received special education and…
Michael Stebleton Michael Stebleton
- Professor
- he, him, his
- 612-625-2110
- steb0004@umn.edu
My current studies focus on understanding the experiences of first-generation and immigrant college students, including food insecurity issues and the impact of career courses on career planning and career decision-making.
Karen Storm Karen Storm
- Lecturer
- 612-624-5708
- stout010@umn.edu
Karen Storm is a faculty lecturer in the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Elizabeth Sumida Huaman Elizabeth Sumida Huaman
- Professor; Emma Birkmaier Education Leadership Professorship
- eshuaman@umn.edu
OLPD 5122 Indigenous Education: Research, Policy, and Practice OLPD 5080 (Special Topics) Qualitative research design: Applied Indigenous methods DSSC 8111 Ways of Knowing OLPD 8101 International development and education OLPD 5132 Intercultural…
Kyla Wahlstrom Kyla Wahlstrom
- Lecturer; Senior Research Fellow
- 612-624-1890
- wahls001@umn.edu
Kyla L. Wahlstrom, PhD, is a Senior Research Fellow in the College of Education and Human Development, and also a Lecturer in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development (OLPD). Most recently, Dr.
Stuart Yeh Stuart Yeh
- Professor; Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Evaluation Studies
- 612-624-0285
- yehxx008@umn.edu
I apply evaluation perspectives and frameworks to identify what works in solving pressing social problems.
