About
Jeff Bakken is a Professor in the Department of Education, Counseling, and Leadership at Bradley University's College of Education & Health Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Special Education from Purdue University, along with a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
His research focuses on Special Education with expertise in Learning Disabilities, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Assistive Technology, and Smart Universities. He has published extensively on Transition Services, Teacher Effectiveness, and Student Assessment.
Recent publications highlight his work in Assistive Technology for students with visual/hearing impairments, Predictive Analytics for academic performance, and Gesture/Facial Recognition systems in higher education. His scholarship reflects partnerships with international researchers and over $1M in grant funding.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Outstanding University Teacher Award (Illinois State University)
- College of Education Outstanding Teacher Award (Illinois State University)
- Honorary Fellow of Teaching and Education Research Association (TERA)
He mentors graduate students through courses like Financial Affairs in Special Education and Student and Academic Affairs, while serving on advisory boards such as the KES-SEEL Advisory Board. His teaching philosophy emphasizes Transactional Learning where students and instructor share knowledge and experiences.
