Alicia Cotabish

Dr. Alicia Cotabish is a full-time Professor in the Department of Teaching & Learning at the University of Central Arkansas College of Education, where she directs the Ph.D. in Change Leadership program. A recognized expert in gifted education and STEM pedagogy, she served as Past-President of the Arkansas Association of Gifted Education Administrators (AAGEA) and received national awards including the 2015 NAGC Early Scholar Award and 2012 NAGC Early Leader Award.

• Ed.D., University of Arkansas at Little Rock (2007)
• M.Ed., University of Arkansas at Little Rock (2003)
• B.S., Texas A&M-Texarkana (1996)

Her research focuses on STEM education for advanced learners, virtual coaching technologies (e.g., Bug-in-the-Ear Bluetooth), and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) alignment with gifted curriculum. Google Scholar publications (2015–2024) highlight her work in K-8 engineering instruction, virtual problem-based learning, and equity in gifted programming.

Dr. Cotabish has authored over 100 publications, including the 2022 NAGC Pre-K-Grade 12 Gifted Education Programming Standards (2nd ed.) and the 2017 Designing Innovative Engineering Instruction for High Ability Learners. Her recent articles (2021–2024) emphasize:

• STEM curriculum for gifted students
• Virtual coaching efficacy
• NGSS integration
• Equity in gifted education
• Engineering design processes
• Professional development frameworks

Scientific Awards:

• National Association for Gifted Children Early Scholar Award (2015)
• National Association for Gifted Children Early Leader Award (2012)

She delivers keynotes and workshops nationally and internationally and serves as a NAGC Expert Speaker. Her work bridges gifted education standards with practical implementation, particularly through STEM and virtual technologies.