Dixie McCollum

Dixie McCollum serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Elementary, Early & Special Education at Southeast Missouri State University, teaching diverse modalities including online, face-to-face, and ITV formats across undergraduate and graduate special education programs. Her instructional leadership spans student teaching supervision, course development, and teacher preparation initiatives.

Education Background:

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, University of Missouri, Columbia
• Ed.S. in Administration, Southeast Missouri State University
• M.A. in Guidance and Counseling, Southeast Missouri State University
• B.S. in Exceptional Child Education, Southeast Missouri State University

Research Focus: Dr. McCollum's scholarship centers on practical special education applications, with emphasis on autism spectrum disorders, language development interventions, and trauma-responsive pedagogy. Her work bridges theory and classroom practice through evidence-based strategies for exceptional learners, particularly examining communication systems for ASD and stress management in educational settings. The 2019 FIRE journal publication represents her expanding inquiry into college student mental health.

Publication Trends: Recent publications (2016-2019) demonstrate consistent focus on foundational special education content with increasing attention to mental health intersections. While early works established frameworks for mild/moderate disabilities and language development, her trajectory shows evolution toward trauma-informed practices in higher education, reflecting contemporary challenges in student support systems.

Professional Credentials:

• K-12 Reading Specialist Certification
• K-12 Special Education Certification
• Elementary Education (1-6) Certification
• School Counselor & Psychological Examiner Certifications
• Special Education & Educational Administration Certifications
• Early Intervention for Autism Certificate (Project Access)
• Autism Certificate (Project Access)

Academic Contributions: Dr. McCollum actively shapes teacher preparation through conference presentations at ATE and international venues, focusing on IEP implementation, self-determination skills for disabled students, and service learning integration. Her course portfolio demonstrates comprehensive coverage of special education domains from foundational psychology to advanced autism interventions, with significant emphasis on literacy and behavior management across developmental stages.