Grant Morgan

Grant Morgan is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Baylor University's School of Education, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Outreach and Program Director for the Quantitative Methods graduate program. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research & Measurement from the University of South Carolina and has been a faculty member at Baylor since 2012.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. in Educational Research & Measurement, 2012, University of South Carolina, Columbia
• M.S. in Human Resources Management (Organization Performance track), 2005, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee
• B.S. in Psychology, 2003, Clemson University

Dr. Morgan's research focuses on latent variable models, psychometrics, classification, and nonparametric statistics. He conducts methodological investigations using Monte Carlo simulations and applies advanced quantitative models in interdisciplinary contexts. His work emphasizes validity in psychological measurement and accurate estimation in latent variable frameworks.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in Bayesian factor analysis, latent class modeling, robust estimation for ordinal data, and the generation of nonnormal distributions using mixture models. These works span top-tier journals such as Psychological Methods, Structural Equation Modeling, and Language Assessment Quarterly, highlighting his contributions to both theoretical and applied psychometrics.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Three-time recipient of Distinguished Paper Awards from AERA-affiliated organizations
• Nominated for Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year
• Nominated for Division D Early Career Award

Dr. Morgan is actively involved in academic leadership and service. He has served as Chair of the Structural Equation Modeling SIG at AERA, is a board member of a regional AERA-affiliated organization, and regularly serves as a panelist for the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Education. He advises on externally funded research projects totaling over $20 million and mentors graduate students in quantitative methods. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment and reviews for leading methodological journals including Structural Equation Modeling, Psychometrika, and Multivariate Behavioral Research.

He leads the Quantitative Methods specialization, teaching courses such as Psychometric Theory, Item Response Theory, Latent Variable Models, and Nonparametric Statistics. His lab and research team focus on advancing methodological rigor in educational and psychological measurement through simulation studies and real-world applications.