معرفی
Katharine Shepherd serves as the Levitt Family Green and Gold Professor and Dean of the College of Education and Social Services (CESS) at the University of Vermont, providing strategic leadership for academic innovation and research initiatives that advance the university's pursuit of R1 status through new PhD programs in Social-Emotional Health and Inclusive Education and Counselor Education and Supervision.
Her educational foundation includes:
- Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Vermont
- M.Ed. in Elementary and Special Education from the University of Vermont
Dr. Shepherd's research pioneers family-professional partnerships and collaborative teaming frameworks for implementing inclusive education policies, with special focus on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and equity-centered practices for students with disabilities. Her scholarship bridges theoretical rigor with practical application across school, state, and community contexts.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals evolving emphasis on neurodiversity inclusion, culturally responsive collaboration with refugee families, and policy intersections between the ADA and IDEA, while maintaining core commitment to special education leadership development and rural educational challenges.
Her scientific recognition includes:
- President’s Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award (2018-2019)
- HECSE Leadership and Service Award (2016)
- Levitt Family Green and Gold Professorship (2014)
- Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Award (2012-2013)
- Multiple Graduate Student Senate Award nominations for advising excellence
Dr. Shepherd has secured $3.6 million in research funding from the U.S. Department of Education and Spencer Foundation for initiatives including a five-year grant developing special education leadership pipelines. Under her deanship, CESS researchers have secured 43 awards totaling $15.4 million across 73 projects, with particular strength in inclusive education and disability policy research.
She has spearheaded transformative academic program development including undergraduate certificates in Place-Based Education and graduate certificates in Education for Sustainability, while establishing Vermont's first Computer Science Education minor and revising the Individually Designed Major to enhance interdisciplinary pathways.
