Kendra L. Williams-Diehm

Kendra L. Williams-Diehm is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology (Special Education program) at the University of Oklahoma, serving as Executive Director of the Zarrow Institute on Transition & Self-Determination. Her research focuses on transition services for students with disabilities, emphasizing self-determination, post-secondary outcomes, and cultural influences on education. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in teacher preparation, particularly in special education.

Education background includes prior work at the Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas. Research interests span transition planning, intellectual/developmental disabilities, culturally responsive practices, and teacher preparation curricula. Dr. Williams-Diehm has published extensively on transition assessments (TAGG/TAGG-A), employment outcomes, and self-determined learning models.

• Key Projects: Zarrow Institute leadership, Beyond High School Model evaluation
• Teaching: Special education methods, transition planning courses

Her work emphasizes evidence-based practices in transition planning, including studies on workplace competencies, teacher knowledge gaps, and technology integration in special education. The Transition Assessment and Goal Generator (TAGG) tools she helped develop are widely used in IEP processes.

Professional service includes advising on state vocational rehabilitation programs and curriculum redesign for teacher preparation programs focusing on disability inclusion.