Kendra Williams Diehm

Kendra Williams Diehm, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma, specializing in Special Education. She also serves as Executive Director of the Zarrow Institute on Transition & Self-Determination. Her work focuses on transition services for students with disabilities, emphasizing self-determination, post-secondary outcomes, and cultural impact on education. She holds a leadership role in advancing inclusive practices and teacher preparation programs.

Research Interests:

• Comprehensive transition services for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities
• Role of culture and family in educational outcomes
• Teacher preparation in special education
• Transition assessment tools (e.g., TAGG, TAGG-A)

Her recent publications (2020–2025) highlight advancements in transition planning methodologies, self-determination interventions, and culturally responsive teaching strategies. Key themes include evidence-based practices for employment readiness, assessment tool development, and overcoming systemic biases in special education.

Dr. Diehm’s professional contributions include directing the Zarrow Institute, which promotes self-determination and transition success through research and advocacy. She previously worked at the University of Kansas’s Beach Center on Disability.