Academic Credentials

• 1993 Ph.D. Educational Psychology, Arizona State University Areas of Specialization: Large-scale data modeling, growth modeling, psychometrics, measurement, and statistics.
• 1991 M.A. Educational Psychology, Arizona State University
• 1986 B.A. Physics, Eastern Washington University

Academic Appointments

• 2020–Present: Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
• 2017–Present: Professor Emeritus, University of Arkansas*
• 2017–19: Associate Dean for Research, College of Education (UNLV)
• 2011–15: Director of Research and Assessment, Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Economic Development, University of Arkansas 
• 2003–17: Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Arkansas**
• 2005–08: Senior Advisor, Office of the Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Education***
• 2000–03: Associate Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Arkansas
• 1995–2000: Assistant Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Arkansas
• 1993–95: Assistant Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Illinois

* - Promoted to the rank of Professor Emeritus at the University of Arkansas in 2017 at the age of 53

** - Promoted to the rank of Professor at the Age of 39, one of three professors to attain this rank prior to the age of 50

*** - Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Education designing large-scale data and growth models to improve educational accountability. Additionally, assisted with designing and writing educational policies for K-12 and postsecondary systems. 

Selected Professional Career Highlights

• Section Chair: Quantitative Methods and Statistical Theory for the American Educational Research Association (largest education research organization in the world), 2022-24
• Over 80 published research papers/chapters/books and over 200 national/international presentations
• 17 Invited Keynote Presentations, including:
  • SAS Global Forum (2018, 2019) 
    • Secretary of Education, Margaret Spelling''s Keynote Summit on Accountability (2007)
    • National Council on Measurement in Education (2008)
• Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Education, Washington, D.C. designing growth models and policy for accountability
• Director of Research and Assessment, University of Arkansas (2013–16)
• 14 Professional Research and Teaching Awards, including two college of education outstanding faculty research awards
• Research featured in USA Today (April 23, 2003)
• 208 copyrighted programs and technical manuals around educational data models
• Billingsley Chair for Educational Research and Policy Studies the University of Arkansas (2004–09)
• Chair, Faculty Senate Task Force on Grades and Grade Inflation (2004–06)
• 2010 Commission Member for the University of Arkansas (Committee to transition U of A to a premier Research I institution)
• Approximately $17 million in external grant funding as a principal investigator
• Eighty-three graduate students completed their education via my external grant funding

Select Grants

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation

• Title: Collaborative Research: Improving Undergraduate Student Success in
• Introductory STEM Courses via Campus Data Systems Targeted Support for Self-Regulated Learning
• Amount: $990,386
• Date Funded: Dec. 21, 2018

Funding Agency: DAWN Group

• Title: A Pre-K Portal to Improve Child Development
• Amount: $3,100,000
• Date Funded: Jan. 31, 2013

Funding Agency: Arkansas Department of Education

• Title: NORMES: Integrated School Improvement Model                         
• Amount: $7,306,761

Date(s) Funded:

• July 1, 2005 ($601,000)
• July 1, 2006 ($632,000)
• July 1, 2007 ($932,000)
• July 1, 2008 ($868,000)
• July 1, 2009 ($897,761)
• July 1, 2010 ($1,068,000)
• July 1, 2011 ($1,250,000)
• July 1, 2012 ($1,058,000)

Total Career External Funding as PI

$17,246,228