Category: People

Kari Vogelgesang, PhD

Kari Vogelgesang is a Clinical Professor of Teaching and Learning at the University of Iowa with over 25 years of experience in education. She began her career as an elementary classroom teacher before earning a master’s degree in Library and Information Science with a focus on curriculum development and evaluation, and a PhD in Special Education. Her work centers on supporting students and educators in social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health. Over the past 12 years, she has partnered with school districts nationwide to design and implement embedded, high-impact professional learning that drives sustainable systems change.

Chloe Hendrix

University of Wisconsin-Madison (Advisor: Katie Eklund). “Examining Youth and Educator Perspectives on School-Based Mentorship for Black Youth.” $1,000.00

Chloe Hendrix is a doctoral student in School Psychology within the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and is advised by Dr. Katie Eklund. Her research interests include implementation of universal and Tier 2 supports to support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing. She is particularly interested in utilizing mentorship and culturally responsive practices to support students of color within the school setting.

Caleb Edney

University of South Florida (Advisor: Evan Dart). “Developing SoloACT: A Single Session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Youth.” $1,000.00

Caleb Edney is a doctoral candidate in School Psychology at the University of South Florida, and is advised by Dr. Evan Dart. Caleb’s research interests include supporting youth well-being through universal screening and adapting evidence-based interventions for use in the educational context. This award will help facilitate his dissertation, which seeks to develop a school-based, single-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention for youth.

Jean Pauline Serrano

University of California, Santa Barbara (Advisor: Jill Sharkey). “When Support Breaks Down: Youth Perspectives on Misalignment in School Mental Health Systems.” $1,000.00

Pauline Serrano is a doctoral candidate in School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is advised by Dr. Jill Sharkey. Her research examines how youth navigating adversity experience school mental health systems, with particular attention to relational trust, service coordination, and the role of assessment practices in shaping access to care. She serves as the manager of UCSB’s Mind and Behavior Assessment Clinic and as a clinician in the Parent–Child Interaction Therapy clinic. Her work centers youth perspectives to improve the coherence, equity, and effectiveness of school-based mental health supports.