Dear College of Education community and colleagues,
Please join me in conveying our sincere gratitude and appreciation to professor Michaelene "Micki" Ostrosky for her many years of service as head of the Department of Special Education. While Dr. Ostrosky is stepping down from this role, she will remain committed to her outstanding scholarship within the department.
Following an internal search, and with the recommendation of the special education faculty, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Hedda Meadan-Kaplansky has accepted our offer to serve as head of the Department of Special Education beginning July 16, 2021.
Professor Meadan-Kaplansky received her PhD from the Department of Special Education in 2004, and following a post-doctoral research assistantship, joined the department as an assistant professor. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Dr. Meadan-Kaplansky is the Goldstick Family Scholar, and is the recipient of several professional, college, and campus awards. These include the DEC Award for Mentoring from the Division of Early Childhood Council for Exceptional Children, the campus' Distinguished Promotion Award, University Scholar, and this year’s College of Education Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award. Additionally, she has served in numerous leadership roles within professional organizations, the college, and campus.
Please join me in congratulating Micki Ostrosky on an exceptional 12-year tenure as head, and in congratulating and welcoming Hedda Meadan-Kaplansky to her new role as head of the Department of Special Education.
Sincerely,
James D. Anderson
Dean and Gutgsell Professor of Education
College of Education
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
