SESPECS The Team

SESPECS Team

Supporting Innovation, Research, and Student Success

The faculty and staff of the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies (SESPECS) are dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering inclusive educational practices, and preparing future leaders in education and human development.

Our community brings together scholars, educators, researchers, and professional staff who collaborate across disciplines to promote early learning, support the development and well-being of children and youth, and improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their families. Through teaching, research, service, and community partnerships, SESPECS personnel work to address real-world challenges in schools and communities while shaping effective educational policy and practice.

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Faculty  |  Affiliated Faculty   |  Staff

Faculty

Pasha Antonenko

Christopher J. Anthony, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Anthony Botelho

Nelson Brunsting, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Kara Dawson

Matthew Burns, Ph.D.

Fein Professor of Special Education

Maya Israel

Katy Chapman, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Pasha Antonenko

Elayne Colón, Ph.D.

Associate Dean

Anthony Botelho

Valentina Contesse, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Kara Dawson

Cathy Corbin, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Professor

Maya Israel

Kyena Cornelius, Ed.D.

Clinical Associate Professor

Pasha Antonenko

Alice Kaye Emery, Ph.D.

Assistant Scholar

Anthony Botelho

Elyssa A. Geer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Kara Dawson

Kelly-Ann Gesuelli, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Maya Israel

Vivian Gonsalves, Ph.D.

Clinical Associate Professor

Pasha Antonenko

Alisa Hanson, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Anthony Botelho

Dwight Irvin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Kara Dawson

Margaret Kamman, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Maya Israel

Holly Lane, Ph.D.

Professor & Director

Pasha Antonenko

Melinda Leko, Ph.D.

School Director

Anthony Botelho

Kathrin Maki, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Kara Dawson

Hannah Morris Mathews, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Maya Israel

Tara Mathien, Ed.D.

Clinical Associate Professor

Pasha Antonenko

Erica McCray, Ph.D.

Associate Dean

Anthony Botelho

Megan Robinson McMillan, Ed.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Kara Dawson

Joni Williams Splett, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Maya Israel

Katie Trainor, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Pasha Antonenko

Nancy Waldron, Ph.D.

Professor

Anthony Botelho

Megan Worth, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist

Affiliate Faculty

Pasha Antonenko

Crystal Bishop, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist

Anthony Botelho

Kristi Cheyney-Collante, Ph.D.

Research Scientist and Director, Early Childhood and Literacy

Kara Dawson

Cindi Gayle, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Maya Israel

Maya Israel, Ph.D.

Professor

Pasha Antonenko

Herman Knopf, Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist

Anthony Botelho

Melanie Nelson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Kara Dawson

Brian Olsen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Maya Israel

Darbianne Shannon, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist

Emeritus Faculty

Mary Brownell, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor
Special Education

Tina Smith-Bonahue, Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Associate Dean
School Psychology & Early Childhood

Nancy Corbett, Ph.D.

Scholar

Diana Joyce-Beaulieu, Ph.D.

Scholar
School Psychology

Maureen Conroy, Ph.D.

Professor
Special Education & Early Childhood

Jean Crockett, Ph.D.

Professor Emerita
Special Education

Penny Cox, Ph.D.

Clinical Professor
Special Education

Ann Daunic, Ph.D.

Scholar Emerita
Special Education

Cynthia Griffin, Ph.D.

Professor
Special Education

Kristen Kemple, Ph.D.

Professor
Early Childhood

John Kranzler, Ph.D.

Professor
School Psychology

Mary McLean, Ph.D.

Professor
Special Education & Early Childhood

James McLeskey, Ph.D.

Professor
Special Education

Mary Ann Nelson, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer Emerita
Special Education

Jeanne Repetto, Ph.D.

Associate Professor Emerita
Special Education

Paul Sindelar, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor
Special Education

Stephen Smith, Ph.D.

Professor
Special Education

Patricia Snyder, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor & David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies

Special Education & Early Childhood

Linda Lombardino, Ph.D.

Professor Emerita
Special Education

Staff

Pasha Antonenko

Scott Davis

Academic Assistant II
scottdavis@coe.ufl.edu
(352)273-4277

Anthony Botelho

Tara Mace

Administrative Assistant II, Fiscal Support
tara.mace@ufl.edu
352-273-4275

Kara Dawson

Jackie Metts

Administrative Specialist III
Office Manager

jackie.metts@coe.ufl.edu
352-273-4279