Katharine Shepherd

BIO

Katharine G. Shepherd, Ed.D., is the Levitt Family Green and Gold Professor and Dean of the College of Education and Social Services (CESS). Her teaching and research interests include family-professional partnership, collaborative teaming, and state and school wide implementation of inclusive policies and practices, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). 

Dr. Shepherd received $3.6 million in grants to support her research from the U.S. Department of Education, the Spencer Foundation, and the Vermont Agency of Education. Her recent funding includes a five-year, federally-funded grant supporting future leaders in special education. 

Under her guidance and leadership, CESS academic program innovations include the establishment of an undergraduate certificate in Place-Based Education, certificates of graduate study in Education for Sustainability and Resiliency-Based Approaches, an undergraduate minor and concentration in Computer Science Education, and the revision of the Individually Designed Major. 

As interim dean, Dr. Shepherd supported two significant efforts that contribute to the college’s offerings and reputation, and to the university’s bid for R1 status, including the establishment of a new PhD program in Social-Emotional Health and Inclusive Education, a new PhD program in Counselor Education and Supervision. 

Over the past two fiscal years, CESS researchers have secured 43 awards totaling $15.4 million to support 73 projects. 

Dr. Shepherd's publication record includes co-authoring two books and has authoring or co-authoring 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, 16 book chapters, and 17 additional publications. Her scholarship can be found in outlets such as Exceptional Children, TEACHING Exceptional Children, Journal of Disability Policy Studies, Journal of Special Education Leadership, and Journal of Educational Administration, among others. She previously served as President of the Higher Education Consortium for Special Education (HECSE).

In 2019, she was awarded the President's Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award at the University of Vermont. She was also a recipient of the Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Award.

Courses

• Assessment in Special Education
• Collaborative Consultation
• Internship in Special Education
• Issues Affecting Persons with Disabilities

Publications

Google Scholar

Awards and Achievements

• President’s Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award, University of Vermont, 2018-2019
• Higher Education Consortium for Special Education (HECSE), Leadership and Service Award, 2016  (presented in recognition of leadership and service as HECSE President, July 2013-July 2015)
• Levitt Family Green and Gold Professorship, College of Education and Social Services, 2014 (inaugural endowed professorship in the College of Education and Social Services, appointment made through the Office of the Provost based on a peer nomination process)
• Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Award, Associate Professor Level, University of Vermont, 2012-2013 (awarded annually to a total of four instructors at the University of Vermont, one each in the ranks of Full Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, and Lecturer)
• Nominee, Graduate Student Senate Award for Excellence in Advising, University of Vermont, May, 2012 (awarded annually to one member of the Graduate College through the Graduate Student Senate)
• Nominee, Graduate Student Senate Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Vermont, May, 2012 (awarded annually to one member of the Graduate College through the Graduate Student Senate)
• Nominee, Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Vermont, 2007 and 2002
• Outstanding Scholarship and Service Award, Department of Education, Special Education Program, University of Vermont, 1985.
• Graduate Research Fellowship, Special Education Program, University of Vermont, 1984 – 1985.

Area(s) of expertise

• Collaboration and teaming
• Families of children and adults with disabilities
• Special education