Βι¶ΉΣ³» Jill
- Degree Earned: Ph.D. in Special Education and Disability Studies
- Hometown: Tahoe City, CA
How did you choose the Βι¶ΉΣ³» and the College of Education & Human Development for your academic career?
The Βι¶ΉΣ³» has an excellent College of Education & Human Development. The professors are highly respected and are leaders in the educational field. I wanted to obtain a degree from a highly respected University with a strong research focus and the College of Education & Human Development was the perfect fit for my career goals.
What motivated you to pursue Special Education?
When I graduated from UCLA, I obtained a job working with children with disabilities and I loved it! The children were a lot of fun to work with, and it was very rewarding to see them grow and learn. I stayed in the field for several years before deciding to pursue an advanced degree to increase my knowledge and become a more effective teacher.
Is there a specific experience during your education that was particularly impactful?
My advisor for both my Master's degree and my Ph.D. was MaryAnn Demchak. She is a wonderful advisor and an amazing teacher. MaryAnn is the Director of the Βι¶ΉΣ³» Dual Sensory Impairment Project (NDSIP) and I was fortunate enough to work on the Project for several years. NDSIP introduced me to a population of individuals with disabilities I had not encountered before. I learned a great deal about how to work with individual's with dual sensory impairments and their families. MaryAnn was so influential in my success in the Ph.D. program and I know will continue to be a mentor long into the future.
What made the Βι¶ΉΣ³» and the College of Education & Human Development special to you?
The Βι¶ΉΣ³» has a beautiful campus and is a highly respected research University. The professors and staff are very supportive and generous with their time.
What does it mean to you to have a Ph.D. from a "world-class" College of Education & Human Development?
A degree from such a prestigious College of Education & Human Development as the one at the Βι¶ΉΣ³» brings so much more respect, and signifies a higher, more comprehensive educational experience. I am proud to be an alumna of the College of Education & Human Development!
How has COVID affected your experience graduating from UNR?
It still feels unreal to say I have my Ph.D.! Needless to say, it was disappointing to not experience a true hooding ceremony, and to share the joy of completing my Ph.D. with College faculty, my mentor MaryAnn Demchak, and my friends and family. But ultimately, the health and safety of everyone is of paramount concern and is far more important than anything! I know I will continue to stay in touch with the Special Education program and the College of Education and I’m proud to be an alumna of such a wonderful College!