Department Faculty

Bio Dr. Ya-yu Lo is a Professor of Special Education at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She specializes in school-based multi-tiered interventions using applied behavior analytic approach for urban diverse learners with behavioral disorders. Since joining UNC Charlotte in 2004, she has secured over $2.5 million in external funding as PI or co-PI […]

Bio Dr. Michael S. Matthews is Interim Department Chair, Professor, and Program Director for the Academically/Intellectually Gifted graduate programs at UNC Charlotte where he teaches courses related to various aspects of gifted education. He is co-editor of the Journal of Advanced Academics, and Board Member of the National Association for Gifted Children. He also is […]

Dr. Laura McCorkle is an Associate Professor of Child and Family Development and ECIMH Certificate Director in the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her areas of interests include personnel preparation, early intervention, coaching, mentorship, and using technology to support pre-service candidates. Dr. McCorkle regularly teaches courses related to […]

Hedda Meadan, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Snyder Distinguished Professor in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research focuses on social-communication skills and challenging behavior of children with autism and other developmental disabilities and intervention methods to enhance these spheres of functioning. Professor Meadan and […]

Profile Dr. Ann M. Mickelson is an Assistant Professor and M.Ed in Child and Family Studies Program Director in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research and service center on personnel preparation in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education. Dr. Mickelson is particularly interested in […]

Bio Dr. Christopher O’Brien is Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director for General and Adapted Special Education in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Education Graduate Certificate, University of Kentucky, Distance Education (Special Education Teacher Education) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Kentucky, Distance Education (Special Education […]

Area(s) of Interest and Research students with significant cognitive disabilities applied behavior analysis access to the general curriculum alternate assessment

Dr. Heather Taylor is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at UNC Charlotte. Her research and teaching interests include coaching/ mentoring/ and professional development in fields of early childhood education at pre-service and in-service levels, early intervention, early childhood special education, advocacy, and family-centered practices. Education Ph.D. – […]

Bio Shawnee Wakeman is a Clinical Professor in the Special Education and Child Development program. She completed her PhD at UNC Charlotte in 2005 and has worked in various capacities at the university since that time. Dr. Wakeman has lead several federally funded projects related to inclusion, evidence-based strategies in classrooms, and alternate assessments. She […]

Virginia L. Walker, PhD, BCBA-D, is a Professor in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Walker began her career as a special education teacher of students with extensive support needs in Atlanta, Georgia before attending the University of Virginia where she worked on several […]