School Psychology Faculty
The Graduate Programs in School Psychology draws upon the teaching and research capabilities of more than 40 members of the Department of Psychology, representing all areas of psychology. Illinois State University has the largest Department of Psychology in Illinois except for the University of Illinois.
School Psychology faculty are active in both research and service. Many are engaged in the practice of school psychology, serving as consultants to local school districts, and maintaining independent practices in the community. Several School Psychology faculty have received federal and state grants to provide services to children and adolescents and additional training opportunities for school psychology trainees. Faculty are also active in and fulfill leadership roles in local, state, and national professional associations including the American Psychological Association, National Association of School Psychologists, and the Illinois School Psychologists Association. The School Psychology faculty also have published books, research articles, and assessment instruments and have presented papers at national and state professional conferences. Individual faculty profiles are presented below.
Dr. Gary Cates received his training. in educational psychology in an APA- and NASP-approved program in school psychology from Mississippi State University. His research includes academic instruction and interventions, data-based decision making, and applied behavior analysis in educational environments. He teaches PSY 421 Advanced Behavior Modification and PSY 435 Academic Assessment and Intervention (formerly Diagnostic Procedures), and supervises trainees as part of PSY 435.04 Practicum: Psychoeducational Assessment (which includes intervention) and advanced practica (PSY 590). He also coordinates an Academic Intervention Consultation Services and the Multidisciplinary Psychoeducational Assessment Service at the Psychological Services Center (PSC) that provides academic intervention and research services focusing on students with academic difficulties. Dr. Cates serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Behavioral Education and Journal of Evidenced-Based Practices for Schools. Dr. Cates is a certified school psychologist.
Dr. Karla Doepke received her training in child-clinical psychology at West Virginia University. She completed an internship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Kennedy Kreiger Institute and post-doctoral fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine. Her research and training includes research-to-practice issues, evaluating the efficacy of prevention and intervention program, autism, and efficacy of training models. Dr. Doepke is the director of The Autism Place, an Illinois State Affiliate Site, which is funded through The Autism Program of Illinois. She teaches PSY 333 Principles of Behavior Modification, PSY 473 Theories and Techniques of Counseling Children and Adolescents, and PSY 480.01 Single-Subject Design Seminar. She routinely supervises trainees in PSY 436.05 Practicum: Psychosocial Assessment (which includes intervention) and PSY 590 Advanced Practicum placements. Dr. Doepke is a license clinical psychologist and is pursuing certification in behavior analysis.
Dr. Steven E. Landau received his training in school psychology with a specialty in child psychopathology, particularly ADHD, from The University of Iowa. He conducts research on ADHD, bullying, and children's disturbed peer relations. Dr. Landau teaches PSY 347 Behavior Disorders in Children, PSY 503 Doctoral Research ProSeminar in School Psychology, and PSY 547 Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. Dr. Landau received Illinois State's College of Arts and Science Outstanding Social Science Researcher Award and the School Psychology Review Editorial Excellence Award. He currently serves as Associate Editor of the NASP Communiqué, and is co-chair of the NASP Research Committee. He is the recipient of a U.S. Department of Education grant through the Illinois Professional Learners' Partnership, designed to enhance teacher training through collaboration among different departments, universities, and high-need public schools. Dr. Landau is a certified school psychologist.
Dr. Adena B. Meyers received her training in clinical and community psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She conducts research in the areas of school-based prevention and intervention, adolescent pregnancy and parenthood, social-emotional learning. Dr. Meyers teaches PSY 474 Mental Health Consultation in the Schools. She supervises trainees in PSY 436.05 Practicum: Psychosocial Assessment (which includes intervention) and PSY 590 advanced practicum in settings such as a school-based health center. Dr. Meyers is a certified school psychologist and a licensed clinical psychologist.
Dr. Mark E. Swerdlik, the program coordinator, received his training in school psychology with a specialty in psychological assessment and consultation from Michigan State University. His writing and research relate to professional issues in school psychology and psychological assessment, and alternative service delivery, including Problem Solving/Response to Intervention, and reintegration challenges for the National Guard soldiers returning from war. He teaches PSY 472 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in School Psychology and PSY 536 Seminar and Practicum in Supervision of School Psychological Services, and supervises trainees as part of PSY 436.04 Psychoeducational Assessment (which includes intervention) and the PSY 590 advanced practica in Head Start and in settings where advanced doctoral trainees provide clinical supervision. Dr. Swerdlik also coordinates Child/Adolescent Psychoeducational Assessment Service and the Multidisciplinary Psychoeducational Assessment Service at the Psychological Services Center. Dr, Swerdlik serves on the editorial boards for the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment and Journal of Applied School Psychology. He also coordinates professional growth workshops for the annual NASP conference, and serves as co-chair for the NASP Graduate Education Workgroup, and serves as the chair of the Directors of University School Psychology Programs. Recently, Dr. Swerdlik received a grant from the National Guard Association of Illinois to conduct research on the effectiveness of the Illinois National Guard Reintegration Program for combat veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. This grant studies the impact of deployment on their children's school adjustment and their teachers' perceptions of their ability to meet the children's needs in a school setting.. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association-Division 16, and a Diplomate in School Psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychology and the American Board of Assessment Psychology. Dr. Swerdlik is a certified school psychologist and a licensed clinical psychologist.
Dr. Renée M. Tobin received her training in school psychology with a specialty in personality and social development from Texas A&M University. Dr. Tobin's research interests include personality development, adult-child relationships, linking basic research to clinical practice, and individual differences in emotional experience, regulation, and communication. She teaches PSY 347 Behavior Disorders in Children, PSY 395 Professional Practice Seminar, PSY 473 Theories and Techniques of Counseling Children and Adolescents. In the past, she has also taught PSY 433 Social Emotional and Behavioral Assessment and Intervention (formerly Psychodiagnostics II). She also supervises trainees enrolled in PSY 436.05 Practicum: Psychosocial Assessment (which includes intervention). Currently, Dr. Tobin serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment and as the faculty advisor for the Graduate Association of School Psychology at Illinois State. As a member of Sigma Xi Scientific Society, she served as President of the ISU/IWU chapter for the 2008-2009 academic year and was elected to serve in this role again during 2011-2012. She also served as Acting Director of Illinois States' University Assessment Services from September 2009 through May 2011. Dr. Tobin is the recipient of a 2008 University Research Initiative Award, a 2007 College of Arts and Sciences Research Enhancement Award, and a 2007 University Teaching Initiative Award. Dr. Tobin is a certified school psychologist.