Professor Michaelene Ostrosky of the Department of Special Education has been named a recipient of the Grayce Wicall Gauthier Professorship in Education. She is one of three accomplished scholars—and the first woman—from the College of Education to receive this distinguished honor, which was established in 1995 by C.J. Gauthier, a 1943 University of Illinois alumnus, in memory of his late wife, Grayce, also a graduate of the University.

Since arriving on campus 26 years ago as an assistant professor, Dr. Ostrosky has established a distinguished scholarly record and exercises exceptional influence through her foundational work exploring the contexts in which learning takes place. Her research and teaching focus on the development of critical knowledge and skills for teachers, parents, and other professionals, which enable them to realize opportunities for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. Professor Ostrosky's research, particularly in promoting social competence and motor development, is paving the way for children with and without disabilities to develop key life skills.

Throughout her tenure, Ostrosky has mentored countless graduate students, doctoral students, and early-career faculty members; advised approximately 30 doctoral students and more than 50 graduate students; and coordinated the Infancy & Early Childhood Special Education training program.

She served as head of Special Education from 2009-2016. During that time, Ostrosky earned prominent honors such as the Division for Early Childhood Award for Mentoring from the Council for Exceptional Children; attained crucial external funding; served on the editorial boards of the top-ranked journals in her field; received awards for her excellence in teaching; and played a pivotal role as one of the key senior leaders in our College. Dr. Ostrosky has agreed to again serve as interim head of the department until the recently launched search for a new head comes to completion.