Robert Stodden, Director of the Center on Disability Studies (CDS) in the College of Education, received the 2013 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD). He was presented with the award on November 19, 2013 during the Annual AUCD Conference in Washington, D.C.
“This is an honor reflecting the hard work of all of the past and present faculty and staff at CDS as well as the future potential of everyone to continue the CDS tradition in a bigger and better way,” Stodden said.
AUCD’s highest accolade, the Distinguished Achievement Award is given to individuals or corporations who have made significant lifetime contributions to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Criteria include accomplishments in research, education, and service, and a biographical sketch of the nominated individual or organization.
With more than 35 years’ experience as a researcher, teacher trainer, and teacher of secondary students with disabilities, Stodden has facilitated hundreds of research, demonstration, service, technical assistance, training, and personnel preparation projects. He has served as principal investigator and director for more than 50 federally funded projects in the disabilities field and is a family member of individuals with disabilities.
An internationally renowned scholar in the areas of educational policy development and evidence-based practice, Stodden’s research explores the use of indigenous and other cultural values and behaviors as a means of teaching and supporting minority student groups who are most at risk for school failure.
“About a dozen faculty members were there in Washington to applaud Dr. Stodden when he received the honor,” CDS Associate Director Jean Johnson said. “This included staff working in CDS projects across the Pacific – American Sāmoa, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.”
