The College of Education is happy to welcome 11 new faculty members for the 2018-2019 academic year. This year, the Department of Educational Psychology is joined by Seung Choi, David Klingbeil, and Katie Muenks.
Seung Choi
What institution were you most previously with and what was your role?
I came from the testing industry (ACT) most recently. I served as a principal research scientist, conducting both basic and applied research in psychometrics.
What are your research interests?
My research interests include creating variables in education, psychology, and health, and measuring them accurately and efficiently through modern psychometric techniques (e.g., item response theory and computerized adaptive testing)
What sparked those interests?
I am a former student of the Quantitative Methods program in the Department of Educational Psychology and have been practicing those skills in various fields, including state education agencies, testing companies, and higher education.
What are you excited about for your new position at UT?
Teaching! I wanted to be a teacher as I was finishing my doctorate in 1996. So, it has taken a 22-year detour to find a job of my dream.
What do you hope to contribute to College of Education or the Austin community?
It would be my hope to be involved in as many research projects focused on developing quality measurement tools, encompassing ability, achievement, attitude, personality, you name it.
What is your starting date, program area within your department, and academic rank (assistant professor, associate professor, etc.)?
I started on June 1, 2018 as a professor in the Quantitative Methods program in the Department of Educational Psychology. I will also serve as the director of the Applied Psychometric Center.
David Klingbeil
What institution were you most previously with and what was your role?
I was an assistant professor in the School Psychology program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2013-18.
What are your research interests?
Broadly speaking, my research interests are to identify evidence-based practices for schools and study ways to increase their usefulness and feasibility for educators, particularly those working in high-poverty schools.
What sparked those interests?
The gap in achievement between students in high-poverty and low-poverty schools is relatively unchanged since at least 2005. Yet, there are so many amazing students, families, educators, and community members working to increase students’ success in high-poverty schools across the country. I’ve wanted to be a part of this group of people working to achieve that end for a long time.
What are you excited about for your new position at UT?
The school psychology program at the University of Texas has an impeccable reputation in the school psychology profession. I am excited to work with the students and faculty to help continue this tradition of excellence.
What do you hope to contribute to College of Education or the Austin community?
I hope to contribute to students’ success both within the department and across the college to whatever extent possible and develop future researchers and practitioners who will make positive differences in the lives of the students and families with whom they work. As part of this, I hope to incite their interest in research by continuing my applied research line focused on developing and refining evidence-based practices to improve the academic and social-emotional outcomes of students in schools.
What is your starting date, program area within your department, and academic rank?
I started on Aug. 1 as an Assistant Professor in the school psychology program within the Educational Psychology Department.
Katherine Muenks
What institution were you most previously with and what was your role?
I was a postdoctoral researcher at Indiana University working with Dr. Mary C. Murphy. In this role, I did research on how context and identity shape students’ motivation and achievement in school.
What are your research interests?
Broadly, I am interested in what motivates students to learn in academic contexts. I focus on how both individual beliefs (e.g., “I am not a math person”) and social-contextual factors (e.g., the culture of the classroom) influence students’ achievements and academic behaviors. I am also interested in the role of important socializers such as parents and teachers in the development of students’ motivation.
What sparked those interests?
I have always been fascinated by psychology and why people think and behave the way they do. I am also passionate about education—as Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” Studying educational psychology allows me to combine these interests and contribute to a broader knowledge base that can be leveraged to help students who struggle in school.
What are you excited about for your new position at UT?
I am excited to work with knowledgeable and accomplished colleagues, to teach and build relationships with students at all levels, and take advantage of all of the wonderful opportunities and resources UT has to offer!
What do you hope to contribute to College of Education or the Austin community?
I hope to develop a strong research program, collaborate on new projects with colleagues in the College of Education and at UT more broadly, and provide excellent teaching, mentoring, and training to undergraduate and graduate students. I hope that by sharing my knowledge, skills, and expertise with others I can also contribute to improving educational outcomes for students at UT and in the Austin community.
What is your starting date, program area within your department, and academic rank?
I am an assistant professor and my start date was Aug. 1. I am part of the Human Development, Culture, and Learning Sciences (HDCLS) area within the Educational Psychology Department.
