Dawn Hunter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

E-mail: dhunter@chapman.edu  
Phone: 714-744-7674
Fax: 714-744-7035

Dr. Dawn Hunter is a nationally recognized expert in the field of special education.  She currently serves as an Associate Professor within the College of Educational Studies at Chapman University, teaching both graduate and undergraduate students.  In addition, she coordinates the credential and the master's in special education programs at Chapman.  Prior to her work at Chapman, Dr. Hunter served as the Branch Chief of the Severe Disabilities Branch (SDB), U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs in Washington, D.C.  In this position she was responsible for the administration of national discretionary projects (e.g., research, demonstration, technical assistance, outreach, systems change, information dissemination, training) funded under the Program for Children with Severe Disabilities, the Services for Children and Youth with Deaf-Blindness Program, the Regional Resource Center Program, and the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY).  In addition, she also was responsible for developing policies, regulations, national priorities, and strategies for facilitating innovative and effective educational practices and services for children with disabilities.  Dr. Hunter represented the United States at numerous international events sponsored by OECD or UNESCO.

Dr. Hunter's experience also includes teaching high school students and adults with severe disabilities, designing and coordinating educational, vocational, residential and recreational programs for students with disabilities, and monitoring the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at the federal level.  She has served as an expert witness, protecting the legal and civil rights of people with disabilities, on numerous federal court cases.  In addition, she has made countless presentations to parents of children with disabilities, professional organizations, teachers, administrators, policy makers, and governmental agencies both within the United States and abroad on a wide range of topics relevant to serving children and adults with disabilities.  Dr. Hunter has also provided technical assistance and support to school districts, State educational agencies, federal agencies, and other countries in developing and implementing effective educational policies and practices. 

Dr. Hunter has publications in the areas of inclusive schooling, building collaborative partnerships, positive behavioral support strategies for students with challenging behaviors, changing attitudes toward persons with disabilities, post secondary options for students with disabilities, vocational and leisure skills training, policy development, and systems change.  Her most recent research interests are in international perspectives on disability, supporting the families and siblings of people with disabilities, understanding the role of compassion in education, and effective teaching pedagogy in higher education.

Curriculum Vita