Professor | The University of Texas at Austin
“What Starts Here Changes The World.”
That’s the motto of The University of Texas at Austin, and that has certainly been Dr. Stephanie Cawthon’s experience since she joined its faculty in 2007.
Dr. Cawthon is a full professor in the College of Education in the Educational Psychology department — in which she serves as Associate Chair and Graduate Advisor — and has a courtesy appointment in Special Education. She teaches the innovative course, The Culture of Disability in Education.
New Project > Collaborative for Access and Equity: A Microsoft - UTexas Partnership (Pilot)
University-wide at UT Austin, Dr. Cawthon co-founded and co-chairs the newly-formed Disabled Faculty Equity Council. In 2023, she has been:
Recognized as an Accessibility Champion for excellence in campus inclusivity
Received the Dean’s Research Innovation Award
Selected to mentor in the Provost’s Mentored Faculty Scholars Program
She is an inaugural affiliate of the Texas Center for Equity Promotion, which houses the Collaborative for Access and Equity, and is founding director of the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes.
In addition to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, Dr. Cawthon is an internationally renowned expert for her research that investigates issues of equity and access — exploring individual, school, community, and system level factors that affect education, employment, and quality of life outcomes for deaf, hard of hearing, and disabled people.
Her research also examines assessment issues, such as the effects of accommodations for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
In the College of Education, the mission is to Reimagine Education — to engage in deep interdisciplinary work in how to prepare students, conduct cutting-edge research, and leverage strengths. One of the mission’s signature impact areas is Thriving in Transitions, which features Dr. Cawthon and her groundbreaking work.