SESP faculty member Paula Olszewski-Kubilius is slated to become the next president of the National Association of Gifted Children, the nation’s most prominent organization in the field of gifted education. Olszewski-Kubilius is the director of the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.She will serve as vice president of the organization for two years before her term as president begins.
In addition, recently NAGC announced that Olszewski-Kubilius will receive a "distinguished scholar award" at this year's NAGC convention to be held in St. Louis in November. This award is presented to the individual who has made "the most significant contribution" to the field of education regarding gifted and talented individuals and whose work exhibits a continued record of distinguished scholarship and contribution.
CTD is an accredited learning center and research facility that identifies, educates and supports gifted students and their families and serves as a leader in gifted education. The Center, which was established in 1982, serves approximately 37,000 families annually.
In association with her work as CTD director and a professor in the School of Education and Social Policy, Olszewski-Kubilius conducts research related to gifted education. She has published more than 80 articles and book chapters on talent development issues, particularly the effects of accelerated educational programs and the needs of special populations of gifted children.
In addition, Olszewski-Kubilius serves on the board of directors of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children, the board of trustees of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and the editorial board of Gifted Child Today and Gifted Child Quarterly. She earned her master's and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University in educational psychology and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from St. Xavier University in Chicago.
“I think the research I am most proud of is the work we have done regarding the efficacy of various types of program models and types for gifted learners,” says Olszewski-Kubilius. This work, which is directly related to the programs at CTD, includes assessments of how gifted students use distance education, why they enroll in it, and their perceptions of its effects and benefits. It also includes research work on CTD programs for underserved students, the CTD leadership program and accelerated classes such as the CTD summer programs.
For greater impact, Olszewski-Kubilius strives to make CTD programs replicable by creating research-driven program models, assessing those programs and then writing about them. “Most of my research has been applied, but I think we have put out more research about educational programs for gifted learners than any other center in the country,” she says.
Last Modified: 4/5/10