Sean W. Mulvenon, Ph.D.
Professor
Biography
Sean W. Mulvenon, Ph.D. is a professor of educational statistics in the Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership and Higher Education in the College of Education. Mulvenon has expertise in large-scale data modeling, growth models, school accountability, and educational policy.
Academic Credentials
- 1993 Ph.D. Educational Psychology, Arizona State University Areas of Specialization: Large-scale data modeling, growth modeling, psychometrics, measurement, and statistics.
- 1991 M.A. Educational Psychology, Arizona State University
- 1986 B.A. Physics, Eastern Washington University
Academic Appointments
- 2020–Present: Professor of Educational Statistics, Ê×Ò³| Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» (UNLV)
- 2017–Present: Professor Emeritus, University of Arkansas*
- 2017–19: Associate Dean for Research, College of Education (UNLV)
- 2011–15: Director of Research and Assessment, Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Economic Development, University of Arkansas
- 2003–17: Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Arkansas**
- 2005–08: Senior Advisor, Office of the Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Education***
- 2000–03: Associate Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Arkansas
- 1995–2000: Assistant Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Arkansas
- 1993–95: Assistant Professor of Educational Statistics, University of Illinois
* - Promoted to the rank of Professor Emeritus at the University of Arkansas in 2017 at the age of 53
** - Promoted to the rank of Professor at the Age of 39, one of three professors to attain this rank prior to the age of 50
*** - Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Education designing large-scale data and growth models to improve educational accountability. Additionally, assisted with designing and writing educational policies for K-12 and postsecondary systems.
Selected Professional Career Highlights
- Section Chair: Quantitative Methods and Statistical Theory for the American Educational Research Association (largest education research organization in the world), 2022-24
- Over 80 published research papers/chapters/books and over 200 national/international presentations
- 17 Invited Keynote Presentations, including:
- SAS Global Forum (2018, 2019)
- Secretary of Education, Margaret Spelling''s Keynote Summit on Accountability (2007)
- National Council on Measurement in Education (2008)
- SAS Global Forum (2018, 2019)
- Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Education, Washington, D.C. designing growth models and policy for accountability
- Director of Research and Assessment, University of Arkansas (2013–16)
- 14 Professional Research and Teaching Awards, including two college of education outstanding faculty research awards
- Research featured in USA Today (April 23, 2003)
- 208 copyrighted programs and technical manuals around educational data models
- Billingsley Chair for Educational Research and Policy Studies the University of Arkansas (2004–09)
- Chair, Faculty Senate Task Force on Grades and Grade Inflation (2004–06)
- 2010 Commission Member for the University of Arkansas (Committee to transition U of A to a premier Research I institution)
- Approximately $17 million in external grant funding as a principal investigator
- Eighty-three graduate students completed their education via my external grant funding
Select Grants
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
- Title: Collaborative Research: Improving Undergraduate Student Success in
- Introductory STEM Courses via Campus Data Systems Targeted Support for Self-Regulated Learning
- Amount: $990,386
- Date Funded: Dec. 21, 2018
Funding Agency: DAWN Group
- Title: A Pre-K Portal to Improve Child Development
- Amount: $3,100,000
- Date Funded: Jan. 31, 2013
Funding Agency: Arkansas Department of Education
- Title: NORMES: Integrated School Improvement Model
- Amount: $7,306,761
Date(s) Funded:
- July 1, 2005 ($601,000)
- July 1, 2006 ($632,000)
- July 1, 2007 ($932,000)
- July 1, 2008 ($868,000)
- July 1, 2009 ($897,761)
- July 1, 2010 ($1,068,000)
- July 1, 2011 ($1,250,000)
- July 1, 2012 ($1,058,000)
Total Career External Funding as PI
$17,246,228