Sean W. Mulvenon, Ph.D.

Sean W. Mulvenon, Ph.D.

Professor

Department(s)
Education
Office
CEB 320
Mail Code
3001
Phone
702-895-4647

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)
  • 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