Dr. Natasha Ferrell
Dr. Natasha Ferrell
PRIMARY SPECIALTY
School Psychology
CONTACT
Biography
Dr. Natasha Ferrell is an academic leader and school psychologist with over 20 years of experience in education. Currently, she serves as the Associate Dean of Student Success in the School of Education and an Associate Professor. Since becoming a credentialed school psychologist in California in 2009, Dr. Ferrell has focused on supporting diverse learners, particularly students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Her expertise includes assessing academic and behavioral needs, consulting on effective interventions, and fostering inclusive educational environments. Dr. Ferrell has designed and taught courses on applied behavior analysis, social-emotional learning, consultation and collaboration, behavioral assessment, and research methods.
Her research centers on culturally responsive practices related to schoolwide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS), mental health, and social-emotional learning. She investigates the disproportionate rates of exclusionary discipline practices affecting BIPOC students through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens using a problem-solving ethical dilemma framework (Armistead, Williams, & S. Jacob, 2011).
Dr. Ferrell actively contributes to the field, presenting her research at state, national, and international conferences. Her work has been published in the Journal of Behavior Education and The Oxford Handbook of School Psychology, among other educational and psychological publications.
Specialty
- School Psychology
- Social Emotional Learning
Education
2009
Ph.D. in School Psychology
University of California, Riverside
Dissertation: "Evaluating the Relationship Between Treatment Integrity, Social Acceptability, and Behavior Outcomes within a School-Wide Positive Behavior Support System"
2006
M.A. Education
University of California, Riverside
Thesis: "Comparing Individual Behavior Plans from Schools with and Without Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support: A Preliminary Study"
2002
B.A. Psychology
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Area of concentration: Social Psychology
Scholarly Activities
2009
Member, National Association of School Psychologists
2023
Journal Article on Assessing learning in a graduate degree school psychology program, E-Leader International Journal
2020
Book chapter, Building capacity to support culturally responsive social-emotional learning practices in schools.
Professional Experiences
2024
Associate Dean of Student Success
University of Massachusetts Global
Associate Professor/Program Chair – School Psychology
2016
Associate Professor / Adjunct Professor
National University
2011
Instructor
University of California Riverside Extension