Dr. Natasha Ferrell

Associate Dean, School of Education, Associate Professor of Education
Education
School Psychology, Social Emotional Learning
natasha.ferrell@umassglobal.edu

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.

Education History

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

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.

2009

  • Member, National Association of School Psychologists


 


 

Professional Experience

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
 

Education History

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

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.

2009

  • Member, National Association of School Psychologists


 


 

Professional Experience

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
 

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