Tell us a bit about yourself

My family and I recently made the move from Columbia, Missouri, where I spent 12 years at the University of Missouri and my wife, Cathy, worked for 10. We have been married for 20 years and have a daughter, Toni, who is a freshman in high school.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Learning Disabilities and my master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Saint Francis (Ft. Wayne, IN), where I also had the chance to play college football. After teaching high school special education for five years in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Cathy and I moved to Champaign, Illinois so I could pursue my PhD in Special Education at the University of Illinois, focusing on Behavior Disorders and Quantitative Methods.

Football stayed with me during my time in college, as a teacher, and during graduate school. Specifically, I had the opportunity to coach at the University of Saint Francis, at South Side High School, and later as a strength and conditioning coach for the University of Illinois football program. My final game as a coach was on one of the biggest stages, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. More recently, I have traded the football field for the archery range, where I had the joy of coaching my daughter’s middle school archery team.

When I am not teaching, researching, or coaching, I am a huge Star Wars fan. I enjoy collecting action figures, Lego sets, and Funko Pops, and have been known to spend time “playing with my toys,” as Cathy likes to say.

 

What will you be doing as a faculty member?

At the University of South Carolina, my primary role is as a researcher. For nearly two decades, I have focused on understanding and preventing bullying, addressing school violence, and supporting students with emotional, behavioral, and learning needs through effective classroom management and behavioral supports. Research is where I spend much of my energy, and it connects directly to my teaching and mentoring.

I will be teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses in special education, with a particular emphasis on classroom management and behavioral supports. One of the greatest impacts I can have as a faculty member is preparing the next generation of teachers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to create safe and well-managed learning environments for all school-aged youth.

Mentoring students is another part of my role that I value deeply. At USC, I will continue to work closely with students who are interested in bullying prevention, school violence prevention, classroom management, and behavioral supports, providing opportunities for them to engage in meaningful, applied research.

Looking ahead, one of my biggest priorities is developing the Bullying Prevention Center at USC. The Center will be a resource for schools, districts, and communities across South Carolina, advancing policy, offering professional development for educators and families, and developing skill-based interventions that can be implemented in schools. Just as importantly, it will give USC students a chance to take part in this work through research, training, and outreach, connecting what they learn in class to real-world impact.

In many ways, my work at USC blends research, teaching, mentorship, and service. Each part strengthens the others. The research informs my teaching, the teaching inspires my mentoring, and the mentoring supports the work of the Center. Together, these efforts aim toward the same goal of creating safe and supportive schools where every student has the opportunity to learn and grow.

 

What is your area of research expertise?

I have been in the field of education for more than 25 years, and for nearly 20 of those I have devoted my work to studying bullying and bullying prevention. Even with that history, I do not think of myself as an expert. I am a scientist. Every answer I uncover leads to more questions, and I enjoy that constant chase. It keeps me evolving, adjusting my perspectives, and following wherever the science takes me.

Much of my research has centered on bullying, school violence prevention, and how schools can support students with emotional, behavioral, and learning needs. Alongside that focus, I have developed a strong interest in methodology. My work has included group and single-case design, structural equation modeling, multilevel modeling, and other advanced statistical approaches. I value these methods because they allow me to ask complex questions about how students experience school and peer relationships, and how educators can build environments where students feel safe and connected.

At USC, I will continue this line of work through two large Institute of Education Sciences grants that are transitioning with me. These projects are designed to evaluate school-based interventions, strengthen teacher training, and improve school climate, while also expanding opportunities for my team to engage in meaningful research.

This research does not live only in journals. It is meant to connect directly with practice, which is why I am excited to be developing the Bullying Prevention Center at the University of South Carolina. The Center will allow us to use rigorous methods to generate new knowledge while also collaborating with schools, districts, and communities to put that knowledge into action. For me, research is most rewarding when it makes a tangible difference in the lives of students and educators.

 

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Although I spend a lot of time working, I make sure to carve out moments for the things that matter most to me. Family is at the center of that. With my daughter, I enjoy looking at cars and watching her excitement as my wife, Cathy, teaches her how to drive her Ford Mustang. We also spend time playing video games together, with Zelda being our favorite. With Cathy, I enjoy exploring Columbia as we get to know our new city, traveling (when we can), and cooking together, especially when it involves firing up the grill.

I also have a lifelong love for Star Wars. Cathy likes to call it “playing with my toys,” but I prefer to think of it as curating a collection. Whether it is action figures, Lego sets, or Funko Pops, I enjoy the creativity and fun that come with it. The dogs know better than to mess with my toys, but they bring plenty of their own entertainment. We have two English Bulldogs and a 170-pound St. Bernard who loves making new dog friends through the fence in our backyard.

Staying active is important to me, so I make time to work out regularly. I also enjoy spending time with friends and colleagues at USC. Sharing a meal, a conversation, or just some laughs helps keep me grounded and connected.

 

What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?

Most of my reading these days is tied to research, so I spend a lot of time with scholarly journals. When I do read for myself, I gravitate toward biographies of people who have done remarkable things, changed the world in meaningful ways, or made a positive difference in the lives of others. Those stories inspire me and remind me of the impact one person can have.

Watching is a little more straightforward. Star Wars is always on in the background while I work and write, and if I am being honest, I could watch it all day every day. When I am not in a galaxy far, far away, I enjoy watching horror movies, especially during spooky season. Cathy and I are big Halloween fans, so fall is a favorite time of year in our house. My favorite show right now is Ted Lasso, which I love for its mix of humor and heart. My guilty pleasure is Survivor, which Cathy and I recently started watching together from Season 1.

As for listening, I was born during the golden age of rap, so my playlists are filled with Run-DMC, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, and OutKast. On long road trips, and even while sitting in Columbia traffic, Cathy and I listen to paranormal and true crime podcasts. Morbid and Crime Junkie are two of our favorites, and there is nothing quite like sitting bumper-to-bumper on I-26 with Tupac in the background, a true crime mystery unfolding in your earbuds, and the realization that the scariest part of the day might actually be rush hour.

 

What is your advice for current students?

The first thing I tell students is to be uniquely you. Individuality is what sets you apart. Embrace your quirks, celebrate your differences, and be who you are, not who others want you to be. Authenticity matters, and the more you lean into it, the more you will discover where you truly belong.

Relationships are just as important. None of us get anywhere alone. Find mentors you can learn from, be there for your friends, and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. Take the time to have a conversation with someone new. Listen to other people’s perspectives, even when they differ from your own, and let those conversations stretch your thinking.

And above all, be curious. Keep asking questions, keep learning, and stay passionate about the things that matter to you. Success is not about having all the answers. It is about staying open, being willing to grow, and continuing to chase the next question.

As the great Jedi Master Yoda reminds us, “Do or do not. There is no try.”