President Albrecht Honors Three USU Inaugural Professors in January 2014

Utah State University President Stan Albrecht honored three university professors as part of the Inaugural Lecture Series, a program coordinated by the provost’s office, in January 2014. Jane Catlin, Thomas Higbee and Melanie Domenech Rodríguez all presented for the series that highlights the accomplishments of faculty who have been promoted to full professor.

Jane Catlin

Catlin is a drawing and painting professor in Utah State University’s Department of Art and Design. Catlin presented “The Evolution — Jane Catlin’s Process” at President Albrecht’s home as part of the lecture series. Catlin graduated with a master’s of fine arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. After graduating, Catlin went on to exhibit her work throughout the United States and abroad. Her art currently resides in the collections of the Gail Art Museum, Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art and the Myra Powell Gallery.

Catlin is also a member of the Utah Art Education Association, National Art Education Association, College Art Association and National Art Education Women’s Caucus.

Thomas Higbee

Higbee, a professor of special education and rehabilitation, presented “Selected by Consequences” at President Albrecht’s home. Higbee is the director of the Autism Support Services: Education, Research and Training program, an early intensive behavioral intervention program for children with autism that he founded in 2003. His research includes strategies for promoting verbal behavior, social behavior and independence in individuals with autism and related disabilities.

Throughout his career, he has worked with children with autism and related disabilities in home-, center- and school-based programs. During workshops and consultation he has trained teachers and related service providers in school districts throughout the United States and has provided international training in Brazil and Russia.

Melanie Domenech Rodríguez

Domenech Rodríguez is a professor of psychology who presented at President Albrecht’s home as part of the lecture series. Her lecture, “Why Can’t I Play with Fernandito?: How Well Founded Confusion Led to a Career Focused on Family Systems and Latino Mental Health,” reflected on her childhood in Puerto Rico where she was influenced by a mixture of cultures. Her work in Mexico is focused on cultural adaptations and implementation of Parent Management Training, an evidence-based parenting intervention. In Puerto Rico, Domenech Rodríguez is examining normative parenting practices in Puerto Rican families in preparation for a proposal for an intervention trial.

Domenech Rodríguez also contributes to psychological scholarship in areas of professional ethics and multicultural training and development.

Contact: Kim Doyle, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, 435-797-1167, kim.doyle@usu.edu

Writer: Kelsey Richardson, Kelsey.richardson@usu.edu