Prudence Carter

Dean
Graduate School of Education

Frank C. Worrell is a Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley, where he serves as Director of the School Psychology program, Faculty Director of the Academic Talent Development Program, and Faculty Director of the California College Preparatory Academy. He also holds an affiliate appointment in the Social and Personality Area in the Department of Psychology. His areas of expertise include academic talent development/gifted education, at-risk youth, scale development and validation, teacher effectiveness, and the translation of psychological research findings into school-based practice. A member of the editorial boards of several journals, Dr. Worrell also serves on committees of several professional associations, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Educational research Association, and the National Association for Gifted Children. Dr. Worrell is a Fellow in five divisions of the American Psychological Association, a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association, and an elected member in the Society for the Study of School Psychology. In 2011, Dr. Worrell received a Presidential citation from the American Psychological Association as well as the Chancellor’s Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence from UC Berkeley, and was one of two recipients of the 2013 Distinguished Scholar Award from the National Association for Gifted Children. In 2015, he was a co-winner of the Distinguished Contributions to Research Award from the Division 45 of APA, the Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race. Dr. Worrell has research collaborations in China, Ethiopia, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Lisa Kala is a native Californian. Born and raised in San Francisco, Dr. Kala graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, earned an M.S. in Multicultural Counseling from San Francisco State University, and a Ph.D. in Education at UC Berkeley with emphases in minority achievement, minority counseling and, education technology. For over 30 years, much of her work has been in support of developing the academic talent of diverse students, whether through teaching, research, or outreach. Dr. Kala has held a variety of roles within the Graduate School of Education, most recently serving as Assistant Dean for Administration and Special Projects. She has also served as director of several outreach and research projects for the school, and has teaching and counseling experience at the high school, community college, and university levels. She looks forward to meeting and getting to know the students, families, and teachers that make up the ATDP community.

Carrie has worked at ATDP for over twenty-five years, most of her working life since she graduated from Baylor University with an English degree. As someone with a long history with the program, she enjoys being in touch with others who have also made ATDP an important part of their lives. There are students who come to ATDP for up to twelve years as well as their parents and siblings. Some of these former students have returned to ATDP as adults to teach, and others are parents of their own ATDP students. She thinks it’s great that ATDP has become a family tradition! While she wishes that she could have also experienced ATDP as a student herself, including studying Human Anatomy as a third grader and learning about Cognitive Neuroscience as a high school student, she finds satisfaction in knowing that so many students, parents and teachers treasure ATDP as a very valuable academic community.

Since coming on board as a computer science instructor in 2010, Sam has found a permanent spot as ATDP’s web and database designer. He spent several years as a tutor and mentor to underprivileged students in his hometown of Tacoma, WA, where he also attended the University of Puget Sound. His undergraduate studies included behavioral psychology, computer science, and music theory.

Mildred has been working at ATDP for a number of years. Some of her favorite activities include working on the Elementary Division newsletter, taking pictures during the summer, and meeting ATDP families during orientation. She attended the University of California, Berkeley where she obtained a BA in History and the Practice of Art.

Stevie has been involved with ATDP since she was in sixth grade. After taking courses in the Elementary and Secondary Divisions, she went on to serve as a TA, an instructor, and a member of the office staff. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and American Studies at UC Davis and her master’s degree in Education at UC Berkeley. She is currently pursuing a PhD in School Psychology while working part time in the ATDP office. Her research interests include development of student beliefs about their academic abilities and the role of culture in developing higher-order thinking skills. She adores working with ATDP teachers and students, and she is grateful to be able to benefit from their passion and wisdom!

Hila is a second year School Psychology P.h.D student with research interests in parent involvement, adolescent development, and self-determination theory. Hila joined ATDP in spring 2015 as a graduate student researcher (GSR) and primarily works on marketing and coordinating Explorations during the summer. Let her know if you have any suggestions for new Explorations!

Cynthia started as a seventh grade ATDP student before continuing on to become a TA and, eventually, an instructor in the computer science department. After graduating from UCSD, she attained a graduate degree in Interactive Media at the University of Southern California. She's grateful for the opportunity to give back to the program that originally inspired her academic passions.

Erin is a third year School Psychology Ph.D. student with research interests in technology and learning, and psychosocial adjustment of children with pediatric cancer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Child Development from Tufts University. Before ATDP, Erin spent time teaching in France and researching Positive Youth Development. Erin joined ATDP in spring 2017 as a graduate student researcher (GSR) and primarily works on marketing. She loves sitting in on ATDP classes and working with students and teachers.

A Bay Area native and current undergraduate at UC Berkeley, Thomas is thrilled to have joined the staff at ATDP. When not present in the office, he's otherwise occupied with theater and legal studies. He enjoys creating digital art and adding too much vinegar to his adobo in his spare time.