Jan B. Sheldon, Ph.D., J.D.

Affliations: 

• Professor Emerita, Department of Applied Behavioral Science  - University of Kansas Lawrence, KS

Background and Interests:
I have been extremely fortunate to fulfill my childhood dreams of having a doctorate in child psychology and being a licensed attorney, and I feel even more fortunate, as a university professor, to have “the best job in the world.” Teaching and working with undergraduate, graduate, and law students in the areas of delinquency, truancy, in-home family therapy, developmental disabilities, early education and intervention, curriculum development, and advocating for the rights of dependent populations have made my professional life interesting and varied—with never a dull moment. One of the most important goals in my life is to make a meaningful difference in others’ lives. My teaching, research, and service endeavors for the last thirty years have addressed that mission, and I have attempted to accomplish this goal in a variety of ways. I am a founding board member of Community Living Opportunities (a community-based program serving over 350 children and adults with developmental disabilities), Full Citizenship (an advocacy program for people with disabilities), and the Lawrence Partnership for Children and Youth. I developed and am the Co-director of the Douglas County Truancy Prevention and Diversion Program and Family Enhancement, an in-home family therapy program. Additionally, for 20 years, I have been the Director of the Edna A. Hill Child Development Center at the University of Kansas. In all of these endeavors, I have been greatly influenced by the people with whom I work including parents, children (including my four children), youth, teachers, children and adults with developmental disabilities, my students, and supportive faculty and colleagues.