Dr. Xu wins international leadership award

DISES Distinguished International Leadership Award for 2022 to be presented later this month.

Casual headshot/portrait of Yaoying Xu, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education.
Yaoying Xu, Ph.D. (Photo by Kevin Morley)

Yaoying Xu, Ph.D., professor in the VCU School of Education’s Department of Counseling and Special Education, has been selected as the recipient of the Dr. Deborah Ziegler Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES) Distinguished International Leadership Award for 2022. Xu will receive the award at the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention/DISES reception in Orlando, Florida later this month.

“As a proud member of DISES, this award is very special to me,” said Xu. “I am humbled and very grateful for the opportunity to work with a group of outstanding international leaders for the well-being of individuals with disabilities and their families.”

The award is named for Deborah A. Ziegler, Ed.D., director for policy and advocacy and professional standards at the CEC, who has made numerous contributions to promote inclusive education for individuals with disabilities and their families throughout the world. Xu’s research interests and expertise focus on social aspects of children and students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and how social interaction skills affect academic achievements.

Xu is also director of the International Educational Studies Center, a center within the School of Education, which provides educational and cultural opportunities for scholars, educators and students from around the world to explore foundational and culturally meaningful topics in education and related fields.

The CEC is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. DISES, a division of the CEC, promotes knowledge exchange, collaboration, human rights and advocacy for those who provide services for individuals with disabilities.