Education
- Ph.D., Special Education / Students with Extensive Support Needs , University of Utah
Biography
Dr. Shamby Polychronis is a passionate advocate for disability rights and has over 20 years of experience in the field. She has served on multiple grant projects, co-authored several articles, and presented at state and national conferences. Her scholarly interests include post-school outcomes for students, family support services, and teacher education. She advocates for social justice issues including intersectionality, alternatives to guardianship, full inclusion in school and community environments, eliminating aversive interventions, and meaningful employment. Prior to joining the University of Utah, Dr. Polychronis received Westminster College’s Gore Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018 and taught courses on the Disability Rights Movement, autism (debunking myths and stereotypes), inclusive educational practices, and effective methodologies for individualizing instruction.