J. Ron Nelson, Ph.D. is professor and co-director of the Center for At-Risk Children’s Services at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.

Dr. Nelson has over 20 years experience in the field of special education as a teacher, technical assistance provider, and professor. He has a national reputation as an effective researcher and received the 2000 Distinguished Initial Career Research Award by the Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. Nelson’s research career includes over 20 million dollars in external funding, the publication of more than 100 articles, book chapters, and books that focus on serving children at risk of school failure and research issues. He has developed a number of behavior and literacy interventions that have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., What works clearinghouse). His most recent research has centered on developmental risk factors for academic and behavior problems, the link between problem behavior and academic performance, and applied literacy interventions for students with behavioral disorders and English Language Learner.