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We’d like to welcome the newest member of the School Mental Health Collaborative, Dr. Qunshan Zheng, who joins the SMHC Team as an Research Assistant Professor. Dr. Zheng will assume a leadership position on a four-year IES-funded grant focusing on the development of an early childhood screening assessment, and engage in grant writing, contract procurement, and research dissemination activities in collaboration with other members of the SMHC Center.

Qunshan earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Florida. Her major area of study was special education, with a concentration in early childhood studies and a minor in research evaluation and methodology. After graduation, she worked as a post-doctoral associate at the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Florida. Her research interests have focused on supporting caregivers and early childhood education and early intervention practitioners in using evidence-based practices, examining the self-determination skills of young children, and identifying assessment and related measurement considerations in the early childhood and special education fields.

In her spare time, Qunshan enjoys visiting trails and new restaurants. She is very adventurous, whether it is in nature or trying spicy foods. When not exploring nature, Qunshan can be found at the gym or playing various racket sports with her friends and family.

We’re excited to have Qunshan as part of the SMHC Team!

Dr. Mahony-Atallah, Post-Doctoral Fellow with the School Mental Health Collaborative Center for the past two years is transitioning into a new role as Assistant Professor of School Psychology at North Carolina State University (NC State). During her tenure with the SMHC, Dr. Mahony-Atallah directed a multi-year, multi-site study evaluating the efficacy of the Well-Being Promotion Program. In her new position at NC State, Dr. Mahony-Atallah will be conducting research, teaching graduate-level courses in school psychology, and supervising graduate and undergraduate students’ research.

Dr. Mahony-Atallah's research focuses on developing academic interventions and school-based mental health services informed by positive psychology, specifically addressing interconnected challenges in academic skills, mental health, and educational disparities, with a focus on marginalized populations, including individuals with disabilities.

We are grateful for Dr. Mahony-Atallah’s contribution to the SMHC and wish her well in her new position at NC State.