Greetings! My name is Dr. Deb Circo, and I have been part of the NCU Community for over 10
amazing years now serving several roles. I am currently a Distinguished Core Adjunct Professor
chairing dissertations. At NCU, I have also served as the Dissertation Director for the School of
Social and Behavioral Sciences, developed the MSW program, and served as the inaugural
director for the MSW program.
I earned my PhD in Developmental Psychology, my MA in Psychology, and my MSW all from the
University of Nebraska. My past faculty appointments as well as work in academic leadership
have included the University of Nebraska and Capella University. My background is in the field of
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
As a psychologist and social worker, my research interests (and passion) focus on social
justice (as a social justice warrior) and advocacy (as an advocacy warrior) for individuals with
intellectual impairment and individuals with profound disabilities. I have been fortunate to be
awarded, and serve as the principal investigator, on over $3,000 in federal, state, and local
funding for grant proposals I have written. My grants all have common themes I have braided
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT:
Deb Circo, PhD
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The Psychology Bulletin
Social Justice Warrior
