F. Richard Olenchak

Email:
olenchak@purdue.edu

Phone:
(765) 496-6421

Address:
Steven C. Beering Hall of
Liberal Arts and Education
100 N. University Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2098
BRNG 5108D

F. Richard "Rick" Olenchak

Professor

Educational Psychology and Research Methodology; Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies,
Educational Studies

Email:
olenchak@purdue.edu

Phone:
(765) 496-6421

Address:
Steven C. Beering Hall of
Liberal Arts and Education
100 N. University Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2098
BRNG 5108D

About

Rick Olenchak is Professor of Educational Psychology and Research Methodology, Professor and Psychologist of Gifted/Creative/Talented Education, and Professor of Higher Education at Purdue University. Previously, he was Associate Provost for the University of Houston and Chair of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences there, and prior to that Chair of Special Education at the University of Alabama. Having taught grades 2-11, he served as Director of Gifted and Talent Development Education in two school districts and as principal at elementary and middle schools, including one of the first schools for twice-exceptional students in the world. He has been president of the National Association for Gifted Children, the Future Problem Solving Program, and the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students. Publications number about 100 including the award-winning books Social-Emotional Curriculum with Gifted (2009) and Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults (2005 and 2016) and numerous recent articles. However, his most important interests are his family.

Education
  • PhD, University of Connecticut
  • Clinical Internship, Arizona State University
  • M.A., Eastern Michigan University
  • B.A./B.S., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Career Experience
  • Professor, Purdue University, 2015-present
  • Professor & Research Institute Director, University of Houston, 1998-2015
  • Associate Professor, The University of Alabama, 1992-1998
  • Assistant Professor, The University of Alabama, 1987-1992

Awards & Honors
  • Director of Research, Gifted Development Center & The Institute for the Study of Advanced Development, 2024-present
  • Distinguished Service, National Association for Gifted Children, 2018
  • Distinguished Scholar, Gifted Students Institute, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 2006
  • Scholarships Review Panel, Lucent Technologies, 2003-2005
  • Distinguished Scholar, Gifted Students Institute, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 2001
  • Service Award, Research and Development Division, Texas Association for Gifted and Talented, 2001
  • Special Recognition, Students with Disabilities – University of Houston, 2000
  • Appointed to Blue Ribbon Task Force on Social/Emotional Research, NAGC, 2000
  • Appreciation Certificate, National Association for Gifted Children – Counseling and Guidance Division, 1999
  • Elected as Chair-Elect, Research and Development, TAGT, 1998
  • Re-Elected Chair of Alabama State Department of Education CSPD, 1997
  • Re-Elected Chair of Alabama State Department of Education CSPD, 1996
  • Elected Chair of Alabama State Department of Education CSPD, 1995
  • Appointed to Alabama Special Education Advisory Panel, 1995
  • Elected Coordinator of Programs in Special Education, 1994
  • Appointed Co-Chair of Alabama State Department of Education CSPD, 1994
  • Elected Area Head, Area of Teacher Education, 1992
  • Leadership Award of Honor, Connecticut Future Problem Solving Program, 1992
  • F. Richard Olenchak Day, declared by City Council proclamation, City of Tuscaloosa, April 11, 1991
  • Lilly Endowment Teaching Fellow, The University of Alabama, 1990 1991
  • Member, Alabama State Department of Education Task Force on Gifted and Talented, 1990 1991
  • Member, Steering Committee, Leadership Tuscaloosa, Alabama Chamber of Commerce, 1989 1994
  • Achievement Award, Encuentro de Educacion Especial de Mexico, 1988
  • John Gowan Scholarship Award, National Association for Gifted Children, 1988
  • Governor’s Citation, Rhode Island Department of Education, 1987

Research & Publications

  • Talent identification & development through the lifespan
  • Multi-exceptionalities/Twice-exceptionalities
  • Giftedness and talent
  • Higher education leadership
  • PK-12 leadership
  • Creativity
  • Creative and Future Problem Solving

Selected Publications
  • Arnstein, K.B., Desmet, O.A., Seward, K., Traynor, A., & Olenchak, F.R. (2024). Underrepresented students in gifted and talented education: Using positive psychology to identify and serve. In K. Tirri & V. Margrain (Eds.). Identifying and supporting giftedness and talent in schools. MDPI.
  • Mo, F., Desmet, O. A., & Olenchak, F. R. (2024). Identifying gifted potential through positive psychology content. Education Sciences, 14(10), 1-21.
  • Arnstein, K. B., Desmet, O. A., Seward, K., Traynor, A., & Olenchak, F. R. (2023). Underrepresented students in gifted and talented education: Using positive psychology to identify and serve. Education Sciences, 13(9), 955-969. DOI:10.3390/educsci13090955
  • McCombs, R. G., Lambert-Snodgrass, L. A., & Olenchak, F. R. (2023). A Big Ten leadership approach to service animal policy development in higher education. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 0, 1-11. DOI: 10.1177/10442073231215764
  • Olenchak, F.R. & Henschon, S.E. (2023). Creating the future: An interview with F. Richard Olenchak. Roeper Review, 45(2), 81-83. DOI: 10.1080/02783193.2023.2172645
  • Olenchak, F.R., & Thomas, J.L. (2022). The conative development of talent: The interactions among characteristics and circumstances. In J. VanTassel-Baska (Ed.). Talent development in gifted education: Theory, research, and practice. Routledge.
  • Baum, S.M., & Olenchak, F.R. (2022). Twice-exceptional students: Ameliorating an educational dilemma. In J.L. Nyberg & J.A. Manzone (Eds.). Creating equitable services for the gifted: Protocols for identification, implementation, and evaluation. IGI Global.
  • Olenchak, F.R. (2022). Pondering the term “gifted” through a Romeo and Juliet lens. Gifted Education International, 38(3), 412-419. DOI: 10.1177/02614294211070352
  • Froiland, J. M., Worrell, F. C., Olenchak, F. R., & Kowalski, M. (2020). Positive and negative time attitudes, intrinsic motivation, behavioral engagement, and substance use among urban adolescents. Addictions Research and Theory, 28(6), DOI: 10.1080/16066359.2020.1857740.
  • Olenchak, F.R., & Baum, S.M. (2019). The alphabet children: Then and now and now and then. Variations, 3. 22-25.

Current Grants & Funded Research

Olenchak, F.R., Desmet, O., Seward, K., & Traynor, A. (2022-2027) Underrepresented students in gifted & talented education: Positive psychology identification & service (Positively pinpointing potential), principal investigator, U.S. Department of Education ($2,900,000).

Courses Typically Taught

  • EDPS 60700: Mixed Methods Research Designs & Applications
  • EDPS 63000: Research Procedures in Education