WILTON, ME, May 14, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Brianna M. Grumstrup, PhD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Grumstrup is an esteemed assistant professor of special education at the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), where she has been imparting knowledge and expertise since 2021. With a career spanning 18 years, she is recognized for her dedication to teaching and supporting students with developmental disabilities. Her role involves teaching four courses per semester to graduate and undergraduate students, advising them on academic schedules and serving on various campus committees to support the university's day-to-day operations. Currently, she is collaborating on a new online graduate certificate initiative within the department and conducting an extensive systematic review on physical activity in schools for students with intellectual disabilities.

Before joining the faculty at UMF, Dr. Grumstrup served as a graduate assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she was involved in research focused on health and developmental disabilities. Her earlier career includes roles at the Washoe County School District, where she was a teacher on special assignment from 2012 to 2015 and a special education teacher specializing in autism and related disorders from 2007 to 2012. Her work in these roles laid the foundation for her expertise in health education and outcomes, positive behavior supports, and developmental disabilities.

Dr. Grumstrup's academic journey began at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees. In 2021, she received a Doctor of Philosophy in special education and disability studies from the same institution. Her educational background is complemented by teaching licenses from the Nevada Department of Education in K-8 elementary, K-12 special education generalist, K-12 intellectual disabilities, and ages 3 to 22 autism. These credentials have been instrumental in her success as an educator and researcher.

Throughout her career, Dr. Grumstrup has been recognized for her contributions to special education. In 2024 and 2025, she was featured in Nevada Today, the University of Nevada, Reno's research newsletter, for her research in health and developmental disabilities. The university also honored her with the Graduate Student Association Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award and Outstanding Researcher Award in 2021 and the Memorial Award in Doctoral Student Research in Intellectual Disability in 2020. Her scholarly work includes co-authoring numerous publications such as "Applied Behavior Analysis: Dispelling Associated Myths" and "Parents of Children with Significant Disabilities Describe Their Children's Eating Habits: A Phenomenological Study." These works, among several others, have been published in prestigious academic journals.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Grumstrup is actively involved with industry-related organizations. She is a council member of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and a member of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Teacher Education Divisions. These affiliations reflect her commitment to advancing the field of special education.

Dr. Grumstrup's most notable achievement is her ability to model best practices and demonstrate effective learning strategies for her students, truly embodying the principles she teaches. Additionally, by employing behavior interventions known to work for students in K-12 schools and fostering a positive classroom environment, she cultivates a sense of belonging and ensures that learning is engaging and enjoyable for everyone. She takes particular pride in successfully translating these practices to a college setting.

Dr. Grumstrup attributes much of her success to her flexibility and optimism and the unwavering support of her parents, Stan and Gayle Martin. Growing up as a first-generation university student in Reno presented challenges that she overcame with their encouragement. Inspired by mentors like Dr. MaryAnn Demchak, Dr. Tammy Abernathy-Vineyard, and Dr. Shanon Taylor during her academic journey, Dr. Grumstrup has developed into a highly skilled educator who continues to contribute significantly to her field.

In her personal life, Dr. Grumstrup enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, cooking, and exploring new places and foods. Looking ahead, she plans to apply for tenure at the University of Maine at Farmington with aspirations of becoming an associate professor. She also intends to author an article on positive behavior support and best practices in the college classroom and is considering writing a book following interest from a publisher.

Ultimately, Dr. Grumstrup is dedicated to special education and teacher preparation. She believes that in today's political climate, it is more important than ever to focus on creating an inclusive school environment where everyone belongs and receives a high standard of education. This commitment is at the heart of her educational mission.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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