Announcing the JEI Reviewer of the Year 2025

DEC congratulates the 2025 DEC Journal of Early Intervention Reviewer of the Year, Sondra M. Stegenga!

The Reviewer of the Year Award recognizes a Journal of Early Intervention (JEI) reviewer whose work reflects exceptional rigor, clarity, and commitment to equity in early intervention and early childhood special education. This reviewer provides thorough, constructive feedback that highlights strengths, identifies meaningful opportunities for improvement, and upholds COPE’s ethical standards. Their reviews consistently advance high-quality, equity-oriented scholarship and strengthen JEI’s mission to support research that improves outcomes for young children with disabilities or developmental delays and their families.

Sondra M. Stegenga Ph.D., MS, OTR/L is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Utah. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the fields of health and education serving individuals across the lifespan. She has provided services and supports to children and families as a home visitor, occupational therapist, early intervention program administrator, and state council member across a range of environments including early intervention, schools, and hospitals. She holds a Bachelor of Science in behavioral science, Master of Science in occupational therapy, a Master of Education in educational leadership – special education administration, and a Ph.D. is Special Education – Early Intervention. She also holds certifications as a Special Education Director and Elementary Principal. She is involved with local, collegiate, state, and national councils, workgroups, and advisory boards to improve practices for young children with disabilities throughout the United States; including being a Governor appointed member of the Utah Baby Watch Early Intervention State Interagency Coordinating Council. Dr. Stegenga’s research focus areas include interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration, research to practice - implementation science and policy in family-centered and community-based systems, early social emotional assessment and intervention (including infant mental health) related to school readiness and long-term outcomes, and methods and ethics in family-centered research. Dr. Stegenga is honored to be a member of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and support the mission and work of DEC as a Journal of Early Intervention (JEI) Board Member and Reviewer!