About Us
Vision
Where all learners explore, develop, and realize their talents.
Mission
The Belin-Blank Center creates opportunities for talent development.
Strategic Priorities
Outreach
Connect with and provide opportunities to our constituents, including those historically underrepresented in talent development.
Professional Learning
Provide uplifting, research-based, professional learning opportunities to those seeking to support the needs of the diverse population of gifted and talented learners.
Psychological Services
Support clients, families, and professionals through specialized psychological services and education to increase skills and knowledge, promote success, and maximize potential.
Research & Acceleration
Engage in applied and collaborative research that expands and diversifies methods of talent discovery and development.
Students
Collaborate to form a safe space for transformative learning opportunities, unforgettable experiences, and lifelong friendships.
Meet the Staff
Paige Carlson, B.F.A.
Administrative Services Coordinator
Ashlee Donithan, M.A.T.
Coordinator
Student Programs
Brian Douglas, M.B.A.
Associate Director
Finance & Operations
Patience Duepa-Kannah, B.A.
Administrative Services Coordinator
Megan Foley-Nicpon, Ph.D.
Director
Myron & Jacqueline Blank Professor of Gifted Education; Professor, Counseling Psychology Program
Isaac Hooley, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Joshua Jacobs, A.A.S.
Administrator
Technology and Project Management
Mike Keller-Wilson, M.F.A.
Administrator
Student Programs
Emily Ladendorf, B.A.
Administrator
Technology and Marketing
Michael Lambeth
Administrator
Academy Programs
Randy Lange, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Professional Development and Curriculum; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Teaching & Learning
Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, Ph.D.
Administrator
Acceleration Institute and Research; Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
Bridget Pauley, B.A.
Clerical Staff
Zeus Pichardo Jr., Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Licensed Psychologist
Katie Schabilion, Ph.D.
Supervisor of Psychological Services
Licensed Psychologist
Jolene Teske, Ed.D.
Associate Director
Professional Development and Curriculum; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Teaching & Learning
Directors Emeriti
Susan Assouline, Ph.D.
Director Emerita
Professor of School Psychology, Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
Nicholas Colangelo, Ph.D.
Director Emeritus
Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education, Department of Rehabilitation and Counselor Education
Advisory Board
The Belin-Blank Center Advisory Board provides guidance and support to the Center's leadership. Board members are appointed based on their commitment to gifted education and talent development.
Annual Reports
Our Story
“All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.”
The Belin-Blank Center owes its existence to the vision and philanthropy of our founders, David and Connie Belin and Myron and Jacqueline Blank. The Belins and Blanks believed talented and gifted students were not adequately served in school, and they hoped to support efforts to improve the situation. The two families made significant financial commitments while joining forces to secure state funding for the creation of a comprehensive center.
Founded in 1988, the Belin-Blank Center quickly developed into an internationally-respected powerhouse providing innovative programming for gifted and talented students in addition to our groundbreaking work with teachers. As we grew, the Center added counseling services and programming for twice-exceptional children—those who are both gifted and have a diagnosed disorder that impacts their learning or social-emotional development. We also moved into our award-winning building, the Blank Honors Center, built through private donations.
“We tossed a small pebble, and it made a big splash.”
The Perry family of New York are longtime supporters of the Belin-Blank Center. For the Perry family, the Belin-Blank Center has been a source of pride for four generations. Beverly Perry's parents were Mike and Jackie Blank, who, along with David and Connie Belin, provided the foundational support that launched the Belin-Blank Center. The Perrys, including Beverly, her children Jeff and Shoshana, and Jeff's son William, have been long-time donors to the Center.
Henry B. and Jocelyn Wallace of Scottsdale, Arizona, have also been outstanding advocates for gifted students and longtime supporters of the Belin-Blank Center. The Assessment and Counseling Clinic was made possible by a generous gift from Henry B. and Jocelyn Wallace. This Clinic testifies to their generosity and vision that gifted children and their families would have opportunities to receive counseling services.
Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan is a longtime friend of the Belin-Blank Center, and many of her generous gifts have supported the arts. A generous gift from Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan and Patrick Scanlan, honoring Mary's parents, Martin and Melva Bucksbaum, established the Bucksbaum Early Entrance STEAM Academy.
Philanthropy has been one of the wonderfully unique successes of the Belin-Blank Center. The tremendous generosity of those who believe in providing opportunities for gifted students and their teachers has marked our founding and history.
To contribute to the Belin-Blank Center online please visit the University of Iowa Foundation.