NAGC Announces Dr. Pamela R. Clinkenbeard as Recipient of the 2026 President’s Award
Press Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NAGC Announces Dr. Pamela R. Clinkenbeard as Recipient of the 2026 President’s Award
Washington, DC (October 7, 2026) – The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) proudly announces Dr. Pamela R. Clinkenbeard, Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, as the 2026 recipient of the NAGC President’s Award. The President’s Award recognizes individuals whose notable work or influence has contributed to meaningful change in gifted education.
Throughout her career, Clinkenbeard has helped advance both the research and practice of gifted education, with particular attention to student motivation, talent development, early identification, equity, and expanding opportunities for gifted learners. She spent 24 years at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she served as a professor in the Department of Educational Foundations and as interim Associate Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies before retiring in 2020.
Clinkenbeard’s impact extends well beyond the university classroom. Working with colleagues at UW-Whitewater, she helped develop Wisconsin’s first gifted education teacher licensure program and graduate teacher education program and taught cohorts of educators throughout the state. Her work also included a federally funded Javits project focused on talent development and preparing educators to better identify and serve economically disadvantaged students in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha.
“Dr. Clinkenbeard’s contributions to gifted education can be seen in the scholarship she has advanced, the educators she has prepared and mentored, and the opportunities she has helped create for gifted students,” said Catherine Little, NAGC Board President. “Throughout her career, she has brought together research, practice, and service in ways that have strengthened our field and helped move it forward. It is a privilege to recognize Dr. Clinkenbeard with the 2026 President’s Award and to celebrate the lasting impact of her work.”
A prolific scholar and presenter, Clinkenbeard has published extensively and presented at state, national, and international conferences throughout her career. Her research has explored motivation and achievement among gifted learners and the implications of motivation research for identification, programming, and classroom practice. She has also examined early identification, equity, neuroscience in gifted education, and the economic impact of educating gifted learners.
Beyond her scholarship, Clinkenbeard has made service and mentorship a significant part of her career. She has worked with school districts to strengthen gifted education programs, mentored emerging scholars and educators, and held leadership roles in professional organizations at the state, national, and international levels. Her connection to NAGC spans decades; she received the Association’s Early Scholar Award in 1991 and the David W. Belin Advocacy Award in 2022.
“I am deeply honored to receive the President’s Award,” said Clinkenbeard. “Gifted education has given me the opportunity to learn from and work alongside so many extraordinary colleagues, educators, and students over the years. I am so grateful to the gifted education community for this recognition, and especially appreciative of the many people whose ideas, collaboration, and commitment have shaped my work and helped move the field forward, beginning with former NAGC President (and my advisor) John F. Feldhusen and my friends and colleagues at Purdue University.”
Clinkenbeard earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and M.S. in Psychology from Purdue University and her B.A. in Psychology from DePauw University.
She will be formally recognized with the 2026 President’s Award during the Celebration of Excellence at NAGC26, taking place November 5–8, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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About the National Association for Gifted Children
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is the nation’s leading organization focused on the needs of gifted and talented children. Dedicated to uplifting and empowering those who support children with advanced abilities, NAGC provides energizing professional learning, impactful research, and inspiring advocacy to allow its members to work collaboratively so that all children have equitable opportunities and support to develop their gifts and talents.
