• Ph D, Educational Administration, Texas A&M University, 2022
• MS, Marketing, Texas A&M University, 2017
• MA, Educational Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, 2013
• BA, Comparative Literature, University of California at Irvine, 2009

• Human Research, Group 2, CITI Program

• Breakout Kit , USDs Center for Teaching and Learning

Citations listed below are presented in a standardized, modified format for display purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the preferred style and conventions of the faculty member or discipline.

• Van Regenmorter, Abi, Lehmann, Erin, Grichko, Vassa, and Newland, Lisa. The Complex Art of Wearing Multiple Hats: A Case Study Analysis of Dual-Role Administrators in Rural School Districts., Editors Devon Brenner, Catharine Biddle, Erin McHenry-Sorber, 36-48. Vol. 46, Iss. 1 Mississippi State, MS: The Rural Educator, 2025. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.55533/2643-9662.1435)
• Grichko, Vassa, Schamber, Betsy, Hall, Shanice, , Swank, David, Barker, David, and Lehmann, Erin. Dissertation 2.0: An Action Research Study on Adapting with AI. Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice.

• School of Education Research Excellence Award Nominee, University of South Dakota, 2024
• School of Education Teaching Excellence Award Nominee, University of South Dakota, 2024
• Belbas-Larson Award in Teaching Excellence Nominee, University of South Dakota, 2024
• Belbas-Larson Award in Teaching Excellence Nominee, University of South Dakota, 2023

• Grichko, Vassa, and Musoba, Glenda, Generative Identity: The Intersection of AI and Doctoral Students’ Developing Research Identities. Presented at the ASHE 49th Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (November 22, 2024)
• Barnett, Julie, Grichko, Vassa, Driver, James, and Custis, Tyler, “We Price Match!”: How Environmental Forces Adjust Tuition Rates. Presented at the ASHE 49th Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (November 21, 2024)
• Grichko, Vassa, Lehmann, Erin, Barker, David, and Swank, David, Designing Guidelines on (In)Appropriate AI Use for Dissertations. Presented at the 2024 CPED Convening, Honolulu, Hawaii & Virtual. (October 30, 2024)
• Grichko, Vassa, and Hall, Shanice, Leveraging Self-Assessment to Transform Doctoral Students into Researchers. Presented at the 2024 CPED Convening, Honolulu, Hawaii & Virtual. (October 30, 2024)
• Grichko, Vassa, Lehmann, Erin, Swank, David, and Barker, David, Empowering Educators by Ethically Incorporating AI. Presented at the 2024 South Dakota Higher Education Association Annual Conference, Rapid City, SD. (October 03, 2024)
• Grichko, Vassa, Swank, David, Barker, David, and Lehmann, Erin, Dissertation 2.0: An Action Research Study on Adapting with AI in Ed Leadership. Presented at the International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL) Conference, Virtual. (July 30, 2024)
• Barker, David, Swank, David, Grichko, Vassa, and Lehmann, Erin, Reigniting Your Spark: Connecting Strengths to Possibilities. Presented at the TIE Conference 24, Sioux Falls, SD. (April 16, 2024)
• Swank, David, Lehmann, Erin, Grichko, Vassa, and Barker, David, Data-Driven:Navigating the Roadmap of School Improvement. Presented at the TIE Conference 24, Rapid City, South Dakota. (April 15, 2024)
• Swank, David, Grichko, Vassa, Barker, David, and Lehmann, Erin, Escaping the Tyranny of Grades. Presented at the TIE Conference 24, Rapid City, South Dakota. (April 15, 2024)
• Barker, David, Swank, David, Grichko, Vassa, and Lehmann, Erin, Reconnect to Research: Scholar Practitioners as Change Agents. Presented at the TIE Conference 24, Sioux Falls, SD. (April 15, 2024)
• Grichko, Vassa, Lehmann, Erin, Swank, David, and Barker, David, Transforming Knowledge: The Value of Co-Teaching with EdD Scholar-Practitioners. Presented at the 2023 CPED Convening, Pensacola, FL. (October 06, 2023)
• Lehmann, Erin, Swank, David, and Grichko, Vassa, Workshop I: Escaping the Tyranny of Grades: Ungrading Edition . Presented at the 2023 CPED Convening, Pensacola, FL. (October 04, 2023)