Meet our Team
Joel Bocanegra, PhD
Department Chair | Professor of School Psychology
Office: College of Education 108 A
Dr. Joel O. Bocanegra earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 2014. He is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a licensed psychologist. Dr. Bocanegra joined Idaho State University in 2014 and currently serves as Chair of the Department of School Psychology and Educational Leadership. His research focuses on training and supervision, systems-level change, mental health, and the integration of technology in practice. He is also the Principal Investigator of the EMPWRing grant.
Chung-Hau (Howard) Fan, PhD
Program Coordinator | Professor of School Psychology
Office: College of Education 108B D
Dr. Howard Fan completed his Ph.D. in School Psychology at the University of Iowa in 2011. He holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential and is currently a professor in the Department of School Psychology and Educational Leadership at Idaho State University. His professional and research interests include improving response-to-intervention (RTI) methodologies, such as reducing measurement error in progress monitoring and developing systemic troubleshooting approaches for effective RTI implementation. He is also interested in school-wide positive behavior support, special education leadership, and behavioral consultation training. Dr. Fan is the Co-Principal Investigator of the EMPWRing grant.
Erika K. Coles, PhD
Associate Professor of School Psychology
Office: College of Education 107 A
Dr. Erika Coles completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo in 2007. She is currently an Associate Professor in the School Psychology and Educational Leadership Department at Idaho State University, as well as a licensed psychologist. Her research interests include dissemination of evidence-based interventions for ADHD and related disorders, particularly in regular education classrooms. Dr. Cole is the Co-Principal Investigator of the EMPWRing grant.
Nai-Jiin Yang, PhD
EMPWRing Grant Coordinator
Office: College of Education Room 375
Focus areas: School Mental Health
Dr. Jiin Yang earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Utah State University in 2025 after stepping away from her role as a practicing school psychologist in Eastern Idaho to pursue advanced training. She currently serves as the EMPWRing Grant Coordinator at Idaho State University, where she collaborates with local educational agencies, community partners, and state leaders to expand training programs, strengthen workforce capacity, and promote culturally responsive, evidence-based practices. Dr. Yang’s work focuses on improving access to mental health services for children and adolescents in rural and underserved communities.
Regional Liaisons
South-Eastern Idaho
Benjamin Walters, EdS
Ben Walters earned his Ed.S. from Idaho State University’s school psychology program and is a nationally certified school psychologist. He has supported students and educators as a school psychologist in Bonneville and Jefferson School Districts in Idaho as well as Davis School District in Utah. He also provides online psychological services to seven rural Idaho districts, helping expand access for students in remote areas. Ben has served as Treasurer for the Idaho School Psychologist Association. Passionate about collaboration and mentorship, he enjoys sharing knowledge with colleagues and works to ensure every Idaho student receives the support needed for success.
South-Central Idaho
Kristina Wagner, EdS
Kristina has served as a school psychologist in the Jerome School District for 12 years, working with students ages 3–21. This year marks her 18th in special education. She has supervised numerous practicum students and interns, and her professional interests include specific learning disabilities, executive functioning, and atypical presentations of ADHD. Kristina earned her Ed.S. in School Psychology from Idaho State University and is passionate about being a leader in the field while fostering the development of strong, skilled practitioners. She lives in Twin Falls, Idaho, with her husband and two children, and enjoys reading, sewing, and hiking.
South-Western Idaho
Kerrie Raines, EdD
Dr. Kerrie Raines completed her EdS in school psychology in 2019 from Idaho State University as well as an EdD in educational leadership in 2010 from the University of Phoenix. She holds credentials as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCPS) and an Idaho State Department of Education School Psychologist. Currently, Mrs. Raines works as a school psychologist for the Mountain Home School District. Her professional and research interest includes improving Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) systems in schools, mental health, family and community engagement, and muti-tiered approach to support students with varying needs. She is also interested in integrating the school psychologist’s role in school leadership as well as effective professional development.
Northern Idaho
Vickie Green
Vickie is a school psychologist with the Moscow School District, where she’s deeply invested in creating supportive environments that help every child access the academic and mental health resources they need. She values collaboration, compassion, and evidence-based practices to build inclusive systems that emphasize early intervention, emotional wellness, and academic readiness.
With over 30 years of experience in special education—as a teacher, administrator, and district RTI/Reading coordinator—Vickie has focused on advocating for children and connecting families with the resources they need. Outside of work, Vickie enjoys reading, long bike rides, and hiking with her dogs and family.
Northern and Southwest Idaho
Lawrence (Larry) Rogien, PhD
Larry was born and raised in Michigan where he met and married his bride of 49 years. He started his education career in Northern Montana in a one room school teaching grades 1-8. He has degrees in school administration, counseling, school psychology, and educational psychology. His bride says he is educated beyond his intellectual capacity, but she has more degrees than he. Currently Larry works as a school psychologist on the Coeur d’ Alene Indian Reservation and two rural districts. Hobbies include family, outdoors, gardening, building an experimental aircraft, and music.