Lisa Sousa, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Affiliation

College of Liberal Arts, Business, Social Science, and Education

thompsonsousaL@franklinpierce.edu

Phone

(603) 899-4118

EDUCATION

PhD, Special Education, Texas Woman’s University
Assessment and Identification of Disabilities; Assistive Technology
MA, Special Education and Educational Therapy, California State University, Northridge Assessment; Educational Therapy
BA, Communicative Disorders, California State University, Northridge
Speech and Language Pathology

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Education

COURSES TAUGHT

ED 308 Assessment
ED 112 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society
GLE 101 FYI Play and Human Development
ED 340 Assessment and Identification
ED 345 Effective Communication
ED 316 Social Studies Methods
ED 350 Literacy Across the Curriculum

RESEARCH INTERESTS AND AREAS

Disability
Assessment
Assistive Technology
Special Education

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Professional Memberships

Council for Exceptional Children
Council for Educational Diagnostic Services
National Association of School Psychologists

Conferences Attended

Conferences Presented:

2025. Thompson Sousa, L, Generative AI’s Potential to Supporting Deficits in Reading Comprehension. Council for Exceptional Children Conference and Exposition, International. Baltimore, Maryland.

2025 Thompson Sousa L., Transitioning to Online Assessment for Special Education Evaluation Personnel. Council for Exceptional Children Conference and Exposition International. Baltimore, Maryland

2024 Thompson Sousa, L. Using Infographics for Assessment. 11th Annual Digital Education Summit. Sam Houston State University, Texas.

2023 Thompson Sousa, L. Current perspective: Internet Addiction and Adolescents with Disabilities. [Brief Paper Conference Proceedings]. Society of Information Technology and Teacher Education 34th annual conference. New Orleans, LA.

2023 Thompson Sousa, L. Evaluation practices for Low Incidence Disabilities, Virtual, Sul Ross State University.

2023 Thompson Sousa, L. Using RPI Scores in for richer FIE narratives, Virtual, Sul Ross State University.

2023 Thompson Sousa, L. Taking it to the next level: Expanding your Online Course beyond Content. 11th Annual Digital Education Summit. Sam Houston State University, Texas.

2022 Thompson Sousa, L. E-journaling for Blackboard. Digital Teaching Symposium. International, Virtual, Blackboard Anthology.

2022 Thompson Sousa, L. How We Learn and How to Get Better at It. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. University of North Texas. Texas

2022 Thompson Sousa, L. The Interview Process: Marketable Skills for Special Education Professionals. Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas, Virtual.

2022 Thompson Sousa, L. Evolving toward Hyflex Courses and Instruction. Faculty Spotlight. Sul Ross State University. Alpine, Texas

2022 Thompson Sousa, L. Innovation Grant Outcome: Educational Diagnostician Program. Sul Ross State University. Alpine, Texas

2022 Thompson Sousa, L. The Pivot to Tele-assessment – Practice and Opportunities [Accepted/Session canceled]. Council For Exceptional Children Conference and Expo

2021 Thompson Sousa, L. Play-Based Assessment. Expert Panel. Dal Metro Texas Educational Diagnostician Association. Dallas, Texas.

2021 Thompson Sousa, L. Evaluation practices for Low Incidence Disabilities, Low Incidence Disabilities Conference. Region 10 Service Center, Texas.

2019 Thompson Sousa, L. Evaluation of Non-Categorical Early Childhood Disability. Plano ISD, Texas.

2018 Thompson Sousa, L. Accommodations and Modifications for Learners. Plano ISD, Texas.

2013 Thompson Sousa, L. Computerized Assistive Technology for Learning Disabilities. Instructional Technology Conference. Region 10, Texas.

2013 Thompson Sousa, L. Response to Intervention Programming for Secondary Students. Quinlan Independent School District, Quinlan, Texas.

Grants Received

2025 Thompson Sousa, L., Undergraduate Faculty Development Award, Thompson Sousa, L., Special Education Legislative Summit. Franklin Pierce University

2024 Thompson Sousa, L., Undergraduate Faculty Development Award, Thompson Sousa, L., Generative AI and Reading Disabilities; Special Education Online and Cloud Based Assessment. Franklin Pierce University

2023 Thompson Sousa, L., AI Applications for Individuals with Disability. Sul Ross State University 2023 International Anthology Exemplary Course Program Award, Advanced Survey Exceptional Children

2022 Thompson Sousa, L., Research Enhancement Grant. Hyflex Instruction. Sul Ross State University

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

2025-2026 Board of Directors, Council for Exceptional Children, New Hampshire

2025-2026 State Unit Leader – New Hampshire, Council for Exceptional Children Executive Board (National)

2025-2026 Special Education Legislative Summit; Direct advocacy with Congressional Leadership, Washington DC

2025-2026 Council for Educational Diagnostic Service, Council for Exceptional Disabilities

2025-2026 Community Action Network Coordinator, State Policy Advocate, New Hampshire

2023- 2026 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - Division of Learning Disabilities: Public Policy

HONORS AND AWARDS

2022 International Anthology Exemplary Course Program Award, Practicum
2022 International Anthology Exemplary Course Program Award, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
2022 Top Academic Program Assessment, SACSCOC Program Peer Review, Sul Ross State University
2022 Omega Gamma Chi Honor Society, Faculty
2011 Golden Key Honor Society
2010 Sondra Bonnington Award, Texas Woman’s University

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Thompson Sousa, L., (2024) Enhancing Inferential Reading Comprehension in Secondary Students through Generative AI – An Exploration. Texas Forum of Teacher Education. Texas Association of Teacher Educators.

Acosta, K, Hardeman, E., O'Keeffe, B.V., Thompson Sousa, L., Papineau, S., (2024) Response to the US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) committee’s Reading Report titled “Preventing a Lost Generation: Facing a Critical Moment for Students’ Literacy.” Council for Exceptional Children Division of Learning Disabilities Public Policy Committee and Board.

Thompson Sousa, L. (2024) Digital Native Outlook: Portraits of a Connected Generation. Sul Ross State University Literature and Art Magazine.

Thompson Sousa, L. (2023) Using ChatGPT to Support Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Writing. National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET).

Thompson Sousa, L. (2023) To Mitigate ChatGPT Plagiarism Look No Further than its References. Faculty Focus. Magna Publishing

Thompson Sousa, L. (2023) Utilizing Screencasting and Veedback: Trending toward Research Based Practice. The Texas Forum for Teacher Education: Special Education Special Edition.

Thompson Sousa, L., Tucker, B. (2023) Enhancing Assessment Planning in an Educator Preparation Program for Flexibility and Compliance. The Texas Forum for Teacher Education: Special Education Special Edition.

Thompson Sousa, L. (2023). Educational Diagnostician Program Handbook, Alpine, TX: Sul Ross State University

Thompson Sousa, L. (2022) Creating Meaningful Connections: E-journaling and Self-Assessment for Online Courses. Faculty Focus. Magna Publishing

Ross, D., Hunter T., Thompson Sousa, L. (2022) 5 Ways to Build Reading Fluency Using Evidence-Based Practices, Learning Disability Forum. Council for Learning Disabilities

Thompson Sousa, L. (2022) Creating Cohesive Eligibility Decisions for Preschoolers. EdAssess. Sul Ross State University. Alpine. Texas

Thompson Sousa, L. (2022). Compliance Training for on Site Supervisors and University Supervisors for Evaluation of Students, Alpine, TX: Sul Ross State University

Thompson Sousa, L., Haynes Smith, H. (2021) The Need for Collaboration When Matching Computerized Assistive Technology Devices to Students Identified with Specific Learning Disabilities, National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET).

Thompson Sousa, L. (2013). Assistive technology evaluation expertise when matching high-technology devices to students identified with specific learning disabilities. Texas Woman s University.

*Thompson, L. (1995) Transdisciplinary Approach to Inclusion. California State University, Northridge.