BA  River College
MA  University of Northern Colorado
PhD in Special Education  University of Iowa

Ellen O'Keefe joined Mount Mercy in 1998. O'Keefe completed her doctoral research on self-advocacy and self-determination with middle school children with disabilities. She has taught special education for over 20 years, bringing her experiences from six states to Mount Mercy.

O'Keefe is a member of numerous organizations, including the Council for Exceptional Children, the Learning Disabilities Association, the International Dyslexia Association, Association for Curriculum and Development, and Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD). She is also the author of Conflict Resolution: A Practical Guide for K-12 Teachers Using Peter Senge's Mental Models.

In her spare time she likes to travel, read, and cook. She is also active in her church as a reader and Eucharistic Minister, as well as a Lay Presider of Prayer.