Degeneffe named associate editor of international journal

Charles Degeneffe has long been prolific in the field of academic publishing. 

The chair and professor in San Diego State University’s Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) has 68 journal articles and more than a dozen book chapters to his name. He is also a regular reviewer, serving on the editorial board for six journals and is an ad-hoc reviewer for 21 more. 

It’s a role he finds incredibly valuable as a researcher and scholar.

"It's time consuming, but it's actually one of the most enjoyable parts of my job,” says Degeneffe, an expert in rehabilitation counseling. “I got my doctorate in 2002, and a lot of things have changed since then in terms of research approaches and new developments in the field. So when I review manuscripts, it helps me to really stay current on a lot of issues.”

In October, Degeneffe took his involvement in publishing to another level by accepting the role of associate editor for the journal “Disability and Rehabilitation.” An international multidisciplinary journal from Taylor and Francis, "Disability and Rehabilitation" covers topics such as rehabilitation in practice, rehabilitation policy, assessment procedures, and education and training. It boasts more than 1.6 million downloads and views per year.

He will become one of the publication’s six associate editors on Aug. 1, 2025, joining colleagues based in Italy, Australia and the United Kingdom. In the role, he will be responsible for locating and supervising reviewers for manuscripts while also having the final say on editorial decisions.

Degeneffe said he is excited to use the position as an opportunity to mentor up-and-coming scholars who are new to publishing.

"My preference is never to flat-out reject an article,” Degeneffe said. “I always want to point out areas of strength and things that can be enhanced. Being in this associate editor role with ‘Disability and Rehabilitation’ furthers that and enables me to have an impact on newer professionals in the field, by coaching, guiding and encouraging them.”

The role comes on the heels of another honor over the summer as Degeneffe was named a fellow of the American Psychological Association. He also has a book on cognitive disabilities in the field of rehabilitation counseling slated to come out in 2026.