Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) faculty, staff, and trainees participated in the 2015 Conference and Annual Meeting of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) held November 16-18 in Washington, D.C.
The theme for this year’s conference: Growing Leaders, Driving Change, examined how strong leaders are developed and supported, and how collaboration across the network and with partners in the field enables leaders to reach their goals.
In addition to presentations, posters, and pre-conference meetings, two VKC-affiliated attendees received recognition during the AUCD Honors Celebration. Pablo Juárez, M.Ed., BCBA, director of the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD), received the Young Professional Award. The award is given to a professional under 40 who demonstrates dedication and commitment to people with disabilities and their families. Samantha Goldman, VKC trainee and doctoral candidate in Special Education, received the Trainee Research Award, recognizing her outstanding research accomplishments. For more on the accomplishments of Juárez, and Goldman, click here.
John Shouse, chair of the VKC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities’ (UCEDD) Community Advisory Council, attended the meeting of the Council on Community Advocacy (COCA). The Council is made up of individuals with disabilities and family members from each UCEDD.
Megan Hart, M.Ed., director of Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, attended as a professional development opportunity to learn more about the network and various initiatives that contribute to the collective effort of promoting change in the lives of people with disabilities.
Tracy Beard, assistant director of Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, attended the pre-meeting session of the Multicultural Council. Beard serves as chair of the Council’s training subcommittee, which is responsible for providing technical assistance on multicultural issues for the network.
Erik Carter, Ph.D., professor of Special Education, presented a poster on the VKC’s Putting Faith to Work project and co-facilitated the Spiritual Supports Special Interest group.
Tyler Reimschisel, M.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics and Neurology and director of the Vanderbilt LEND, was a panelist for the presentation Implementation of LEND Trainee Diversity Quality Improvement Projects.
Elise McMillan, J.D.,co-director of the VKC UCEDD, presented with five other UCEDDs and Think College on how UCEDDs can assist in the efforts to build postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their states.
Evon Lee, Ph.D., associate professor of Pediatrics, Psychology, and Psychiatry, director of Training, VKC UCEDD, and associate director of the Vanderbilt LEND, attended pre-conference sessions on training and LEND programs.
For more information about the 2015 AUCD Conference, including a full conference program visit the conference website.
Last Updated: 11/19/2015 9:31:28 AM
Go to the news and video index