Emily Lanchak, M.Ed.
Research Program Manager
Staff - Extended
Overview of Interests
As a Research Program Manager, Emily works to expand and improve access to disability resources and supports. A key focus of her research is mentorship, engaging youth and adults with disabilities, as well as family members, to strengthen post-secondary and employment outcomes. She directs two federally funded projects that include mentorship as a central component: the OSEP-funded EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment (www.empowervi.org) and the NIDILRR-funded Employment Mentorship Pathways ("https://idd.vcurrtc.org/research/rs1.cfm).
Through statewide projects, Emily examines the needs and experiences of Tennessee's disability community to guide improvements in programs and services. A current project is the Tennessee Developmental Disabilities Network Statewide Needs Assessment (https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/ucedd/communityneeds). All of her work is informed by community voices, including the perspectives and input of individuals with lived experience, to ensure disability supports are accessible, relevant, and effective.