STATEMENT OF GOALS
Your confidence in my work on the Board of Directors encourages me to take the next leadership step in this historic and important Association. Over the years I have also led several interest networks and a geographic area, always seeking to develop meaningful interactions with members. Together we can strengthen the inclusive, scientifically based culture that makes AAIDD so unique among our peers.
As a civil servant in a rural community, I understand how limited resources impact services. AAIDD has been a support for me throughout my career. If elected, a main goal would be rebuilding membership and expanding into underserved areas.
This goal can be achieved by modernizing operations to reach more people online. We should also create more space for diversity by developing new programs that benefit individuals at various professional and academic levels. This will truly strengthen our association with a more inclusive energy, creating an environment of professional growth. Honoring our nearly 150-year-old past by representing the concerns of current members while attracting new recruits will ensure our mission continues into the future.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY:
Current Position:
Psychological Services Specialist, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Adjunct Instructor, Luzerne County Community College: Northumberland Center
Previous Positions:
Community Living Manager, Target Community & Educational Services
Adjunct Instructor, Alvernia University: Schuylkill Center
Education:
PhD Candidate: Human Development – Marywood University (2024)
MS: Human Services Management & Psychology – Western Maryland: McDaniel College (2000)
BS: Psychology – Mount Saint Mary’s University (1997)
AAIDD Participation:
Leadership
- Member-at-Large, Board of Directors (current)
- Chair, Psychology Interest Network (2021-2022)
- Vice/Chair/Past, Psychology Interest Network (2016-2019)
- President, Pennsylvania Chapter (2015-2016)
- Chair, Mental Health Services SIG (2011-2015)
Service
- Reviewer, Annual Meeting Review Committee Presentation Proposals (2012-current)
- Member, Awards & Fellowship Committee (2014-2017; 2019-2022)
- Member, Annual Meeting Planning Committee (2017-2019; 2023)
- Member, Annual Meeting Local Arrangements Committee (2020, 2022)
Knowledge Translation (selected)
- Delegate, AAIDD Delegations to Cuba (2011), Brazil (2012), Poland (2014) and Iceland & Ireland (2017), Italy (2023)
-
Presenter, ‘Práticas Promissorasno Atendimento a Pessoas com Deficiência Intelectual e Tanto Doença Mental’ Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Promising Practices in Serving People with Both Intellectual Disability and Mental Illness, 2012
- Panelist, AAIDD Response to Irish I/DD Services. Trinity College, Dublin, 2018
Presenter, ‘Práticas Promissorasno Atendimento a Pessoas com Deficiência
- Presenter & Moderator, Annual Meeting (2011-2022)
Activities/Awards:
- AAIDD Service to the Association Award (2019)
- Non-State ICF/IID Technical Assistance Award (2009)
- Northumberland Center Rookie of the Year (2008)
- Joan Develin-Coley Award for Graduate Student Excellence (2000)