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Committees

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Call for Applications: Leadership Development Program Subcommittee

The Leadership Development Program Subcommittee (LDPS) of the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) is charged to:

  • organize, implement, and evaluate volunteer leadership training and orientation programs for new/aspiring unit and division leaders; and
  • facilitate attracting, preparing, and retaining volunteer leaders within CEC units and divisions.
  • create communications plans and marketing/promotional activities and events related to volunteer leadership within CEC.

Three-year terms are May 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. Two positions are available.

Please review the preview application linked below and the committee job description in the dropdown under Leadership Development Program Subcommittee below.

The deadline for receipt of applications is April 1, 2024.

Preview the Application

Apply Now

Interested in other volunteer opportunities? If you don’t want to apply for a committee, check out our new Volunteer Square. There are a variety of ways to engage locally and nationally, and through short- and long-term projects.

Standing Committees

The Finance and Audit Standing Committee addresses the financial stability of CEC and recommends to the Board of Directors the action to be taken on the annual program plan and budget. Other duties relate to the review of financial policies. The Committee is chaired by the Treasurer. The President Elect also serves as a member of the committee.

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Jennifer Lesh, Ph.D., Treasurer & Chair Associate Professor, Lynn University FL 2025
Julie Bost, Ed.D., President Elect, Ex officio    Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Department of Specialized Education Services, UNC Greensboro NC 2024
Margaret Blackwell, M.Ed. Special Education Supervisor, National Heritage Academies NC     2024
Laura Nugent, Ed.D Director of Special Education, Addison Central School District VT 2024
Darla Gundler, M.A.  Associate Director, Early Childhood Personnel Center (ECPC) MA 2025
Diana Morales, Ph.D. Exceptional Student Education Coordinator, Miami-Dade Virtual School FL 2025
David Royer, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Louisville KY    2026

 

View the Committee Job Description

 

View the Treasurer's Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

The purpose of the Leadership Development Committee is to identify, nurture, and develop leadership potential and skills in emerging leaders. Its duties include intentionally identifying, cultivating, recruiting, and orienting a well-qualified and diverse pipeline of volunteer leaders for board and committee positions that are responsive to the current and future needs of CEC.

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Wendy Gonzales, Ph.D., Co-Chair Assistant Professor, Special Education, College of Education, Northeastern Illinois University IL 2024
Laura Nugent, Ed.D., Co-Chair Director of Special Education, Addison Central School District VT 2024
Kimberly Moffett, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Special Education, Lee University TN 2024
Will Hunter, Ed.D.  Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Memphis TN 2024
Cassie Frost, M.S.Ed., Vice Co-Chair Assistive Technology Specialist, Educational Consultant, Disruptive Teaching WI 2025
Jen Katz-Borrin, M.S., Vice Co-Chair Director of Student Services, School Administrative Unit # 20 (NH) ME 2025
Nichole Moore, Ed.S.  Director of Special Services, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools MI 2025
Natasha Veale, Ph.D. Dean, School of Social Sciences and Education, Greensboro College NC 2025
Karen Akom, Ed.D. Director of Field Operations, Virginia Commonwealth University RRTC’s Center on Transition Innovations VA 2026
Tammy Barron, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Western Carolina University; Special Education Administrator at WCU’s laboratory school NC 2026
Marissa Kase, Ed.D. Exceptional Student Education Teacher, Palm Beach County School District (Grade levels 1st through 5th) FL 2026
Pam Peterson, M.S.Ed. Special Education Consultant, Souris Valley Special Services ND 2026

 

View the Committee Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison.

Read the 2022 Annual Report

Read the 2021 Annual Report.

Read the 2020 Annual Report.

Read the 2019 Annual Report and 2019 Top Achievements.

Read the 2018 Annual Report.

Charge: Organize, implement, and evaluate volunteer leadership training and orientation programs; create communications plans and marketing/promotional activities and events related to volunteer leadership within CEC; and to facilitate attracting, preparing and retaining volunteer leaders within CEC units and divisions.

 

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Mikki Garcia, Ed.D., Chair Complaint Investigator, Georgia Department of Education FL 2024
Kimberly Moffett, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Special Education, Lee University TN 2024
Laura Nugent, Ed.D., Co-Chair Director of Special Education, Addison Central School District VT 2024
Jonté (JT) Taylor, Ph.D.  Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University, Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education PA 2024
Rachel Brown, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Southern Maine ME 2025
Will Hunter, Ed.D.  Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Memphis TN 2025
LaKisha Stanley, M.Ed. DHH Special Student Services, Cobb County School District GA 2026
Jennifer Webb, Ph.D. Chair of the Department of Education, Associate Professor of Education, Malone University OH 2026

 

View the Committee Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

Advisory Committees

Charge

The Convention Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is an advisory group assists CEC staff with the planning and development of the annual convention program. The PAC is responsible for bringing a comprehensive and balanced program that will provide the highest quality professional development that addresses the varied interests and needs of convention attendees. Along with CEC staff, the PAC works to improve the quality and diversity of presentations and improve the convention program planning process.

 

The PAC Co-Chairs represents a practitioner working in a school or early intervention agency and an individual from academia. The committee is comprised of a representative from each of the Council's special interest divisions and other individuals selected by CEC staff based on expertise and convention program topic area. Each division selects its own representative to serve as a member of this advisory group.

 

Members and Division/Topical Area Represented

  • Lisa Dieker, Co-Chair (Higher Ed)
  • Nicole Barrion, Chair (Practitioner)
  • Ramona Lee, CASE
  • Erin Maguire, CASE
  • Emily Smith, CEDS
  • Timothy Landrum, DEBH
  • Brian Barber, DEBH
  • Kathleen Puckett, CEC-DLL
  • Candace Borger, CEC-DLL
  • Alyssa Marcum, CCC-DPHMD
  • Allison Kroesch, CCC-DPHMD
  • Audrey Sorrells, CEC-DR
  • Jessica Toste, CEC-DR
  • Leah Wood, DADD
  • Cindy Perras, DADD
  • Kathleen Farrand, DARTS
  • Anna Paulson, DCD
  • Dana Kan, DCD
  • Dale Matusevich, DCDT
  • Stacie Dojonovic, DCDT
  • Christopher Cormier, DDEL
  • Dosun Ko, DDEL
  • Megan Purcell, DEC
  • Jenna Weglarz Ward, DEC
  • Clara Hauth, DISES
  • Paul Riccomini, DLD
  • Adam Graves, DVIDB
  • Kathy Stanfa, DVIDB
  • Don McMahon, ISET
  • Alex Hollingshead, ISET
  • Wendy Behrens, TAG
  • Margaret (Peggy) Weiss, TED
  • Brannan Meyers, TED
  • Lisa Goran, Accountability Systems (IDEA/ESSA) for Children and Youth with Disabilities
  • Tammy Barron,     Collaboration and Inclusive Practices
  • Kelly Carrero, Maltreatment
  • David Peyton, Measuring Special Education Teacher Effectiveness 
  • Elizabeth Bettini, Measuring Special Education Teacher Effectiveness
  • Jessica Toste, MTSS
  • Shana Haines, Parent/Family/School Partnerships
  • Jessica Monahan, Starting the Teaching Career
  • Paul Riccomini, STEM

Preview the application

 

Apply Now

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

The Diversity Committee is charged with providing leadership and guidance on ways to promote and support inclusivity, equity, and justice. This includes developing, reviewing, and recommending programs and resources that are supportive to the CEC membership; especially, those from marginalized, historically underserved, and underrepresented populations. CEC views diversity to include identity markers such as race, ethnicity, culture, language, dialect, age, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion/spirituality, geographic location, national origin, education, and professional role.

 

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Keishana Barnes, M.Ed., Co-Chair PhD Candidate & Assistant Professor of Teaching, University of Memphis TN 2024
April McClain, B.A., Co-Chair NC Family Child Care Professional Development Anchor, Southwestern Child Development Commission NC 2024
Tameka Burroughs, Ed.D. Special Education Department Chair, Fairfax County Public Schools / VCU  VA 2025
Carlos Lavin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, College of Charleston  SC     2025
Nicole Green, M.Ed. Special Education Teacher, Scarsdale Middle School NY     2026
Nikita McCree, Ph.D. Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Missouri MO 2026

View the Committee Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

Committee Charge

  • Serve an advisory function to the Board of Directors and staff on the mutual implication and impact of activities of CEC and divisions.
  • Facilitate collaboration and communication among divisions and between divisions and CEC.
  • Provide leadership to enhance the functioning and benefits offered by divisions and the diversity of the association’s members.
  • Make proposals to enhance structural, functional and policy relations between CEC and divisions and among/within divisions. 
  • Facilitate division member recruitment, engagement and retention initiatives.
  • Act as a facilitator in resolution of disputes among divisions.
  • Review division annual reports and ensure compliance with all CEC policies.

Members

Name Division Size Represented Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Ted Burke, B.S., Co-Chair Small Consultant HI 2023
Juliann Dorff, M.A., Co-Chair Large Senior Lecturer, Kent State University, School of Art OH 2023
Sheila Bailey, Ph.D.     Small Executive Director, Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education   VA 2024
Jugnu Agrawal, Ph.D. Large Program Manager, Fairfax County Public Schools VA 2024
Chelsea Guillen, M.A. Small Early Intervention Ombudsman, EI Training Program, University of Illinois   IL   2025
Parthenia Cogdell, M.A. Large Retired NJ    

2025

View the Committee Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

Committee Charge:

  •    Promote and enhance the educational, advocacy, and outreach goals of CEC by planning and overseeing a development program.
  •    Create awareness within the CEC membership, stakeholders, divisions/units as fundraising teams, external partner organizations.
  •    Create ongoing communication with donors and potential donors; shape development strategies and plans; monitor results against the development plan.
  •    Ensure that the organization is investing strategically and appropriately in its fundraising program.
  •    Develop and regularly review policies and procedures (including ethical standards and organizational accountability) for all development activities of CEC.

Members

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Bill Bogdan, Ed.D., Chair Educational Leadership Consultant VA 2025
Kurt Hulett, Ph.D. Special Education Consultant and Author TX 2025
Danielle Kovach, Ed.D. Special Education Teacher, Tulsa Trail Elementary School NJ 2025
Susan Fowler, Ph.D. Professor Emerita, University of Illinois, Department of Special Education IL 2024
Jennifer Lesh, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Exceptional Student Education, Lynn University FL 2024
Denise Griffin, Ed.D. Special Education Teacher, Little Axe High School OK 2024
Laural Jackson, EDL Grants Manager and Education Consultant, Delta/Greely School District AK 2024
Angie Jasper, Ph.D. President, Ex officio Professor, Department of Teacher and Special Education, Central Michigan University MI 2024
Luann Purcell, Ed.D. Consultant GA  2024

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

The Honors Committee selects the recipients of the CEC Professional Awards. The Honors Committee also periodically reviews the CEC Awards program and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for enhancements.

 

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Martin De Anda, M.Ed. Special Education Transition and Career Teacher, Pulley Career Center, Fairfax County Public Schools VA 2024
James “Jimmy” Nuse, Ed.S., Co-Chair Director of Special Education, Ionia Public Schools; Assistant Professor, McNeese State University MI 2024
Mina Chun, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, California Lutheran University CA 2025
Jaimee Miller, B.S. Special Programs Compliance Manager, StrongMind NC 2025
Clarisa Elliott, B.A. Education Specialist- Low Incidence Disabilities, Education Service Center, Region 15 TX 2026
Melissa Gilliam, Ed.D. Special Education Coordinator, Delaware Public Schools DE 2026

 

Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

Charge:

  • Develop recommendations for consideration by CEC’s Board of Directors with regard to special education legislative and regulatory issues at the national level and provide information to units that may be relevant at the state or local level.  
  • Assist CEC in ensuring that the organizations’ position statements are current, relevant, reflect CEC’s mission and values and adhere to CEC’s Principles and Guidelines for Developing Position Statements. 
  • Stay informed about policy and legislative issues related to the education of infants, toddlers, children, and young adults with exceptionalities. NOTE: Day-to-day public policy functions are conducted by staff and consultants, reporting to the executive director. The committee will be provided with updates on impending or emerging issues.

Members:

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Mitchell Yell, Ph.D., Co-Chair Chair in Teacher Education and a Professor in Special Education, University of South Carolina SC   2024
Jim Shriner, Ph.D., Co-Chair Associate Professor, Department of Special Education, University of Illinois IL 2024
Lisa Goran, Ph.D. Director of Teacher Education and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Special Education, College of Education & Human Development, University of Missouri MO   2025
Angelica Ramirez, M.Ed. Exceptional Student Education Lead Administrator, Detroit Public School Community District MI 2025
William Jeffreys, M.Ed. (practitioner)* Director of Special Education, Pottstown School District PA 2026
Elizabeth Zagata, M.A. (higher ed)* Doctoral Candidate, University of Connecticut CT 2026

*Beginning with appointments made in 2024, one practitioner and one higher education representative will be selected to fill the two committee vacancies each year. 

View Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

Charge: 

  • Study the area of professional standards and their implication to CEC members and others involved in the education of children and youth with exceptionalities
  • Advise the Board of Directors regarding CEC standards and related activities
  • Develop guidelines and other materials to assist the field in meeting CEC professional standards

Members: 

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Dee Berlinghoff, Ph.D., Chair     Retired     NC     2025
Tammy Barron, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Western Carolina University; Special Education Administrator at WCU’s Laboratory School NC     2023
Maria Peterson-Ahmad, Ph.D. Associate Dean of Research, Inclusion, and Innovation / Associate Professor of Special Education. Texas Woman's University TX   2023
Alex Keesling, M.A. ASD Teacher Consultant, Genesee Intermediate School District MI   2024
Kevin Miller, Ed.D. Adjunct Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Special Education and Communication Disorders NE 2024
Nastassia Rosas. Ed.D. Special Education Coordinator, Harlandale ISD TX 2024
Joanne Murphy Van Boxtel, Ph.D. Associate Professor/Faculty Director for Special Education, Vanguard University, School of Education CA 2025

 

Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

Committee Charge

Journals

  • Recommend editorial policy of CEC’s two journals to the CEC Board of Directors
  • Oversee journal editor selection (for approval by CEC Board of Directors) 
  • Provide feedback on annual reports of editors
  • Provide general oversight and support for the editors
  • Ensure the high quality of CEC journals as a trusted source of research findings that support and enhance advances in the field and facilitate putting research into practice
  • Ensure equity in editor and reviewer selection, as well as in published authors

Publications and Products

  • General oversight of books other publications published and sold by CEC 
  • Direct a regular needs assessment, market research and product evaluation to set publishing priorities
  • Recommend strategies for solicitation, review, and approval of new publications, as well as ongoing review of current publications’ viability
  • Monitor the relationships between CEC publications; specifically, potential issues of overlap, competition, and/or, redundancy
  • Promote equity and engagement of diverse members in publications-related activities 
  • Incorporate input from subject matter experts as needed to ensure diversity of ideas and topics in publications

Members

  • Brittany Hott, Co-Chair
  • Victor Torres, III, Co-Chair
  • Mildred Boveda
  • Kimberly Buenger
  • Kimberly Bunch-Crump
  • Christopher Cormier
  • Michael Kennedy
  • L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan
  • Katie Veneziale
  • Meredith Walling

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

The Student and Early Career Committee advises the Board of Directors on ways to recruit, mentor, and support individuals entering the profession, especially those from diverse backgrounds, and enhance the experience of student and early-career CEC members. It also plans and conducts a Student and Early Career Special Educator Forum and/or other events relevant to students and early-career teachers at the annual CEC Convention & Expo, providing opportunities for student attendees to engage with CEC in order to improve their practice, network with peers, and maximize their experience.

 

(PS) = Pre-service; (EC) = Early Career

 

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Lindsay Griendling, Ph.D., Co-Chair (EC) Assistant Professor, Appalachian State University NC 2024
Ashley Virgin, Co-Chair (PS) Assistant Professor of Special Education, Athens State University AL   2024
Shasta Brooks (EC) Special Education Teacher, Nine Mile Falls School District WA   2025
Christina Fligner (PS) Intervention Specialist, New Albany-Plain Local Schools OH   2025
Abby Camara (PS) Undergraduate Student, Central Michigan University MI   2026
Sarah Hornback, B.S. (EC) Special Education Teacher, Avon Community School Corporation IN   2026

 

View the Committee Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

The Yes I Can Committee publicizes the Yes I Can Awards to ensure outstanding entries; seeks and solicits nominations; evaluates the nominees for each category; select recipients; and periodically reviews award categories and criteria.

 

Name Professional Role State/Province Term Expiration
Alyssa Marcum, Co-Chair Special Education Teacher, Alexandria City Public Schools VA   2023
Helen Flores, Co-Chair Graduate Student, Florida International University FL   2023
Erika Pinter Assistant Professor, Winona State University MN   2024
Mariya Davis Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University, San Antonio TX   2024
Emily Hardeman Graduate Student, University of Texas TX   2025
Michelle Buchanan Clinical Instructor, University of Central Arkansas AR   2025

View the Committee Job Description

 

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.

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CEC Workgroups

Workgroups are established by the Board of Directors and are assigned a specific charge and outcomes to be completed within a designated period of time. Workgroup members have knowledge, skills, and expertise in a particular area of strategic importance to CEC. The workgroup chair reports to the Board of Directors.

Last Updated:  27 March, 2024

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