Sacha Cartagena, Ph.D., is a Researcher in the Learning Supports program at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). In this role, Dr. Cartagena supports projects related to Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and High-Leverage Practices (HLPs). Her primary responsibilities include providing professional development, coaching, micro-credential development, and research services to local and state education agencies. Additionally, Dr. Cartagena serves as the learning management system (LMS) coordinator for the PROGRESS Center, a national center funded by the Office of Special Education and Programs (OSEP) of the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Cartagena earned her Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of Central Florida where her dissertation work focused on implementing the UDL framework to enhance an asynchronous online module on functional behavior assessment for preservice teachers. Prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Cartagena served as a special education teacher for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Title 1 schools.

Previously, Dr. Cartagena served as President of a local CEC chapter and has served in other various leadership roles at local, university, state, and division levels of the organization. Currently, Dr. Cartagena also serves as an ad hoc journal reviewer for the CEC Division on Autism and Development Disabilities (DADD) journal, Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (ETADD).