SEPSEA
Our organization is fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate team of leaders who steer us toward our mission and vision. The Board of Directors and our State Representatives from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of SEPSEA. Their diverse expertise, unwavering commitment, and regional insights are the driving force behind our success. Meet the individuals who are making a difference and guiding our efforts toward a more inclusive future.
Recognizes a professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field connected to a program in the southeast.
Recognizes a current or recently graduate from an IPSE program in the southeast who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in an IPSE program
Recognizes a graduate of an IPSE program that has become a successful adult in his or her community and represents a positive image of IPSE graduates.
Recognizes a professional who has contributed to IPSE programs through research presentations and publications that have advanced the field.
Recognizes a staff member in an IPSE program who has performed above expectations for IPSE staff members and made significant contributions to an IPSE progeam. .
All Nominations must be submitted no later than November 30, 2026 and will be recognized at the SEPSEA conference at Clearwater Beach, Florida at the opening session May 26, 2027.
Tom E.C. Smith is a retired Professor of Special Education and former Dean of the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas He received his doctorate from Texas Tech University. While dean he initiated the university’s EMPOWER inclusive post-secondary education program.
He served three terms on the President’s Committee on Intellectual Disabilities and 20 years as the Executive Director of the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities of CEC. He has also authored or co-authored 32 special education textbooks.
Maurice Williams, MA, MS, CNP is a thirty year veteran of the higher education community of Tennessee. Mr. Williams retired after 20 years of service as a higher education law enforcement prevention and intervention coordinator.
Mr. Williams serves as the Associate Director of the Institute on Disability and as PSE Master Instructor for Career Development and Transition Programs for IDD students at the University of Memphis. Mr. Williams is a certified nonprofit professional and an advocate for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is one of the founding directors of the Shelby County Schools College Campus Transition Program (CCTP) and the University of Memphis’ Tigers Learning Independence Fostering Employment and Education (TigerLIFE) programs. Mr. Williams is a 1995 recipient of the University of Memphis, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Award; he is a past President of the University of Memphis Staff Senate. Mr. Williams received the Arc of the Mid-South Community Service Award, in October, 2013; he is a recipient of the 2016 State of the Arts Higher Education Institute Leadership Award. Mr. Williams serves as the Project Manager for the University of Memphis Institute on Disability’s TPSID BRIDGE Project.
Iris Neil, M.Ed., is an educator and advocate with more than 30 years of experience advancing educational and postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities. She serves as Chairperson of the Southeast Postsecondary Education Alliance (SEPSEA).
Iris retired from the University of Central Florida in April 2026 after six years as the Program Manager and Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (FCSUA). In this role, she supported the development and expansion of Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (FPCTPs), promoting opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities to pursue higher education, employment, and independent living.
Prior to joining UCF, Iris served as the Secondary Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Transition and Curriculum Coordinator for the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida, where she supported secondary special education programs and strengthened transition planning and pathways to postschool outcomes for students with disabilities. Her earlier career included roles as a teacher, mentor, and advocate for students and families. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Exceptional Needs and holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. Throughout her career, she has presented nationally and statewide on transition, inclusive postsecondary education, and pathways to meaningful adult outcomes.
As SEPSEA Chairperson, Iris continues to advocate for collaboration, innovation, and expanded access to inclusive postsecondary education throughout the Southeast.
Emmaree Wilson is the Basic Employment Coordinator for the EAGLES Program at Auburn University.
Emmaree has a bachelor’s degree in Collaborative Special Education, a master’s degree in Collaborative Special Education, and an Educational Specialist degree in the Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education with a research focus on Special Education Post-Secondary Transition Services and is set to graduate in 2024. In addition, she holds graduate certifications in Intervention, Autism, and Developmental Disabilities, The Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education, Behavior Management, and supported employment specialization through VCU.
She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Junior League of Lee County, First Year Experience Mentor program, Alternative Student Break Faculty/Staff Advisor program, and a proud cheerleading coach!
Kelly has served as the Program Director of SEU Link Program at Southeastern University for almost 8 years. Her strengths include communication, organization and time management. She has facilitated a monthly virtual chat for all University Team Leads for programs in Florida and presented at several state and national conferences.
Gwendolyn Carey, Ed.D. is an Instructor and founding member at FAU’s Academy for Community Inclusion which is a state-of-the-art program for adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). Dr. Carey’s previous experience includes over 15 years teaching students with various exceptionalities from birth to 22 at Easter Seals, Arc and the School District of Palm Beach County. She earned her Doctor of Education in Exceptional Student Education from Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
Dr. Carey’s expertise is in the area of Intellectual Disability (ID), transition, and Post-Secondary Education (PSE) for individuals with ID. Her research interests revolve around the impact of inclusion in higher education not only for individuals with ID, but also for other members of the campus community with whom students with ID interact. Her research is focused around quality of the effects of inclusion on all within the campus community.
Rebecca (Becca) Smith Hill is Associate Director for the Center for Transition Research and Leadership at the University of South Carolina (USC). She is a social worker, former middle and high school special education teacher, and adjunct professor. She also serves as Research Coordinator at CarolinaLIFE, an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program at USC and the Coordinator for the SC Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium (SCIPSEC). She earned her Ph.D. in special education with a focus on transition and a Master’s in social work from USC. Her research interests include self-determination, sense of belonging, dignity of risk, identity development, and overall mental health and wellness for transition-age emerging adults with disability.
Christian Zimmerman is the UP Program Coordinator at Western Carolina University, where he supports inclusive postsecondary education and career pathways for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has extensive experience in career and technical education (CTE), program development, and state and national disability and workforce policy.
Zimmerman serves as Vice President-Elect of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Postsecondary Division and has been actively involved in policy and advocacy efforts related to IDEA, vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, and expanding access to postsecondary education and competitive integrated employment. He is pursuing his Doctor of Education, with research focused on employment and wage outcomes for students with intellectual disabilities in inclusive postsecondary education and CTE pathways.
Renato Freitas is the Program Coordinator for the How I Reach Employment (HIRE) Program at Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC). He has extensive experience working in Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) and special education, supporting students with intellectual disabilities in achieving their academic and career goals. Since assuming his role in 2023, Renato has expanded partnerships with local businesses and strengthened pathways that lead students to meaningful employment. He holds a Master’s in Education Pedagogy from East Carolina University and is passionate about creating inclusive learning environments. Through his leadership, FMTC continues to serve as a model for inclusive postsecondary programs across Florida
Betty S. Patten, Ph.D., is the Jay and Susie Gogue Endowed Director of the EAGLES Program and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling at Auburn University. She also serves as the Project Director and Principal Investigator for ENGAGE, a federally funded TPSID initiative that expands the EAGLES Program and advances inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) opportunities nationwide. With more than a decade of experience in special education, Dr. Patten previously served as a high school special education teacher and transition specialist in a community-based program focused on employment and independent living outcomes. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Special Education, a doctorate in Special Education, and a certification in Transition Leadership. Her research explores evidence-based practices in IPSE, social-emotional learning, parent engagement, and comprehensive program evaluation. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. Patten now calls Auburn home, where she and her husband, Austin—a veterinarian and clinic owner—raise their three children, Texas Longhorn cattle, and plenty of coffee cups.
Beth Enger serves as Arkansas State University’s Restore Hub TPSID Grant Manager to build and support multiple IPSE programs across the state of Arkansas. Additionally, she serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Natural State of Inclusive Groups in Higher Education and Transition (NSIGHT) alliance. Through this work, she supports statewide efforts to expand inclusive postsecondary education and transition opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She has also contributed to research and program initiatives serving individuals with IDD with Arkansas State University’s HOWL and ATLAS programs. Beth holds a master’s degree in psychology from Arkansas State University and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. Beth is passionate about strengthening partnerships across Arkansas and supporting inclusive pathways that empower individuals with disabilities to participate meaningfully in college, employment, and community life.
Erin Fitzgerald works for the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky (UK). She is the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program Coordinator at UK, as well as a liaison for the Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership (KSHEP).
Erin holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education with a focus on Assistive Technology. She previously worked as a support coordinator and community support professional in the Kentucky IMPACT Program, where her primary focus was community engagement through person-centered planning. Erin believes strongly that all people should have access to inclusive higher education, and the opportunity to direct their path in life – based on their own strengths and interests.
Jade V. McMinn, Ed.D., is the Director of the UL LIFE Program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She serves on the Louisiana Postsecondary Inclusive Education Advisory Council and on the board of the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children. Jade previously served as the Academic Program Coordinator for the UL LIFE Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology, a master’s in special education, and a doctorate in educational leadership with a concentration in exceptional learners. In her role, Jade oversees program operations to support student success and advances inclusive postsecondary education through program development, collaboration, and advocacy to expand access and meaningful outcomes for students with intellectual disability.
My name is Shayla Anderson. and I reside in Conway, SC. I graduated from Coastal Carolina University with my B.A. and M.Ed. in Special Education. I have taught 9th-12th grade in Georgetown, SC and K-8th grade in the FL Keys. While I love all individuals with differing abilities, my favorite age group is 21+. After 2 years in the classroom, I was led to serve in the animal assisted therapy and related service field working primarily with horses. This is something I still do in my spare time.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, I had the pleasure of serving as the Program Coordinator of the South Carolina Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium (SCIPSEC). I had the opportunity to work with and on behalf of the six inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs across the state of South Carolina spreading awareness about the college experience and its associated benefits that students with intellectual disability could have access to.
In my spare time, I love chasing the sunrise/sunset, going to the barn and pet sitting!
Megan Macon is the Director of Career Development and Apprenticeships for the Next Steps program, where she leads the career development team’s efforts to help students explore careers, gain internship and work experience, and participate in apprenticeships. In 2024, she helped write and secure a $2.32 million Department of Labor grant to expand inclusive apprenticeship opportunities. She now serves as a Co-Investigator on that project and also leads work on a 2025 grant from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging.
Megan earned her bachelor’s in special education from Vanderbilt University in 2016 and volunteered with Next Steps as an Ambassa’Dore while a student. Furthermore, she received her master’s in secondary transition services from George Washington University in 2026. Since joining Next Steps in 2017, Megan has held several roles on the career team before becoming the Director of Career Development in 2021.
Kenneth Kelty is an alumni of The Western Carolina University UP Program class of 2014. A year after graduation he was recruited from The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at UNC to represent Disability Advocacy in the Leadership Education in Neuro Developmental Disabilities and Related Disorders Program. After completion Kenneth was invited to come back as a fellow in The Maternal Child Health Bureau Leadership Consortium. Kenneth started with The Arc of The Triangle as an Administrative Assistant shortly after graduating from WCU.
Kenneth is a trailblazer in the disability community and higher education. He is an award winning motivational speaker and influencer on his life with disabilities and exceeding expectations from a young age. In 2017 Kenneth was The Recipient of The Laura Lee Self-Advocate Leadership Award and gave a Keynote Speech at The State of The Art Conference on Inclusive Post Secondary Education. In December of 2018. He received The Impact Award from The CIDD and his name is the plaque at The UNC School of Medicine. Kenneth manages his own public Facebook and Instagram page, Kenneth Kelty, Public Speaker and Author. Kenneth is an active member of The Tarheel Toastmasters and hopes to become a Distinguished Toastmaster, Accredited Speaker from Toastmasters International then eventually a Certified Speaking Professional from The National Speaker Associations. Kenneth does hope to have his book published and to become like Dr. Temple Grandin by becoming a famous self-advocate with a powerful story to share.
