Dr. Erica D. McCray, Thursday, October 10th, 5:45 PM

Erica D. McCray is Professor of Special Education and Associate Dean for Personnel Affairs and Community Engagement at the University of Florida. Dr. McCray is executive director of the CEEDAR Center, funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. She has been recognized on multiple levels for her teaching and research, which emphasize the influence of diversity on educational practice and policy. Dr. McCray’s teaching career began as a special educator for students with high-incidence disabilities in elementary and middle schools in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. In higher education, she has taught courses in teacher education for inclusion and qualitative research methods and supported close to 50 doctoral graduates. She is a Black woman scholar committed to amplifying the voices of individuals marginalized on the basis of race, disability, and other intersecting identities. Dr. McCray is the lead editor of the second edition of the Handbook of Research on Special Education Teacher Preparation and has authored several journal articles and book chapters. Her leadership and service to the field include serving as a member of the National Council for Learning Disabilities Professional Advisory Board, CAST UDL Equity Rising Advisory Board, and chair of the Council for Exceptional Children- Division for Research Awards Committee. Additionally, she is an Associate Editor for the Exceptional Children journal, and an editorial board member for the Review of Educational Research and Teacher Education and Special Education journals.

Dr. Matthew T. Marino, Friday, October 11th, 9:00 AM

Matthew T. Marino, Ph.D. is a tenured professor, international leader, and proud member of the special education community. He has been helping students with disabilities and their families for more than 25 years. Dr. Marino is a principal investigator (PI) or co-principal investigator (Co-PI) on numerous federal and state-funded projects, with more than 17 million dollars in continuous funding since 2010. His research involves technology design, innovation, executive function, and Universal Design for Learning. Dr. Marino’s most recent publications about Artificial Intelligence and Universal Design for Learning are linked here. He conceptualized and assembled a team to build Project RISE, the first map of special education teacher preparation programs in the United States. He is an active member and Co-PI of the National Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning where he leads the technical alliance for the states of Maine, Idaho, and Washington. He also leads the team as principal Investigator at Inclusive Education Services, which provides on independent living and vocational preparation for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities aged 18 – 28. View more of Dr. Marino’s publications at his Google Scholar website.