Dr. Erica D. McCray

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. Marcey A. Kinney

Dr. Marcey A. Kinney is an education innovator and passionate advocate for inclusive, equitable learning. With over two decades of experience in special education, early childhood, curriculum design, and teacher preparation, she is dedicated to shifting educational mindsets and expanding access for underrepresented learners. Dr. Kinney holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Central Florida and served as a faculty member at Bethune-Cookman University from 2010 to 2023, where she led undergraduate and graduate courses, mentored future educators, and spearheaded early childhood initiatives.

She is the Founder and CEO of CuratEd Educational Services LLC, where she leads projects in early learning, STEM, and grant development. Her expertise spans Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Montessori pedagogy, adult learning theory, and instructional technology. A skilled grant writer and community leader, Dr. Kinney brings energy, insight, and vision to the future of education—one grounded in equity, access, and innovation.