ELC Exchange: Post-Traineeship Pathways

Hannah Mennella

Hannah is a speech-language pathologist working with the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) and Systematic Processes for Enhancing and Assessing Communication Supports (SPEACS) program at the Center for Disabilities Studies. Through DATI, she helps individuals with disabilities and their support networks acquire communication devices that best meet their needs. Through SPEACS, she works to improve school-based services for children with complex communication needs and promote communication in the classroom and community. Hannah received her undergraduate degree and master’s degree from the University of Delaware, where she was also a LEND trainee.

Jerry Alliston

Jerry Alliston, PhD, MSW, is the Executive Director for the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), at The University of Southern Mississippi. Since 2005, Dr. Alliston has served in several positions at IDS and provided early intervention, transition to adulthood and adult services targeting individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. In his current role, Dr. Alliston oversees the work of all IDS  programs focused on three primary emphasis areas of community living, education and family engagement. In addition, since 2006, Dr. Alliston has served as adjunct and affiliate faculty in several academic colleges with recent focus on the University Honors College, the Luckyday Scholars Program and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development. Other University positions include director of the RISE To The Top! Southern Miss inclusive postsecondary education program, Luckyday Service Site Leader and Honors College Thesis Advisor. With over 30+ years of experience working with in the disability field combined with 21 years in higher education, Dr. Alliston has focus on community engagement, servant leadership, direct services, research, and service learning. Dr. Alliston earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Social Work, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education, from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Maeka De La Torre

My name is Maeka De La Torre, a pediatrician training in the field of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. I was born in the Philippines and emigrated to the USA at 7 years old. My family's lived experience with disability and their stories paved my path to medicine and continues to be my inspiration and drive to help my patients and others.

Nicole LeBlanc

Nicole LeBlanc has a keen ability and interest in public policy and excels at communicating the needs of people with developmental disabilities to public officials. In 2018 Nicole graduated from the VT LEND program. She was the 1st self advocate to complete the program. Nicole is a natural leader chosen by her peers due to her unwavering commitment to speaking the truth to power. She has presented keynotes on the dignity of risk at statewide self-advocacy conferences in Alabama, Missouri and Rhode Island. Since 2011, Nicole has consulted for Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered and the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network developing self-advocacy tools and curriculums, presenting webinars and video blogs on the topics of healthcare, what is Autism, presuming competence, self-managed services, voter access and employment of people with disabilities. Her current title at HSRI is Policy Assistant. Nicole also serves as a consultant for NEXTGEN Synergy assisting with Disability awareness curriculum for MH providers, therapists, making toolkits, and searching for grants.