The Power of the Network: Growing Leaders Driving Change

Andy Imparato, JD, AUCD Executive Director

Andrew Imparato has served as executive director of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) since September, 2013. As a disability rights lawyer and policy professional with more than two decades of experience in government and advocacy roles, Imparato has worked with bipartisan policymakers to advance disability policy at the national level in the areas of civil rights, workforce development, and disability benefits. Prior to coming to AUCD, he was senior counsel and disability policy director for Senator Tom Harkin on the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Before that, he spent 11 years as President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, a national membership organization working to grow the political and economic power of the disability community. Imparato's perspective is informed by his personal experience with bipolar disorder.

Alysa Vos, MS, BCBA, 2015-2016 AUCD Virtual Trainee

Alysa Vos is a trainee at the LoneStar LEND in Texas. She holds a Masters in Education and is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). She works with families, education and health professionals to empower individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. When she is not working she is mom to 2 boys and a German shepherd. 

Zipporah Levi-Shackleford, MA, LEND Trainee, Virginia Commonwealth University

Zipporah Levi-Shackleford is a second year trainee in the VA-LEND program at Virginia Commonwealth University. She served as the 2014-2015 Assistant Virtual Trainee and is the owner of and education consultant for Creative Approach Development Center, LLC, a business that provides academic supports for students and young adults with various disabilities including post-secondary enrollment and employment assistance. She has two Associate degrees in Computer Programming and Elementary Education, a Bachelor's in Education, Child Development, a Master's in Education, Reading and Literacy and is a Doctoral candidate at Northcentral University completing her doctorate in Special Education. She is the mother of four children, 3 of whom have special needs. She is also actively involved with the Autism Society of Central Virginia, the Richmond foodbank and the SPCA.