CT-LEND and UCEDD Celebrate the success of their first Diversity Fellows!

July 17, 2017

Pictured here are Fellows Chevonne (left) and Ann Marie (right) with Connecticut State Senator Joe Markley.

The University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and LEND program were thrilled with the participation of the Human Services and Family Studies Diversity Fellows from partner Goodwin College this past year. Goodwin participants enthusiastically engaged in weekly seminars, special presentations, observations, and legislative and advocacy events.

One particular highlight for Diversity Fellows Chevonne Campbell and Ann Marie Ferreira was the Legislative Advocacy Day held at the State Capital in March. LEND participants invited their state legislators to serve as faculty and teach the Fellows about effective communication. The Fellows rotated through mock meetings in which they presented specific disability issues and solutions. More than seven legislators provided individual feedback to each group and served on a panel at the end of the session.

Of this first Diversity Fellows cohort, we share the following successes. Chevonne Campbell accepted a new job as a development specialist at The Village for Children and Families and will begin studies at the UConn School of Social Work this fall. Sasha Kelly left our fellowship early in order to take a position at Oak Hill School working with adolescents with disabilities. Audrey Brown and Ann Marie Ferriera are looking forward to beginning their graduate studies in Social Work at Springfield College this fall. The LEND Fellows, Family Faculty, UCEDD staff, and Ann Marie's advisor were truly engaged by her final Capstone presentation on "How Does Acquired Brain Injury Affect the Social Identity of Adolescents?" Upon completion, Ann Marie was awarded Long Term Trainee certificate of completion for her participation in LEND. We salute Ann Marie and the other Diversity fellows for their dedicated and enthusiastic pursuit to learn how to meet the needs of children with disabilities!