Donna Gilles, EdD, Named Director of Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University, VA's UCEDD

February 23, 2012

AUCD welcomes Donna Gilles, EdD, to her new position as Executive Director of the Partnership for People with Disabilities (PPD), VA's UCEDD, at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Before being named Executive Director, Dr. Gilles served PPD as the Interim Executive Director for seven months and as Associate Director of Operations for four years. Dr. Gilles earned her EdD in Severe and Profound Disabilities from Johns Hopkins in 1986. Prior to joining VCU, she spent 20 years as a researcher in the Departments of Psychiatry and Special Education at the University of Florida. Dr. Gilles has been the author or co-author of over $9.9 million dollars in grants in her career and is distinguished by service to numerous organizations including the USDOE, the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) and The Association for Persons with Severe Disabiliies (TASH) where she served as President from 2000 - 2003.

Said Michael Davis, Professor and Interim Dean of the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, "Donna has the skills, knowledge and experience to build on Fred Orelove's legacy of excellence. I am excited about the new vision she will bring to the Partnership staff as they continue their dedication to individuals with disabilites in the Commonwealth and beyond. Please join me in welcoming Donna to her new position."