Katie Brendli

Policy Intern

Katherine (Katie) Brendli is a summer intern for AUCD's policy team. She is a rising third-year doctoral student studying Special Education and Disability Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Formerly, Katie attended James Madison University, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies, and her Master's degree in Special Education, with dual licensure in teaching students accessing the general and adapted curriculums.

Katie's primary research area is on inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As a lover of learning with a passion to make positive change, Katie's ultimate goals are to conduct quality research, to make influential contributions to the field, and to develop innovative means to best support individuals with IDD in the postsecondary transition process. Specifically, Katie hopes to promote greater opportunities and experiences at the postsecondary level through powerful advocacy, research, and collaboration.

In her free time, Katie enjoys running outdoors, swimming, dancing, and going hiking. She also loves sushi and traveling.