Institute for Disability Studies
IDS Staff
Page Content

Jerry R. Alliston, PhD, MSW
Interim Executive Director
Interest Area: Employment, Postsecondary Education, Leadership, Advocacy, Community Living, Person-Centered
Planning Practices, Independent Living Skill Development, Mentoring and Service/Volunteerism
Hattiesburg

Leslie LaVergne, PhD
Interim Associate Director
Emphasis Area
Special Education, Advocacy, Special Education Policy
Interest Area: Families of Individuals with Disabilities
Hattiesburg

Nellie Alliston
Family Engagement and Education Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Family Support
Hattiesburg

Rich Baker, MS
Director of Technology & Accessibility
Interest Area: Assistive Technology
Hattiesburg

Taylor Carley
Self-Advocacy Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Hattiesburg

Tracy Coleman, MSW
Executive Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Housing
Hattiesburg

Vantrell Coleman
Transition Specialist
Emphasis Area
Advocacy, Transition to adulthood, Meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities
Long Beach


Rebecca Holland, PhD, MPH, MLIS
Executive Coordinator for Communication and Development
Emphasis Area
Support Staff
Interest Area: Public Health, Postsecondary Education, Qualitative Research
Hattiesburg

Joanie Innes
Self-Advocacy Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Interest Area: Helping others and working with plants and animals
Long Beach campus


Bryant Tyler Johnson, MPH
Community Wellness Specialist
Emphasis Area
Wellness
Interest Area: Community Health & Wellness, Recreation, Assistive Technology, National service
Hattiesburg

Joseph King, LMSW
ToTAL Transition Executive Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition
Hattiesburg

Dan Lewis
Technology Assistant
Emphasis Area
Support Staff
Interest Area: Technology
Hattiesburg

Dawn Lewis
Parent Support Specialist, STEP OUT Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Hattiesburg

Danielle Mullins, LMSW
RISE Transition Executive Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Interest Area: Person-Centered Planning, Postsecondary, Employment
Hattiesburg

Scott N. Mullins, LMSW
Transition Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Interest Area: Employment, National Service/Volunteerism, Person Centered Planning, Sexuality & Relationships,
Special Olympic College
Hattiesburg

Michett Ramos
Family Support Specialist
Emphasis Area
Wellness
Long Beach

Aysha Robertson, MSW
Transition Specialist
Emphasis Area
Transition
Hattiesburg

Beth Robertson
ToTAL Transition Executive Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Long Beach

Amy Rhods
Family Support Specialist
Interest Area: Families of Individuals with Disabilities
Hattiesburg


Bruce R. Smith, MA
Finance and Personnel Manager
Emphasis Area
Support Staff
Interest Area: Administration, Budget, Data
Long Beach

Robert Sullivan, BS
Wheelchair Sports
Emphasis Area
Wellness
Interest Area: Wheelchair Sports and Recreation
Hattiesburg

Laura Clements Thomas
Transition & Peer Mentor Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Interest Area: Community resources, Employment, and Supporting College Students that have a disability
with Peer mentoring
Long Beach
