Institute for Disability Studies
IDS Staff
Rebekah E. Young, PhD, MPH, CHES
Executive Director
Interest Area: Public Health, Postsecondary Education
Hattiesburg
Jerry R. Alliston, PhD, MSW
Associate 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
Assistant Director
Interest Area: Families of Individuals with Disabilities
Hattiesburg
Rich Baker, MS
Technology Coordinator
Interest Area: Assistive Technology
Hattiesburg
DeMetra Bates P.h.D., MSW
Housing Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Housing
Interest Area: Homelessness and Housing
Hattiesburg
Taylor Carley
Self-Advocacy Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Hattiesburg
Laura Clements Thomas
Transition Specialist
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Long Beach
Sylvester Crosby
Wheelchair Sports
Emphasis Area
Wellness
Interest Area: Wheelchair Sports and Recreation
Jackson
Shania Douglas, LMSW
Family Wellness & Support Specialist
Hattiesburg
Nathan Hatten
Assistant Office Manager
Emphasis Area
Support Staff
Hattiesburg
Bryant Tyler Johnson, MPH
Community Wellness Specialist
Emphasis Area
Wellness
Interest Area: Community Health & Wellness, Recreation, Assistive Technology
Long Beach
Muriel Kelso, BSW
Case Management Specialist
Emphasis Area
Housing
Interest Area: Project Restore
Jackson
Joseph King, LMSW
ToTAL Program Transition Specialist
Emphasis Area
Transition
Hattiesburg
Dan Lewis
Technology Assistant
Emphasis Area
Support Staff
Interest Area: Technology
Hattiesburg
Dawn Lewis
Parent Support Specialist
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Hattiesburg
DeLisa McCoy, MSW, LSW
Transition Specialist
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Long Beach
Scott N. Mullins, LMSW
Transition Specialist
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Interest Area: Employment, National Service/Volunteerism, Person Centered Planning, Sexuality & Relationships,
Special Olympic College
Hattiesburg
Danielle Parks, LMSW
Transition Specialist
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Interest Area: Person-Centered Planning, Postsecondary, Employment
Hattiesburg
Michett Ramos
Family Support Specialist
Emphasis Area
Wellness
Long Beach
Beth Robertson
Transition Specialist
Emphasis Area
Transition to Adulthood
Long Beach
Bruce R. Smith, MA
Executive Administrator and Data Coordinator
Emphasis Area
Support Staff
Interest Area: Administration, Budget, Data
Jackson
Robert Sullivan, BS
Wheelchair Sports
Emphasis Area
Wellness
Interest Area: Wheelchair Sports and Recreation
Hattiesburg
Kirby Ware, BS
Finance Specialist
Emphasis Area
Support Staff
Interest Area: Administration, Budget, Data
Jackson