About the Speaker

 Valerie L. Mazzotti, Ph.D., is a Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Special Education in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Dr. Mazzotti is affiliated with the Kansas University Center on Disabilities. Dr. Mazzotti's research focuses on four areas, including interagency collaboration, self-determination interventions and supports, college and career readiness for students with disabilities, and secondary transition evidence-based practices and predictors of postschool success. Dr. Mazzotti has received grant funding from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS). Dr. Mazzotti has published one book focused on building collaborative partnerships between youth with disabilities and their families and school/community partners, over 18 book chapters, and over 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals. She has accumulated over $30 million in external funding as PI or Co-PI. She serves as Co-Editor for the peer-reviewed journal, Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals and is a Past President of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition.