Kathy Sheppard-Jones earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology and a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky. She is a certified rehabilitation counselor. She led the development of Kentucky’s Return to Work model demonstration project, RETAIN Kentucky, which helped define many elements of TIP. Her interests include knowledge translation, leadership, universal design, technology, community education, and pre-service training. She is the Principal Investigator for this project and provides oversight across all TIP objectives.

Johnny W. Collett is deputy executive director at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI). Before joining HDI, he served as Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Previously, Collett was program director for special education outcomes at the Council of Chief State School Officers and held senior leadership roles at the Kentucky Department of Education, including state special education director. He began his career as a high school special education teacher.

Across roles at the classroom, state, and federal levels, Collett has demonstrated a sustained commitment to raising expectations and improving educational and employment outcomes for people with disabilities through effective policy implementation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Beth Potter, MS. Ed., has 30 years of leadership experience in managing complex research programs, strategic planning, and systems change initiatives in academic and healthcare settings. As Acting Executive Director of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, Mrs. Potter leads state and federally funded efforts to improve outcomes in health, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. Mrs. Potter has directed multi-million dollar cross-sector grants and advises university leadership, leveraging her expertise in project management and stakeholder engagement to advance evidence-based practices and build system-wide capacity.

Christina Espinosa is the Division Director of Community Education at the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky. She has developed collaborations across campus, Kentucky, and the nation. I have been a Principal Investigator of contracts with the state Office for Vocational Rehabilitation, Office for the Blind, Protection & Advocacy, the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, NIH, and the Rehabilitation Services Administration. I have served with the University of Kentucky (UK) Unconscious Bias Committee, the UK University Equal Opportunity Committee, UK Living Home Workgroup, Access Lexington Mayor’s Commission, AUCD National Project Advisory Committee, the KY Center for Independent Living, the Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, and the Kentucky Housing Corporation. I conduct trainings and webinars for state and national governmental agencies, campus partners, and for the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Centers.

Carter is an experienced technology leader with over ten years in higher education, specializing in strategic IT planning, system development, and project management. He currently serves as Director of Technology, where he leads innovations to enhance customer experience, strengthen security, and drive departmental transformation. He is skilled in cross-functional leadership, accessibility standards, and continuous quality improvement, with technical expertise in web development, data systems design, artificial intelligence, and virtual experiences. Carter is passionate about using technology to deliver high-impact solutions that support institutional goals and create meaningful user experiences.

Christina L. Forster is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) with more than 20 years of experience navigating complex employment and disability-related services and conducting program evaluation. She joined the Human Development Institute (HDI) Evaluation Unit in 2024 and supports multiple grant-funded projects focused on improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Her work on the Training Innovation Project (TIP) centers on evaluating and analyzing data, including key informant interview analysis, training evaluations, and other project assessment activities. This work builds on her prior experience with the National MS Society, where she led national employment, benefits, and health insurance initiatives, and with Virginia Vocational Rehabilitation, where she served as a vocational rehabilitation counselor helping people with disabilities achieve successful and sustainable employment outcomes.

Skyler is a Computer Support Specialist II at the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky, where he focuses on hardware troubleshooting, inventory management, and technology deployment. He enjoys solving complex technical issues and ensuring systems and equipment are reliable and efficiently managed.

Beyond his professional work, Skyler is passionate about both music and technology, especially where the two intersect. He is always looking for ways to grow personally and professionally through those interests.

Mykal Leslie, PhD, LPCC-S, CRC, the Executive Director for HDI, has been the PI for 19 federal and state contracts. An accomplished researcher, he has authored or co-authored over 30 refereed journal articles on mental health, vocational evaluation, neurological disabilities, workplace accommodations, substance use disorders, and workplace discrimination. Dr. Leslie trained rehabilitation counselors to work in the state-federal VR system for six years at Kent State University, where he served as an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator. A former state VR counselor in West Virginia, he has also provided therapy services for adolescents and adults with mental health and substance use conditions. He serves on the board for Disability Rights Ohio, advocating for disability inclusion and policy reform in education, employment, access to healthcare, and community participation.

Patti Parker is the Division Director of Professional Learning at the Human Development Institute, University of Kentucky, where she leads innovative training initiatives grounded in universal design and instructional technology. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in strategic planning, grant development, and inclusive professional development. Patti is a certified instructional designer and published author, known for creating accessible, story-based learning experiences that drive measurable impact.