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.