top of page

HIGHLIGHTS

Some of the cool things by year I have done! 

2021

  • Moved to serve as Biden-Harris Political Appointee, Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) within the Administration for Community Living in the Department of Health and Human Services

  • Became Fellow of the American Psychological Association

2020

  • Received Harold Scharper Achievement Award for Advancing Opportunities for People with Disabilities from the University of Illinois

  • Received Harold Yuker Award for Research Excellence for best paper published in Rehabilitation Psychology for 2019

  •  Received American Psychological Association Citizen Psychologist Award for Advancing Disability as a Human Rights and Social Justice Issue Award

2019

  • Recognized by United Nations Women Global Innovation Coalition for Change as #SheInnovates Honoree

  • Recipient of 2019 Peabody College Faculty/Staff Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Award

  • Recipient of Special Education Advocacy Award by R.A.C.E. Mentoring

2018

  • Recipient of 2018 Emerging Scholar Award by R.A.C.E. Mentoring

  • Recognized by the Nashville Mayor’s Office by the Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities for leadership to the disability community

  • Recognized by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as a 2018 Emerging Scholar 

  • Recipient of 2018 Guiding Woman in Sport Award by SHAPE America

2017

  • Recognized by the Foundation for Global Sports Development as Awardee for Athletes in Excellence Award for Mentorship and Outreach

2014

  • Recognized by stumptuous.com as “One of the Most Interesting Women in the World”

2013

  • Recognized by the White House as a “Champion of Change”

  • Recipient of the American Association of Persons with Disabilities Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award

  • Recognized by UMission.org as “Person of the Week”

  • Inducted into Natick High School Wall of Achievement

Untitled.jpg

2012

  • Recognized by Huffington Post among “Top 10 Greatest Persons of the Year

  • Recognized by Kwikmed as one of 21 “Absolutely Outstanding Disabled Sport Websites”

  • American Educational Research Association (AERA) Disability Studies in Education “Outstanding Dissertation Award”

  • Recipient of United States Olympic Committee Amazing Mentor Award

  • Member of Team USA for 2012 Paralympic Games

2011

  • World Record holder 200m

  • 4th Place Finish at the Boston Marathon

  • Recognized by the Boston Celtics as a “Hero Among Us”

  • Gold Medalist and World Championship Record Holder in 200m at IPC World Championships

  • Silver Medalist in 100m and 400m at IPC World Championships

  • American Record Holder in 200m

2008

  • Paralympic Bronze Medalist in Beijing in 400m

  • Paralympic Bronze Medalist and American Record Holder in 4x100m Relay

bottom of page