Committees
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)’s committees are responsible for advising the Board of Directors in their particular areas and/or execution of specific activities/programs. All committees report to the Board of Directors.
Committee Call for Applications
Volunteering to be appointed to a CEC committee is a leadership opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. If the time is right for you, stand up and serve! CEC membership throughout the term of appointment is required. Questions? Contact Gennith Johnson, CEC’s Chief Engagement Officer, the staff liaison to both committees. The deadline for applications for both committees below is 12:00 pm Eastern, June 5, 2023.
Diversity Committee
Six positions are available. The two most senior members of the committee will serve as co-chairs. Terms for this inaugural year of the committee are from 1.5 to 3.5 years (as determined by the chair). Terms begin July 1.
The Diversity Committee is charged with providing leadership and guidance on ways to promote and support inclusivity, equity, and justice. This includes developing, reviewing, and recommending programs and resources that are supportive to the CEC membership; especially, those from marginalized, historically underserved, and underrepresented populations. CEC views diversity to include identity markers such as race, ethnicity, culture, language, dialect, age, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion/spirituality, geographic location, national origin, education, and professional role.
View the Committee Job Description
Student and Early Career Committee
Two positions are available: one student, one early career. Terms are for three years (July 1 – June 30).
Committee members must be either an early career teacher within the first 3 years of special education teaching, or a pre-service student (undergraduate or graduate) as defined by CEC for at least their first year on the committee.
The Student and Early Career Committee advises the Board of Directors on ways to recruit, mentor, and support individuals entering the profession, especially those from diverse backgrounds, and ways to enhance the experience of student and early-career CEC members and encourage their transition to a full-dues-paying membership; directly supports student and early career CEC members through professional development, networking, and events at the annual convention; annually selects the student award recipients and periodically reviews the award criteria.
Interested in other volunteer opportunities? If you don’t want to apply for a committee, check out our new Volunteer Square. There are a variety of ways to engage locally and nationally, and through short- and long-term projects.
Standing Committees
The Finance and Audit Standing Committee addresses the financial stability of CEC and recommends to the Board of Directors the action to be taken on the annual program plan and budget. Other duties relate to the review of financial policies. The Committee is chaired by the Treasurer. The President Elect also serves as a member of the committee.
- Jennifer Lesh, CEC Treasurer, Chair
- Margaret Blackwell
- Julie Bost
- Mark Francis
- Darla Gundler
- Diana Morales
- Laura Nugent
- Kareem Thompson, President Elect (ex officio)
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
The purpose of the Leadership Development Committee is to identify, nurture, and develop leadership potential and skills in emerging leaders. Its duties include intentionally identifying, cultivating, recruiting, and orienting a well-qualified and diverse pipeline of volunteer leaders for board and committee positions that are responsive to the current and future needs of CEC.
- Amy Braddock, M.A., Co-Chair
- Jonté Taylor, Ph.D., Co-Chair
- Cassie Frost, MS.E.D.
- Wendy Gonzales, Ph.D.
- Jen Katz-Borrin, M.S.
- Danielle Kovach, Ed.D. (ex officio)
- Kim Moffett, Ph.D.
- Nichole Moore, Ed.S.
- Laura Nugent, Ed.D.
- Wendy Otheim, Ed.S.
- Natasha Veale, Ph.D.
Contact the committee staff liaison.
Read the 2019 Annual Report and 2019 Top Achievements.
Read the 2018 Annual Report.
Charge: Organize, implement, and evaluate volunteer leadership training and orientation programs; create communications plans and marketing/promotional activities and events related to volunteer leadership within CEC; and to facilitate attracting, preparing and retaining volunteer leaders within CEC units and divisions.
- Bill Bogdan, Ed.D., Chair
- Amy Braddock, M.A., (ex officio)
- Robin Brewer, Ed.D.
- Maureen O’Leary Burness, M.S.
- Marilyn Friend, Ph.D.
- Mikki Garcia, Ed.D.
- Jennifer Lesh, Ph.D.
- Gloria Niles, Ph.D.
- Laura Nugent, Ed.D.
- Jonté Taylor, Ph.D. (ex officio)
Advisory Committees
Charge
The Convention Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is an advisory group assists CEC staff with the planning and development of the annual convention program. The PAC is responsible for bringing a comprehensive and balanced program that will provide the highest quality professional development that addresses the varied interests and needs of convention attendees. Along with CEC staff, the PAC works to improve the quality and diversity of presentations and improve the convention program planning process.
The PAC Co-Chairs represents a practitioner working in a school or early intervention agency and an individual from academia. The committee is comprised of a representative from each of the Council's special interest divisions and other individuals selected by CEC staff based on expertise and convention program topic area. Each division selects its own representative to serve as a member of this advisory group.
Members and Division/Topical Area Represented
- Lisa Dieker, Co-Chair (Higher Ed)
- Nicole Barrion, Chair (Practitioner)
- Ramona Lee, CASE
- Erin Maguire, CASE
- Emily Smith, CEDS
- Timothy Landrum, DEBH
- Brian Barber, DEBH
- Kathleen Puckett, CEC-DLL
- Candace Borger, CEC-DLL
- Alyssa Marcum, CCC-DPHMD
- Allison Kroesch, CCC-DPHMD
- Audrey Sorrells, CEC-DR
- Jessica Toste, CEC-DR
- Leah Wood, DADD
- Cindy Perras, DADD
- Kathleen Farrand, DARTS
- Anna Paulson, DCD
- Dana Kan, DCD
- Dale Matusevich, DCDT
- Stacie Dojonovic, DCDT
- Christopher Cormier, DDEL
- Dosun Ko, DDEL
- Megan Purcell, DEC
- Jenna Weglarz Ward, DEC
- Clara Hauth, DISES
- Paul Riccomini, DLD
- Adam Graves, DVIDB
- Kathy Stanfa, DVIDB
- Don McMahon, ISET
- Alex Hollingshead, ISET
- Wendy Behrens, TAG
- Margaret (Peggy) Weiss, TED
- Brannan Meyers, TED
- Lisa Goran, Accountability Systems (IDEA/ESSA) for Children and Youth with Disabilities
- Tammy Barron, Collaboration and Inclusive Practices
- Kelly Carrero, Maltreatment
- David Peyton, Measuring Special Education Teacher Effectiveness
- Elizabeth Bettini, Measuring Special Education Teacher Effectiveness
- Jessica Toste, MTSS
- Shana Haines, Parent/Family/School Partnerships
- Jessica Monahan, Starting the Teaching Career
- Paul Riccomini, STEM
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
The Diversity Committee is charged with providing leadership and guidance on ways to promote and support inclusivity, equity, and justice. This includes developing, reviewing, and recommending programs and resources that are supportive to the CEC membership; especially, those from marginalized, historically underserved, and underrepresented populations. CEC views diversity to include identity markers such as race, ethnicity, culture, language, dialect, age, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion/spirituality, geographic location, national origin, education, and professional role.
View the Committee Job Description
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
Committee Charge
- Serve an advisory function to the Board of Directors and staff on the mutual implication and impact of activities of CEC and divisions.
- Facilitate collaboration and communication among divisions and between divisions and CEC.
- Provide leadership to enhance the functioning and benefits offered by divisions and the diversity of the association’s members.
- Make proposals to enhance structural, functional and policy relations between CEC and divisions and among/within divisions.
- Facilitate division member recruitment, engagement and retention initiatives.
- Act as a facilitator in resolution of disputes among divisions.
- Review division annual reports and ensure compliance with all CEC policies.
Members
- Michael Faggella-Luby, Co-Chair
- Debbie Lively, Co-Chair
- Jugnu Agrawal
- Sheila Bailey
- Ted Burke
- Juliann Dorff
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
Committee Charge:
- Promote and enhance the educational, advocacy, and outreach goals of CEC by planning and overseeing a development program.
- Create awareness within the CEC membership, stakeholders, divisions/units as fundraising teams, external partner organizations.
- Create ongoing communication with donors and potential donors; shape development strategies and plans; monitor results against the development plan.
- Ensure that the organization is investing strategically and appropriately in its fundraising program.
- Develop and regularly review policies and procedures (including ethical standards and organizational accountability) for all development activities of CEC.
Members
- Bill Bogdan, Chair
- Denise Griffin
- Danielle Kovach
- Jennifer Lesh
- Luanne Purcell
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
The Honors Committee selects the recipients of the CEC Professional Awards. The Honors Committee also periodically reviews the CEC Awards program and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for enhancements.
- Anita Granger (Co-chair)
- James Nuse (Co-chair)
- Mina Chun
- Martin De Anda
- Denise Fountain
- Jaimee Miller
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
Charge:
- Develop recommendations for consideration by CEC’s Board of Directors with regard to special education legislative and regulatory issues at the national level and provide information to units that may be relevant at the state or local level.
- Assist CEC in ensuring that the organizations’ position statements are current, relevant, reflect CEC’s mission and values and adhere to CEC’s Principles and Guidelines for Developing Position Statements.
- Stay informed about policy and legislative issues related to the education of infants, toddlers, children, and young adults with exceptionalities. NOTE: Day-to-day public policy functions are conducted by staff and consultants, reporting to the executive director. The committee will be provided with updates on impending or emerging issues.
Members
- Mitchell Yell, Chair
- Lisa Goran
- Ines Morales
- Kimberly Osmani
- Angelica Ramirez
- Amanda Schwartz
- Jim Shriner
- Kareem Thompson (President Elect, ex officio)
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
Charge:
- Study the area of professional standards and their implication to CEC members and others involved in the education of children and youth with exceptionalities
- Advise the Board of Directors regarding CEC standards and related activities
- Develop guidelines and other materials to assist the field in meeting CEC professional standards
Members:
- Dee Berlinghoff (Chair)
- Tammy L. Barron
- Cody Burnham
- Toni M. Franklin
- Kevin Miller
- Maria B. Peterson-Ahmad
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
Committee Charge
Journals
- Recommend editorial policy of CEC’s two journals to the CEC Board of Directors
- Oversee journal editor selection (for approval by CEC Board of Directors)
- Provide feedback on annual reports of editors
- Provide general oversight and support for the editors
- Ensure the high quality of CEC journals as a trusted source of research findings that support and enhance advances in the field and facilitate putting research into practice
- Ensure equity in editor and reviewer selection, as well as in published authors
Publications and Products
- General oversight of books other publications published and sold by CEC
- Direct a regular needs assessment, market research and product evaluation to set publishing priorities
- Recommend strategies for solicitation, review, and approval of new publications, as well as ongoing review of current publications’ viability
- Monitor the relationships between CEC publications; specifically, potential issues of overlap, competition, and/or, redundancy
- Promote equity and engagement of diverse members in publications-related activities
- Incorporate input from subject matter experts as needed to ensure diversity of ideas and topics in publications
Members
- Brittany Hott, Co-Chair
- Victor Torres, III, Co-Chair
- Mildred Boveda
- Kimberly Buenger
- Kimberly Bunch-Crump
- Christopher Cormier
- Michael Kennedy
- L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan
- Katie Veneziale
- Meredith Walling
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
The Representative Assembly Committee advises the presiding officer of the Representative Assembly (the CEC President) on procedures, formats, and field-based issues for Assembly meeting discussions or online input opportunities. Other duties include approval of Assembly meeting minutes, conducting orientations and online discussions, and determining eligibility for courtesy resolutions.
- Jenn Katz-Borrin, Chair
- Kelly Carrero
- Anthony England
- Cheryl Wold
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
The Student and Early Career Committee advises the Board of Directors on ways to recruit, mentor, and support individuals entering the profession, especially those from diverse backgrounds, and enhance the experience of student and early-career CEC members. It also plans and conducts a Student and Early Career Special Educator Forum and/or other events relevant to students and early-career teachers at the annual CEC Convention & Expo, providing opportunities for student attendees to engage with CEC in order to improve their practice, network with peers, and maximize their experience.
- Lindsay Carlisle (Co-Chair and Student Representative to the Representative Assembly)
- Anna Malone (Co-Chair)
- Shasta Brooks
- Christina Fligner
- Jordan Lukins (Student Representative to the Representative Assembly)
- Ashley Virgin
View the Committee Job Description
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
The Yes I Can Committee publicizes the Yes I Can Awards to ensure outstanding entries; seeks and solicits nominations; evaluates the nominees for each category; select recipients; and periodically reviews award categories and criteria.
- Samantha Riggleman (Chair)
- Rita Brown
- Mariya Davis
- Helen Flores
- Aylssa Marcum
- Erika Pinter
- John Wright
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
