Ali Kowitz, M.Ed. accepted into the 2024 AUCD Leadership Academy
Ali Kowitz, M.Ed., Interim Director of the Human Development Center's Education, Transition, and Community initiatives, has been accepted into the 2024 AUCD Leadership Academy. The AUCD Leadership Academy is a week-long intensive experience, paired with a year of pre and post interactions designed to enhance the skills of current and emerging leaders from disability networks to build coalitions that improve systems of supports and services. The Leadership Academy engages participants from UCEDDs, LENDs, and the wider community of disability partners to come together to immerse themselves for a week of study, shared experiences, self-evaluation, and skill development. Learn more about the AUCD Leadership Academy by visiting their website here.
“I am excited to participate in the 2024 AUCD Leadership Academy because it will help me further develop as a leader, specifically through the lens of disability studies and how it intersects with human rights, civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion, among other areas. A goal of the LSUHSC Human Development Center's Education, Transition, and Community (ETC) Initiative is to continue to increase its reach across Louisiana to make as many positive impacts as possible with the families, students, schools, and communities we work with. As the interim director of the ETC Initiative, the AUCD Leadership Academy will further help me set goals, collaborate with, and network with likeminded peers in this field, which I am hopeful will lead to new ideas and supports that can further help our communities in Louisiana to meet the needs of all individuals.”
Ali is an advocate for inclusive practices and is passionate about working with schools to build inclusive and accessible environments for all learners. Before joining the Human Development Center (HDC), Ali was an Educational Therapist focused on helping children and adults with ADHD, learning disabilities, and executive functioning skills. She joined HDC in 2021 as a LASARD Facilitator, and is now the Director of the LASARD Project and the Interim Director of HDC's Education, Transition, and Community initiatives. Read Ali's full bio here.