Monica Simonsen, Ph.D. 17 Maple Avenue Catonsville, MD 21228 msimonsen@ku.edu 443-629-3191 Education 2010 Ph. D. Special Education- University of Maryland; College Park, MD Dissertation: Predictors of Supported Employment Outcomes for Youth with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Advisor, Debra Neubert, Ph.D. 2001 M.Ed. Special Education- Secondary Transition- University of Maryland; College Park, MD Advisor: Sherril Moon, Ph.D. 2000 B.S. Special Education,University of Maryland; College Park, MD Professional Work Experience 2015- Present Director, Special Education Online Programs- University of Kansas 2014-2017 Transition Graduate Online Program Designer- University of Kansas 2011 2014 Adjunct Professor Special Education, University of Kansas 2010 2014 Senior Research Associate TransCen, Inc., Rockville, Maryland 2010 2014 Adjunct Professor Department of Special Education, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 2013-2014 Adjunct Professor- Department of Special Education, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts 2008 2010 Graduate Research Associate TransCen, Inc., Rockville, Maryland 2008 2010 Grant Coordinator/Field Placement Supervisor Secondary Special Education & Transition Master s Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 2004 2007 Adjunct Instructor Departments of Education and Continuing Education, Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville, Maryland 2001 2008 Special Education Teacher/Transition Specialist Baltimore County Public Schools, Maryland. 2002 2004 Curriculum Writing Baltimore County Public School System, Towson, Maryland 2000 2001 Graduate Assistant Special Education, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 1999 2000 Assessor Early Intervention for Children with Reading Problems; National Institutes of Health/National, Institute of Child Health and Human Development 1999 2000 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Special Education, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
1999 2000 Special Education Teacher Consolidated Summer School, Howard County, Maryland Selected Publications Peer Reviewed Journals Simonsen, M., Mazzotti, V., & Novak, J. (in press). Status of credentialing structures related to secondary transition: A state-level policy analysis. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals Simonsen, M. & Plotner, A. (under review). Funding patterns and perspectives on transition-related personnel preparation. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals Simonsen, M., Mazzotti, V., & Stuart, C. (in preparation). How compliance and accountability can drive transition practices for youth with disabilities (working title). Simonsen, M., Fabian, E. & Luecking, R. (2015). Employers preferences for hiring youth with disabilities, Journal of Rehabilitation, 10-19. Tilson, G. & Simonsen, M. (2013). The personnel factor: Exploring the personal attributes of highly successful employment specialists who work with transition-age youth. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 38(2), 125-137. doi:10.3233/jvr-130626 Simonsen, M. & Neubert, D. (2013). Transitioning youth with intellectual and other developmental disabilities: Predicting community employment outcomes. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. Doi: 10.1177/216543412469399. Moon, S., Simonsen, M. & Neubert, D. (2011). Perceptions of supported employment providers: What students with developmental disabilities, families, and educators need to know for transition planning education and training in developmental disabilities. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 46, 94-105. Book Chapters Simonsen, M.L., Mornignstar, M.E. & Xie, Jingrong (2016). Student engagement in online and distant learning. In Scott, L.A. & Thoma, C.A. (Eds.). Universal design for distance education: A guide for online course development. Morningstar, M. & Simonsen, M. (in press). Working with the community to promote interagency collaboration. In Morningstar, M.E. & Clavenna-Deane, E. (Eds.). Help! I m a Transition Coordinator, Now What Do I Do? Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes. Simonsen, M., Stuart, C., Luecking, R., & Certo, N. J. (2013). Collaboration among school and postschool agencies for seamless transition. In K. Storey & D. Hunter (Eds.), The road ahead: Transition to adult life for persons with disabilities (3rd edition). Washington, DC: IOS Press. Simonsen, M., Fabian, E. & Ethridge, G. (2013). Youth and Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities: Improving Career and Employment. In D. Strauser (Ed.), Career Development, Employment and Disability: From Theory to Practice. New York: Springer. Online Publications/Briefs
Fabian, E., Simonsen, M. & Luecking, R. (2012). Job developer types, placement practices and outcomes. Research Brief published at http://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/content/job_developer_types.pdf. Tilson, G. & Simonsen, M. (2012). The personnel factor: Exploring the personal attributes of highly successful employment specialists who work with transition-age youth. Research Brief published at: http://transitiontoemployment.org/files/publications/researchbriefs/cte_rb_1203.pdf Simonsen, M., Fabian, E., Buchanan, L. & Luecking, R. (2011). Strategies used by employment service providers in the job development process: Are they consistent with what employers want? Research Brief published at: http://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu Fabian, E., Simonsen, M., Buchanan, L. & Luecking, R. (2011). Attitudes and beliefs of job development professionals towards employers. Research Brief published at: http://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu Simonsen, M. (2011). Post-school outcomes for transitioning youth with developmental disabilities: Can we predict integrated employment? (2011). Research Brief published at http://transitiontoemployment.org/ Simonsen, M. (2010). Predictors of supported employment outcomes for transitioning youth with developmental disabilities (unpublished doctoral dissertation), University of Maryland: College Park, Maryland. (Available at http://hdl.handle.net/1903/11109) Simonsen, M. (2010). Research Brief: Predictors of supported employment outcomes for transitioning youth with developmental disabilities (Available at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/) Simonsen, M. (Ed.) (2010, March). Maryland Seamless Transition Coalition practice brief: Planning for after the funding life of grant: Sustaining systems change (Available on www.seamlesstransition.org). Simonsen, M. (Ed.) (2009, March). Maryland Seamless Transition Coalition practice brief: Creating opportunities for paid employment for students with disabilities through summer youth employment programs (Available on www.seamlesstransition.org). Simonsen, M. (Ed.) (2009, February). Maryland Seamless Transition Coalition practice brief: Implementing effective transition practices in the real world: Empowering youth to be selfdetermined. (Available on www.seamlesstransition.org). Selected Presentations International Simonsen, M. & Tilson, G. (August 2015). Promoting Inclusive Work through High Quality Job Development (working title). Conference sponsored by the Work Research Institute at Oslo and Akershus. Oslo, Norway (invited). National Simonsen, M., Unger, D., Razeghi, J. & Morningstar, M. (November 2017). Developing a national certification to enhance transition personnel preparation. Division on Career Development and Transition Annual Conference, Milwaukee, WI (competitively Novak, J. & Simonsen, M. (November 2017). Do states require direct-service transition professionals to have specialized knowledge and skills? Examining policy changes over time and future direction.
Division on Career Development and Transition Annual Conference, Milwaukee, WI (competitively Simonsen, M. & Stuart, C. (October 2016). Personnel preparation and teacher training: Competencies provide common ground. Division on Career Development and Transition Annual Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC (competitively Simonsen, M. (October 2016). The status of personnel preparation and certification in transition. Division on Career Development and Transition Annual Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC (competitively Simonsen, M. (June 2015). Rural Families Learn about Transition Early. Presentation to the National Family and Community Engagement Conference (competitively selected), Chicago, IL. Simonsen, M. & Stuart, C. (November 2014). Engaging Families in Rural Communities. Division of Career Development and Transition Annual Conference, Cleveland, OH. (competitively Morningstar, M. & Simonsen, M. (November 2014). Developing and Evaluating Culturally Responsive Family Transition Training. Division of Career Development and Transition Annual Conference, Cleveland, OH. (competitively Simonsen, M. & Crane, K. (May 2014). Work Begets Work: Making Integrated Employment a Reality. Annual Pacific Rim Conference. Honolulu, HI (competitively selected) Simonsen, M. & Neubert, D. (November 2013). What promotes Integrated Employment outcomes for youth with IDD? Division of Career Development and Transition Annual Conference. Williamsburg, VA (competitively selected) Simonsen, M. & Luecking, R. (November 2013). Implementing a Model of Seamless Transition. Division of Career Development and Transition Annual Conference. Williamsburg, VA. (competitively Simonsen, M. (November 2013). The Personnel Factor Traits of Effective Transition Specialists. Division of Career Development and Transition Annual Conference. Williamsburg, VA (competitively Simonsen, M. (June 2013). Are Effective Job Developers Born or Made? Annual Conference: Association for People for Supporting Employment First. Indianapolis, IN (competitively Tilson, G. & Simonsen, M. (May 2013). The Personnel Factor in Facilitating Work Experiences and Jobs for Transitioning Youth. Poster session at the annual Capacity Building Institute, Charlotte, NC (competitively Simonsen, M. (October 2011). Can we Predict Integrated Employment for Transitioning Youth with Developmental Disabilities? Poster session at the semiannual Council for Exceptional Children Division of Career Development and Transition Conference, Kansas City, MO (competitively Stuar, C., Deschamps, A. & Simonsen, M. (October 2011). Seamless Transition: A Closer Examination Across Three Disparate School Systems. Presentation at the semiannual Council for Exceptional Children Division of Career Development and Transition Conference, Kansas City, MO (competitively Simonsen, M. (July 2011). Can we Predict Integrated Employment for Transitioning Youth with Developmental Disabilities? Poster session at the annual Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Project Directors Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Simonsen, M. (September 2010). Predictors of Supported Employment for Transitioning Youth with Developmental Disabilities. Presentation at the annual Organizational Change Conference in Indianapolis, IN. Simonsen, M. (October 2009). Predictors of Supported Employment for Transitioning Youth with Developmental Disabilities. Poster session at the semiannual Council for Exceptional Children Division of Career Development and Transition Conference, Savannah, GA (competitively Martin-Luecking, D., Simonsen, M., Connolly, A. (October 2009). Collaborative Transition Leadership and System Improvements. Presentation at the semiannual Council for Exceptional Children Division of Career Development and Transition Conference, Savannah, GA (competitively Grigal, M., Dwyre, A., & Simonsen, M. (October 2009). The PERC Project: Strategies to Increase Paid Employment and College Course Access in College-based Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. Presentation at the semiannual Council for Exceptional Children Division of Career Development and Transition Conference, Savannah, GA (competitively Neubert, D., Moon, S., & Simonsen, M. (April 2009). Supported Employment and Adult Services: What Secondary Special Educators Need to Know. Poster session at the annual Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Seattle, WA (competitively Grigal, M. & Simonsen, M. (November 2007). Transition to College: Improving Options and Outcomes for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. Presentation at the Think College Symposium, Detroit, Michigan. Regional Local Simonsen (June 2015). Work as an Intervention and an Outcome. Presentation to the TASN Transition Summit (invited), Lawrence, KS. Simonsen, M. & Tilson, G. (June 2015). Blending Academics and Transition. Presentation to the TASN Transition Summit (invited), Lawrence, KS. Simonsen, M. (June 2015). Transition Planning- Not Just one more thing. Presentation to the Louisiana Transition Academy (invited), New Orleans, LA. Simonsen, M. (March 2015). Co-constructing the Transition IEP. Presentation to the Louisiana Transition Academy (invited), New Orleans, LA. Simonsen, M. (June 2014). Engaging Families in Rural Communities. Kansas Transition Coalition (invited), Lawrence, KS. Simonsen, M. (October 2013). Effective Job Development & Quality Work Experiences. Keynote at the Florida TPSID Conference. Boca Raton, FL. (competitively Simonsen, M. Work Begets Work. (October 2013). Florida TPSID Conference. Boca Raton, FL. (competitively Simonsen, M. (June 2013). Developing Quality Work Experiences for Youth with Disabilities. Keynote at the Annual Iowa Secondary Transition Institute. Ames, Iowa. (competitively Simonsen, M. (June 2013). A Recipe for Meaningful Transition Services. Annual Iowa Secondary Transition Institute. Ames, Iowa (competitively
Simonsen, M. & Stuart, C. (November 2012). Dancing with the Stars by Reaching for the Moon: Setting High Expectations for Youth. Keynote presentation at the annual Maryland Transition Conferences (invited), Bowie, MD. Simonsen, M. & Stuart, C. (November 2012). Advocacy Strategies for Transition Age Youth. Presentation at the annual Maryland Transition Conference, Bowie, MD. Fabian, E., Simonsen, M. & Buchanan, L. (October 2011). Improving your Job Development Game Playing it like an Expert Session. Presentation at the annual Maryland Rehabilitation Association conference, Ocean City, MD. Simonsen, M. (February 2008). Job Development, Assessment, and Transition Planning. Professional Development Presentation to Howard County special educators, Columbia, Maryland. Neubert, D., Moon, S., & Simonsen, M. (November 2007). Supported Employment and Adult Services: What Secondary Special Educators Need to Know. Presentation at the annual Maryland State Transition Conference, Baltimore, MD (competitively Simonsen, M. (November 2006). Family Agency Meet and Greet, a Model for Secondary Transition. Presentation at the annual Maryland State Transition Conference, Baltimore, MD (competitively Simonsen, M. (May 2005). DisAbilities on Campus. Presentation at the annual CCBC Faculty Conference, Baltimore, MD (competitively Service 2017- Present Member, University Senate Academic Procedures & Policies Committee, University of Kansas 2016- Present Member, School of Education Diversity of Equity Curriculum Workshop, University of Kansas 2016- Present Member, University Online Workgroup, The Department of Special Education, University of Kansas 2015- Present Member, Peronnel Preparation Committee, The Department of Special Education, University of Kansas 2015- Present Member, Chairs Advisory Committee, The Department of Special Education, University of Kansas 2014- Present Member, Research Committee, The Council for Exceptional Children & Division on Career Development and Transition (Council for Exceptional Children) 2013- Present Reviewer, Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (JVR) 2009 Present Member Transitioning Youth Workgroup, Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Employment First Advisory Committee 2000 Present Member The Council for Exceptional Children & Division on Career Development and Transition (Council for Exceptional Children) 2012 2014 Chair, Research, Evaluation & Dissemination Committee TransCen, Inc. 2012 2014 Member, Leadership Team TransCen, Inc. 2008 2009 Member External Review Committee Meeting, Department of Special Education, University of Maryland
2004 2008 Member Student and Community Affairs Committee, Community College of Baltimore County 1999 2000 President Student Chapter, University of Maryland at College Park, Council for Exceptional Children Selected Awards and Honors 2011 Patricia Sitlington Emerging Researcher Award (Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Career Development & Transition) 2009 Jacob K. Goldhaber Award, University of Maryland 2009 University of Maryland College of Education SPARC award 2008 Preparation of Secondary and Transition Leadership Personnel Fellowship, University of Maryland 2008 University of Maryland Graduate Student Summer Fellowship 2007 Morris Frankel Memorial Scholarship recipient 2005 National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), Exceptional Needs; National Board Professional Teaching Standards