Dr. Robert Flexer, Ph.D.
Professorrflexer@kent.edu
202/218 White Hall
Area: LDES - TLCS
I received my bachelors and masters degrees in Rehabilitation and Special Education from Pennsylvania State University. I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. In my early career, I worked as a special education teacher and rehabilitation counselor. My work experience after my doctorate included Project Director of Research and Training Center in Developmental Disabilities at Texas Tech University. My present work is in transition from school to community adult life and career development. I am currently a professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Foundations and Special Services where I have worked for the past 28 years. I have obtained funding from the U.S. Department of Education for development of personnel prep and model programs in Transition. In addition to my faculty responsibilities in the College of Education, I am also the Director of the Center for Innovation in Transition and Employment. Our Center currently holds 6 federally funded grants and 1 state grant. My Cooperative Transitional Services Program, a collaborative that uses the Kent State Campus for transition activities, received national recognition when it received an award by the National Transition Alliance for Youth with Disabilities as a "Promising Program."
Dr. Phillip Rumrill
Professorprumrill@kent.edu
413 White Hall
Area: LDES
I earned my bachelor's degree in Psychology at Keene State College in New Hampshire in 1989 and my master's degree in Counseling at Keene State in 1991. In 1993, I completed my doctorate in Rehabilitation at the University of Arkansas. My work experience in the field of rehabilitation includes substance abuse counseling, providing services to students with disabilities in higher education, and career counseling with people with adult-onset chronic illnesses. My professional and research interests include research design and methodology, workplace discrimination against people with disabilities, the career development implications of disability, disability issues in higher education, multiple sclerosis and other chronic illnesses, and self-advocacy strategies that implement the Americans with Disabilities Act. Here at Kent State University, I serve as Director of the Center for Disability Studies and teach courses including Seminar on Research in Disabilities, Psychosocial Impact of Disability, Internship, and Occupational Aspects of Disability.
Courtney Vierstra
Assistant Professorcvierstr@kent.edu
405 White Hall
Area: LDES
I earned my Ph.D. in Special Education with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Counseling from Kent State University in 2006. Prior to joining the Kent State Rehabilitation Counseling program, my professional background included direct service and managerial experience in working with people with developmental disabilities and traumatic injuries, job development and placement, case management, and vocational evaluation. My research interests include issues facing students with disabilities in higher education, emerging disabilities and rehabilitation implications, psychosocial and vocational implications of multiple chemical sensitivity, issues facing people with chronic illnesses, and disability legislation and policy.
