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You (BLNs) are leading the way, and that is exactly what we need to build a vibrant, productive, and inclusive workforce for the 21st century
- Elaine S. Chao,
Secretary,
US Department of Labor
Building the New Workforce to look like America creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities and makes our nation stronger. I commend the work the USBLN® and its partners are doing to prepare our country’s future workforce.”
- Karen M. Czarnecki, J.D.
Acting Assistant Secretary for
Disability Employment Policy
Once an overlooked talent pool, people with disabilities are contributing to the American economy in ways never imagined . . .
- Thomas J. Donohue
President & CEO
US Chamber of Commerce
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Student Advisors
Phillip Barr; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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Phillip Barr is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree in Biochemistry/Cellular Molecular Biology at the University of Tennessee. During the Fall 2006 semester, he participated in The Washington Center's Public Service Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities, where he served as an intern for the VA Medical Center in the area of lipid research, more specifically, the trafficking of lipids by the liver. Additionally, he participated in workshops involving individual leadership roles in the disability community and public policy making with the disability community in mind. Lastly, while in Washington, Phillip also completed a course on scientific policy dilemmas presented by The Washington Center and Marymount University. Phillip completed his first undergraduate degree, BA in Anthropology, at the University of Tennessee, in December of 1993. During this time he also received a reserve officer commission in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant through the ROTC program at the University of Tennessee and served as a platoon leader in the Tennessee Army National Guard from June of 1990 through May of 1998.
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William D. Clark; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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Living with a disability has not held me back in any way at all. Quite to the contrary, this experience has empowered me beyond belief. I consider my situation and past illness a tiny speed bump in this great journey that is my life. I loved my previous career choice and have no regrets with any of the paths it has taken me down. That part of my life is over and I am ready to start a new path and a new career.
In the five years that I have been recovering I have found a new appreciation for my life. I have also gained a new appreciation for the great minds that have come before me. I spent a lot of time reading while I was incapacitated. Following the words Einstein, Machiavelli, and Sun Tzu, I have orchestrated a new plan of attack for my future. With their help I have set great goals for myself and have already achieved some of them. In his book Out of My Later Years, Albert Einstein wrote some words that have helped to put my situation into perspective for me; “The bitter and the sweet come from the outside, the hard from within, from one’s own efforts.”
It is true that I now experience some physical limitations. It is also true that when a person loses one of their senses their other senses sharpen to compensate for the loss. I feel as if my mind has sharpened to compensate for my lack of physical abilities. In the time I was initially recovering, I finished an Associates of Science degree in Business Administration. I have returned to college after over ten years away from school and I am doing exceptionally well. This semester I expect to achieve a 4.0 while taking classes in Marketing, Fine Arts, and Management Information Systems. My focus and determination is the highest it’s ever been. My education is my number one priority and my future in the business world looks very bright from my standpoint. I will prove to be an extremely valuable asset to my future employer.
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Craig H. Harris; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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Craig H. Harris is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, in Human Resources with an emphasis on the inclusion of persons with disabilities into the marketplace via diversity training. He most recently participated in the Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Conference (COSD) & American Council for the Blind Convention (ACB). He was a mentee in the first official year of Medtronic ABLED Mentoring, (Awareness Benefiting Leadership about Employees with Disabilities). Whereby, he was a student representative to the USBLN / MN, October/2006, and engaged, as a presenter, in a panel discussion on the benefit of mentoring. Through this endeavor he met a hero of his in Mr. Earl Bakken, Cofounder of Medtronic, and began volunteering at The Bakken Museum where he was asked to speak at their annual Ask Event and featured in The Bakken Museum’s Fall Guide.
His undergraduate work was completed at Oakland University, in Human Resources, where he received a University major award which commended four students out of a fifteen thousand student body and honored progress for diversity inclusion into the university community. During which time he also represented the Michigan Collegian Coalition and testified at a United States Senate Hearing and received a State commendation among other awards and certificates of appreciation.
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Soo Lee; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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I’m a second-semester junior at George Washington University, majoring in international affairs with a concentration in international development studies. When not finishing my piles of reading assignments (or procrastinating), I work part-time at The Population Research Bureau—a non-profit research group focusing on demography—on a newsletter called New and Noteworthy on Nutrition. I also spend some time trying to organize an advocacy group for people with disabilities at GW and offering advice to freshmen in our Women in Leadership and Power program, of which I’m an alumna. Any time that’s remaining over the course of my usual week is spent in the pool, or daydreaming about the next time I can go scuba diving and/or rack up more frequent flier miles.
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Kristin Long; USBLN Student Advisory Council
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Kristin Long was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ms. Long attended Hollins College (now Hollins University), a small women’s liberal arts college in Roanoke, Virginia, where she majored in French with a minor in dance. During Ms. Long’s time at Hollins, she studied in Paris, France, for three consecutive semesters and was a member of the Hollins Repertory Dance Company. While in France Ms. Long received a two-year diploma from the University of the Sorbonne Paris IV., one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Ms. Long graduated from Hollins with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 and Phi Beta Kappa. Ms. Long’s efforts earned her the honor of being class valedictorian.
Upon completing her studies at Hollins, Ms. Long spent the next two years in Paris, France, as a conversational English assistant at l’Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles, a well-known school for the blind and visually impaired and continued to take various classes at the Sorbonne. Ms. Long also interned with a small dance theatre company in Paris, which she obtained in 2002 through the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York. Ms. Long’s passion for the French language and culture led her to serve as a translator for two faculty members of the Paris Opera Ballet School during the International Dance festival of Vail, Colorado. This experience is one of the highlights of Ms. Long’s career to date.
Ms. Long recently completed a work assignment as an instructional aide at a high school in Eugene, Oregon. Ms. Long adores children and the arts. Ms. Long studies ballet and tap on a regular basis. Ms. Long also loves to write poetry, read, and take long walks. Ms. Long hopes to pursue a career in the arts or in an international setting.
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Zakiya O. Mabery; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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Zakiya was born in Killeen Texas while her military father, mother and brother lived at Ft. Hood, TX. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Germany. The Maberys lived and traveled throughout Europe most of her elementary and middle school years. Zakiya contributes this upbringing to her appreciation of various cultures and art. Her family moved back the States when Zakiya was in 9th grade where she attended Warwick High School and Menchville High School in Newport News, VA. Zakiya wrote for her high school newspaper and worked for the Newport News Public School TV Station as a reporter, anchor and producer. Despite being diagnosed with a form of depression, having been placed in the Special Education Program and many other struggles, (at one point Zakiya had a teacher to tell her that he doubted she would be successful at her goals; and her guidance counselor did not know how to fill out the SAT forms for a student with a disability, stating “she had never had a student in special education to attend college”); use to these type of challenges, Zakiya’s mother went to the school and assisted). In spite of these challenges, Zakiya was graduated from high school along with her peers; and, was accepted into college. At Virginia State University (VSU), she majored in Mass Communications, worked for the University radio station, and developed skills as photographer. Zakiya also joined ROTC at VSU where the concept “you can not be a good leader, without being a good follower” was instilled in her. After her 3rd year was completed at VSU, she took time off from her studies. It was just about this time that Zakiya’s parents moved to Northern Virginia where she soon followed. Her brother, his military wife and their daughter were also in Northern Virginia at the time. Employed at the Pentagon during the September 11th terrorist attack, her brother survived the attack and Zakiya credits that experience as a “true wake up call” for her. Putting things in perspective, Zakiya began to realize life was too short; people should work hard towards their desired goals. While a substitute teacher at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA, she registered for courses with Park University on Ft Myer Army Post, to finish her degree; at this time she changed her major to Psychology. Working with high school students was an exceptionally rewarding experience for Zakiya. The more challenging the student, the more she worked to assist that student. Admittedly, some students reminded Zakiya of herself when she was in high school. After many more challenges, near death experiences and several opportunities delayed, Zakiya completed her Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Park University, Ft. Myer Campus and is now completing her Master Degree in Organizational Management from Capella University. Zakiya is an Emerging Leaders Intern at Booz Allen Hamilton and aspires to have a full time position in which she aids in educating employers about persons with disabilities, and concentrating on organizational change. Additionally, she plans to be a motivational speaker focusing on persons with disabilities in the work place. Zakiya is working on her autobiography; and she credits being where she is today to her faith and her parents, who have always supported her.
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William Pariseau; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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I am a senior at the University of Minnesota studying Material Science and Engineering; I will be graduating in December. I was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from White Bear Lake high school in 2000. For the past three summers I have been involved with Medtronic Inc. in a variety of aspects. My first experience with Medtronic was a student/employer mentoring program that helped students with disabilities connect with individuals in industry to explore the business atmosphere. This program was a great way to develop business relationships and prepare me for the transition to the business world. After the completion of the mentoring program, I applied for and was awarded two consecutive summer internships. The first opportunity was part-time and the second was a full-time position which I just completed at the end of August. After graduation I plan on exploring my options as a full-time employee in industry
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Lacy Pittman; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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Originally from Memphis, TN, My name is Lacy Pittman. Currently, I am a Senior at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville majoring in Marketing with a concentration in International Business. At school, I am involved in several extra-curricular activities: Chi Omega Sorority which I am currently the suite manager, Student Alumni Association, Panhellenic Judicial Board, Greek Unity Council, and American Marketing Association. This past summer, I completed a 10-week long internship with the United States Department of Agriculture in the Foreign Agriculture Service as an Agricultural Marketing Assistant through the Workforce Recruitment Program. During this internship, my duties included the assembly, analyzing, and interpretation of data for reports, proposals, and plans used by Attaches, Senior Management, and FAS staff. This was a great experience where I learned valuable skills such as learning how to write briefs and proposals. Additionally, I enjoy the outdoors, tennis, baseball, socializing, and traveling.
Disability-Careers Office Promotes Internships—
Student Lacy Pittman shares her summer experience
CLICK HERE to read more
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Chris Schlechty; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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I am a senior at the University of Washington majoring in computer science. I have an older brother, Ben, and a younger sister, Rachel. My family is originally from the Midwest where I was born, but I now consider Seattle home. I have a type of muscular dystrophy which is a genetic disease that weakens muscles, and I now use a power wheelchair. My main accommodation for work is an adjustable work station and adapted equipment, but I have also used voice recognition in the past. During high school I became involved with the DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) Program which emphasizes the use of assistive technologies to prepare youth youths with disabilities for higher education and STEM careers. As part of the DO-IT program, I have participated in a number of video conferences with educators in Japan and I have also lectured during the DO-IT Japan program. I have had a number of different internship experiences which vary from government agencies to large software corporations. In 2004, I had a high school internship with Microsoft which was my first real work experience. After that I had worked in the human resources department of a telephone company’s call center. In 2006, I was selected as an AAPD Federal I.T. intern, and I worked within the Department of Commerce. This summer, I was back working with Microsoft on the SharePoint team.
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Aaron Zubler; USBLN Student Advisory Council Member
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A native of the Midwest, I was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. After graduating from high school in 1999, I attended Valparaiso University for one academic year. While at Valparaiso, I participated in collegiate athletics as a middle linebacker on the Valparaiso football team. It was there that I first began courses in philosophy—a subject of particular importance in my intellectual development. I then spent my remaining undergraduate years at Indiana University, where I majored in philosophy and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.
After graduating from Indiana University in 2003, I moved to Chicago and began working as an AmeriCorps volunteer and full-time instructor in the Chicago Public School system. My time as an AmeriCorps volunteer solidified my commitment to public service. However, it was this experience that revealed to me the limits of public service without the ability to shape public policy.
In the fall of 2004, I enrolled in law school at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana with the aim of garnering the credentials and expertise necessary to shape—and not merely implement—public policy initiatives. Law school has been a rigorous and, at times, exhausting experience. I have spent my past three summers working in public service-oriented internships—all of which have been rewarding in multiple ways. In the summer of 2006, I began work on a second graduate degree—a Master of Science in International Development with Tulane’s Payson Center. I will graduate from Tulane this December with a Juris Doctor and Master of Science—and look forward to beginning a career dedicated to public service.
Of course, any biography, however brief, about a New Orleans resident will inevitably have to address the impact of Hurricane Katrina. While the New Orleans landscape remains unalterably changed, my life has remained remarkably stable. That being said, my Katrina-related experiences over the past two years have impacted me in ways that cannot be easily summarized. However, I believe that it was an event that will color my worldview for the conceivable future.
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