Speakers Dr. NICOLE JOHNSON ’05 is a professor of special education in the visual impairment program and has taught at KU for 13 years. Her areas of research include utilizing wait time for students with disabilities, teaching strategies for students with low incidence disabilities and Braille reading rates. Johnson has presented at state, national and international levels on sensory impairments and has served as president of the National Council of Exceptional Children Division on Visual Impairment and Deaf-Blindness. Prior to teaching at KU, she taught students with visual impairments and cognitive disabilities as a teacher of the visually impaired and orientation and mobility specialist in school districts in Pennsylvania and Texas. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in education from KU, followed by a Master of Education in special education/orientation and mobility, and an Educational Doctorate in Special Education with an emphasis in dual sensory impairments from Texas Tech University. MELANIE R. McHUGH of East Greenville, Pa., graduates magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and minors in communication studies and women and gender studies. McHugh is a registered behavior technician and direct therapist at Preparing Individuals Today for Tomorrow, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She conducts one-on-one therapy sessions to promote positive behavior changes, facilitates skill development and implements treatment plans for clients. Last spring, McHugh interned at Precipice Healing and Insight as a clinical psychology intern, collaborating with licensed professional counselor Letecia Garcia to gain insight into telehealth private practice. Through this experience, she developed an understanding of various therapeutic theories, including astrological counseling and somatic therapy, to expand her skill set in mental health practices. Engaging with a diverse range of client stories, she broadened her knowledge of human experiences. At KU, McHugh worked as a peer tutor for biology and child psychology courses. She is a member of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Additionally, she serves on the Student Government Board and as a Presidential Ambassador. After graduation, McHugh will return to KU to pursue her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, with the goal of becoming a licensed professional counselor. She also will be working as a graduate assistant in the Career Development Center. McHugh aspires to one day own and operate a successful private practice focused on holistic, client-centered mental health care.
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