The University of Memphis Institute on Disability

Team Members

Research Team Faculty Director: Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist

Research Team Description:
Dr. Schiro-Geist's research team focuses on transition to work issues, animal-assisted therapy, and vocational issues for special populations.

Current Research Team Members:

J. Brian Smith, EdD, LBA, BCBA-D
Shondolyn Sanders
Ben Brett
Eric Suedmeyer
Sarah Hatcher

Graduate Assistants:
Jun Cai
Beth Harms
Jayasimha Tippireddy
Sushmitha Nandiki
Colin Smith
Joseph White
Katie Califano

Select Publications:
Martz, E., Schiro-Geist, C., Broadbent, E. D., & Crandall, L. A. (2010). Predicting employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities: Attitudes and perceived barriers to work. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 41(4), 36-41.

Kundu, M., Dutta, A., Schiro-Geist, C., & Crandall, L. (2003). Disability-Related Services: Needs and Satisfaction of Postsecondary Students. Rehabilitation Education, 17, 45-54.
Schiro-Geist, C., Cardador, M. & Broadbent, E. (2003). A tribute to Jack Duncan's contributions to rehabilitation policy, education and training. Rehabilitation Education, 17, 190-199.

Dutta, A., Schiro-Geist, C., Kundu M., & Broadbent, E. (2001). Status of women professionals in rehabilitation professionals in rehabilitation education. Journal of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, 9(4), 37-40.

Healy, M., Bruce, A., Crandall, L., Schiro-Geist, C., & Broadbent, E. (1999). The future of training: An international distance learning model for forensic vocational specialists. The Journal of Forensic Vocational Assessment, 3 (1), 20-32.

Williams, B., Schiro-Geist, C., & Garske, G. (1999). The financial costs of mental illness. Journal of Rehabilitation, 65(4), 39-44.

Select Conference Presentations:
Schiro-Geist, C. Suedmeyer, E., Hatcher, S., Sanders, S., & Williams, M., (2016). E-Learning Community for Transition from School to Work, Poster session at the European Distance and E-learning Network Conference, Budapest, HUN.

Williams, M., Suedmeyer, E., Sanders, S., Harris, M., & Schiro-Geist, C. (2016). Diversity and Sustainability in PSE. Presentation at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, GA.

Williams, M., Suedmeyer, E., Sanders, S., & Schiro-Geist, C. (2016). Sustainability for Career Development & Transition Programs. Presentation at the South East Post Secondary Education Alliance Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Harris, M. Casey, L., Hunter, W., Miller, N., Holmes, A., Suedmeyer, E., & Williams, M., (2015) Utilizing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in a Post-Secondary Education program for students with disabilities. Poster session presented at the meeting of Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Nashville, TN.

Schiro-Geist, C., Suedmeyer, E., Hatcher, S., Sanders, S., Harris, M., & Williams, M. (2015) Post-secondary transition. Poster session presented at the meeting of the European Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, Jerusalem, Israel

Hatcher, S., Suedmeyer, E., Sanders, S., Schiro-Geist, C., & Williams, M. (2015) User perceptions of a postsecondary education program for adults with developmental disabilities. Poster session presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ont

Suedmeyer, E., Hatcher, S., Sanders, S., Schiro-Geist, C., & Williams, M., (2015) Preliminary vocational outcomes of hybrid model mid-south PSE transition program. Poster session presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ont.