The Center for Employment and Inclusion is a project housed in the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University. The Center provides training and technical assistance on topics related to promoting competitive integrated employment and meaningful inclusion in all aspects of a community. Our current projects include:
Faculty and Staff
The Center for Employment and Inclusion:
Target Audience
- Basic ACRE Training
- Workplace Supports Training
- School to Work Project
Tim Riesen, PhD.
Research Associate Professor
Tim is a research associate professor with a joint appointment in the Center for Persons with Disabilities and the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation. Tim's research focuses on promoting positive employment outcomes for individuals with significant disabilities. He has published articles on customized employment, transition to employment, inclusive education, systematic instruction, and alternatives to guardianship. His the co-author of a book on transition, has written book chapters on improving employment and independent living, job coaching, embedded instruction, and research design.
Tricia Jones-Parkin
Program Coordinator - School to Work Project
Tricia has over 20-years of experience working with people with disabilities. In 2011, Tricia collaborated to craft the Employment First Language for Utah and has focused on capacity building and systems change efforts to increase the number of people employed and included in their local communities. Tricia is also the project director for Utah's School to Work Inter-agency Transition Initiative funded by the Administration for the Employment Systems Change grant. She is the co-state lead for Utah's partnership with the Office of Disability Policy's Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program. Tricia was the recipient of the National Association of Persons Supporting Employment First (APSE) Dave Hammis Award.
Corban Remund, M.Ed
Program Coordinator - ACRE Training
Corban is the project coordinator and lead trainer for the Basic ACRE certification. He has a Masters in Educational Psychology. He has been conducting a variety of trainings for local community rehabilitation providers for over five years.
Aubrey Snyder
Training/Development Specialist
Aubrey graduated from Utah State University with an undergraduate degree in political science with a minor in sociology. Aubrey is a Sibling and has been working in various roles with people with disabilities for over six years. She is excited to continue her work at Utah State University in a variety of roles.
Hillary Hase
Training/Development Specialist - Workplace Supports Training
Hillary graduated from the University of Utah with an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science, Family Studies, and Education and a minor in Disability Studies. Hillary has over seven years of experience working in Social Services providing assistance to a wide range of vulnerable populations including at-risk youth, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals transitioning out of homelessness. She most recently worked at the downtown shelter for the Road Home, as their first Employment Specialist in a new pilot program. During her time there she also helped contribute to the "Dignity of Work" program and is a member of the Coalition to End Homelessness. Hillary has a strong background in vocational-related services and is excited to be the new Workplace Supports Coordinator.
Kelie Hess
Program Manager - School to Work Project
Kelie Hess has been working with people with disabilities for 14 years. She is currently serving as the Program Manager for the Utah School to Work Project, a statewide system change initiative. This initiative focuses on cross-system collaboration for improving competitive, integrated employment outcomes for transition age youth with high support needs. She is excited to continue this work at the Center for Persons with Disabilities.
