Faculty and Staff

The Center for Employment and Inclusion:

The Center for Employment and Inclusion is a project housed in the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice 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.

Current Projects and Trainings:
  • Basic ACRE Training
  • Workplace Supports Training
  • Customized Employment Training
  • School to Work Project
  • Community-Based Instruction Learning

Tim Riesen, PhD

Division Director of Research and Training

Dr. Riesen is the Division Director of Research and Training at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice and research associate professor with an appointment in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at Utah State University. Dr. Riesen has 30 years of experience working with people significant disabilities. He has worked for adult residential programs that support people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities, worked as a certified special educator serving 18-21-year-old students with disabilities, and has worked as a researcher and faculty member in institutes of higher education.

Tricia Jones-Parkin

Program Coordinator

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 the Training Coordinator for the Customized Employment Training and 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.

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.

Aubrey Snyder

Program Coordinator III

Aubrey graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. She is currently studying to obtain her Master of Science in Special Education at the University of Utah. Aubrey is a Sibling of a twin brother with disabilities and has been working professionally in various roles with people with disabilities for over six years. She is excited to continue her work at the Institute for Research, Policy, & Practice through research, training, and policy.

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.

Rachel Byers

Researcher

Rachel Byers graduated from Idaho State University in 2022 with a Master of Public Health and then obtained Certified Health Education Specialist credentials. She became passionate about human services provision and research throughout her undergraduate degree while working with children and youth with dual diagnoses. She worked in Pocatello, ID in management for a residential habilitation service provider, where her interest in IDD service provision and research piqued. She is passionate about health equity and quality health services provision. She currently works with the Customized Employment and Mental Health teams in the Research and Training division here at the IDRPP.

Katie Emmett

Training/Development Specialist

Katie graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She has worked professionally with people with disabilities for over seven years. Her experience includes roles in education, respite, day program services, and job coaching. She is excited to bring her experience to the Institute for Disability, Research, Policy, & Practice.