Developing Leaders in the Disability Field: Southern Miss Students Selected for LEND Program
Tue, 10/21/2025 - 01:17pm
The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, prepares graduate students, self-advocates, community members, and families to be leaders in the fields of disability education, research, advocacy, and policy. Currently, there are 60 LEND programs across the United States and its territories.
Four University of 麻豆传媒色情片 students have been welcomed as trainees for the 2025-26 program year. Requirements include 300+ hours of direct clinical or didactic training, a leadership project and a research project. The 2025鈥�26 Mississippi LEND trainees include:
- Camryn Thompson, a first-year Master of Social Work student from Hattiesburg, Miss 鈥淏ecause social work emphasizes a holistic view, I am excited to work with a multidisciplinary team. Collaborating with professionals from different fields will broaden my perspective and strengthen the skills I will bring to my career.鈥�
- Annie O鈥橰eilly, a first-year Master of Social Work student from Madison, Miss. 鈥淚 am excited to grow as a person and in my profession as a LEND Trainee by learning how to work on an interdisciplinary team and learning more about various professions and resources to help better meet clients' needs.鈥�
- Kaylee Lenoir, a first-year Master of Social Work student from Sumrall, Miss. "As a LEND trainee, I am super excited to partner with a diverse team of experts and advocates that share the same passion for enhancing the lives of individuals with neurodevelopment disabilities. Through LEND, I am looking forward to growing as a leader and gaining the necessary skills to better support these individuals."
- Sanjuana Maria Valtierra-Pettaway, a first-year Master of Social work student from Biloxi, Miss. 鈥淚 would like to foster the knowledge obtained through LEND to utilize in my future career as a LCSW as well as become an emerging leader, experience clinical practice, research, and understand neurodevelopmental disabilities in maternal and child health.
The Mississippi LEND program is offered through a partnership with the Arkansas LEND Program. For more information about the Southern Miss LEND program, email Dr. Jerry R. Alliston or call 601.266.5979.