She earned her Ph.D. from the Joint Program in Special Education at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) and San Francisco State University (SFSU). She completed her B.A. in Psychology at Le Moyne College and her M.S. in Cultural Foundations of Education with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Disability Studies from Syracuse University. Her dissertation work was supported through a number of competitive, merit-based scholarships at UCB and SFSU. Her work is focused at the nexus of interactional communication and Disability Studies in Education (DSE). Through the use of GoPro cameras, her dissertation work looks at the use of communication resources and the embodied experiences of disabled adults in a community-based transition program that supports participants from a trauma-informed and Neurodiversity lens. She finds inspiration in creative ways of thinking and engaging with complex communication and language use.
She currently works as the Co-Executive Director of the Federal Statistical Research Data Center and the Data Services Manager at Berkeley’s D-Lab. Renee continues her partnerships with Disability initiatives on UC Berkeley’s campus. She enjoys volunteering with SF CASA and listening to audiobooks during long walks and drives.
Neurodiversify works closely with families and community partners to improve the educational and social opportunities for all people. We believe in creatively leveraging partnerships to improve services, programs and our communities together.
Our Mission/vision is to support the self-determination of neurodiverse young people and adults.
