Who are we?

Audrey A. Trainor is a professor of special education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at New York University. She studies the transition from high school to adulthood. She is interested in how young adults gain access to meaningful learning opportunities> She is also interested in how these opportunities help people reach their goals. As a researcher, she uses qualitative methods such as interviewing. She also studies transition from a critical perspective to better understand how people with disabilities, immigrants, and those experiencing poverty can have a fair shot at achieving their dreams. Before being a professor, Audrey was a special education high school teacher for nearly a decade. Here is Audrey’s CV/resumé: Google Drive

Lynn Newman, Ed.D., Senior Education Researcher in SRI International’s Center for Learning and Development, has more than 30 years of experience in education and social science research focused on the secondary school, transition, and postsecondary school experiences of youth with disabilities. As principal investigator of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012), Phase II, Dr. Newman provides intellectual direction on this large-scale study of the experiences and outcomes of a nationally representative sample of youth with disabilities. Dr. Newman has served as a principal analyst on several other large-scale studies, including the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), as well as a portfolio of grants focused on identifying factors associated with positive outcomes for youth with disabilities. Dr. Newman’s research is particularly focused on families’ involvement in their children’s education, as well as on better understanding the types of supports and experiences that may positively impact postsecondary education enrollment and completion. Dr. Newman has made significant contributions to important policy issues in special education, having written numerous reports and papers for a range of audiences, on the experiences and outcomes of students and youth with disabilities. She also is a frequent presenter at national professional conferences and is on the board of national organizations focused on the transition of students with disabilities.

Lindsay Romano is a student in Special Education at NYU.  Lindsay previously worked as a high school special education teacher in NYC. Her research interests include postsecondary transitions for students with disabilities, growth mindset interventions for students with disabilities, and mindfulness and special education. Lindsay is originally from Delaware and graduated from the University of Delaware with a BA in International Relations/Political Science prior to attending Hunter College for her MS in Education.She enjoys spending time with her family, running and exercising outdoors, and doing yoga in her free time. Here is Lindsay’s CV/resumé: Google Drive