Mary E. Morningstar, Ph.D.

Dr. Mary E. Morningstar is Associate Professor in Special Education at Portland State University and Co-Director of the Career and Community Studies program, a fully inclusive transition to postsecondary education for youth with intellectual disability. She direct the Transition Coalition, a national center offering online, hybrid and in-person professional development and resources for secondary special educators and transition practitioners. Dr. Morningstar’s research encompasses three inter-related areas: (a) college and career readiness for youth with disabilities, (b) teacher education and professional development, and (c) secondary inclusive school reform. She has recently authored a practitioner-friendly book, Your Complete Guide to Transition Planning and Services (2017), and has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles. Her digital and web-based professional development has extended for almost 15 years, through the Transition Coalition, www.transitioncoalition.org