Key industry experts and collaborators representing employers, intermediaries, youth service agencies, schools, and community-based partners guide and validate every aspect of the Pathways program.
Advisory Committee
In developing the Pathways program, StudentUnion has asked key industry experts and collaborators to join our Advisory Committee for guidance and validation of industry systems and best practices.
| Name | Position | Organization |
|---|---|---|
Jeremy Greenfield | Vice President | JobsFirstNY — Education, Research & Evaluation |
Jessica Ellott | Director | TAP for Transition, Cornell University ILR School, Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability |
Julissa Figueroa | Youth Workforce Program Director | Children's Art Workshop |
Quemuel Arroyo | Chief Accessibility Officer | Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) |
Amanda Deebrah | WBL Coordinator & CTE Teacher | High School of Art & Design |
Colleen McDonald | Executive Director | EdHub / NYS Educator Workforce Development Hub / TEACHMEducation Services |
Jenni Mayberry | Special Education Department Chair | Community Health Academy of the Heights (CLOTH) |
Josh Cobb | Director, Employment Initiatives | Autism Speaks |
Leo Gordon | VP for Career and Technical Education High Schools | UFT — Technical Education High Schools |
Lillian Lai | Special Education Coordinator | Discovery High School |
Maria Blackburn | Deputy Director of Partnerships | Grant Associates |
Mohammed Hossain | Robotics / CTE Teacher | HS for Construction Trades, Engineering, and Architecture |
Patrick Bardsley | Co-Founder & CEO | Spectrum Designs |
Rachel Rippey-Cheun | Strategic Advisor | NYCPS Postsecondary Outcomes, Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (DIAL) |
Sha'Von Hodge-Walcott | Professional Development Trainer | Bronx Transition and College Access Center (TCAC) |
Brian Cohen | Executive Director | Beam Center |
Ellice Switzer | Senior Extension Associate, Program Director of Inclusive Workplaces | K. Lisa Yang & Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment & Disability, Cornell ILR |
Jane Heaphy | Deputy Executive Director for Programs | IncludeNY |
Jennyfer Gonzalez | GYO Program Manager | Kennedy Children's Center |
Letters of Commitment
The following agencies and organizations have committed to WBL placements or supports in the implementation of the Pathways program.
Collaboration Partners
Pathways has been developed with a broad network of ongoing collaborators spanning schools, agencies, CBO intermediaries, workforce systems, and employer partners.
Employer with WBL placements for youth with disabilities and neurodivergent youth; aligned with prior BCCO Screenprinting model.
Advisor and model for MTAC contracted residency, apprenticeships in design and fabrication, externships at IKEA and Brooklyn Children's Museum.
Internships and volunteer roles in children and adult services; model intermediary serving ~2,000 students annually; general and SPED students.
Advisory Committee partner; intermediary WBL provider increasing participation through in-school access; general and SPED students.
Provides wraparound supports and co-supervises apprenticeships and WBL in education, childcare, and STEAM.
Public school partner within the pathway ecosystem, supporting health and workforce pathways for SWD.
Career GPS sites delivering WBL, coaching, financial literacy, and employer placements across sectors.
Research and policy institute focused on disability employment and workforce inclusion. Advisory and technical assistance partner.
NYC agency overseeing youth workforce programs including SYEP and community-based services. Key funder and system partner.
Public school partner supporting career-connected learning pathways; Special Education Coordinator on Advisory Committee.
System-level guidance on inclusive learning, transition planning, and WBL integration for students with disabilities.
Advisory Committee and workforce intermediary; employer engagement, mentoring standards, and WBL coordination.
Public school partner with arts and design career pathways; WBL Coordinator on Advisory Committee.
Public school partner aligned to CTE and industry pathways; Robotics/CTE teacher on Advisory Committee.
Advocacy and support organization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Deputy Executive Director on Advisory Committee.
Paid internships in admin, therapy, and patient support; complex onboarding requirements; strong public-sector model for inclusive WBL.
Workforce intermediary; sector-based training and employer partnerships in healthcare, tech, and green economy. Advisory Committee partner.
Workforce development and education provider serving individuals with disabilities. GYO Program Manager on Advisory Committee.
Advisory partner; wraparound services, mentoring roles, and career prep for DHS students. WBL placement commitment.
Sponsorship of StudentUnion including curriculum, robotics, and STEAM programming. WBL placement commitment.
Public sector employer model with structured onboarding and large-scale workforce opportunities. Chief Accessibility Officer on Advisory Committee.
Leads career-connected learning and apprenticeship strategy for NYC public schools.
Pre-ETS engagement, paid student work roles, and transition planning. Provides job coaching, stipends, and counseling for SWD.
State vocational rehabilitation services supporting employment pathways for individuals with disabilities.
Advisory partner providing inclusive WBL and graphic arts pathway models for neurodivergent youth. Inclusive manufacturing apprenticeship partner.
Community-based organization delivering workforce and education programs including Career GPS. WBL placement commitment.
Teacher union-supported CTE high school network. Vice President for CTE High Schools on Advisory Committee.
Public school partner focused on arts and technology pathways within the Pathways school network.
Community-based centers offering comprehensive youth services; funded by Manhattan DA Community Justice Initiative Investments.