Elizabeth Getzel

Oct. 12, 2021

Getzel to receive leadership award for her work to further inclusive higher education opportunities

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By Owen Wachter
School of Education

Elizabeth Evans Getzel, director of the VCU RRTC on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities and ACE-IT in College, will receive the 2021 Institute of Higher Education Leadership Award for her outstanding work to further inclusive higher education opportunities. She will be recognized on Nov. 8 at the State of the Art Conference on Inclusive Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual Disability.

The annual award is given to an administrator, program director, faculty or staff member within an institution of higher education who epitomizes leadership in the postsecondary education field. Getzel has extensive experience directing and conducting research and demonstration projects on supported education for college students with disabilities; transition of youth with disabilities to postsecondary education or employment; collaborative career planning for college students with disabilities; and postsecondary education supports for veterans with disabilities.

Getzel also serves on several journal review boards as a member or reviewer, and has published widely on transition, career development, postsecondary education and employment. She is co-editor of the book ”Going to College: Expanding Opportunities for People with Disabilities.” 

The VCU RRTC on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities and ACE-IT in College are part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, a center within the VCU School of Education. Transition RRTC generates evidence-based interventions to assist youth to enter competitive integrated employment. Six studies are being conducted to address a critical need for increased evidence-based research on practice and strategies for youth with disabilities, family members, school personnel, vocational rehabilitation counselors and other stakeholders. ACE-IT in College is an inclusive higher education program that provides academic and career preparation opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities.