1. Establishing a National Community of Learners: How the NLCSD Model has Supported Doctoral Candidates Through Collaboration, Networking and Enrichment Brooke Smith, Ph.D., COMS, Salus University Heather Hayes, Washington University in St. Louis Chris Brum, Boston College Rebecca Sheffield, Texas Tech University Arlene Stredler-Brown, University of Northern Colorado OSEP Project Directors’ Meeting Washington, D.C. July 23, 2014 The contents of this publication were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H325V090001. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government Project Officer, Glinda Hill.

2. To increase the number and quality of leadership personnel competent in the areas of higher education and research to improve educational and support services for all individuals with sensory disabilities through specialized doctoral training. NLCSD Mission

3. NLCSD History Expansion of National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) started 2005. NLCSD Began 1/2010 Salus University is the coordinating center and fiscal agent.

4. NLCSD Community 23 Universities with doctoral programs in DB, DHH, BVI (18 have Fellows) 27 Fellows in 2 cohorts (4 DB, 11 DHH, 12 BVI) 24 Public Advisory Council members (advocacy, policy, parent & education groups) 4 Leadership Team members o Audrey Smith, BVI o Brooke Smith, BVI o John Killoran, DB o Heather Hayes, DHH OSEP Officer is Ms. Glinda Hill

5. NLCSD Collaborative Model Fellows OSEP Salus University Consortium Public Advisory Council

6. Project Objectives 1. Produce doctoral leaders in D/HH, DB, B/VI 27 doctoral leaders 2. Create a working Consortium to design and implement a national, doctoral-level, leadership preparation program focusing on sensory disabilities 1. Develop and implement a Research-Based Enrichment Program 2. Create an inclusive Community of Learners!

7. Projected Outcomes The quality and quantity of leadership will be greatly augmented Research till inform practice in relation to teacher preparation Enhanced academic performance of students. Program focus is low incidence sensory disabilities. Target population is children who are: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Blind and Visually Impaired Deaf Blind

8. Opportunities for Interactions PAC Fellow-to-Fellow Fellow-to-Faculty Faculty-to-Faculty

9. Enrichment Program Focus on research and leadership in sensory disabilities Year 1: Research in Low Incidence Populations Year 2: Development of a Research Topic Year 3: Grant Writing Year 4: The Professoriate 9

10. Fellows’ Perspectives Collaboration Teaching & Learning Professional Communities 10

11. Questions for Discussion 1. What types of activities can leverage networking and facilitate collaboration? 2. How does this project differ from your existing leadership program? 3. What “lessons learned” from NLCSD can be used in your program?