Jamie Ray-Leonetti has been named executive director of the Institute on Disabilities (IOD) within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University.
Ray-Leonetti, who has served as associate director of policy for the IOD since 2018, will step into her new role on November 2.
Ray-Leonetti, who holds a JD from Temple’s Beasley School of Law, brings over twenty years of experience advocating for individuals with disabilities across Pennsylvania. Before joining the IOD, she worked at the Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program and Disability Rights Pennsylvania, as well as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her selection comes at the end of an extensive national search process that brought multiple qualified candidates to the IOD.
“Jamie has been a tireless champion for people with disabilities, and her policy leadership has shaped the IOD’s impact across the Commonwealth,” said Dean Monika Williams Shealey. “Her service on the interim leadership team showed us what she brings to this role: deep commitment to the Institute’s mission, steady judgment and the trust of her colleagues. Jamie is exceptionally prepared to lead the IOD into its next exciting chapter, and we look forward to the innovative and collaborative developments ahead.”
Ray-Leonetti is excited to continue and expand the work of the IOD.
“I am excited to listen and lead with purpose as we train the next generation of diverse leaders,” Ray-Leonetti said. “I look forward to hearing from individuals with disabilities and families across the Commonwealth; collaborating with community partners; engaging with faculty, students and staff in CEHD and the larger Temple community; and supporting IOD staff to ensure that disability is recognized as part of our natural human experience.”
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The Institute on Disabilities is Pennsylvania’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) at Temple University. It includes TechOWL, which is Pennsylvania’s designated Assistive Technology Act program. For questions about the IOD’s resources and programs, please email iod@temple.edu.