PI Highlight
Dr. Caren Sax, professor and chair of SDSU’s Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, & Postsecondary Education (ARPE), teaches in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program and the Independent Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, Community College Leadership Concentration Program. Her entire career has been focused on providing access and opportunities for persons with disabilities and non-traditional learners.
In addition to her department responsibilities, Dr. Sax co-directs the Interwork Institute with Dr. Fred McFarlane. The Interwork Institute is the organizational structure for extramural funding awarded to ARPE faculty and project staff. Interwork faculty and staff administer projects related to diversity, assistive technology, transition and supported employment, leadership, rehabilitation administration, psychiatric rehabilitation, cognitive disabilities, and access to postsecondary education.These additional activities and resources build on faculty expertise, enhance curriculum, and most importantly, offer students authentic experiences for applying theory to practice.
Dr. Sax has expanded her strategies for interagency collaboration with colleagues in other countries. In addition to sharing expertise in the use of interdisciplinary teams related to assistive technology acquisition, she has conducted training, presented at international conferences, and written books and articles about interagency collaboration and systems change efforts required for quality outcomes for youth with disabilities as they transition from the K-12 system to adulthood. She has worked in Ireland, Thailand, China, Netherlands, the Caribbean, and in Pacific Island nations. As a result of some of these relationships, Dr. Sax has negotiated internships for graduate students.
Dr. Sax’s work is supported by national, county, state,and private sponsors including: the Administration for Children and Families; Rehabilitation Services Administration; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; the California Departments of Health Services, Education, Developmental Services and Rehabilitation; San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency; San Diego County Office of Education; Rady Children’s Hospital; Down Syndrome Association; Poway Unified School District; Palomar Pomerado Health; American Samoa Government Department of Education; and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.
To learn more about the important work accomplished by Dr. Sax, ARPE, and Interwork faculty and staff, please visit this website: http://www.interwork.sdsu.edu/ or email Dr. Sax at: csax@mail.sdsu.edu.