The Governing Board of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) announces Dr. Lisa Hickman as Executive Director
The Governing Board of the OCECD is very pleased to announce Dr. Lisa Hickman as the new Executive Director as of August 19, 2019. Dr. Hickman graduated from Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1999. She then went on to earn two advanced degrees from The Ohio State University, which were a Master of Arts in Sociology in 2001, and a Doctorate in Sociology in 2006. Her career path has provided her with leadership skills, as well as experience in public policy. She has a strong understanding of Ohio’s political environment, grant writing, project oversight, budget management, data collection, reporting, presentations, staff development and supervision. Dr. Hickman has worked with elected and appointed officials, attorneys, law enforcement, and state criminal justice agencies. Additionally, Lisa was an Area Director for Special Olympics Michigan, implementing and directing all operations.
During the period from 2007 to present, Dr. Hickman has been a member and involved with non-profit groups and organizations, such as the North Central Sociological Association and the Michigan Sociological Association. She also has volunteered for non-profit organizations, including Area 11 (Kent and Barry Counties) Special Olympics Michigan, Girls on the Run of Ottawa and Allegan Counties, and Ronald McDonald House of West Michigan. Dr. Hickman has received an award for service to a professional nonprofit organization. She also has experience with creative fundraising, as well as community outreach.
Dr. Hickman’s leadership role as Executive Director will continue the mission of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD), which is to endorse and promote efforts to provide appropriate quality education for children and youth with disabilities. We do so in the belief that all children have a right to a meaningful and relevant education. This belief affirms the dignity of each child or youth with disabilities, whose needs are unique, and whose needs must be met equally and appropriately. OCECD is dedicated to ensuring that every child with disabilities is provided a free, appropriate public education. We will continuously strive to improve the quality of our services for all children and youth with disabilities in Ohio.