Oklahoma State University: Emily Tucker To Lead Opportunity Orange Scholars

Press release from Oklahoma State University:

2022-01-28

Emily Tucker has been named the director for Opportunity Orange Scholars, a new postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disability
at Oklahoma State University.

Tucker, who was selected following a national search, also will serve as assistant
professor of professional practice in the Department of Human Development and Family
Science. She will officially begin her appointment in June.

Tucker brings an extensive record of scholarship and engagement with individuals with
disability and with their families. She is currently an assistant researcher at the
Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities, where her project work focuses
on self-determination for people with disability across the life course. She is slated
to complete her doctorate in Medical Family Therapy from East Carolina University
in May.

Tucker earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science (2016)
and followed with a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science, specialization
in marriage and family therapy, as well as an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Studies Graduate Certificate (2019), all from OSU.

“I am thrilled to be coming back to Oklahoma State to work with Opportunity Orange
Scholars,” Tucker said. “This program has been a long time coming, and it is so exciting
to see all of the support from across the university as well as community partners
across the state. I truly cannot think of a better job than one where I get to spend
my time fostering inclusion and belonging for the next generation of Cowboys.”

Dr. Jennifer Jones and Dr. Kami Gallus lead the Institute for Developmental Disabilities
at OSU. While a student, Tucker worked closely with Jones and Gallus on engagement
and research work with individuals who have developmental disability and their families.
She was a founding member of a universitywide student organization focused on providing
inclusive opportunities for adults with intellectual disability and OSU students on
the Stillwater campus. Tucker was also a long-term research assistant for numerous
projects, including Oklahoma National Core Indicators and Let’s Take a Walk.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Emily back home to the Department of Human Development
and Family Science at OSU,” Jones said. “As a previous undergraduate and graduate
student, Emily contributed significantly to the success of many research and community-engagement
programs that have paved the way for Opportunity Orange Scholars. Since leaving OSU
to pursue her doctoral degree, Emily has continued to expand her knowledge and experience.”

Opportunity Orange Scholars is designed for individuals between the ages of 18 and
26 who have intellectual disability and do not meet OSU’s degree-seeking admission
criteria. Students admitted into the academic program can pursue a two-year, non-degree
Certificate in Career and Community Studies with an additional, non-degree advanced
Certificate in Community Living and Engagement. Students will be fully immersed in
the OSU experience, as they live and learn on campus.

“Emily’s personal experience as a student on the Stillwater campus and the relationships
she has developed with stakeholders will be such an asset to this new academic program,”
Gallus said. “Emily knows what it means to be part of the Cowboy Family and will ensure
that future scholars and their families are fully welcomed and find a community of
belonging at OSU.”

Applications for the first cohort, to begin in August 2022, are now open. The deadline to apply
is March 1, 2022.

This press release was produced by Oklahoma State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.