Transition Solutions Core Team
Transition Solutions is an alliance of the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) and other leading experts in secondary education and transition. Our core team is comprised of experts with extensive experience in transition systems change, education reform, postsecondary education, workforce preparation, and team and leadership development. Team members include:
David R. Johnson, Ph.D.
Jean Ness, Ed.D.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Kelli Crane, Ph.D.
Richard Luecking, Ed.D.
TransCen, Inc., Rockville, MD
David R. Johnson
Ph.D., Educational Policy and Administration
Director, National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
Director, Institute on Community Integration (UCE)
Professor, Educational Policy and Administration
Dr. Johnson's research interests include the postschool outcomes and status of young adults with disabilities, access to and participation of young adults with disabilities in postsecondary education programs, systems change and program improvement, and cost-benefit analysis. He has served as Principal Investigator and Director of numerous federal and state research, training, and demonstration projects on these and other topics.
Dr. Johnson has also served as consultant to several national, regional, and state organizations, including the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the National School-to-Work Office, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the National Alliance of Business, the Council for Exceptional Children, and several Congressional committees. He has published numerous journal articles, book chapters, research monographs, technical reports, and other products on topics related to secondary education, special education, rehabilitation, transition, school-to-work, and others.
Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Strategic Planning
Jean Ness
Ed.D., Educational Leadership
Research Associate, Institute on Community Integration (UCE)
Dr. Ness's work focuses on developing programs for and with American Indian high school and tribal college students to support their retention and goal completion. To that end, she has directed several federally-funded projects that address both the high school and college needs of American Indians. In 2003, Dr. Ness, along with her colleague Jennifer Huisken, co-authored Expanding the Circle: Respecting the Past, Preparing for the Future, a transition curriculum for American Indian students that addresses key skill areas to prepare them for higher education and work. The curriculum is currently being implemented in BIA schools, school districts, and tribal and community colleges throughout the country. Dr. Ness is a frequent speaker at state and national conferences on transition issues for American Indians.
Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Preparation for Postsecondary Education, Post-High School Transition for Students with Disabilities and Native American Students
Kelli Crane
Ph.D., Vocational-Technical Education
Senior Research Associate, TransCen, Inc.
Dr. Crane's work focuses on creating and expanding secondary education and transition systems for youth. Currently, she coordinates development and implementation of postschool improvement activities, including resource mapping, partnership development, and systems alignment.
Dr. Crane has developed major trainings and technical assistance institutes; authored and co-authored publications and training tools; and conducted numerous presentations and workshops on education- and workforce-related topics. Additionally, Dr. Crane is co-director of the National Alliance on Secondary Education and Transition, which developed the National Standards and Quality Indicators for Secondary Education and Transition. She has held various leadership positions in professional associations representing vocational special needs and transition.
Prior to joining TransCen, Inc., Dr. Crane worked for the National School-to-Work Office, where she collaborated with federal and state government agencies to ensure the inclusion of youth with disabilities in policy initiatives, including high school reform.
Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Strategic Planning, Resource Mapping, Interagency Team Development
Richard Luecking
Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)
President, TransCen, Inc.
At TransCen, Dr. Luecking is responsible for the implementation of numerous model demonstration and research projects related to school-to-work transition and the employment of individuals with disabilities. He and his colleagues have initiated a range of local programs that have been replicated throughout the U.S. As a result, he has provided training and technical assistance on transition and employment across the country.
Dr. Luecking is the author of numerous publications on transition and employment, has held leadership positions in various professional and educational associations and organizations, and has participated in a host of national initiatives to improve educational and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
From 1997-99, Dr. Luecking served as a temporary appointee to the National School-to-Work Office, where he was charged with promoting employer involvement in school-to-work initiatives nationwide. He has also held positions in rehabilitation, education, and program administration.
Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Employment
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