Leadership

Leadership Institute

Mathew McColloughMatthew McCollough, MPA

Affiliation

Director for the Office of Disability Rights

Area of Expertise

  • Promoting Independence and Equal Opportunity for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • Compliance with Disability Rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Communication and Training (in the areas of education, diversity and sensitivity, cultural competency, and disability issues)
  • Health Equity and Human Rights
  • Establishing accessibility standards that promote the full integration and participation of people with disabilities
  • Advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities (to fully participate in service and civic-minded programs within their communities)

Interest and Desire to Mentor

I am interested in serving as a mentor, because investing in the professional development and growth of our next generation of leaders is the greatest obligation.  Commitment and service was instilled in me at a very young age by my grandfather who served during World War II and was the epitome of "The Greatest Generation".

Values and Approaches to Mentoring

As a mentor, I am committed to: (1) sharing my expertise and knowledge; (2) taking a personal interest in developing the mentoring relationship and investing in the overall success of the individual; (3) valuing  the ongoing endeavor to learn and grow, while illustrating that the disability field is constantly dynamic and changing, and; (4) providing guidance and constructive feedback by identifying the individual’s strengths and areas of growth;  and (5) assisting with using personal and professional characteristics and traits to make the mentee more effective and successful in the disability field.