Aiden Aiello

Occupational Therapy

Aiden Aiello is a graduate student from Mantua, New Jersey studying occupational therapy. While completing his undergraduate degree, he was a research assistant working with children struggling with adherence to medication regimens for their conditions. He also was a resident assistant on campus. His goal for the LEND program is to learn about available resources for people with disabilities so he can use them during his time as an occupational therapy practitioner.

Lauryn Alexander

Law

Lauryn Alexander is a second-year law student from Torrance, CA studying criminal law. She graduated from Hampton University with a BS in chemistry with a concentration in forensics and a minor in Spanish. During her time in undergrad, she was Miss Chemistry, a member of the Student Recruitment Team, and a scholar of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program. Lauryn also graduated from WVU as the first Black woman to earn her PhD in forensic and investigative sciences while maintaining the Ruby Doctoral Fellowship. As a CASA for Kids volunteer, her goals with the LEND program are to learn more about the neurodevelopmental disabilities in her community and to use this knowledge to better advocate for kids and families.

Grace Ayorinde

Social Work

Grace is a graduate student studying social work at West Virginia University. She hails from the western part of Nigeria. Previously, she obtained a master's degree in science education from the National Open University of Nigeria and a degree in Food Technology from Kaduna Polytechnic. With over 14 years of experience working with the American University of Nigeria Residence Life unit, her current goal at the Center for Excellence in Disabilities is to complete her one-year advanced field placement in Positive Behavior Support (PBS). This will enable her to learn techniques to effectively work with individuals at the micro and mezzo levels of her career.

Clayton Baldwin

Physician Assistant

Clayton Baldwin is a first-year physician assistant student from Ripley, WV. He graduated from WVU in May 2023 with a BS in biochemistry while minoring in psychology. During his undergraduate studies, he spent his final two semesters as a MindFit Academic Coach where he focused on providing one on one academic enhancement to students with learning disabilities. This experience inspired him to join the WV LEND program in hopes of becoming more educated on the disability community and better prepared to advocate and care for individuals with disabilities before transitioning to a full-time provider after graduation.

Marleigh Bays

Occupational Therapy

Marleigh Bays is a graduate student from Charleston, WV, pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She earned her Bachelor of Science in health and well-being with a focus on therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation from WVU. Through the LEND program, Marleigh aims to deepen her understanding of the traumatic brain injury (TBI) community and enhance her skills in supporting individuals with TBI and their caregivers by providing resources and advocating for their needs.

Emily Budik

Psychology / Art Therapy

Emily Budik is a graduate student from Weirton, WV studying quantitative psychology. She received two BAs in psychology and art therapy with a minor in statistics from WVU. She has been a part of undergraduate research projects focusing on emotional expression, pain and anger, children and screens, as well as quantitative art therapy research. She has clinical experience from shadowing neuropsychologists and being a therapeutic boxing coach. Her capstone undergraduate research project focused on how a dance intervention can affect children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her goal in the LEND program is to research how art practices can support the communities of people with neurodevelopmental disorders in hopes to improve cognition, motor functionality and emotional/social behaviors.

Mary Buffington

Nurse Practitioner (Student)

Mary Buffington is a post-graduate student studying to be a family nurse practitioner. A native West Virginian, she grew up in the Eastern Panhandle of WV. Mary received her BSN through Shepherd University and her MSN through Walden University. Her goal with the LEND program is to become a better advocate for people with disabilities in the primary care setting.

Maegan Casimir

Pharmacy

Maegan Casimir is a third-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student. She has interned at Walmart Pharmacy in her hometown of Falling Waters, WV, and is currently serving as a medication history intern at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. Maegan is the president of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP) and serves as Historian for the pharmacy honor society, Rho Chi. She also co-chairs the Operation Reproductive Health initiative within the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) and holds positions in other pharmacy organizations. Her research focuses on women’s health and interprofessional education. As a LEND trainee, Maegan is eager to continue working with interprofessional teams and to explore the role of pharmacists in the care of children with disabilities.

Emily Cooper

Social Work

Emily Cooper is a student in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at West Virginia University. She currently serves as a Student Navigator with the Regional Transition Navigator Services (RTNS). Through her time as a Student Navigator, she hopes to gain experience and knowledge that she can incorporate into her future career as a social worker by communicating with clients and learning about resources throughout the state.

Logan Cummings

Advocacy

Logan Cummings is a former student from Falling Waters, WV. He graduated from the WVU Country Roads program with a non-degree certificate. While he was a student, he was in another program called Project 168. His goals with the LEND program are to advocate for disability, share suggestions that could be included on campus, and share his experiences with others.

Morgan Grant

Social Work

Morgan Grant is a graduate student from Weirton, WV pursuing her master's degree in social work at West Virginia University, where she also completed her bachelor's degree in social work. As a graduate research assistant with the IMPACT WV program, Morgan aims to deepen her understanding of how to address and improve care for families impacted by substance use and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), with a focus on the unique challenges faced by underserved rural communities of West Virginia.

Molly Gwaltney

Occupational Therapy

Molly Gwaltney is a 2nd year student in the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at West Virginia University. She is a Morgantown native and loves all things OT, horses, outdoors and coffee. She studied health and well-being at WVU before being accepted to the MOT program and has a minor in equine assisted activities and therapies. She is a student worker with the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Services through the CED. She is excited to gain experience serving people with TBI and their caregivers, and to learn more about the needs of this population.

Sidney Hacker

Physical Therapy

Sidney Hacker is a second-year physical therapy student from Craigsville, WV. She graduated from WVU with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology in December of 2022. As a LEND trainee, Sidney hopes to expand her knowledge of disabilities so she can better advocate for the children she works with and be the best pediatric physical therapist possible.

Callie Honaker

Occupational Therapy

Callie Honaker is a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy student from Ronceverte, WV. She graduated from WVU in 2023 with her Bachelor of Science in health and well-being. In undergrad, Callie helped kickstart the health and wellbeing student organization and served as President in the organization's first year. During her time with the OT program, she has served as Vice President and President of the OT student organization. She is currently involved in the TBI program with hopes of obtaining her CBIS certification following graduation and serving the TBI population.

Addie Ivey

Physical Therapy

Addie Ivey is a graduate student from Rochester, NY studying speech-language pathology. She graduated from WVU with a BS in communication sciences and disorders and a minor in Spanish. In undergrad, she worked at a local daycare (Pre-K to 5 years old) in the Morgantown area as a teaching assistant and summer program director. Her goals with the LEND program are to gain more knowledge and a better understanding about the disability community and learn how to advocate effectively. She also hopes to make new lifelong friendships. A fun fact about Addie is that she has been skydiving!

Daniel Keku

Civil Engineering

Daniel Keku is a graduate student from Browns Summit, NC who is currently pursuing his PhD in civil engineering from Virginia Tech University. He graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a BS in civil engineering and received his MS in civil engineering from Virginia Tech. During undergrad, he was captain of the concrete cornhole team and steel bridge architect team for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). His goals with the LEND program are to learn more about the disability community and advocate for their needs. He believes learning about their experiences and using data can help city officials, planners and engineers improve informed decision making to provide better access to community services and affordable housing in both rural and urban areas.

Maria Lacaria

Audiology

Maria is a graduate student from Bridgeport, WV. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from West Virginia University and is now in the first year of the Doctor of Audiology program (AuD). Through the LEND program, she hopes to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to better support and advocate for those with disabilities.

Daveon Lilly

Law

Daveon Y. Lilly is a third-year West Virginia University College of Law student from Denver, CO. Ms. Lilly holds a bachelor's degree in justice studies and another in social justice and human rights from Arizona State University. As a LEND trainee, Ms. Lilly hopes to utilize the information and practical experience the program provides to expand her knowledge about the specific needs of individuals with disabilities to better accommodate everyone once she becomes a practicing attorney.

Alexis Linebaugh

Psychology

Alexis Linebaugh is an undergraduate student from Hanover, PA. She is attending West Virginia University to pursue a BA in psychology with a minor in criminology. Alexis is hoping to use her time at the CED to gain valuable experience and insight in her field. She wants to use this opportunity to enhance her understanding of psychological concepts, with the aim of making a meaningful impact in her future career.

Emma Mclaughlin

Speech-Language Pathology

Emma McLaughlin is a graduate student from Hillsborough, NJ studying speech-language pathology. She graduated from WVU with a BA in psychology and a minor in communication sciences. In undergrad, she was a member of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association and the Student Sign-Language Club. Through the LEND program, she hopes to learn how to work and be an advocate for the disability community.

Sara Minigh

Developmental Specialist

Sara Minigh is a Developmental Specialist for West Virginia Birth to Three. She works and lives in Putnam County, WV with her husband and 3 children. Sara has been involved in early intervention in both Virginia and West Virginia for the past 15 years. She graduated from Marshall University with a master’s degree in early childhood special education. She is enrolled in the LEND program to learn how to better serve families in her area and become a leader in the WV Birth to Three program. Sara feels strongly that parents are a child’s best teachers and looks forward to continuing to serve families by coaching and providing needed resources.

Lura Simons

Occupational Therapy

Lura Simons is a graduate student from Clarksburg, WV pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy. She graduated from West Liberty University with a BS in exercise physiology with a minor in coaching. During her time as an undergraduate student, Lura was a resident assistant and hall director, secretary for student government association, student athlete, and vice president for the exercise physiology club. Her goals for doing research with the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program is to understand this diagnosis more and be a resource for patients in the future.

Kiersten Smith

Occupational Therapy

Kiersten Smith is a second-year graduate student from Beaver, WV studying occupational therapy at WVU. She previously graduated from WVU with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, a minor in psychology and an emphasis in aquatic therapy. As a LEND trainee, Kiersten aims to increase her knowledge of disabilities, leadership skills and advocacy skills to provide more efficient care in the future as an occupational therapist.