Dena D. Slanda, Ph.D., is a Research Associate in the College of Community Innovation and Education and serves as the Education Doctoral Program (Ed.D.) Advisor in Exceptional Student Education at the University of Central Florida. She is currently a Co-Principal Investigator or Project Coordinator for federal grants in excess of $7.25 million for research and personnel/leadership development. Dr. Slanda is a published author and has conducted numerous presentations at international, national, regional, and state conferences focused on culturally proactive pedagogy and practices, equitable educational opportunities, inclusive practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, teacher and administrator preparation, intensive interventions, and multi-tier systems of support. Additionally, her research is focused on the intersection of race and disability with particular attention to disproportionality of culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education.(ec438340-f1aa-4a23-af39-823b4d4c1e0e)