Don McMahon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Special Education
Washington State University
Dr. Don McMahon is an Associate Professor of Special Education at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. His research includes augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, inclusive postsecondary Education, wearable devices, Universal Design for Learning, assistive technology, and instructional technology. At WSU Don McMahon coordinates the VR2GO Lab. He was one of the authors of a handbook on using mobile devices in secondary classrooms settings. In addition, he is one of the cofounders of the WSU ROAR postsecondary education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Washington State University. Don was a special education teacher for 7 years and then became an instructional Co-teaching coach for general education and special education teachers. Don graduated from the Special Education Ph.D. program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Don is also a national presenter providing professional development sessions for both general educators and special educators on using technology to support diverse groups of learners.
Josh Taylor, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Special Education, Department of Teaching and Learning
Washington State University
Josh Taylor is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Washington State University. His research focuses on promoting lifelong success for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities through implementation of evidence-based practices in inclusive school, work, and community settings. Dr. Taylor has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to school, transition, and employment experiences and outcomes of individuals with IDD in addition to clinical experience in K-12, statewide, and national settings. Much of his work focuses on leveraging partnerships with various community, state, and national stakeholders in order to implement research-based recommendations in policy and practice. Dr. Taylor earned a PhD in special education from Virginia Commonwealth University with a focus on research-to-policy implementation, and a Master’s in special education from the University of Virginia.
Holly Whittenburg, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Special Education
Washington State University
Dr. Holly Whittenburg is an assistant professor of special education at Washington State University. She is also co-principal investigator on the Washington State University ROAR TPSID grant and works with the WSU ROAR inclusive postsecondary education program to support employment services and person-centered planning. Dr. Whittenburg’s research focuses on work-related interventions for transition-aged youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the impact of policy on the transition experiences of youth with disabilities. She has published over 30 articles/book chapters related to employment for individuals with disabilities. Dr. Whittenburg earned her PhD in Special Education and Disability Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked as a job coach, a special education teacher, a district-level special education coordinator, and a research site coordinator for two federally funded grants investigating the effects of the Project SEARCH internship program on employment outcomes for autistic youth.
