Fall 2026 trainees

Alex Olsen

Degree: Criminology
Project: ECLIPSE/Vandal QUEST

Welcome, Alex! As one of our newest trainees, when did you officially join the team?

Alex: August 2026

Great, and what inspired you to apply to work at to the CDHD this year?

Alex: I wanted to help students to be able to get and maintain a job.

What do you enjoy most about working at the Center so far?

Alex: I love the interactions with all the students and coworkers that I get the opportunity to work with!

Awesome! What have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Alex: I believe the impact and experiences I get to make is important to the growth of the student and their progress in life.

What are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Alex: I am excited about the memories and experiences I get to share with the students

And, what’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Alex: I would like to be able to coach a student to the point of them being able to maintain and be successful in a job all by themselves.

Anna Layman

Degree: Early Childhood Education
Project: IdahoSTARS

Hello, Anna! We’ll start off super simple – when did you join us at the Idaho CDHD?

I joined the Idaho CDHD on September 17.

Welcome, welcome, welcome! What inspired you to apply to the CDHD this year?

Anna: I was inspired to join the CDHD this year for a few reasons. One reason was because Haley Sprague and Katie Codd spoke highly of the opportunities and experiences that they have had through the CDHD. I was also inspired because I wanted to have an opportunity to find more ways to be involved with the community in Moscow and CDHD has provided me with many of these opportunities.

That’s amazing! We’re so glad Haley and Katie sent you our way. Also, so glad to hear you’re already getting involved. That’s great! What do you enjoy most about working at the Center so far?

Anna: I enjoy getting to meet the wide variety of people who work with, are involved with, or receive experiences through the CDHD. I have enjoyed meeting many people who are involved with IdahoSTARS and so many other projects. I have also gotten the opportunity to meet many people who are the beneficiaries of the work that the CDHD does as a whole.

That’s awesome! What have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Anna: I have found that having people who are specifically given a job for quality control and making sure that all are heard is very important. My role on this project is to help communicate with those who are the benefactors of IdahoSTARS and through this role I get to help listen and make sure that those who are receiving resources from IdahoSTARS feel supported.

What are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Anna: I am most looking forward to continuing to make and grow connections with the people who I interact with.

That’s such a great aspect of the Center. You’ll get to work with a lot of amazing people. Last, but not least, what’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Anna: I would like to have a fuller understanding of the impact and importance of listening sessions [I am working on] and the impact that can have on both education programs and IdahoSTARS.

Bailee Redd

Degree: Theatre Arts, Secondary Education
Project: SESTA

Hello, Bailee and welcome to the CDHD team! When did you official start with us?

Bailee: I began working at the Idaho CDHD in September of 2026! This is my first year working here and I couldn’t be happier.

That’s so great, and we couldn’t be happier to have you! What inspired you to join the CDHD?

Bailee: I heard about this job from a previous teacher and mentor that worked here during her time as a University of Idaho student. She spoke very highly of the work the center does, and the people involved, and helped give me the steps to join the team myself. I could not be more grateful, as I know I’m going to work on a project that will assist and aid people, and that’s what I truly strive to do.

Amazing! We love it when previous trainees shout us out. What do you enjoy most about working here so far?

Bailee: What I’ve enjoyed most so far is seeing so many different experiences and perspectives. I’ve been able to attend events and trainings that have given me a deeper look into things that hadn’t crossed my mind previously.

What have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Bailee: What I have found most valuable about my role at the CDHD is how much information I am able to share. Working on social media for SESTA allows me to share resources to many more people than what would be possible with just word of mouth.

That’s so cool! SESTA is such a great project that helps our K12 educators. What are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Bailee: I am looking forward to expanding my own knowledge. Being able to learn more about the policies that affect people with disabilities and the resources available will be vital information to aid me in my goal of becoming a high school theatre teacher.

And last but not least, what’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Bailee: One thing I wish to accomplish by the end of the semester is to expand our social media outreach. I hope that during my time working at the CDHD our team is able to find ways to share our posts and resources with an even wider audience than we already are.

Berkli McGreal

Degree: Child Development and Psychology
Project: ECLIPSE/Vandal QUEST

Welcome, Berkli! When did you join us at the Idaho CDHD?

Berkli: I am new to the Idaho CDHD! I just started this September. I am in the process of completing trainings, meeting the student interns, and getting used to this new, exciting environment.

Excellent! We’re so glad to have you. What inspired you to join Center this year?

Berkli: I was inspired to join the CDHD this year because I have found a passion in working with and advocating for individuals with disabilities. In addition to my passions, I also think the CDHD is very helpful when it comes to professional development.

That’s great, and what do you enjoy most about working at the Center so far?

Berkli: So far, I am enjoying the support as I transition into this new position. Everyone is being so helpful and welcoming! I am also finding the training material very beneficial to not only my job, but whatever future career I decide to pursue.

I love it! What have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Berkli: I have found it valuable to understand the purpose and background of my work. I am finding myself excited to jump into job coaching because I know what ECLIPSE is, how it is funded, and the overall goal of the grant. I am really excited to see the effects and progress of the work I do.

What are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Berkli: I am looking forward to the 20 hours of professional development. I think each event that I attend will be interesting, engaging and uplifting. I am really interested to see what variations of events there will be throughout the semester. I am really excited to be a part of all of the events!

Oh! We have a lot of cool events. What’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Berkli: I would really like to meet with professionals and learn more about my options for graduate school. I am also still deciding what I want to get a graduate degree in, so I hope to learn more about what interests me to make that decision. I am hoping the professional development hours give me some insight into what I want to do long-term.

Chen-Yu Liu

Degree: Doctoral student
Project: State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG)

Welcome, Chen-Yu! You’re one of our new doctoral students this year. When did you join us?

Chen-Yu: I joined the Idaho CDHD in Fall 2026.

What inspired you to join/return to the CDHD this year?

Chen-Yu: I learned about this job opportunity through a professor in my department. The work aligns well with my professional background and is also in an area that I am interested in, so I decided to apply for the position and join the team.

That’s great! What do you enjoy most about working at the Center so far?

Chen-Yu: I really enjoy the working environment at the Center. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming, and they are always willing to offer help, especially when I first joined the team. I also really like my workspace. It provides a comfortable environment where I can focus and enjoy my work.

As a doctoral student, what have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Chen-Yu: I think this position has given me more opportunities to practice organizing and preparing reports and to develop my statistical analysis skills. I had some experience with these tasks before, but now I have more opportunities to work with different types of data and explore new areas. This has allowed me to learn more data analysis skills and methods.

What are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Chen-Yu: I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel as part of my work. In mid-October, I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to attend a conference. It will be my first time visiting the East Coast, so I am really looking forward to the experience. I am also excited to continue improving my data organization and analysis skills throughout this semester.

And, what’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Chen-Yu: By the end of the semester, I would like to be able to complete a report efficiently and become more familiar and confident with statistical analysis software. I hope that using these tools will become easier and more natural for me.

Hannah Adira

Degree: Environmental Science: Integrated Sciences
Project: Idaho Assistive Technology Project

Hello, Hannah and welcome! Tell me, when did you official  join us here at the Center?

Hannah: I joined Idaho CDHD on September 9, 2026. I started looking for a job as soon as I learned that I would need extra income to cover rent during my time as an undergrad. It was a struggle, and many never got back to me. CDHD was the second place I had an interview, and the first where I had a second.

I was hopeful for the first time about employment, and I was able to get a job here just in time before my savings were gone. I am happy to be here, and looking forward to what my first job holds.

That’s amazing! And just in the nick of time by the sounds of it. We are very glad you’ve joined us. What inspired you to join the CDHD this year?

Hannah: I have been an advocate in my community since 2017 and have been involved in volunteer work since 2013. I was looking for my first job to pay rent as I go to school here at the University of Idaho, but with my disabilities I was concerned about accessibility within the job. When I saw the listing for a project at CDHD, I was excited because I was familiar with the work and I was happy to be helpful for the community I live in for my first job.

What do you enjoy most about working at the Center so far?

Hannah: I enjoy how kind and helpful everyone is. The work environment is accessible and quiet, which is the environment am the most productive in. I am able to continue my day and go to class without being overwhelmed.

That’s so great, Hannah! What have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Hannah: I have learned skills that I can take to my next job and I find this most valuable as this is my first experience with employment. So far, I have learned how to add assistive technology into a database, label and store devices. I also have learned about Individualized Education Plans and other resources that I can take into the community and my next job after I graduate.

What are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Hannah: I am looking forward to all the new things I will learn and experience in this new chapter of my life. I do not know what the future may hold, but I am excited to see what I might learn and experience here at the CDHD this semester. As a natural support during artAbility I found myself feeling better after the art and happy that I could be a support to those participating. I am looking forward to continuing to be a natural support.

That’s so great! What’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Hannah: I want to work on and improve my time management at home, so I will have more energy at work and feel like I am more productive. I have been tired before the week is done and scrambling to finish my schoolwork before the dure date. I have always struggled with this skill, and I want to continue working on it this semester.

Jazmin Gomez Vargas

Degree: Art and Psychology
Project: CDHD (Dissemination)

Hello, Jazmin! Welcome, officially, to the CDHD. I know you started this semester. What inspired you to apply for your role at the Center?

Jazmin: I was inspired to join the CDHD because I really admire the work the Center does. I am so grateful to take part in the invaluable work they provide for the people in Idaho.

What do you enjoy most about working at the Center so far?

Jazmin: I really enjoy meeting all the new people at the Center. I was really nervous on my first day, but everyone was so kind and welcoming. I truly feel like I belong.

That’s wonderful – we’re so glad you’ve joined us. What have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Jazmin: Personally, the most valuable thing I have found about my role is learning how to create media that is built on accessibility. Not all social media platforms provide tools for accessibility and learning to work around that has been very important to me.

Accessibility in all spaces is such an important part of everyday life. I’m glad you’re finding value in learning more about improving accessibility in digital spaces. What else are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Jazmin: I am looking forward to the amazing artAbility workshops and acting as a natural support.

And, what’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Jazmin: One thing I would really like to accomplish in my role is to learn all I can about media accessibility so that I can share that information with people who are interested.

Katie Codd

Degree: Secondary Education, Special Education and English
Project: ECLIPSE/Vandal QUEST

Welcome back, Katie! You’re returning to us this semester. When did you originally join the CDHD?

Katie: I joined the CDHD as a student trainee in the fall of 2025.

It’s already been a year? What inspired you to return to the CDHD this year?

Katie: I chose to return to the CDHD this year because being a peer job coach has allowed me to help foster inclusion and belonging on our university campus and within the workplace. My time working with Vandal QUEST has allowed me to grow my knowledge of inclusive post-secondary education programs and has provided me with valuable skills for my future career.

That’s amazing! As a peer job coach, you’re doing such great work. What do you enjoy most about working at the Center?

Katie: The relationship that I have created with the Vandal QUEST program has been a valuable part of my collegiate experience. I have enjoyed building relationships with the student interns and being present when they find success in the workplace.

What have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Katie: As a peer job coach, I have been able to grow my advocacy within the workplace. This is a valuable skill that will be beneficial in the future as I work in schools.

What are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Katie: Throughout this semester, I am looking forward to witnessing our student interns excel in their workplaces and work towards their career goals.

And, what’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Katie: By the end of the semester, I hope to integrate a Peer Ally Club onto our university campus to continue to promote inclusion and belonging.

Sierra MacMiller

Degree: Exercise Science
Project: Idaho Competitive Integrated Employment Center

Welcome, Sierra! I believe you joined us quite recently, is that right?

Sierra: I joined the CDHD on September 22, 2026.

What inspired you to apply for our student trainee program?

Sierra: I learned about the CDHD during my internship preparation class at University of Idaho. I loved how the CDHD works with individuals with disabilities in integrative ways, like in artAbility and exercise-based events. I automatically knew I would love to be a part of the team!

What do you enjoy most about working at the Center so far?

Sierra: I haven’t been here long, but the community is fantastic. Everyone is so friendly and positive. Meeting my coworkers has been the best part of my workdays!

That’s so awesome! What have you found most valuable about your role (or getting to know your role) at the Center so far?

Sierra: I have met so many fantastic people, both through volunteering for artAbility and working in the office! It is inspiring to see everyone’s skills and ambition.

What are you looking forward to the most about working at the CDHD this semester?

Sierra: I am looking forward to making a positive impact, both with individuals I meet in the office, and those that I can help, through ICIE!

What’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish in your role/at the Center before the end of the semester?

Sierra: I hope my role with ICIE will help me grow my skills in professionalism, communication and organization. I aim to build strong relationships with those I work with, and I hope when I look back at the end of the semester, I can see all the ways I have improved.