IDS Staff Attend 2025 SEPSEA Conference

IDS Interim Executive Director Dr. Jerry Alliston, RISE Executive Coordinator Danielle Mullins, and Transition Specialist Aysha Robertson recently attended the 2025 SEPSEA Conference in Asheville, NC from May 21st-May 23rd. While there, IDS staff connected with professionals, educators, advocates, and individuals from all over the Southeast in a dynamic and interactive in-person networking environment to foster collaborations that drive positive change in the field of inclusive education.

The mission of SEPSEA (Southeast Postsecondary Education Alliance) is to promote access to quality inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism) in the southeast through a shared focus on collaboration, program development, research, and public policy.

In its 10th year, the 2025 SEPSEA Conference included a valuable keynote kick-off from Think College, meet and greet with a panel of current and alumni IPSE students and families, over 30 breakout sessions offering insights and strategies for best practices in the field of inclusive postsecondary education, and a multitude of in-person networking opportunities.

For nearly 50 years, IDS has promoted independence, productivity, and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Mississippi through the provisions of training, technical assistance, service, research, and information-sharing. Our staff are committed to furthering our professional development so that IDS can bring the latest innovations in inclusive postsecondary education from across the country back home to our community here in Mississippi.