School for Global Inclusion and Social Development at UMass Boston

We're excited to welcome students participating in UMass Boston's Rehabilitation Counseling Program this week! Courses include Motivational Interviewing and Group Counseling & Group Dynamics.

Check out photos from the 2026 Extravaganza!

Congratulations to the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development at UMass Boston graduating class on this well-earned achievement!

Photo 1 caption:
(L-R) 2026 SGISD graduates Maureen Bligh; Nathalya Figueira Souza; Briana Wornum; Rachel Ann Smith; Candace Marie LaFever; Earl Williams Jr.; and Michael Thomas MacDonald.

Photo 2 caption:
(L-R) 2026 SGISD Vision Studies, Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) graduates: Aileen Archambault, Jessica Greene, and Alicia Kroszner.

Photo 3 caption:
Celebrating the SGISD graduates at the UMass Boston commencement ceremony.

Photo 4 caption:
SGISD graduates seated at the UMass Boston commencement ceremony.

Photo 5 caption:
Amy Elizabeth Pebley (left) & Maricar Digma Marquez (right) attending the UMass Boston graduation ceremony.

Photo 6 caption:
Jael Edythe Georges (left) & Fatima Kausar (right), GISD master’s graduates at the UMass Boston graduation ceremony.

Photo 7 caption:
SGISD graduates seated at the UMass Boston commencement ceremony.

Photo 8 caption:
Celebrating the SGISD graduates of 2026 at this year’s commencement ceremony.

UMass Boston

Congratulations to all our School for Global Inclusion and Social Development at UMass Boston graduates!

Image 1 caption:
(L-R) Dr. Sheila Fesko; Dr. Courtney Elizabeth Mulligan, graduate (hooded by Dr. Sheila Fesko); Dr. Kaitlyn Siner-Cappas, graduate, SGISD; and Dr. Shahrzad Sajadi, graduate ICI, Research and Knowledge Translation Associate

Image 2 caption:
(L-R) Dr. Laura Bozeman, SGISD; Dr. Kaitlyn Siner-Cappas, graduate, SGISD; Dr. Sheila Fesko; and Janice McDonald, ICI

Image 3 caption:
(L-R) Dr. Tammy Reisman, ICI (hooded by Dr. Laura Bozeman); Dr. Laura Bozeman, SGISD; Dr. Shahrzad Sajadi, graduate, ICI, Research and Knowledge Translation Associate; and Dr. Meghan Kallman, SGISD.

Image 4 caption:
(L-R) Dr. Courtney Elizabeth Mulligan, graduate (hooded by Dr. Sheila Feskio); Dr. Shauna Marie Murray, graduate (hooded by Dean Rajini Srikanth); and Dr. Deborah Omowunmi Chat Dauda, graduate (hooded by Dr. Nada Mustafa Ali and Dean Rajini Srikanth).

Image 5 caption:
Dr. Shahrzad Sajadi, graduate, ICI, Research and Knowledge Translation Associate, holding future UMass Boston PhD Maya Bonds.

Image 6 caption:
Dr. Shauna Marie Murray, graduate, with friends and family at the UMass Boston commencement reception.

Image 7 caption:
(L-R) Dr. Mona Abo-Zena, CEHD Professor; Dr. Nada Mustafa Ali, SGISD Professor; Dr. Shahrzad Sajadi, ICI, Research and Knowledge Translation Associate, Dr. Sheila Fesko; and Shymaa Allam, student, at the UMass Boston commencement reception.

Image 8 caption:
Dr. Tiffany Donaldson, CEHD Associate Dean (left) & Dr. Sheila Fesko (right) at the UMass Boston commencement reception.

Image 9 caption:
A group photo of the 2026 Rehabilitation Counseling graduates.

We're ready for all our School for Global Inclusion and Social Development at UMass Boston grads! Congrats to our UMass Boston Beacons!!

“The support, structure, and reflection in this program helped me become a better educator and advocate.” – Kate, UMass Boston Transition Leadership Program Alum

The Transition Leadership Program (TLP) at UMass Boston helps educators and professionals strengthen how they support young people with disabilities during the transition from high school to adult life. With a focus on employment, college preparation, and independent living, the program builds leadership and advocacy skills that graduates use in classrooms, programs, and communities.

Learn more & apply: https://bit.ly/4a4bkW6

“This program helped me grow as a leader and gave me the confidence to create real change in my school community.” – Elizabeth, UMass Boston Transition Leadership Program Alum

The Transition Leadership Program (TLP) at UMass Boston supports educators and professionals who want to strengthen transition services for young people with disabilities. Through a focus on employment, college preparation, and independent living, the TLP builds leadership and advocacy skills that help graduates create meaningful change in schools, programs, and communities.

Learn more & apply: https://bit.ly/4a4bkW6

“TLP didn’t just teach me theory, it gave me tools I use every day with students and colleagues.” – Brook, UMass Boston Transition Leadership Program Alum

The Transition Leadership Program (TLP) at UMass Boston is designed for educators and professionals who want practical, real-world skills to support young people with disabilities as they move from high school to adult life. The program focuses on employment, college preparation, and independent living, while building the leadership skills needed to strengthen transition practices across schools, programs, and communities.

Learn more & apply: https://bit.ly/4a4bkW6

What a great step for Post Secondary Education. We are happy to celebrate IPSE day!

“Participating in TLP transformed how I think about transition planning. I now lead with purpose and clarity.” – Jordan, UMass Boston Transition Leadership Program Alum

The Transition Leadership Program (TLP) at UMass Boston helps educators and professionals strengthen how they support young people with disabilities as they move from high school into adult life. The TLP emphasizes employment, college preparation, and independent living, while building the leadership and advocacy skills needed to improve transition services and influence policy and practice.
Learn more & apply: https://bit.ly/4a4bkW6