Derrick K. Willis, MPA

Study Investigator

Mr. Derrick Willis is the Director of Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), at the University of Iowa. He holds an adjunct faculty appointment within the College of Education at the University of Iowa and is a Training Director for Iowa’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and other related disabilities program (ILEND). As Co-Investigator, Mr. Willis guides the community engaged research framework of the project. In particular, he works with other RRTC collaborators to identify and implement strategies that will enhance project involvement of people from racially, culturally, and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, Mr. Willis and other collaborators ensure that the products and outreach developed through the RRTC grant exemplify and promote culturally competent practices that are clear and useful for individuals with lived disabilities.