Jacy K. Farkas, PhD

Dr. Farkas is the director at the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities at the University of Arizona in Tucson, a federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), where she oversees the interdisciplinary preservice training programs and helps lead multiple efforts related to person-centered practices, youth-to-adult transitions and intersectional research. She has led the development and implementation of community-engaged research and programs for more than 18 years. Dr. Farkas is a former UCEDD trainee and a past chair of the Association of University Centers Disabilities' Multicultural Council. She has contributed to multiple projects and publications related to diversity, equity and inclusion within the disability space. She earned a doctorate in human development and family science from the University of Arizona and also holds a master's in information resources and library science.

As a researcher and program lead, Dr. Farkas is committed to institutionalizing diversity and inclusiveness; recruiting, retaining and training diverse staff and students; and facilitating diverse perspectives and intergroup collaborations on campus. Furthermore, she is connected to national initiatives to increase diversity in the disability field, which informs her work locally, and she engages in ongoing training about inclusiveness and diversity, particularly in reference to intersectional identities and disability. Much of her work has focused on the transition to adulthood for youths with disabilities, the experiences of multiply marginalized populations, and the utilization of community participatory action methods to improve access and outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their families. As a neurodivergent researcher with experience in building community relationships, fostering collaboration and inclusive, universally designed practices, she endeavors to offer a multifaceted and intersectional perspective for access and inclusion.

For more information and updates on the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, click here: Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities