Faculty member to use Fulbright award to promote post-secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities

Joseph Ryan, Sue Stanzione Distinguished Professor in the Clemson University College of Education and executive director of Clemson LIFE, was recently selected for a U.S. Fulbright Scholar Award in Ireland to promote post-secondary education programs for young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Ryan will spend the Spring 2024 semester working at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, with the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities. During the semester, he will work with Ireland’s post-secondary education programs to learn and share best practices, teach and conduct interdisciplinary research to improve the employment and independent living outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected as a Fulbright scholar,” Ryan said. “I am grateful for the privilege of helping improve the life outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities internationally.”

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program and is designed to create mutual understanding between peoples from the United States and other countries. Fulbright scholars have achieved distinction in many fields, including 62 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 89 who have received Pulitzer Prizes and 39 who have served as a head of state or government.

Clemson LIFE (Learning is for Everyone) is one of the nation’s leading post-secondary education programs for young adults with intellectual disabilities. As founder and executive director of the program, Ryan has overseen a growing staff and helped mentor over 80 colleges in the creation of similar programs across the nation.

Ryan has over 100 publications and has served as editor of the journal “Beyond Behavior” for more than a decade. His research interests focus on behavioral interventions and enhancing post-school outcomes for individuals with disabilities. In 2023, he was awarded Clemson University’s Centennial Professorship for demonstrated excellence in scholarship and service.