Ryan graduated from the University of North Texas with his master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in August of 2012 and he is credentialed as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Certified Employment Service Professional (CESP). Ryan strives to make a difference in other people’s lives. He is motivated and knowledgeable in helping people with disabilities achieve their vocational needs based off of their needs, skills, abilities, and interests. Ryan has a strong background assisting individuals with disabilities with employment services. He was previously a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), and he is well versed when it comes to networking with employers, developing partnerships with businesses, and providing disability training. He provided job placement and supported employment services for Quest Employment Services for over 5 years. Ryan was also a crucial part in the development and implementation of training programs for people with disabilities such as the Walgreens REDI program and Project Search.

Although Ryan is well versed with a variety of disabilities, Ryan’s true passion lies in his strong understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders from his time working at the DFW Center for Autism, Easter Seals North Texas, and the Autism Treatment Center. He looks forward to serving his community and assisting others in the pursuit of empowerment and independence.

Ryan graduated with his master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Texas and is credentialed as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Ryan comes to UNT WISE after working seven years as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the state VR agency. In his current role Ryan works as a Sr Trainer and Program Specialist working in developing summer programming and community engagement. Ryan enjoys teaching others and takes pride in his ability to bring people together for a common goal. His motivation is for every person to be able to share the same life experiences, no matter their ability.

Prior to his career in VR, Ryan worked in sales within the financial sector for various institutions including General Electric (GE).

Ryan and his wife, Stacey, live in Denton and have two boys, Charlie, and Jake.

Bradley McDaniels is an assistant professor and program coordinator for the Rehabilitation Studies program in the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services at the University of North Texas. Brad earned his PhD from the University of Kentucky, and after graduating, completed a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University focusing exclusively on Parkinson’s disease.

Paula's idea of fun as a child was pretending to be "the teacher" with her four younger siblings. Little did she know this past time would grow to become a career path.

Paula Fuller is a Sr. Program Project Coordinator of the University of North Texas – Workplace Inclusion & Sustainable Employment program (UNT-WISE). With extensive experience in training, facilitation, and program development, Paula has been a professional educator and trainer for multiple years. Her specializations include utilizing data and instructional technology to drive program development.

Paula's passion for empowering neurodivergent and under-represented populations is a driving factor in her professional career. Even while serving as a consultant for educational and non-profit organizations, she strives to enlighten and empower individuals to pursue their highest goals with grit and tenacity.

All of Paula's higher education degrees and accolades are in education including her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Prairie View A&M University and Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Leadership from Kansas State University. One of her proudest accomplishments was assisting in producing an innovative type of degree in Texas– an Associates in Occupational Life Skills.

Dylan M. Rafaty is a navigator, influencer, and disability rights activist committed to serving all people with disabilities in the cross-disability community. Because of his family roots, Dylan continues to devote his love for cultural diversity in communities since birth and is deeply well- connected across the globe due to his character, kindness, love for people, and passion.  He is a transformational leader, social entrepreneur, author, start-up executive who works across multiple industries and sectors in the United States and parts of the world to bridge alliances and collaborative partnerships. Dylan serves on many executive boards, including serving as Vice-Chair of the Texas Governor’s Committee for People with Disabilities and the Director of the United States International Council on Disabilities.  It’s because of these roles that he values the importance of lifting communities, organizations, businesses, academic and government entities thrive while opening doors of new opportunities including gaining access to services so all people can have an overall, better quality of life.

Dylan’s successes include bringing in new, innovative ideas to the table, merging organizations, mediating, and bringing communities together to create systemic change for a common goal, creating successful events and advocating on numerous fronts with key legislators while building and maintaining new relationships. Lastly, in 2020, Dylan was inducted into the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame, named 2020 Oticon’s Focus on People Advocacy Award Winner, 2021 Dallas Business Journal’s Leaders in Diversity Award honoree, and 2021 Plano Chamber of Commerce’s Rising Star Award winner.  Dylan proudly works and a resident of Plano, Texas. Dylan is a special education graduate of Plano ISD, earned his A.A. degree at Collin College, B.S. degree in industrial and organizational psychology at the University of Phoenix, and the M.A. degree in dispute resolution program at Southern Methodist University.