RSA Scholar Program

Mirna Garzia

Scholar Status: Current
Current Workplace: Miami Lighthouse for the Blind/ Technology Instructor

Being an RSA scholar has helped my career in that it has given me hope for career advancement. Thanks to the RSA scholarship opportunity, I know that there will be more for me than teaching technology. I know that I will eventually obtain a job in vocational rehabilitation that will help me make a greater impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

Dino Geracci

Scholar Status: Current
Current Workplace: State VR/Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 

Being an RSA scholar has helped me fast track, my career and rehabilitation through the specific coursework and the designation on my résumé.

Jessica Lizardi

Scholar Status: Current
Current Workplace: Oakland Community College

Becoming an RSA scholar was life-changing for me. I am an adult learner returning to get a second masters degree in effort to make a career change. I know I could not have done it without this scholarship. It is becoming the catalyst for my dream job and my dream come true. Extremely grateful for this opportunity.

Connor McGinley

Scholar Status: Current
Current Workplace: Maryland State Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)/Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist 

Being an RSA scholar has set me on the path to strengthening my counseling skills to better serve my consumers. In addition, it has given me a more thorough understanding of the vocational rehabilitation process. These things have led to increased confidence my ability to serve my consumers.

rachquel McMillian

Scholar Status: 
Current Workplace:

 

Courtney Megginson

Scholar Status: Current
Current Workplace: The Department of Rehabilitation Services 

This program will help tremendously. I will be able to advance and not accrue more school debt. What I am learning will make me a more knowledgeable and confident counselor.

Marianne Abadir

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: England and Associates – Vocational Case Manager & Evaluator

The RSA Program has assisted me in allowing me to afford my education, providing me with closer relationships with my peers, and giving me support throughout the whole journey as an RSA scholar. Being an RSA scholar, I had the opportunity to be involved in RSA meetings where the scholars got the opportunity to gather. One of my favorite experiences was when we had a meeting to discuss Payback and the team managed to make it an enjoyable and fun time. I remember meeting someone who was self-employed, and he educated me on Vocational Rehab work in a way I didn’t realize I could do! Just interacting with other scholars is always so enjoyable.

Ann Taylor Adams

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Florida Department of Vocational Rehabilitation

The RSA program has provided me with specialized coursework that has helped me build my knowledge base for my future career. Being an RSA scholar has provided me with great mentors and community opportunities.

Kaleigh Cornett Ayres

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Cygnus Counseling – Private Practice

The RSA program introduced me to a career path that I previously was unaware. Being a scholar prepared me to be confident in the work that I do assisting individuals with disabilities.

Sarah Bauer

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Owner of Pathfinder Career Services – Private Vocational Rehabilitation Agency

The RSA program provided me with unique and challenging coursework experiences that have helped me better understand the holistic nature of vocational evaluation and gave me a greater awareness of the spectrum of how disability can impact work. The financial support of the RSA scholarship allowed me to focus on completing my degree. I have loved getting to connect with other RSA scholars as colleagues.

Bridgette Canal

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Serene Mind Counseling

 

The RSA program assisted me in forming the foundation for a career as a rehabilitation counselor. Specifically, through coursework, I developed competencies I utilize now on a daily basis. The RSA program was my first exposure to the field of rehabilitation counseling. Being a rehabilitation scholar allowed me to focus graduate coursework on the field of rehabilitation counseling. Because of the rehabilitation scholarship, I currently work in the field in several capacities.

Brianne Chandler

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Vocational Rehabilitation

The RSA Program assisted me financially with graduate school and I became aware of DVR. It provided assistance with finances for graduate school and experiences I have gained through my employment.

Ashley Neese Cutts

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Workforce Absence Team Lead at Sedgwick

Beginning as a VR technician in 2018, Ashley was promoted to a Senior VR Transition Counselor prior to joining Sedgwick as an ADA Accommodations Specialist and, currently, serves as the company’s Workforce Absence Team Lead.

Barbara Gaw

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Gaw WIPA Consulting, Inc.

Through being involved with the RSA Program, I learned there was more to vocational counseling than working in a VR office. I received additional information on how certification in other areas of vocational rehabilitation could allow me to become a contractor to Florida VR. After fulfilling the necessary requirements, I was able to become self-employed and now have my own counseling firm. Two of the most positive aspects of being an RSA scholar are:1) receiving the scholarship money and 2) being shown how to become a contractor to VR, so that I could become self-employed.

Luis Gonzales

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Florida Department of Vocational Rehabilitation

 

The RSA scholarship and associated education have provided me with a base knowledge regarding rehabilitation services, policy, and counseling. It also resulted in a 10% bump in pay at my job

Morgan Booker Hoffman

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Vocational Rehabilitation

The RSA program introduced me to the world of Vocational Rehabilitation. I was unsure what area I wanted to go into after graduation until I learned about the program. I'm glad that I did the program and love my job as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. I love working with my students in assisting them with finding employment. I have enjoyed being an RSA scholar. I've met other RSA scholars through my job now as a vocational rehabilitation counselor which has been neat.

 

Zach Hoge

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Supervisor and Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant at Florida VR

The RSA Program provided me with financial assistance and professional connections to allow me to get started as a voc rehab counselor.

Carson Holton

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Private Vocational Rehabilitation Provider/Vendor for Florida DVR

I worked for the public and private VR system and I currently conduct comprehensive vocational evaluations and work site evaluations for the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as an independent contractor.

Marilyn K. Johnson

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

The RSA program has opened doors to networking with professors with rehabilitation expertise as well as cohorts with similar passions for serving individuals with disabilities.

Chris Lee

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: The Grow Group

I have learned so many things through the RSA program, just about the field of rehabilitation in general. Something I had very little knowledge about beforehand! It showed me the parts of rehabilitation that I was more interested in. Being an RSA Scholar has helped me get to the job I have today and has helped me connect with others in the field who are also RSA scholars!

Ashley MacMunn

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: State College of Florida Collegiate School

I reference the benefits of being a RSA Scholar very often when working with 12th graders and reviewing the benefits of applying for any and all scholarships! Since graduating I am now also licensed as a mental health counselor and see clients through telehealth part-time.

Nadia Maharana

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Veteran Readiness and Employment Program – VA system

The RSA program introduced me to the field of Vocational Rehabilitation, and I am forever grateful. I always knew I wanted to help people, but I just didn’t know in what capacity. Because of the RSA program, I learned about vocational rehabilitation, got the opportunity to network with rehabilitation professionals, and attended conferences such as the FRA (Florida Rehabilitation Association). I have been able to complete two practicums at James A Haley VA Hospital in the vocational rehabilitation department. I now work at the St. Petersburg Regional Office in the VR&E department which stands for Veteran Readiness and Employment as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

Angelica Medina

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Disability Coordinator at a NYC College

 

Magdhalini Thadori

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

I am currently working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor for Area 4. I am a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. The RSA Scholar program gave me the opportunity to advance in the field and become a competent professional.

Genevieve Pina

Scholar Status: Graduated

RSA has provided additional training and education to better assist clients with their various vocational needs. No client is the same and working with a population with co-occurring disorders, the vocational training and support is required to best fit client needs. Giving clients hope and purpose for their future vocational goals by providing them the proper support and necessary resources.

Samantha Reese

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Doctoral Student; Moffit Cancer Center

So far, I feel very confident in handling my work duties because of what I learned in the RSA program. I also feel that the program provided me with opportunities to learn how to multi-task and stay organized. That may not sound important, but it definitely is when working with students. The skills I learned as an RSA scholar are skills I can use in any job.

George Serrano Martinez

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: James A Haley Veterans Hospital

The RSA Scholar program allowed me to focus on vocational rehabilitation and provided the peace of mind of being able to focus on my education for my future success. This program is great for networking, creating relationships, and ensuring those who want to focus on Vocational Rehabilitation services can do so, creating a stronger foundation for the beginning of their careers. 

Estefania Simon

Scholar Status: Doctoral Student
Current Workplace: Vocational Associate at Career Consultants of America

 

The RSA scholar program helped me become a more qualified professional and the scholarship has helped me financially to afford a career in a field that I love. It helped me focus more on my studies and grow as a professional in the field of vocational rehabilitation. The RSA program has helped me gain more experience as a rehabilitation professional. The additional classes we take go more in-depth and help us gain a deeper understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and help us become more qualified.

Suresh Lama Tamang

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: The Samsara Counseling, LLC (Owner)

Suresh received his master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling with graduate certification in Integrative Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida. He holds valid Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern licensure with the State of Florida and is nationally certified as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), which grants him the credibility to practice career counseling.

Charnell Widnall

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Autism Spectrum Counseling (Owner)

It inspired me to work in rehabilitation and I now specialize in working with teens and adults with autism. Being able to connect with others who share a common purpose and learning the skills required to support individuals with disabilities.