About

EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment is a project funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The goal of EMPOWER is to equip transition-aged students with visual impairment living in rural communities, their families, and the transition professionals who serve them with the virtual supports to improve postsecondary education and employment outcomes.

Our Team

Headshot of Hilary Travers. She is a white woman with light brown hair and light colored eyes. She is wearing a blue shirt and smiling at the camera.
Hilary Travers, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University
Principal Investigator
Headshot of Michele Schutz. Michele is a white woman with light brown hair and dark colored eyes. Michele is wearing a blue shirt with a grey sweater, smiling at the camera.
Michele Schutz, Ph.D.
University of Illinois
Co-Principal Investigator
Headshot of Erik Carter. Erik is a white man with brown hair and a grey beard. Erik is wearing a grey and white plaid button down shirt, smiling at the camera.
Erik Carter, Ph.D.
Baylor University
Co-Principal Investigator
Headshot of Emily Lanchak. Emily is a white woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes. In the photo Emily is wearing a navy top and smiling at the camera.
Emily Lanchak, M.Ed.
Vanderbilt University
Project Director
Headshot of Emily Lanchak. Emily is a white woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes. In the photo Emily is wearing a navy top and smiling at the camera.
Katrina Dubree, M.Ed.
Vanderbilt University
Educational Consultant
Headshot of Emily Lanchak. Emily is a white woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes. In the photo Emily is wearing a navy top and smiling at the camera.
Sam Preston, M.Ed.
Vanderbilt University
Educational Consultant