Towson University has been awarded a five-year, $1,247,875 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to support Project LINC 2.0: Preparing School-Based Leaders in Autism Through Interdisciplinary Networking and Shared Competencies.

The grant is housed in the College of Education’s Department of Special Education and builds upon the success of Project LINC 1.0, an earlier interdisciplinary personnel preparation launched by the College of Education (COE) in collaboration with the College of Health Professions (CHP).

“Schools across Maryland and the nation face critical shortages of highly qualified personnel,” says Laurie Mullen, dean of the College of Education. “This project directly addresses those needs by preparing professionals who are grounded in research-based practices and equipped to serve students with high-intensity support needs across diverse educational contexts.”

Katherine “Kay” Holman, professor in the Department of Special Education, serves as principal investigator. Co-principal investigators include her departmental colleague Greg Knollman and Ashley Lankford in occupational therapy. Additional project direction and support is provided by Amanda Jozkowski and Karen Day, both from the Institute of Well-Being.

“Project LINC 2.0 represents our belief that autistic students deserve cohesive, team-based support grounded in shared expertise and purpose,” says Holman. “By preparing special educators, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists within this collaborative training model, we are cultivating school-based leaders who can build systems, not just services, that promote meaningful outcomes for students and families.”

Project LINC 1.0 initially focused on preparing in-service teachers and pre-service speech-language pathologists through shared competencies and coordinated training experiences. Project LINC 2.0 expands that model to include pre-service occupational therapy students, strengthening collaboration across special education, speech-language pathology and occupational therapy.

“Schools require professionals who not only understand their discipline, but who can function effectively within collaborative teams,” says Knollman. “This initiative reflects the College of Education’s longstanding commitment to preparing leaders who are grounded in research-based practice and ready to meet complex educational needs.”

Through an integrated training model, Project LINC 2.0 will recruit interdisciplinary cohorts of scholars who will receive tuition support, coordinated field and clinical placements, service-learning opportunities, mentorship and applied research experiences. The program prepares graduates to work in PreK–12 public school settings serving students with autism and high-support needs.

“This investment affirms the vital role health professionals play within educational systems,” says Lisa Plowfield, dean of the College of Health Professions. “By strengthening collaboration among occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and special educators, Project LINC 2.0 ensures that students with autism receive comprehensive, coordinated support that addresses the whole child and enhances outcomes for families and schools alike.”

Co-principal investigator Lankford emphasized the strength of the cross-college partnership.

“This collaboration ensures that future occupational therapists are prepared to work alongside special educators and speech-language pathologists in delivering coordinated, student-centered services,” she says. “By learning together, our students are better prepared to lead together.”

The grant supports federal priorities to address state-identified shortages of highly qualified personnel in special education and related services. Program outcomes will be evaluated to inform sustainability and best practices in interdisciplinary autism services. Project LINC 2.0 reflects Towson University’s commitment to inclusive education, cross-college collaboration and community impact.

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About Towson University

Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and nearly 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff.