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Meet the Team

DestinationDawgs@uga.edu

  • Portrait of Lisa Ulmer

    Lisa Ulmer | Program Director

    Lisa Ulmer is the Program Director of Destination Dawgs at the Center on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. She also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor and teaches IHDD 2050S, Principles of Person-Centered Practices. She joined the Destination Dawgs team in 2016 as the Academic Instructor. Lisa earned her Ph.D. from UGA in Special Education in 2008 and her Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Florida State University. Her responsibilities include overseeing the program's day-to-day operations and program staff, expanding development and stewardship, and managing academic components, including assessment, teaching, advisement, registration, assistive technology, accommodations, and modifications. Lisa works directly with professors and instructors to expand and support inclusion in academic courses. 
    Lisa worked in special education for thirteen years before working at UGA. She has taught students with intellectual disabilities in a community-based vocational setting and an inclusive classroom setting. Before joining UGA, she was a Department Head for Special Education in Oconee County. 
    Lisa is the state of Georgia representative for the Southeast Postsecondary Education Alliance (SEPSEA) and a member of the SEPSEA Policy Committee and Scholarship Committee. She also serves on the Think College Common Application Committee. Additionally, Lisa is a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability, Georgia Association of Educators, Georgia Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium, NEGATT RESA Transition Consortia, and the GA Council for Exceptional Children.

  • Portrait of Carol Britton Laws

    Carol Britton Laws | Program Executive Director

    Carol Britton Laws is a Clinical Associate Professor in Disability Studies at the Center on Human Development and Disability / UCEDD at the College of Family and Consumer Sciences where she instructs in, and coordinates, UGA’s Disability Studies Certificate program. She is the Executive Director of the Destination Dawgs program and has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 20 years. Carol earned her PhD from UGA in Social Work in 2012. She received her Master’s degree in nonprofit and public administration from Rutgers School of Social work and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers College. She is a Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) and serves on multiple university, state, and national committees.

  • Alexis Szelwach | Transition Coordinator

    Alexis is serving Destination Dawgs as the Transition Coordinator. She received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Central Florida, and her master’s degree in higher education administration from The Institute of Higher Education at The University of Georgia. She has been working with students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities since 2015 as an undergraduate student, graduate student, and professional. Alexis has conducted research around inclusive post-secondary education programs in regard to adaptive curriculum, as well as how learning communities and high impact practices affect retention and belonging on a college campus. She recently served in the Division of Student Affairs at The University of Georgia and has a variety of experience within Higher Education. 

  • Kristina Britton | Mentor Coordinator

    Kristina Britton serves as the Mentor Coordinator for the Destination Dawgs program. She earned her Master of Social Work with a certificate in Nonprofit & Leadership May 2025. Additionally she received her bachelor's from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) with a major in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) in December 2019. She has worked with the program since her Destination Dawgs internship in August 2019. In her role, Kristina oversees our 40+ peer mentors, coordinates the students/mentor's schedules, and assists with the day-to-day operations within the program.

  • Benjamin Harrison | Engagement Assistant

    Benjamin Harrison is serving as Destination Dawgs Engagement Assistant. He was in the Destination Dawgs two-year certificate program from 2022-2024 then went on to be part of the Inaugural Foundation Fellows 2024-2026. He found a love for giving back to his community so his area of interest while in the program was in non-profit management & leadership. He currently supports the Destination Dawgs program by supporting students, meeting with donors and preparing for the ten year celebration of the program.

  • Kinsey Stutz | Graduate Assistant

    Kinsey Stutz serves as the graduate assistant for the Destination Dawgs program. While in undergrad, Kinsey worked as an intern for the Destination Dawgs program in 2025. During this time she was a lead mentor with the program. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the School of Social Work and a minor from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) in May 2026. She is currently obtaining her master’s degree from the UGA School of Social Work program and will graduate in May 2026.

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