RSA Scholar Program

Magdhalini Thadori

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace:

The RSA Scholar program gave me the opportunity to network with amazing people in the field, attend conferences such as the National Council on Rehabilitation Education conference in Washington, DC, become involved in research and get a paid internship with the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

George Serrano Martinez

Scholar Status: Internship
Current Workplace: The Grow Group

The RSA program has allowed me to feel confident in my vocational rehabilitation career, and their assistance made the process smoother and allowed me to focus more on school. This program is great but meeting and networking with other RSA's scholars has been my favorite aspects of RSA.

Suresh Lama Tamang

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: The Grow Group/ Self-Employed

Through RSA scholar I was able to make connection that I know without it I wouldn't have been able to make. It provided me the stability and ability to be able to start my career.

Morgan Booker

Scholar Status: Graduated

 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.

Estefania Simon

Scholar Status: Internship
Current Workplace: Vocational Rehabilitation Unit 14D

It has helped me become a more qualified professional and also the scholarship has helped financially to afford a career in a field that I love. It helps focus more on 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.

Marianne Abadir

Scholar Status: Internship
Current Workplace: Tampa Crossroads

The RSA Program has assisted me in allowing me to afford my education, providing me 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 be gathered together. 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 Voc Rehab work in a way I didn’t realize I could do! Just interacting with other scholars is always so enjoyable.

Chris Lee

Scholar Status: Internship
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!

Genevieve Pina

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Tampa Crossroads

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.

Angelica Medina

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Housing Works

Zach Hoge

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Vocational Rehabilitation through ServiceSource

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

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.

Samantha Reese

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: City College

I am just beginning my career so I can't say much on this yet. So far, I feel very confident in handling my work duties because of what I learned in the RSA program. I work with students on a daily basis and feel that I am able to provide effective counseling. 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.

Marilyn Johnson
Scholar

Status: Internship

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. Additionally, being a RSA scholar provides the financial funding for the degree as well as specific electives aligned with WIOA. For Practicum and Internship sites previously aware and unaware with what an RSA scholar is, the RSA program either gives extra points to interview scoring or enhances the community awareness to the advantages of working with RSA scholar professionals.

Charnell Widnall

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Focus Academy and private practice, Widnall Counseling

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.

Sarah Bauer

Scholar Status: Practicum 1
Current Workplace: Department of Veteran’s Affairs

 The RSA program has provided me with unique and challenging coursework experiences that have helped me better understand the use of holistic evaluation and the wide-ranging impacts of supporting individuals with disabilities finding work. Being in the RSA program and having more exposure to vocational rehabilitation and supported employment has assisted me in my recent work as a project manager for a study investigating the implementation of a cognitive behavioral intervention within VA supported employment services.

Kaleigh Ayers (Cornett)

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: Department of Veteran’s Affairs

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.

Ann Taylor Adams

Scholar Status: Completing Coursework
Current Workplace: The Learning Academy

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.

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.

Bridgette Canal

Scholar Status: Graduated
Current Workplace: The Grow Group

 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.

Ashley MacMunn

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

 The RSA program allowed me to truly focus on my education while not worrying about paying for school. It has also allowed me to take a position without worrying about paying back loans. I am so appreciative to have had this opportunity and get to really focus on clients. I feel well-informed with what and how I need to pay back the scholarship in regard to my work environment. I have had a great experience with my advisor. She has always been available and answered any questions I've had.