About

Olivia Raynor, PhD

Dr. Raynor is the P.I. and Director of the Tarjan Center, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (DD), and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the Semel Institute, UCLA. Her career spans over 40 years of experience in management, analysis, evaluation, training and public policy at the individual and system levels that support individuals with disabilities participation in inclusive postsecondary education, integrated competitive employment, the arts, and civic engagement. Dr. Raynor is the P.I. and Director of CECY, The California Employment Consortium for Youth with DD, an alliance of 25 local and state agencies, associations, organizations, families, and self-advocates. CECY’s purpose is to build capacity and partnerships that foster meaningful sustainable changes in the systems that support youth and young adults to achieve employment. She is the founding and current director of the National Arts and Disability Center. Dr. Raynor also serves as the developmental disabilities consultant to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and community college system. Dr. Raynor previously served as President of the Association for University Centers of Excellence in Disabilities and currently serves on the Board. She is a Governor appointed member of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Raynor holds degrees from Boston University and USC in Occupational Therapy and a doctorate from UCLA in Educational Psychology.