Debbie Gilmer

Debbie Gilmer is the Associate Director of Syntiro where she is the Director of the Center for Self-Determination, Health & Policy, Project Director of the Maine High School Equivalency Program (HEP) funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education and a UMF staff member. She also serves as Co-Director of the Maine State GEAR UP program working to raise aspirations and improve preparation for college for students from low income backgrounds across Maine. She previously worked at UMaine where she was the Associate Director of the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies and worked statewide to build the capacity of schools to support all students in inclusive classrooms. She has directed numerous state and federally funded projects in the areas of employment, transition, health care, inclusive education and positive behavior supports and is a well-regarded presenter and teacher.