Jennifer Lillis
Research Scientist
Dr. Jennifer Lillis is a research scientist at the Wheelock Education Policy Center at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. In this role, she investigates the roles and working conditions of special educators, aiming to improve support systems and instructional quality. Her research also focuses on enhancing college and career readiness, and improving transition outcomes, for students with disabilities.
Dr. Lillis’s experience includes teaching special education in New York City and Costa Rica, as well as leading educational initiatives in Boston. Before joining BU, Dr. Lillis served as the director of college access at a Boston-based youth development organization and as the career pathways coordinator at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Boston Public Schools. At the Burke, she pioneered an innovation pathway in biotechnology that earned state designation and expanded early college and career preparation opportunities for students. Dr. Lillis is dedicated to enhancing students’ special education experiences and reducing inequities in access to post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
pronouns: she/her
Recent News
Education
EdD, Special Education, Boston University
MEd, Special Education, Long Island University
B.A., Political Science, University of Michigan
Selected Publications
Lillis, J. & Kutscher, E. (2022). Defining Themselves: Transition Coordinators’ Conceptions of their Roles in Schools. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. 45(1), 17-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434211010687
Lillis, J. (2021). Who Is Responsible for Transition Planning? Mapping Transition Responsibilities Among School Professionals [Dissertation]. Boston University. https://open.bu.edu/handle/2144/43130
Mathews, H. M., Lillis, J. L., Bettini, E., Peyton, D. J., Pua, D., Oblath, R., Jones, N. D., Smith, S. W., & Sutton, R. (2021). Working Conditions and Special Educators’ Reading Instruction for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. Exceptional Children, 87(4), 476-496. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402921999825
Selected Presentations
Lillis, J., Bettini, E, Peyton, D.J., Shaheen, T., & Hernandez, M. (2023, November). Working conditions and special educators’ instructional decision-making for students with EBD. Presented at the annual Teacher Education Division of CEC Conference, Long Beach, CA.