Charlie Lakin joins the U.S. Department of Education as director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research on August 29, 2011. Currently the director of the University of Minnesota’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Living, in the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), Lakin will bring to his new position more than 40 years of experience as a teacher, researcher, consultant, and advocate in services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Throughout his career, Lakin’s expertise has been widely sought after by federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as disability advocacy organizations, in their efforts to provide quality services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community settings. He has directed dozens of research and training projects and has authored or co-authored 300 publications that have contributed to the shift in the United States from providing services for persons with developmental disabilities in institutions to supporting community living.
“This is an incredible honor that speaks to Dr. Lakin’s outstanding professional career and commitment to individuals with disabilities,” said David Johnson, professor and director of ICI.

Among recognitions that Lakin has received for his work are appointment by President Clinton to the President’s Committee on Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ Dybwad Humanitarian Award, the University of Minnesota’s Outstanding Community Service Award, and, most recently, the 2010 Research Matters! award from The Arc of the United States.
Lakin holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota, M.A. and M.Ed. degrees in special education from the Teachers College, Columbia University, and a B.A. in sociology from the University of Northern Iowa.