The University of Missouri Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD) is pleased to welcome Derrick Willis as the new Associate Director of Missouri’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), bringing an accomplished disability leader back to Missouri after nearly a decade leading the Iowa UCEDD.
Willis returns to IHD at an exciting time for Missouri’s UCEDD as the institute looks toward its next five-year strategic plan, strengthens partnerships across the state and continues advancing opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
“Derrick brings decades of experience in Missouri and nationally and a wealth of knowledge about the policies and precedents that guide the work of UCEDDs,” said George Gotto, executive director of the UMKC Institute for Human Development. “He is a calm and kind presence with a service mindset that will make all of our work better.”
A Career Dedicated to Disability Leadership
A Missouri native from Sedalia, Willis has dedicated his career to strengthening systems that support people with disabilities and their families.
He began his career with the Missouri Department of Mental Health, where he spent 14 years before joining UMKC-IHD. During his 12 years at IHD, he led UCEDD initiatives focused on urban youth development and employment, building partnerships that connected young people to meaningful opportunities. His work also emphasized cultural and linguistic competency and improving outcomes for youth and families from diverse backgrounds living in urban communities.
In 2017, Willis joined the University of Iowa as Associate Director of the Iowa UCEDD and became its director the following year. He also served as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education and as training coordinator for Iowa’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (ILEND) program, helping prepare the next generation of disability leaders.
His leadership continued beyond Iowa with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), where he served on the board and was elected president in 2022, helping shape collaboration and innovation across the national UCEDD network. A recent career highlight came in 2023, when he spent a month in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, working alongside leaders of disability-serving organizations to support disability inclusion and systems change.
With more than 40 years of experience spanning nonprofit organizations, state government and higher education, Willis has remained committed to advancing inclusive communities and strengthening systems of support for people with disabilities and their families.
“I loved the people I met in Iowa and all the work we accomplished in a short period of time, but I consider Kansas City home and returning at some point was always in the plan.
What excites me the most about returning to UMKC is getting to know the emerging leaders who work at IHD and being a part of a team that emphasizes a “research-to-practice” framework for delivering quality services for Missourians.”
Building the Next Chapter for Missouri’s UCEDD
As Associate Director, Willis will help lead several strategic priorities for Missouri’s UCEDD, including strengthening organizational culture, guiding development of the 2027 UCEDD Core Grant application and five-year strategic plan, expanding partnerships across Missouri and supporting the growth of both existing and emerging UCEDD initiatives.
“My vision for the UCEDD is to be recognized as a Center of Excellence that partners with providers, professionals, and state and federal agencies to address complex issues impacting the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.
I hope to create a body of work that is responsive to the needs of people with disabilities and their families, to reach under-served communities, and to advance evidence-based strategies and proven effective approaches that improve outcomes for Missourians with disabilities.”
Those efforts will help position Missouri’s UCEDD to continue advancing inclusion, opportunity and systems change for people with disabilities and their families across the state.
Looking Ahead
With experience spanning state government, university leadership and national disability advocacy, Willis brings both a deep understanding of Missouri and a broad perspective from across the UCEDD network.
His return marks an exciting new chapter for Missouri’s UCEDD as IHD continues working alongside people with disabilities, families, professionals, policymakers and community partners to build more inclusive communities and improve quality of life throughout the state.
