Marisa Fisher, a recognized leader in special education, has been named a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor. The Michigan State University distinction recognizes faculty for their exemplary scholarly achievements, teaching excellence and alignment with university priorities, including student recruitment and retaining top academic talent.
Fisher was recently promoted to professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education (CEPSE). She co-founded, and currently serves as the executive director for, the MSU Center for Services, Training and Research for Independence and Desired Employment, or STRIDE Center. Since its creation in 2022, STRIDE has worked with hundreds individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offered over 45 training sessions to in-service professionals and employers, and garnered nearly $200,000 in funding.
Leading the field
In addition to her leadership roles in the College of Education, Fisher also has prominent roles in the field of special education.
At MSU, she is a member of the President’s Advisory Committee on Disability Issues and served on the MSU Community Engagement, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Task Force, among other ongoing and recent roles. Previously, she co-directed Spartan Project SEARCH in collaboration with the Ingham Intermediate School District, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and other partners.
More broadly, she is the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities and has served on the editorial boards of several more journals, including Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice and the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. To date, she has published more than 70 peer-reviewed manuscripts or book chapters.
“Too often, research is conducted about individuals with IDD, while excluding them from providing their own voice,” Fisher said. “Among my lines of inquiry, I seek to design accessible ways for individuals with IDD to share their own experiences. But, it’s also not enough to simply describe the psychosocial outcomes of individuals with IDD. Thus, I also research the development and implementation of community-based interventions to increase critical skills for individuals who are often underserved.”
Fisher has also been contracted to support local and statewide areas as they enact supportive programs and initiatives. Fisher is currently working with the Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency on implementing an applied behavior analysis practicum training program, which has ties to MSU’s master’s program in the same area. She is also working with Michigan Rehabilitative Services to build collaborative efforts with the STRIDE Center.
Research spotlight
To date, Fisher has over $4.5 million in research grant funding. Ongoing projects include a more than $2.3 million grant with the U.S. Department of Education, which created Project FUTURE, a collaboration with Pennsylvania State University to fully-fund the doctoral journeys of eight students. Fisher serves as principal investigator, or the lead on the grant.
Previously, Fisher has received funding as PI or co-PI on grants issued through the Institute of Education Sciences, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Williams Syndrome Association. In 2020, Fisher co-founded WS-iREACH, an international collaboration for intervention research for individuals with Williams syndrome.
“I am truly honored to be recognized as a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor,” said Fisher, who will be formally honored with the title at MSU’s 2026 Investiture for Endowed Faculty. “I love the work I do and the support I am able to provide to the disability community. I am looking forward to continuing to develop innovative ways to improve community participation for all who are underserved.”