Alisa Lowrey has been named the Edward A. and Mary Lou Otting Chair in Special Education, a position that carries a remarkable legacy within the IU School of Education. 

Edward and Mary Lou Otting were parents of a child with an intellectual disability and established the Otting Chair in Special Education in 1998 as part of their deep commitment to advancing work in the special education field. Lowrey called being named the Otting Chair both a privilege and a responsibility.

“Having a family member with an intellectual disability, I understand personally how meaningful this work is to families and to the field. To be entrusted with the opportunity to carry forward the Ottings’ mission—to advance research, practice, and teacher preparation in intellectual disability—is something I hold with deep gratitude and purpose,” she said.

As Otting Chair, Lowrey hopes to strengthen IU’s reputation as a national leader in special education, build partnerships with researchers across the country to create a shared vision for revitalizing educational research in intellectual disabilities, and explore how emerging technologies and supports can empower teachers to prepare students with intellectual disabilities for successful, fulfilling adulthoods.

Lowrey’s current work centers on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework for designing instruction that supports the full range of learners. She is also working on a project that will explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) not only as a support tool for students with intellectual disabilities but also as a potential “thinking partner” that enhances engagement and independence.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to hold this position. Advancing opportunities and outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities has been at the heart of my career, even as I have worked broadly across the field of special education. Being entrusted with the Otting Chair allows me to focus my energy and scholarship fully on this cause—with the support to make meaningful progress,” Lowrey said, adding, “It is both humbling and energizing to have this chance to contribute to the Ottings’ enduring mission. I view it as both a personal and professional responsibility to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities have access to inclusive education, opportunity, and community throughout their lives.”