Dr. Mariya Davis is an Associate Professor of Special Education at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on educational tests and measurements in special education, research in special education, development and disabilities, instructional and behavioral programs for exceptional children, professional collaboration in inclusive settings, transition, behavior management, language disorders, and psycho-educational evaluation. Dr. Davis also co-coordinates the Educational Diagnostician program and mentors graduate students.

Dr. Davis has served the field of education for over 20 years as a high school science teacher, special education teacher, and educational diagnostician. Dr. Davis holds two Masters degrees, in Secondary Education and Special Education, and a Ph.D. degree in Special Education from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Her research focuses on the transition of students with disabilities into post-school environments and equipping them with skills necessary for successful employment, postsecondary education, and community involvement upon graduation. Dr. Davis’ research interests also include student empowerment, self-determination, teacher preparation, professional development, and higher education. In 2024, Dr. Davis won the A&M-SAs Distiguished Senior Scholar Award for her research achievements and was selected as a Fellow for the 2025 IES-funded Comprehensive Program for Adaptive Interventions Training in Education (CATIE).

Dr. Davis has held several professional leadership positions in special education. Dr. Davis is President Elect for the Council for Educational Diagnostic Service (CEDS). She served as President of two professional organizations: the Texas Division for Career Development and Transition (TXDCDT) and the Texas Council for Learning Disabilities (TCLD). Dr. Davis is also a member of several committees for the Divison on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD), DCDT, and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): Research, Publications, Membership, and Yes I Can Awards. Dr. Davis is passionate about serving students with disabilities and their families along with the staff who support them. She utilizes a collaborative leadership style and strives to model the work ethics she expects from others. Dr. Davis sees a great need for preparing pre-service and in-service teachers by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to support the unique learning needs of students with disabilities in their transition to adulthood. Dr. Davis believes that the translation of research into practice will provide training opportunities that focus on evidence-based techniques.

Dr. Davis currently serves as Principal Investigator on a $2.1 million grant from the Department of Education. Her scholarship supported the development of an inclusive post-secondary education program for young adults with intellectual disabilities who desire to pursue their college dreams. The Transition University for Career Advancement and Successful Adulthood (TU CASA) opened its doors in the Spring of 2021 and welcomed five extraordinary young men and women! TU CASA is one of only three university-based inclusive CTP programs in Texas. 

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