Staff
Ibtissam "Eby" Browning
Assistant Director of Academics
Eby Browning is the Assistant Director for Academics for IDEAL. Her role includes recruiting, training and supporting faculty partners, overseeing the class registration process, modifying university class curriculum, documenting student academic progress, and planning and teaching specialized IDEAL courses. Eby received her undergraduate degree from Belmont University and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Lipscomb University. Before coming to IDEAL, Eby taught in the Williamson County School District for 5 years as a Special Education teacher in both elementary and transition classrooms.
Lexie Law
Residential Coordinator
Lexie Law is the Residential Coordinator for IDEAL. Her role includes overseeing dorm life and off-campus living for students in the IDEAL program. She coordinates students’ evening schedules and events and serves as the supervisor for the IDEAL Resident Assistants. She works closely with the Residence Life staff to ensure that students in the IDEAL program are fully integrated into dorm and campus life. Lexie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Lipscomb University in 2019. Throughout her undergraduate years, she volunteered with IDEAL and served as the IDEAL Resident Assistant for female students living on campus in 2018-2019. Lexie received her Master degree in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University in 2021.
Halle King
Assistant Director of Student Support
Dr. Halle King is the Assistant Director of Student Support for IDEAL. Her role includes coordinating and overseeing support for students, collecting and monitoring program and student data for program evaluation and enhancement, working with students on individualized goals and action plans, and co-leading the cooking lab and social skills classes. Dr. King graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and from Belmont University with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. During her time at Belmont, she completed a rotation with the Center for Community Partnerships in Fort Collins, CO working with young adults with ID. She supported students in the ProjectSEARCH program, community based employment, and the IPSE program at Colorado State University. Dr. King completed her capstone for her doctorate exploring the history, best practices, and occupational therapy’s role in IPSE programs.
Misty Vetter Parsley
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Parsley has a bachelor and a master degrees in Speech Language Pathology and a doctorate degree in Special Education Administration. She has dedicated her career to students with disabilities, previously serving as an autism consultant and special education coordinator in public schools. She also worked for 4 years in the Vanderbilt TRIAD program providing state-wide consultation to schools and providing support to families and students with autism through social skills programs and home consultations. She has presented both locally and nationally on autism and postsecondary topics. Misty is an associate professor and the Director of Special Education Programs at Lipscomb University where she teaches in the graduate and undergraduate special education programs. Misty’s passion is including people with disabilities in all aspects of the community and ensuring that they have the same opportunities to participate as do all other individuals. She started the IDEAL program, Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb, in January 2014 for students with disabilities who would not otherwise be able to attend college. The students are able to participate in the social and academic aspects of college while learning employment and daily living skills necessary to function independently. She was the Principal Investigator of the TPSID grant through the US Department of Education from 2015-2020. Misty has served on numerous nonprofit boards including Autism TN, Disability Rights TN, Genesis School, and the Southeastern Postsecondary Education Alliance.
Meg Harrington
Employment Specialist
Meg Harrington is the Employment Specialist for IDEAL. Her role includes planning and teaching specialized IDEAL courses that focus on employment and social skills. She also works closely with various departments on Lipscomb's campus in order to facilitate students' on campus internships. Meg received both her Bachelor's degree in Education and Master's degree in Special Education from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Before coming to IDEAL, Meg taught in the Williamson County School District for 4 years as a Special Education teacher in both high school and transition classrooms. She is most passionate about helping students with different abilities achieve high levels of independence and in particular, job skills.
Becky Sullivan
Assistant Director of Employment
Becky Sullivan is the Assistant Director of Employment for IDEAL. Her role includes securing and observing off campus internships and employment for IDEAL students. Becky received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Mississippi. Prior to IDEAL, Becky served within the middle Tennessee community of IDD for the last 10 years in various roles. Previous organizations included Backlight Productions, Best Buddies, Friends Life Community, Full Circle Program through the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, GiGi’s Playhouse, Young Life Capernaum, Tennessee Community Services Agency and the State of Tennessee. Becky loves to help individuals find their potential and live out their best lives, She is known for leading occasional, spontaneous dance parties.
Sarah Roe-Hall
Program Manager for Community Relations
Sarah Roe-Hall is the Program Manager for Community Relations for IDEAL. Her role includes training and scheduling peer mentor volunteers each semester. Sarah also oversees IDEAL student schedules, mentors, Circle of Support (COS) Leaders, and plans and coordinates IDEAL events, including IDEAL Summer Academy and service projects. Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, and is currently working towards her Master of Education. Sarah merged her ministry education with the social services field, working with the Department of Labor as a case manager with the WIOA Youth program for 2 years. Sarah assisted young people with employment and education including students with disabilities. Sarah has enjoyed utilizing her ministry training and experience in social services to support the IDEAL students and peer mentors.