• Director of Outreach and Engagement
  • DirectCourse Quality Coordinator
Email
metz0171@umn.edu
Phone
+1 612-301-3439
Address
Masonic Institute on the Developing Brain
Annex 2-512b [map]
2025 E River Pkwy
MInneapolis, MN 55414

Macdonald M. Metzger, M.S., DPA. is the Director of Outreach, Education, and Interdisciplinary Training at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. In this role, Metzger provides strategic direction and leadership for ICI's outreach, education, and interdisciplinary training programs. He coordinates the direction and growth of education, interdisciplinary training, and outreach programs to meet ICI's strategic initiatives. He supports the implementation of interdisciplinary training programs such as the MNLEND Fellowship and the Disability Policy Certificate programs, including community outreach and engagement activities. He leads strategic action plans that promote the MNLEND fellowships and the selection of learners from diverse racial and ethnic communities. He also leads as a creative resource throughout ICI for diversity-related initiatives, activities, materials, advice, and counsel.

Metzger is also an alumnus of the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) Leadership Academy and a member of AUCD's Emerging Leader Community. Metzger is the founding President of the African Association of Disability and Self Advocacy Organizations (AADISAO). Prior to taking on a leadership role at ICI, Metzger served as a DirectCourse Quality Coordinator. In this role, he provided quality assurance for the DirectCourse curriculum from ICI's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL). He was charged with overseeing the timely and quality production of online training materials, primarily for DirectCourse (the College of Direct Support; College of Frontline Supervision and Management, Person-Centered Counselling Curriculum; College of Recovery and Community Inclusion). He has extensive experience in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health needs in a person-centered environment. He is a trained person-centered planner. Metzger's international work includes support for the implementation of the RTC-CL DirectCourse and Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) training of volunteers and CBR facilitators in Zambia and Liberia. He is a MNLEND faculty mentor and leadership team member. Dr. Metzger was recently selected by the U.S. Department of State to participate in its Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment (PFP-IDE) in Nairobi, Kenya and continues to serve as a virtual coach for PFP-IDE Fellows from East Africa. Metzger currently serves on the State of Minnesota’s HCBS Community Advisory Board and is Vice President of the National Association for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Needs (NADD) membership committee.

Projects

Project

DirectCourse

Offers a suite of competency-based, online curricula for professionals providing services to people with intellectual, developmental, physical, and psychiatric disabilities, and to older adults....

Project

Supporting the Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Kisangani

This project collaborated with the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action & National Solidarity to work with local and regional government staff and …

Project

Community-based Rehabilitation Approaches for Family Caregivers and People Who Support Adults and Children with Disabilities [Archived]

Presents two-day trainings in Liberia that teach individuals with disabilities, family members, and community volunteers about community-based rehabilitation (CBR) methods and the rights of people …

Project

Art for All: The Stephanie Evelo Program for Art Inclusion

The Stephanie Evelo Program for Art Inclusion at the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, connects artists with disabilities with organizations throughout the Twin Cities …

Project

Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL)

Conducts a wide range of research, training, and technical assistance and dissemination projects related to community supports under its center grant and related project funding. The RTC-CL is …

Project

Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities in Kenya

This project increased the capacity of Kenyan business owners with disabilities to do business with the United States and improved the business environment and climate for people with disabilities …