Class of 2018

Deborah McCarthy profile picture

Deborah McCarthy

University of South Florida

“I believe that mentoring is a gift. Being a mentor means that an individual trusts me enough to share hopes and challenges. Being a mentor means that I have the opportunity to guide and support an individual through a process of self-discovery, advocacy and personal success. Mentoring is an influential gift. My mentors helped me develop the knowledge, confidence, poise and compassion that defines the advocacy work I do. It is a great joy to continue the cycle of relationship and discovery by serving as a mentor for another individual.”

We are proud to induct Deborah McCarthy into the Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame.

Deborah McCarthy is currently the Director of Students with Disabilities Services at USF. She has more than 20 years of experience in Higher Education including academic advising, campus housing, teaching, admissions and disability advocacy.

Prior to coming to USF in 2009, Deborah lived in Austin, TX and worked for a variety of schools in the Austin area including The University of Texas at Austin and Southwestern University.

Deborah has a Master’s in College Student Personnel from Miami University in Ohio. In addition to Deborah has a variety of publications which focus on her own experience as a professional with a disability and/or the experiences of students with disabilities. She is committed to a “one step at a time” philosophy of self advocacy.