Connie Sung Named Inaugural Annmarie Hawkins Research Professor in Disability Justice

On June 12, 2025, the Regents of the University of Michigan named Professor Connie Sung the inaugural Annmarie Hawkins Research Professor in Disability Justice. This esteemed position is made possible by a generous gift from Neil and Annmarie Hawkins to support research that advances the practice-based understanding of how to effectively support people with disabilities in living, working, and thriving in community settings. This term-of-years research professorship will enable Sung to dedicate time and resources to transformative research projects focused on community-based interventions that empower individuals with disabilities and enhance their quality of life.

“Annmarie Hawkins has been a true change agent for disability justice across four decades of service and impact – as a teacher of autistic students, vocational rehabilitation counselor, board member of multiple NGOs, an elected school board member for 16 years focused on special education, and as an appointed member of the board of Community Mental Health for Central Michigan. Her advocacy and service for people with disabilities has made a significant difference for thousands of people. This research professorship in her honor has real potential to extend her impact through the work of Dr. Sung and the University of Michigan,” said Neil Hawkins on behalf of the family.

Sung, who joined the School of Social Work in January 2025, will hold the Annmarie Hawkins Research Professorship in Disability Justice for up to five years. Sung’s research focuses on community-based interventions aimed at enhancing the career development of individuals with disabilities. Sung is a certified rehabilitation counselor, highly respected scholar and community-builder, and has authored over 100 publications and has secured over $20 million in research funding. She is also a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a Mary Switzer Fellow awarded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. This research professorship will enable Sung to continue her transformational work in disability justice research and teaching at the nation's top-ranked School of Social Work. Sung looks forward to further bridging the gap between disability research and practice.

“My goal is to develop and implement evidence-based interventions that serve as actionable solutions to empower marginalized communities, foster equity and accessibility, and ignite a cultural shift toward greater inclusion and understanding of disability,” Sung said.

Prior to joining the School of Social Work, Sung served as the program director of the Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling and co-director of the Michigan State University Center for Services, Training and Research for Independence and Desired Employment. She received her Master of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her PhD in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.