For Mark Tucker, working in the field of rehabilitation counseling is its own reward. Through his research and training of vocational rehabilitation counselors, the associate professor in San Diego State University’s Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) helps people with disabilities find employment, independence and identity.
“The field is one where we're really focused on helping to level the playing field for the disadvantages that folks with disabilities experience,” Tucker said. “In our case, that’s particularly things like employment, participating in the community or education achievement. It's pretty rewarding to be able to devote your life to something like that.”
His research has now garnered national acclaim.
Tucker has been named the 2022 recipient of the Rehabilitation Researcher of the Year Award from the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE). NCRE is the top professional organization devoted to rehabilitation counseling education.
SDSU’s rehabilitation counseling program — ranked No. 4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report — is no stranger to NCRE honors. Professor Emeritus Fred McFarlane received the Distinguished Career in Rehabilitation Education Award in 2019.
Tucker called his award a “pleasant surprise” and added he was particularly touched to have been nominated by his colleagues in the program.
“That they would take the time to do that really meant a lot to me,” he said.
A 1999 graduate of SDSU’s program, Tucker joined the staff of the Interwork Institute and began teaching as a lecturer in the College of Education in 2000. He became a tenure-track faculty member in ARPE in 2014. As a researcher, he examines the impact of education and other factors on vocational rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
“Dr. Mark Tucker is an outstanding researcher and scholar,” said Charles Degeneffe, professor and chair of ARPE. “He is making important contributions to improving rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities and represents one of the most important scholarly voices in rehabilitation counseling.
“It has been my honor to work alongside Dr. Tucker for the past 17 years. I can think of no one more deserving of this tremendous honor.”
Tucker said that, in recent years, he has relished the opportunity to mentor junior faculty colleagues and help them grow as researchers. He’s also particularly proud of his role in training generations of rehabilitation counselors who will go on to empower countless people with disabilities.
“A lot of my impact is through my students,” Tucker said. “I see having them filter out and have a broader impact on the community as an extension of the work that we do here. It's a chance to make a difference for people who you may never meet.”