Colleen McKay Wharton

Colleen McKay Wharton has been a member of the CLEP team since May of 2018. Since that time, she has continued to broaden her knowledge and understanding of the world of intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing in particular on the experiences and needs of individuals and families.

She began her career as a social worker in 1991, working for several years coordinating support groups and facilitating disease self-management programs for individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities. In her prior work as a public health practitioner, Colleen has facilitated community health needs assessments, workforce development trainings, and numerous health education initiatives throughout the state.

In addition to her role as Director of CLEP, Colleen is Manager of the Public Health Training Center at the School of Public Health, where she develops and/or facilitate training initiatives for varied public health audiences.

Colleen has her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and her graduate degree in Health Education from Montclair State University. She is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES).