Yazmin Castruita Rios

Yazmin Castruita Rios is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education within the College of Education. She holds a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counselor Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a focus on leadership and research in transition services for youth and young adults with disabilities. Her work emphasizes employment and community integration for transition-age individuals with disabilities, particularly within Hispanic communities. Rios has extensive experience supporting educational and vocational needs of disabled populations in both English and Spanish.

Education:

• Ph.D., Rehabilitation Counselor Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research Interests:

• VR service engagement and outcomes for Hispanic youth
• Customized employment strategies
• Interdisciplinary collaborations in disability support
• Psychosocial adaptation to disability
• Policies affecting transition services
• Student veterans’ mental health and disability

Recent Research Trends: Her publications analyze vocational rehabilitation programs, VR service effectiveness, and cultural barriers in service access. She explores systemic and individual factors influencing employment outcomes, particularly for marginalized groups like Hispanic youth and veterans with disabilities. Her work bridges policy analysis, program evaluation, and stakeholder collaboration to improve disability support systems.

Grants & Advising: While specific grants or advisees are unlisted, her research suggests involvement in projects addressing disability policy, VR program optimization, and cultural competency in service delivery. She collaborates across disciplines to enhance transition services and reduce disparities in employment opportunities.