2026 Luminary of the Year: Mark Crenshaw

One of Mark’s greatest passions is helping people with disabilities find their voices and become effective leaders in their communities. He is an influential advocate who has had a tremendous impact on the disability community in Georgia. Mark currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) and the Director of Interdisciplinary Training at Georgia State University. He has also served as the Director of the The Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program since 2011 and has been a member of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Leadership Academy staff since its inception in 2017.

Mark is originally from Oklahoma and received his degree in religion from Oklahoma City University in 1997. He earned his master’s degree in theological studies from Emory University in 1999. Mark previously worked as the Executive Director of the Interfaith Disability Network.

He has advised LEND programs across the country on how to include self-advocates in interdisciplinary training. Mark has been a wonderful mentor to many LEND graduates and has continued to support them throughout their careers. Daniel Crimmins, Mark’s former supervisor and colleague at CLD, described him as “a well-spirited connector who can bring people together.” Breanna Kelly-Higgs, a LEND Program graduate and colleague, says, “Mark is a leader who leads through action and taught me the power of connection and relationships.”
Bobby Dodd Institute is honored to have Mark as one of our 2026 Luminaries.