  Build
Your
Future

Our hands-on model relies on the expertise of our team and strong community partnerships. All members of our team share a deep commitment to our community partners, our mentors and, the students themselves.

Managing Officers

Aaron Rakow, Chief Executive Officer

Aaron is a clinical psychologist and co-founder of College Steps. He has devoted his career to improving educational accessibility for students living with disabilities across a variety of categories. Aaron is also an Associate Professor within the Department of Psychiatry at Georgetown University. Collectively, Dr. Rakow has an array of experience within the behavioral health field. He previously worked at the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Children's National Health System, The Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of Vermont.

Lauren Merritt, Chief Operating Officer

Lauren is a founding member of College Steps and has overseen the growth of College Steps partnerships from a single college program in Vermont to a comprehensive model featuring partnership sites throughout the northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Lauren is identified as a national leader in post-secondary education for individuals living with disabilities. Lauren’s professional memberships include the Post-Secondary Education Consortium, Autism Advisory Council for Connecticut, New York, Vermont and Massachusetts (Chairperson), Ability Now (Chairperson), Waitsfield Children’s Center (Board of Directors), Green Mountain United Way (Board of Directors), Autism Speaks, and Connecticut Association on Higher Education and Disability.

Leadership Team