Our new Transition Specialist is a familiar face! Lilly Dunrud became our Transition Specialist in December. Read about her new role below.
I started working at NDVS/SB in December of 2018 as the APH Coordinator/ Administrative Assistant. In December 2025, I was hired as the Transition Specialist, which truly has been a dream come true. Having worked here for so many years, I feel that knowing the ins and outs of the agency has made this transition into my new role so much smoother.
As the new Transition Specialist at NDVS/SB, I am excited to continue building my knowledge and skills so I can best support students who are blind or have low vision as they prepare for life after high school. My goal is to help students build confidence, independence, and self-advocacy skills while exploring career interests, post-secondary education, employment opportunities, independent living skills, and community involvement. I look forward to helping students and families navigate transition planning, connect with resources, and develop the tools they need to successfully reach their personal goals.
Part of my duties include helping with the Independent Living Program, which some may know as our Teen STP week. During these programs, we focus heavily on helping students gain real-world experience and build independence skills that will support them long after high school. I help coordinate career exploration opportunities and presentations that allow students to hear from real-world professionals about both their successes and challenges. I believe it is important for students to hear honest experiences and learn about the many different paths available to them. During these weeks, students also work on important daily living and independence skills such as grocery shopping, meal planning, budgeting, cooking meals, cleaning up after themselves, and working as a team. It is incredibly rewarding to watch students grow in confidence, step outside of their comfort zones, and realize what they are capable of accomplishing independently.
I am passionate about helping students discover their strengths and supporting them as they transition into adulthood with confidence and independence. If you ever have transition-related questions or needs, please feel free to reach out to me at ldunrud@nd.gov or call (701) 795-2708. I’m always happy to support students and families throughout the transition process.
Outside of work, I live in East Grand Forks with my husband, Zach, and our son, Kayson, who will turn 2 in August. We have a couple of horses and two dogs. I’ve been riding horses my whole life, and I barrel race competitively. I also give riding lessons to 14 students at my grandparents’ horse boarding stable, Triple M Stables. I also serve as the bookkeeper for the ND School for the Blind Foundation. Being part of the Foundation allows me to support the important work it does for students and families beyond my daily role at NDVS/SB. It is incredibly meaningful to be part of a Foundation that is so passionate about supporting students, families, and the mission of our school.
Lilly can be reached by emailing ldunrud@nd.gov or calling (701) 795-2708.