KAGENDO MUTUA was born and raised in Kenya on a tea far m in a family that dabbled in farming, educa­tion, politics, and community activism. She is the youngest of seven siblings. She is mar­ried to Dr. Carlton McHargh. They have two daughters, Makena and Kendi, who at­tend Tuscaloosa City Schools. Dr. Mutua is a Professor of special education in the College of Education at The University Of Alabama. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Kenyatta University, in Nairobi, Ke­nya, a Master of Science degree in Special Education from Clari­on University of Pennsylvania, and a doctoral degree from Kent State University in Ohio. Her specialization in Special Education is in the area of secondary/transition programming for youth with significant disabilities. At The University of Alabama, she teaches classes in severe disabilities and secondary programs for students with severe and multiple disabilities and has published related research in several journals in Education.