Meet our leaders in student support services
Our student services division is made up of First Student leaders who work closely alongside behavioral experts, district leaders, and parents to improve each student’s experience. Developing positive interventions and accommodation plans unique to student needs offers a reliable system of support for students. Our student services leaders make it possible.
Will McDermott
Head of Student Services
Will’s commitment to student success continues to drive his efforts as he leads initiatives that prioritize safety, efficiency, and equity in specialized transportation.
Before his work in transportation, Will served as the Principal of Hopewell Academies. During his tenure, he identified a critical need for a more tailored approach to special education transportation, inspiring the launch of Hopewell Transportation. His dedication to meeting the unique challenges of special education is rooted in his extensive academic background. Will earned a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Loras College, focusing on Transition Services and Mild to Moderate Developmental Disabilities. He later completed a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Leadership Development and Special Populations from Purdue University, followed by an advanced degree in Educational Leadership from Lewis University.
In addition to his leadership at First Student, Will remains committed to education through his role at Purdue University, where he teaches Leadership Development courses in the Department of Career and Technical Education. His blend of practical experience, academic expertise, and visionary leadership makes Will a key advocate for improving services for students and families nationwide.
Laura Greene-Halley
Senior Director of Student Services
As a 2015 National School Transportation Association Golden Merit Award winner, Laura has been an industry-recognized driving force in student transportation for over 30 years. Laura has served two consecutive three-year terms on the Advisory Board for School Bus Driver Instructor/Master Instructor with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Laura also holds numerous professional certifications including NYSED Master Instructor and Safety Leadership Instructor and Coach certified by Aubrey Daniels International and is Certified in Special Needs Transportation by NAPT.
Laura is an intentional role model, motivating others to become safety leaders and inspiring them to embrace safety as their core operating value. She is a passionate professional who gains personal fulfillment from ensuring the safety of our students, employees and the general public in our partner communities.
Dr. Susan King
Special Education Professor
Dr. King has extensive experience consulting with public and private schools, serving as an expert witness in legal cases, and conducting independent educational evaluations. She has chaired the National Advisory Committee for the HEATH Resource Center, the National Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities. Currently, Dr. King serves on the First Serves National Advisory Board (Cincinnati, Ohio), the Committee of Disability Awareness (Baltimore-Washington), and the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, an opt-in research community of business professionals.