Dr. Michael L. Wehmeyer has been recognized nationally and internationally for his research on intellectual and developmental disabilities and is well known as a leader on the concept of self-determination. His career has spanned experiences from the state system to higher education. He has been the recipient of several federally funded grants to support his research and to prepare doctoral students for leadership activities. He shared his reflections in which he describes the benefit of teaching students with disabilities goal setting and the pursuit of those goals for a meaningful and purposeful life.