In this edition of our Meet the Leader series, we are excited to highlight Carol Cheney, President of Epic Special Education Staffing (an Epic Staffing Group company). One of SIA’s 2023 Global Power 150 Women in Staffing, and recently named a 2024 Phoenix Titan 100 honoree, Carol is recognized among the top CEOs and C-level executives in the staffing industry for her exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Her unwavering commitment to empowering others has profoundly shaped Epic Special Education Staffing’s mission, driving meaningful change in the lives of children and enriching the communities they serve.
From Speech Pathology to Healthcare Staffing: Carol’s Journey
Carol’s combined love for language and people led her to become a speech pathologist. She spent a decade working in a large healthcare system, where she found fulfillment in helping patients through speech therapy.
An unexpected opportunity in simulation within the hospital system propelled her career in clinical education, leading to significant growth before she transitioned into a talent acquisition and staffing services role within the same organization.
Seeking new challenges, Carol moved to another healthcare company during the pandemic, expanding her staffing expertise and exploring new dynamics in a rapidly evolving field.
Finding the Perfect Fit at Epic Special Education Staffing
In her initial conversations with Mark Siegel, CEO of Epic Staffing Group, she was struck by his commitment to fostering a strong, people-centric culture. What stood out to Carol was how Epic prioritizes both its internal team and the people it serves. This focus not only drew her in but also continues to propel her forward.
The opportunity at Epic perfectly aligned with Carol’s passion for speech pathology and her extensive staffing knowledge, creating an ideal position where she could leverage her background in multiple ways. It felt especially relevant since speech pathology is a critical need in special education staffing, allowing Carol to connect her roots to her work. While she no longer practices as a speech pathologist, she proudly maintains her certification, a testament to the dedication and effort that brought her to this fulfilling role at Epic.
Navigating the New Normal: The Evolving Landscape of Healthcare Staffing
Carol notes a significant shift in the overall healthcare staffing landscape post-COVID. While hospitals are seeing reduced demand compared to the pandemic’s peak, schools face unique challenges. Many children, particularly those with special needs, missed essential therapies while learning remotely. Upon returning, these students require more support, increasing the demand for mental and behavioral health services.
Now that the initial post-COVID surge has settled, the healthcare and education sectors are slowing down and approaching a new normal. This transition raises important questions: “What does this new landscape mean?” and “How will the market evolve?” The industry is now focused on answering these questions and adapting to meet changing needs and opportunities in this transformed environment.
Carol notes that while staffing needs in the special education space remain consistent, funding has shifted, similar to trends seen across healthcare. Despite these changes, Epic Special Education Staffing continues to outperform the broader market, remaining agile and solidifying its position in the industry.
Boutique Care with Big Support: How Epic Special Education Staffing Stands Out
Carol highlights that Epic Special Education Staffing offers a unique blend of personalized service and robust support. “We still focus on having a very high-touch model—a boutique feel—being very one-on-one with clients and candidates. This is especially important in the school space,” she explains.
What sets Epic Special Education Staffing apart is the powerful infrastructure behind it. With shared services like IT and financials handled by Epic Staffing Group’s dedicated teams, Carol and her staff can focus on what they do best—providing tailored support to clients and candidates. “This model of business enables us to maintain a boutique feel while leveraging the resources of a larger organization,” Carol adds.
Epic’s diversified platform allows her team to prioritize their expertise in special education staffing without getting bogged down by backend tasks. This combination of scalability and personal attention gives Epic Special Education Staffing a distinct advantage in the current market.
A Culture of Care: The Heart of Epic Special Education Staffing
What sets Epic Special Education Staffing apart from competitors is the profound passion of its team members for their work and the individuals they serve. Many staff members have personal connections to the services provided, whether through their own experiences or by having children who have benefited from such support. This deep-seated dedication fuels their mission, with a workforce of highly committed and focused individuals who are genuinely invested in meeting the community’s needs.
Making a difference in the lives of all those who shape the future is their daily focus. Carol highlights that the team’s passion for this purpose is not just a statement; it’s a shared belief that permeates the work culture. This inspiration drives them to provide exceptional support and services, creating an environment where both the staff and the communities they serve can thrive.
Empowering Growth Through Servant Leadership
Carol’s leadership at Epic Special Education Staffing is defined by her commitment to servant leadership and her genuine passion for the community they serve. “I’m really privileged to lead such an amazing and passionate team,” she states.
Carol prioritizes fostering a positive culture where team members feel happy and supported, with transparency and communication as key elements of her approach. This ensures everyone understands the direction and rationale behind their strategies.
Her team’s eagerness to grasp the “why” behind their work motivates Carol to listen actively and respond to their needs. She believes that when her team members are happy, nourished, and empowered, they are better equipped to drive the business forward.
Though the journey is not always smooth, Carol recognizes that a strong foundational culture allows the team to overcome challenges together. She attributes their thriving environment to the supportive culture within Epic Staffing Group, reinforcing her belief that a positive workplace ultimately fuels business growth and success.
Charting a Path Forward: The Future of Special Education Staffing
With the rising demand for mental and behavioral health services, Epic Special Education Staffing is poised to tackle these challenges head-on. Carol emphasizes that there will always be children who need support, and as more kids receive services, the impact of their mission deepens. “We’re touching more lives,” she says, highlighting the goal to help every individual manifest their full potential.
While the challenge of finding qualified staff persists, Carol’s team is committed to attracting and nurturing talent to meet these growing needs. Epic Special Education Staffing has experienced a steep growth curve, and though it may not be as rapid since the post-COVID changes, the organization is on a steady trajectory.
With the robust infrastructure of Epic Staffing Group behind them, Carol is excited about the scalability and growth opportunities that lie ahead. “It’s a bright future. We’re going to keep growing, and that Epic engine enables us to scale and adapt as demand increases.”
Epic Staffing Group is a diversified national provider of staffing services to the healthcare and biopharmaceutical industries. We focus on outsourced placement of talented and in-demand individuals in Life Sciences, Nursing, Allied Health, Children’s Physical & Behavioral Therapy, Cardiac & Cancer Treatment, Diagnostics and Imaging, Locum Tenens Surgical Services, and Interim Leadership. Check out our blog to learn more about the amazing leadership behind Epic’s continued success.