Mary Mercer has a BS in Education from North Dakota State University and a MS in Special Education from Minot State University. She held positions in human resource development and program management for a community based service provider to people with developmental disabilities prior to coming to the University. She has experience as a direct support staff and is a guardian for a man with dual diagnosis of mental retardation and mental illness.

At the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities her work has primarily involved training for primary and secondary consumers, community based human service staff, aging service program staff, and NDCPD trainees. As Director of the North Dakota Community Staff Training Project for NDCPD at Minot State University her responsibilities include: directing the statewide training program and developing curriculum materials, measurement tools, and teaching aids; organizing workshops and conferences; on site consultative visits to community providers; coordination of the Developmental Disabilities Associate of Science Degree; on-line instruction for several undergraduate special education courses; and grant development. Mary is a native of North Dakota. She and her husband have five children.