Q: Tell us a little bit about your career before Maria College.
A: For the past 7 years I have worked as a school psychologist at the high school level working with students with disabilities who needed special education support or other types of support to facilitate learning.
Q: Where did you go to school and what degrees do you hold?
A: BA in English from Michigan State University, a Master of Education and a Certificate of Advanced Study from The College of Saint Rose (both required to be a NYS Certified School Psychologist).
Q: Why did you choose this field?
A: I love learning and always have, but I really never gave a lot of thought to what is involved in learning. When I took and Educational Psychology course about the theories of learning it really sparked my interest in how we learn. Helping people who may have barriers to learning was an easy choice for me after that.
Q: What is it about Maria College that you were drawn to?
A: Maria College has a wonderful reputation in the community. The size and the focus on doing a few things really well also appealed to me. And I have a soft spot in my heart for nurses, as both my mom and sister are nurses.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your role here at Maria?
A: I am the Director of Accessibility Services, which is probably best known as the place where students who need testing accommodations come to get them. And yes, one of our primary functions is to guide students with disabilities through the process of requesting and receiving accommodations.
Q: As the Director of Accessibility Services, what do you hope to accomplish here at Maria?
A: What I hope is that our office will also be seen as a resource for both students and faculty to support learning and success here at Maria College. As a school psychologist, I am trained in assessment, intervention, consultation and counseling around all aspects of learning, so I hope to be helpful to anyone who may need support in those areas.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of work!
A: I have been married for 28 years to my husband Steve, and we have two sons, Daniel (24) and Nathan (21). Although I still consider myself a Midwesterner, I have lived in New York for most of my adult life. I love to travel, read, work out and spend time at our house on Loon Lake in the Adirondacks. I have also recently become a hospice volunteer, and in the summertime, my husband and I often foster puppies for a local organization.