Institute on Disabilities STAFF DIRECTORY

Kristin Ahrens
Ms. Ahrens is Project Coordinator of The Partnership (The Pennsylvania Training Partnership for People with Disabilities and Families), a program of the Institute. She has more than 15 years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities. Before joining the Institute, Ms. Ahrens was the Interim Director of Self-Determination Resources, Inc., a regional brokerage serving adults with developmental disabilities in Portland, OR.

Titania Boddie
Ms. Boddie is the Program Coordinator of the Academy for Adult Learning and Assistant Coordinator for Supported Leadership Facilitation. She is responsible for supervising student mentors and for coordinating activities for the Academy. In addition, insures the participants' access to Temple's campus. Ms. Boddie has a bachelor's degree in Elementary/Early childhood Education from Temple University.

Yvette Bolden
Ms. Bolden is the Administrative Assistant for Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), responsible for many of the administrative functions of this Institute program. In addition, Ms. Bolden chairs the Workplace Diversity Committee to assure, initiate and facilitate dialogue among staff and students within the Institute.

Guy Caruso
As Western Coordinator, Dr. Caruso is responsible for training and related activities in western Pennsylvania. In addition, he provides technical assistance to Pennsylvania's OMR Independent Monitoring for Quality Program. He has worked in human services for 32 years as an advocate, teacher, trainer, researcher, and consultant. Dr. Caruso has a master's degree and a doctorate from Syracuse University.

Carol Csaniz
As Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Csaniz provides office support to the Institute on Disabilities and is responsible for all logistics involving The Partnership and for the Confidence and Competence: Partners in Policymaking (C2P2) Trainings. A graduate of the Institute's C2P2 program, she has been active in issues involving people with disabilities for more than 20 years. Mrs. Csaniz is active in the Delaware County Down Syndrome Interest Group as well as Special Olympics. She is the mother of a daughter with a disability who has graduated from high school and is currently working and volunteering in the community.

Virginia DiLello
As Graphic Designer for the Institute, Ms. DiLello is responsible for designing and producing all print publications. She is both a designer and writer, following a project from conception to printing, insuring accessibility. Ms. DiLello has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism/Advertising from Temple and before joining the Institute, was a freelance writer and designer, with clients such as E.P. Henry, Wheaton Scientific and Renault Resort.

Ann Dolloff
Ms. Dolloff, Assistant Director, Accessible & Assistive Technologies, coordinates assistive technology device demonstrations, provision of consumer-responsive information and referral services regarding the types and availability of assistive technology devices. She has a master's degree in Education from Temple University. Before joining the Institute staff, Ann was Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

Celia Feinstein
Ms. Feinstein is Co-Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities. Additionally, she directs the Institute's Leadership Development activities (Competence and Confidence: Partners in Policymaking) and all of its variations. In addition, Ms. Feinstein directs The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Partnership for People with Disabilities and Families, as well as evaluation activities such as Independent Monitoring for Quality, Montgomery County monitoring and evaluating family support services. Ms. Feinstein received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and an Master of Arts in Medical Sociology from Temple University. She has also completed her doctoral coursework in Medical Sociology.

Beverly Frantz
Dr. Frantz directs the Institute's criminal justice and sexuality initiatives, including curriculum development, research, and technical assistance at the local, state and national levels. She has published numerous journal articles, reports, and personal safety/sexual abuse curricula. Dr. Frantz earned a Master of Science degree from Villanova University and the London School of Economics and a Doctorate degree from Widener University in Human Sexuality.

Susan Fullam
As Dissemination Coordinator, Ms. Fullam is responsible for all material created and distributed by the Institute, including web, print, audio and video. She spent the greater part of her career in publishing and communications in the private sector. After graduating from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Ms. Fullam served first as graphic designer, then as managing Editor, of a local newspaper. She then spent more than 10 years at TV Guide magazine as Director of Marketing Services.

Amy Goldman
Ms. Goldman is Co-Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities. Her portfolio includes the Institute's assistive technology (AT) - related services and supports, including Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology, the Assistive Technology Lending Library, Augmentative Communication and Empowerment Supports (ACES) and the Telecommunication Device Distribution Program. Ms. Goldman serves as the manager of the emergency preparedness and reuse initiative of the national Pass It On Center. As a licensed speech-language pathologist, she has many years of practice in the area of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and she recently completed her term as chair of the steering committee of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Group on AAC. Ms. Goldman completed her undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Ithaca College; her master's degree in Communication Disorders from the State University of New York College at Buffalo, and her doctoral coursework in Special Education at Temple University.

Adora Hatten
Ms. Hatten is Coordinator of the Supported Leadership Initiative, which supports people with intellectual disabilities to participate on boards and committees as fully participating members. In addition, she serves as Assistant Administrator for the Institute, with a variety of budgetary responsibilities. Ms. Hatten has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Temple University and co-chairs the That All May Worship Network of Greater Philadelphia.

Zona Jackson
Ms. Jackson is the Program Coordinator for Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library, handling administrative functions as well as participating in product reviews and determinations for purchasing new additions to the inventory, ordering equipment, verifying equipment orders, processing request forms, overseeing the on-site equipment loan program, and updating the Lending Library website.

Mary Jones-Furlow
Ms. Jones-Furlow is Projects Coordinator helping to manage the quality-of-life monitoring of individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities. In addition, she coordinates the Mini Series on Disability and facilitates the completion of the leadership training programs' individual projects. Ms. Jones-Furlow earned her bachelor's degree in Business Education from Albany State College in Georgia and her Master of Social Work degree from Temple University.

Ann Keefer
Dr. Keefer is Project Coordinator for the Ensuring Higher Education Opportunity for ALL demonstration project, a U.S. Department of Education grant-funded initiative which brings disability studies content into the undergraduate curriculum and advances the message of disability as diversity throughout Temple University. Trained in American literature and disability and illness autobiography, Dr. Keefer previously taught freshman composition at the University at Buffalo, frequently incorporating disability lifewriting into her course readings. She is a member of the Modern Language Association, where she has served on committees which focus on advancing disability studies as an academic discipline and disability issues in the profession of university teaching.

Julie Kessler
As Graduate Assistantship Coordinator, Dr. Kessler oversees graduate assistants for various projects at the Institute, and teaches the Introduction to Disability Studies Course. She coordinates the efforts of the Inclusive Education Work Group to support schools in developing model inclusive practices. Dr. Kessler has taught students with disabilities in a wide variety of settings and other students in preparation to teach diverse learners. She has a doctorate degree from Temple University in special education/inclusive practices. Dr. Kessler is a clinical assistant professor in the special education program in the Curriculum Instruction and Technology in Education Department here at Temple University.

Karen Latimer
As Assistive Technology Specialist for Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), Ms. Latimer helps individuals explore different Assistive Technology options available and also serves as the Consumer Educator for the Telecommunications Device Distribution Program for Pennsylvania through PIAT. She has worked in the field of Assistive Technology for over 20 years and has special interest in computer and listening technologies. Ms. Latimer holds a bachelors degree in Deaf Studies and Political Advocacy from California State University Northridge (CSUN) and her Assistive Technology Practioner Certificate (ATP) from RESNA.

Jim Lemanowicz
Mr. Lemanowicz is Assistant Director of Research at the Institute on Disabilities, as well as the Data Coordinator for the NIRS database. A 30+ year employee of Temple his responsibilities include statistical analysis and data management on multiple research projects. Mr. Lemanowicz co-authored several publications in developmental disabilities and presented at many forums. Currently his area of concentration is quality assurance, consumer interviews, and evaluation of the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Mr. Lemanowicz received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Temple University.

Carrie Leonhart
As Augmentative Communication Services Coordinator, Ms. Leonhart provides information, technical assistance, device demonstrations, consultation, and evaluations related to assistive technology for communication (augmentative and alternative communication - AAC). She is a PA licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist with a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Kansas State University. She has worked with individuals with disabilities of all ages in home, school, recreational, and community settings.

Carol Marfisi
Ms. Marfisi is an instructor with a master's degree in Counseling Education from the University of Edinboro and has B.S. in Psychology from Scranton University. She lectures throughout Temple University on disability-related issues. Ms. Marfisi develops and conducts community training and is a senior instructor for the ACES program. Ms. Marfisi is an integral part of the graduate certificate disability studies program.

Sandra McNally
As the Information & Referral / Special Projects Coordinator for PA's Initiative on Assistive Technology, Ms. McNally is involved in advocacy, outreach and guidance to identify and obtain appropriate AT devices and services including the borrowing of assistive devices through PA's AT Lending Library. Ms. McNally, the mother of two children with disabilities, received a master's degree from Temple University.

Kathy Miller
As Assistant Director of Training, Ms. Miller is responsible for overseeing the Institute's leadership development training programs. She also manages the Supported Leadership Initiative providing supports to self advocates on boards and committees and the Academy for Adult Learning a postsecondary opportunity at Temple for adults with intellectual disabilities. Kathy has a Master Degree in social work, and has worked along with and for people with disabilities for over 25 years.

Diane Perry
Ms. Perry is Family Inclusion Coordinator for the Confidence and Competence, Partners in Policymaking program for families who have children receiving Early Intervention services and school age children receiving special education services. She also supports The Partnership, coordinating support efforts for all family members and self-advocates to attend trainings, workshops and meetings. Ms. Perry is a parent of a child who receives special education services.

Jamie Prioli
Ms. Prioli is an Assistive Technology Specialist and Program Coordinator for the Reused and Exchanged Equipment Partnership (REEP), and is responsible for information, technical assistance, device demonstrations, and funding assistance related to assistive technology. For over 15 years she has worked with individuals with disabilities of all ages in home, school, work, and community settings. Ms. Prioli received her bachelor's degree from West Chester University and holds an Assistive Technology Professional Certificate (ATP) from RESNA. She currently serves as Chairperson of the RESNA Special Interest Group Committee.

Mary Kay Rentz
As the Assistant Director of Technical Assistance, Ms. Rentz is responsible for providing technical assistance to Pennsylvania's Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Project, a statewide project assessing the quality of life of individuals receiving mental retardation services. Before joining the Institute staff, Mary Kay worked for a provider organization in Philadelphia overseeing the agency's quality management activities and promoting continuous quality improvement. She has a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and more than 10 years experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Amy Semenuk
Ms. Semenuk, Graphic/Web Design Specialist, manages the websites for the Institute and The Partnership, a program of the Institute, and also designs and produces print, multimedia, and photographic materials. Since earning her BFA degree she has built her career in photography and graphic design, as well as focusing on Internet technologies.

Jill Smith
Ms. Smith is the technical writer for The Partnership, a program of the Institute. Working closely with self-advocates, she adapts PowerPoint presentations on topics that guide individuals through the state MR System and encourage self-determination. She attended SUNY at Cortland and earned a master's degree from Temple University.

Lisa Sonneborn
Ms. Sonneborn is the Project Coordinator for Visionary Voices: Leaders, Lessons. Legacy. For over fifteen years, Ms. Sonneborn has produced media that is focused on issues meaningful to the disability community. With Visionary Voices, she is working to capture oral histories of leaders in Pennsylvania's Intellectual Disability Movement, and is overseeing the processing and preservation of the Institute's archival collections. Ms. Sonneborn earned her BA in Art History from Arcadia University, and her MFA in Film and Media Arts from Temple University.

Lisa Troy
As Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP) Coordinator, Ms. Troy is responsible for screening and processing all TDDP applications. Much of her career has been in healthcare administration and customer service. Ms. Troy is currently a continuing education student at Temple University.

Ann Marie White
Ms. White is the Associate Director of Finance and Administration and is responsible for the daily operations and financial management of the Institute on Disabilities. She brings with her over a decade of experience in research administration and research financial management. Ms. White earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting from La Salle University, a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is a Certified Research Administrator.