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Christy Willis
Director
Christy has
worked in the field of disability since 1973 and is currently Director of
Disability Support Services at The George Washington University in Washington, DC,
where she has worked since 1984. She is a board member of C-AHEAD, and her
recent work includes addressing the National Conference of State Legislatures
on “Issues in Mental Health” and the National Association of State Directors of
Special Education on the subject “Transition Works.” Most recently she hosted a
day-long symposium that brought together national experts on autism. She is
currently co-chair of a symposium entitled “Welcome Home to Washington:
Fostering Higher Education Success for Veterans and Their Families” to be held
in October 2009.
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Susan McMenamin
Associate Director
Susan brings to her position at The George Washington University a strong background in post-secondary level disability support having previously served as Coordinator of Services at the University of Maryland. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology/Psychology with a minor in Education from the State University of New York at Albany, and Master of Arts in Special Education from Regis College in Massachusetts. Susan has served in K-12 education in public school systems and as a clinician with the Comprehensive Evaluation Unit in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. Her training as a special educator and diagnostician provides the foundation for her current responsibilities, the review of documentation, determination of eligibility for accommodations, and individualized support for GW students.
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Joe Fisher
Learning Specialist
Joe assists students primarily with writing assignments, paying particular attention to the writing process (prewriting, drafting, and revision). Additionally, Joe helps students develop effective time management and study strategies, along with adjusting to, and managing, college life. Joe has taught composition and literature at the high school, community college, and four-year university levels, and he received his PhD in English from GW in May 2007. His professional interests include twentieth century American literature, disability studies, and popular culture—music culture in particular.
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Melissa Nichols
Learning Specialist
Mel works with students in all stages of the writing process, as well as strategies for assignment management both short term and for the full semester. She has a Master of Fine Arts in poetry and teaches composition, literature, and creative writing at the college level. She offers both online and evening hours for students who need this flexibility in their schedules, and her current interests include universal design applied to course curriculum planning.
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Diane Chaney
Office Manager
Diane joined our staff in December of 1999 after almost twelve years as office manager of the Bookstore. She helps to keep the office running smoothly. Diane processes payroll for staff and student workers and handles the business aspects of DSS.
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Christina Galarza
Executive Associate
Christina has been with the University since 1983. She comes to us from GW Television, where she supported a nine-person production crew, as well as three managers. Her main focus with DSS is coordinating the services available to students, such as test proctoring, notetaking, books on tape, interpreting and assistive technology.
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Thomas Tarantino
Executive Assistant
Tom graduated from Gallaudet University with a B.S. degree in Home Economics, specializing in Food and Nutrition. He is pursuing a second degree in Computer Information Systems, also at Gallaudet. He joined our staff in April 2003 and assists with test proctoring, scanning, notetaking, and database development. He is proud of being Deaf.
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Terri West
Executive Assistant
Terri is a native Washingtonian. She began working in the GW Bookstore in 1995; she joined the DSS staff as senior secretary in 1999. She assists in coordinating direct services including test proctoring, notetaking, and students' letters to professors.
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Kate Lacey
Staff Interpreter
Kate graduated from Marymount Manhatten College with a fine arts degree in theatre. She then obtained a degree in interpreting/transliterating from Gallaudet University. In 1991, she became certified by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. In addition to her staff duties, she is a freelance interpreter in the greater Washington, D.C. area.
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Cheryl Ringel
Staff Interpreter
Cheryl holds a Bachelor's degree in both Psychology and Theatre Arts Performance and Directing. Her graduate work includes an MS in Criminology from Southern Illinois University and an MA in Sign Language Interpreting from Gallaudet University. Cheryl continues to work as an RID certified interpreter in the DC metro area along with her staff interpreting position at DSS.
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Kristy "Ki Ki" Theodore
Graduate Assistant
Kristy is the latest addition to our staff. She is a current doctoral
student in the Counseling Program at GW and holds a Master’s degree in
Rehabilitation and Mental health Counseling. Kristy will be assisting
students in gaining and increasing time management and organizational
skills. She will also be able to link students to available educational, and
work related resources. She holds office hours on Thursday and Fridays and
is currently interested in effective communication and relationships.
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