Meet the Team

Directors

sandra

Dr. Sandra Cash

Executive Director, Student Disability and Accessibility Services

Education:
Ph.D, Psychology, Grand Canyon University; MA, Community Counseling and School Counseling, Indiana Wesleyan University; BA, English and Psychology, Indiana University Bloomington

Professional Interests:
Sandra's professional interests include disability access in higher education, student success, organizational leadership and developing accessible systems that help students participate fully in their educational experience.

Personal Interests:
Sandra enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, traveling and exploring all that Austin has to offer.

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Amber Kallassy

Director, Disability and Access

Certification:
Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Licensed School Psychologist

Education:
MA/AC, School Psychology, University at Buffalo; BA, Psychology, Nazareth University

Professional Interests:
Amber's professional interests include psychoeducational assessment and the transition from K-12 to postsecondary education.

Personal Interests:
Amber enjoys reading and time with family and friends.

Access Coordinators

Josh Carra

Josh Carra

Access Coordinator

Certification:
Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Wellbeing; Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Education:
BS, Psychology (Double Major in History), Texas Christian University

Professional Interests:
Josh is a former transfer student whose professional interests include supporting transfer pathways, student success and student mental health.

Personal Interests:
Josh has a dog, Enzo, and a cat, Coco. He enjoys running, film and music.

Kylie Espiritu

Kylie Espiritu

Access Coordinator

Education:
BS, Psychology, Texas A&M University; M.Ed., Counselor Education, The University of Texas at Austin

Professional Interests:
Kylie’s professional interests include supporting college students’ mental health & academic success, in particular working with young adults experiencing anxiety and related disorders. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to further her interests in research and clinical practice.

Personal Interests:
Kylie loves reading, embroidering for her small business and all things Harry Potter.

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Violet Glenewinkel

Access Coordinator

Education:
BA, English & Creative Writing, The University of Texas at Austin; M.Ed., Counseling, The University of Texas at Austin

Professional Interests:
Violet’s professional interests in student crises, risk assessment and improving accessibility for psychological, medical and mobility disabilities stem from her background in counseling. She is also highly interested in how students’ personal narratives and backgrounds intersect with and influence disability identity.

Personal Interests:
Violet is a trick roller-skater, lover of classic literature and antique collector. She enjoys historic cemetery exploring, conversations with loved ones over coffee and reading/writing with the company of her pug Ramona and cat Knives.

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Jenna Habeeb

Senior Access Coordinator

Sameera

Sameera Nath

Access Coordinator

Certification:
Graduate Certificate, Special Education Advocacy, The University of Texas at San Antonio; English, Language Arts and Reading (4-8); Social Studies (4-8); English as a Second Language

Education:
BA, Sociology, The University of Texas at San Antonio; MA, Curriculum & Instruction, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Professional Interests:
Sameera is a former middle school English teacher and Co-op Coordinator for the Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin. Her professional interests center on creating a safe, supportive space for students and being an active part of their journeys as they work to reach their full potential.

Personal Interests:
Sameera enjoys spending time with her family and close friends and loves unwinding by listening to music and going for a walk.

Zariah Preston

Zariah Preston

Senior Access Coordinator

Education:
MSW, Fort Hays State University; BSW, Fort Hays State University

Professional Interests:
Zariah enjoys problem-solving to eliminate barriers and support students in accessing their education.

Personal Interests:
Zariah loves to golf with her husband, spend time with family and friends, hang out with her puppy Storm and serve in her community.

Krista Zampacorta

Krista Zampacorta

Access Coordinator

Education:
MS, Political Science, Illinois State University; BA, History, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Professional Interests:
Krista's professional interests include equal access and opportunity in education, peer mentoring, learning design and community development.

Personal Interests:
Krista enjoys drawing, hiking, reading and riding roller coasters.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services

Gloria Gonzalez

Gloria Gonzalez

Scheduling Coordinator

Education:
BSA, Human Development and Family Sciences

Professional Interests:
Gloria is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive environment in all aspects of her work. She is committed to making a meaningful impact for the University and the community it serves.

Personal Interests:
In her free time, Gloria enjoys listening to music, traveling and spending time with her cat, Stormi.

Outreach Team

Kirsten Handler

Kirsten Handler

Communications Coordinator

Certification:
English, Language Arts and Reading (7-12); English as a Second Language

Education:
BS, Communication Studies (Minor in Business), The University of Texas at Austin

Professional Interests:
Kirsten is a former high school English teacher whose professional interests include supporting young people’s mental health and using storytelling as a tool to engage and educate.

Personal Interests:
Kirsten loves modern literature and her dogs Moonshine and Starburst.

Amanda Winfield

Amanda Winfield

Outreach and Education Coordinator

Certification:
Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading (EC-6); English as a Second Language; Special Education (EC-12)

Education:
MA, Communication Studies, Sam Houston State University; BA, Communication Studies, Sam Houston State University

Professional Interests:
Amanda is a former educator with interests in community engagement and public outreach, focusing on building strong relationships and connecting audiences to meaningful educational opportunities.

Personal Interests:
Amanda loves traveling, thrifting, teaching dance and spending time with her family and dog Ace.

Assistive Technology Education Center (ATEC) Lab Staff

Axel Wimer

Axel Wimer

Assistive Technology Access Coordinator

Education:
MA, Special Education, New York University; BA. English, Pace University

Professional Interests:
Axel's professional interests include assistive technology, visual disabilities, testing accommodations, neurodiversity and disability advocacy.

Personal Interests:
Axel spends time with his fur children, Bruno the dog and Misty the cat. He also hikes, explores the outdoors and listens to all genres of music, from honky tonk to punk rock.

Administrative Staff

Katherine Green

Katherine Green

Senior Administrative Associate

Rebekah Williams

Rebekah Williams

Senior Administrative Associate

Education:
BS, Public Health, Sam Houston State University

Professional Interests:
Rebekah's professional interests are shaped by her experience in aging and disability research and center on accessibility and creating spaces where all individuals feel heard, valued and able to participate fully.

Personal Interests:
Rebekah loves time with her family and being outdoors.