Chuck joined the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness (ASF) department in June of 2022 as the Community Access Navigator. He is currently hired under a grant from the Craig H. Neilsen foundation, that is titled “Prescription to Play”. Chuck oversees all aspects of this grant, which is intended to increase access, knowledge, and awareness of adaptive sports and fitness opportunities for people with SCIs, and their medical providers. He also supports ASF programs at events and practices. Chuck is a decorated three-time U.S.
Anya Cobler joined the SAAS staff in March 2022 as Senior Administrative Assistant. As the administrative lead for SAAS, Anya supports the work of director Dr. Okanlami, the joint efforts of the SAAS leadership team, and has a special focus on the stewardship of gift funds for students with disabilities. Anya most recently worked as Practice Manager at Dexter Oral Surgery, a private oral surgery practice in Dexter, MI, where she created and grew the underpinnings of a thriving clinical practice.
Kaitlin joined the TAC staff in April 2022 as an Accommodations Facilitator. As an Accommodations Facilitator, Kaitlin supports the work of the TAC team in coordinating testing services at the TAC for students with disabilities and facilitating the provision of adaptive and ergonomic equipment and furniture for testing situations. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy in December 2020.
Jake joined the Testing Accommodation Centers in January 2022. As an Accommodations Facilitator, Jake works in tandem with other members of the TAC team to coordinate accommodated exams for students with disabilities, and providing adaptive and ergonomic equipment in testing environments. He is a proud 2021 graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s in Film and Political Science. In his free time, he acts as an editor and producer on a podcast that centers around doctors with disabilities, and also enjoys theater and filmmaking with his friends.
Jordan Funk joined Services for Students with Disabilities staff in January 2021. Previously, Jordan worked as an Accessibility Specialist for Student Disability Services at the University of Toledo. Jordan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Capital University, and a Master's in Higher Education from the University of Toledo.
Amy joined the SAAS team in July 2022. She brings with her a solutions oriented approach to provide individual support to students with academic and executive functioning challenges. Amy obtained her undergraduate Elementary Education degree (Math and Social Studies) from Michigan State University and has worked closely with students and educators for many years to support individualized plans for educational success. As a parent of a child with a neuromuscular disease, she committed to understand disability laws/rights and advocate for support necessary for all areas of his success.
Saumya joined the SAAS in November 2022 as Project Coordinator. They support the various projects and efforts of SAAS in a research capacity, taking all the groundbreaking work that has been done by the team and documenting it. Their personal research interests are in educating healthcare professionals about disability culture using human-centered learning design. Saumya earned their BSE and MSE at the University of Michigan in Biomedical Engineering in 2021.
Aaliyah joined the Testing Accommodation Centers (TAC) in April 2022 as an Accommodations Facilitator. She supports the work of the TAC team in coordinating testing services at the TAC for students with disabilities and facilitating the provision of adaptive and ergonomic equipment and furniture for testing situations. She has a passion for helping others, bringing awareness of Disabilities, Neurodiversity, and Health & Fitness, and she sees a lengthy career for herself in this field.
Jackie (she/her) is a Coordinator role within University of Michigan's Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services. Prior to joining the U of M team, Jackie was an Access Consultant in Purdue University's Disability Resource Center and coordinated the intergroup dialogue program at Michigan State University. She has earned a Master's in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University, and an Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies from CUNY School of Professional Studies.
Kevin joined the team in July 2022 as the Accessible Media Specialist. Responsible for the inventory of technology, as well as the policies regarding Alternative Formats, Equipment Loans, and Caption.
Working in the field of Disability Services in Higher Education for 6 years, serving previously at the University of Northern Colorado and Davenport University. He has a BA in Computer Science with a focus in Networking from Davenport Universityin 2017.
Chris joined the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness (ASF) department in January of 2022 as the Program Coordinator. Chris supports the competitive varsity adaptive sports teams with practices, competition schedules, equipment and more. In addition he supports community based adaptive sports recreation through ASF. He also supports ASF initiatives including Rx to Play and the Adaptive Sports and Inclusive Recreation Initiative. Chris has played competitive wheelchair tennis since 2012 including playing for the University of Michigan and team USA.
Brandon joined the Testing Accommodation Centers (TAC) in May of 2022 as an Accommodations Facilitator. Brandon first began his work with the TAC when he started as a Temp in 2021, when the TAC first opened up under SAAS. He has a passion to make others smile and to bring awareness to Neurodiversity. Alongside his work as an Accommodations Facilitator, Brandon finds enjoyment in science fiction audiobooks, spending time with his cats, and traveling to see the sights.
Kat joined the Services with Students with Disabilities staff in May of 2022. Prior to joining the University of Michigan team, Kat spent three years working as a doctoral student assistant in the office of Accessibility Services at Bowling Green State University. Kat received her B.A. in Religious Studies & English from Alma College in 2012, and her M.Div. from Methodist Theological School in Ohio in 2016 with a specialization in Youth & Young Adult Development.
Dr. Oluwaferanmi Okanlami is the Director of Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services at the University of Michigan, where he oversees the office of Services for Students with Disabilities, two Testing Accommodation Centers, and the Adaptive Sports & Fitness Program. He is also an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Urology at Michigan Medicine, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Rachel joined the SAAS team in December of 2021. Previously Rachel worked at Western Michigan University as their Accommodation Specialist. Rachel has a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education: Rehabilitation Counseling from Western Michigan University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Rachel received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in relational communication from the University of Central Missouri.
Natalie Ridgway joined the SSD team as a Coordinator in Fall 2019. In her role, she works with students to explore and implement academic accommodations and across the university. Currently, Natalie also provides leadership to the coordinator team and serves as the SSD liaison with the University of Michigan Law School. Previously, Natalie coordinated services for students with disabilities at her alma mater, Bowling Green State University.
Erik earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health Science from York University in Toronto, Canada. Previously Erik worked at Wheelchair Basketball Canada managing the operations for the National programs; including being on staff with Team Canada at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. He then pursued a Master of Business Administration at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada that included his thesis “Examining the Potential Inclusion of Adaptive Sport in the NCAA”.
Allen joined the SAAS team in September 2021 as an Associate Director for SAAS with a primary responsibility of overseeing the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), Academic Support and Access Partnerships (ASAP) , and Testing Accommodation Centers (TAC) teams. Upon his joining SAAS, he oversaw the creation of the TAC and opening of the two testing centers.
Marisa started with the Testing Accommodation Centers in January 2022. She enjoys being a resource for disabled students on campus and sees a long career for herself in this field. Marisa identifies as physically disabled and uses a motorized wheelchair for mobility. Prior to coming to UM, Marisa worked in zoos conducting animal behavior and welfare related research. She earned her BS in Biology from the University of North Florida in 2020 and her BS in Zoology from MSU in 2016.
Christie is an educational equity advocate in all she does. She began her education career at community college and transferred to The University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she pursued her bachelor’s degree in English/Social Studies Education. Upon graduation, she was accepted at her alma mater for a master’s degree in Inclusion Education, where she focused on learning how to make education accessible for all students. Her career has consisted of working in 6-12 education and higher education institutions.
Rachel joined TAC in January 2022 as an Accommodations Facilitator. As part of the TAC team, she helps coordinate accommodated exams for disabled students. She graduated from Wayne State University with her Master’s in Social Work in late 2019 with a concentration in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. For her undergraduate program she was an intern at a rotating homeless shelter, and for her graduate program she was an intern at an HIV clinic. While she was interning at the clinic she was given the opportunity to launch and supervise a successful tobacco reduction program.
Mike’s calling in life is to attend to the needs of students by helping them break through various academic and societal barriers. He believes in founding authentic bonds with learners and partners based on the pillars of collaboration, equity, and intersectionality. Mike is the son of immigrants and is proud to have accomplished many personal, academic, and professional “firsts” in his family and community. He was born and raised in Chicago and lived in the Middle East for a decade. Mike received his B.A. in Philosophy from Purdue University and received his M.A.
