Michelle serves as the Director of Disability Accommodations & Support Services. She is the lead administrator of DASS, providing vision, planning, and implementation of a program for students with disabilities that creates equal access to the curriculum, activities, and physical campus in adherence to University, state and federal regulations. As the primary liaison to the CI campus community and the Chancellor’s Office, Michelle spends much of her time collaborating with faculty and staff to promote equity and support the academic success of our students.
Before joining CI, Michelle worked at Woodbury University, where she was charged with building the Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services from the ground up, drafting new university policies and procedures to accommodate disabled students while concurrently attending to the ongoing, daily responsibilities of the department, such as developing individual accommodation plans. Additionally, she was a strong advocate for ensuring student success in her collaborations with faculty and staff.
Prior to her role at Woodbury University, Michelle served as the Director for the Los Angeles Jewish Abilities Center (LAJAC), where she managed a collaborative network of 21 public and non-profit agencies in the research, development and implementation of new community programs and services for adults with disabilities.
Before relocating to CA from the NY metro area, Michelle spent 20 years as a learning specialist, program manager, and special education instructor.
Michelle earned dual masters degrees, MA in Counseling Psychology and Master of Education, from Teacher’s College-Columbia University, after first receiving her BA in Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany.
Michelle is an avid reader and runner. She enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, two adult children and two rescue dogs.