OSD
Staff Biography
Nicole Rokos – Director
Nicole Rokos is currently the Director of the Office for Students with Disabilities at Florida Atlantic University. Nicole received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky and her master’s degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University.
Nicole Rokos has worked at Florida Atlantic University in the Office for Students with Disabilities since1994. She initially served as Coordinator, then Assistant Director, and was subsequently promoted to Director in December 2000. Prior to coming to FAU, Nicole was Tutor Coordinator for the University of Miami Athletic Department for three years and taught high school students with learning disabilities for thirteen years. Her goal is to not just make sure students graduate, it is also to give them tools to help them succeed in the future.
Back to Top
Lynn Jackson – Assistant Director
Lynn joined the Office for Students with Disabilities in 2005. She holds a Master’s degree in special education from Simmons College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Ithaca College.
Lynn has worked as a special educator in both elementary and high school settings within an inclusion model. In her role as Assistant Director of the Office for Students with Disabilities, Lynn assists students with disabilities in their pursuit of educational and career goals. She is responsible for facilitating academic accommodations, promoting disability awareness and inclusion on campus, and advocating for student needs as a member of the ADAAA Accessibility Committee.
Back to Top
Barbara Bazinsky – Coordinator
Barbara Bazinsky is currently a counselor with the Office for Students with Disabilities at Florida Atlantic University. She received her B.A. in Special Education from the University of Florida and M.Ed. from the University of Illinois and has worked as a rehabilitation counselor and program planner.
Barbara has worked at OSD since 2000. Prior to that date, she was a counselor with Disabled Student Services at Broward College for five years. Barbara subscribes to the theory that “Attitude is the real disability!”
Back to Top
Michelle Shaw – Assistant Director
Michelle is the Coordinator of Notetaking Services; she recruits volunteers, maintains the notetaking databases and monitors the process throughout the semester. She provides an orientation for both notetakers and the students receiving the notes in order that both would be well aware of what is expected from them. Michelle also assists with a variety of other office projects, which includes The Volunteer Thank You Luncheon and the scholarships for students with disabilities.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Michelle loves painting, traveling, and working with children. She is a FAU alumnus, earning her Bachelor's Degree in fine arts (2002) Master's Degree in Curriculum Instruction (2003), and is currently working towards her Specialist Degree in higher education. Michelle also teaches "Art for Elementary Majors" in the College of Education.
Back to Top
Glennis Lyew– Office Administrator
Glennis is currently the Office Administrator for the Office for Students with Disabilities. Since working at OSD, she has become the backbone that keeps the office running smoothly for both students and staff members.
As Office Administrator, Glennis’ responsibilities include personnel payroll, employment contracts, purchasing operations, and student file management. In addition, Glennis works hand-in-hand with the Director in the management of the department’s budgets and Foundation Accounts.
In appreciation of her hard work and commitment, in 2001 the Division of Student Affairs presented Glennis with the Shirley M. Ritchie Outstanding Employee Award.
Back to Top
Stuart Buckley – Coordinator of Assistive Technology
Stuart directs the assistive technology program for students with disabilities at the OSD. He uses his expertise from degrees in Computer Networking and Psychology to train students with disabilities in the use of assistive technology.
He researches innovative and useful technology solutions that can provide accessibility and independence with the aim of increasing student success. Stuart also works to increase the level of access to higher education at FAU by increasing awareness of assistive technology and accessibility. He does this by giving presentations to faculty and classes about many areas of assistive technology and online accessibility.
Back to Top
Louis Ferreira – Network Administrator
Louis is the Network Administrator for the Office for students with Disabilities. He is a FAU alumnus, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a Minor in Business Administration. Currently, Louis is pursuing a Law Degree at Florida International University.
As the Network Administrator, he maintains the computers network operations for the department and technical support.
Back to Top
Luciana Lima –
Coordinator of Testing Services
Luciana Lima is currently the Coordinator of Testing Services at the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Luciana joined the OSD team in August 2009. She is a double alumni from FAU. She holds her Bachelors in Art and her Master in Education; she graduated in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
Luciana has been working at FAU since 2003. Prior to coming to the OSD she worked as a Leader Teacher and Founder at Karen Slatterly ERCCD and then as an Admissions Officer in the Undergraduate Admissions.
In her role as a Coordinator of Testing Services, Luciana assists students with disabilities and administers exams with students’ approved accommodations. Some of Luciana’s many responsibilities include conducting testing orientations; managing sensitive and confidential documentation such as exams and medical reports for students; preparing Letters of Notification to professors for students requesting exam and classroom accommodations; responding to subpoenas for student files; collating and computing Students Satisfaction Survey data; and creating the OSD bulletin board informing students about OSD services and programs.
Luciana is also one of the advisors of the Owl Support Diversity Club (OSD Club). If you need any information about the club please contact Luciana at 561.297.3880.
Back to Top
Roland Mendonca – Assistive Technology Specialist
Roland has a degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University and aims to complete a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. He has extensive experience training students in a wide variety of assistive technology solutions, helping them to become successful and overcome challenges that arise from their disabilities. He also uses his technical experience to troubleshoot and configure computers for staff and for students in the assistive technology lab.
Back to Top
Amy Schwartz Parker – Associate Director of Diversity Services (Broward)
Amy Schwartz Parker is the Associate Director for the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), Broward Campuses. Amy has been working at the OSD office for 11 years. She has also taught in FAU’s Graduate School of Counselor Education. She is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Masters Degree in Counselor Education and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. She has a Bachelors Degree in Special Education from the University of Massachusetts.
Amy has more than 30 years of experience in higher education and community based mental health, as well as extensive experience in the Criminal Justice system. Prior to her tenure at Florida Atlantic University, Amy worked at Johnson and Wales University, Nova Southeastern University, and Northeastern University. In addition, she has worked as a prison psychologist; in community mental health settings; and as a Counselor in the Public School System.
She currently serves on the Broward County Advisory Board for Individuals with Disabilities as well as the Broward County Paratransit Appeals Board.
Back to Top
Sharon Ahumada – Program Assistant
Sharon Ahumada is currently the Program Assistant of the Office for Students with Disabilities, Davie Campus, at Florida Atlantic University.
Sharon Ahumada has worked at the Office for Students with Disabilities since 1998. She manages the office and oversees the graduate assistants at the Davie office, handles students Letters of Notifications and Testing Accommodations. She also assists in the process of paperwork between students and faculties for an easier semester.
Back to Top
Farley Leiriao –Assistant Director of Diversity Services (Jupiter)
Farley has worked in Student Affairs since 2003, with eight of those years at Florida Atlantic University. He has advised and taught students as well as professionals with diverse backgrounds in both education and business. In addition to serving the Office for Students with Disabilities on FAU’s Northern Campuses, Farley also represents FAU’s International Student and Scholar Services and Student Government Accounting and Budgeting. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida and a Masters degree in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University.
Back to Top
