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Our
Office Staff
Here is a brief description of our staff, along with
e-mail addresses. The OSD staff is available for in-house
training and presentations related to all aspects
of accommodating students with disabilities at FAU.
If you have a web browser which is properly configured
to send e-mail, you can click on any of the e-mail
addresses below. Otherwise, you'll have to type the
address into your preferred e-mail application.
Boca Raton Campus
Nicole Rokos, Director (nrokos@fau.edu)
Nicole Rokos has worked at Florida Atlantic University
in the Office for Students with Disabilities since
1994. She initially served as Coordinator, then Assistant
Director, and was subsequently promoted to Director
in December 2000. Prior to coming to FAU, Nicole was
the Tutor Coordinator for the University of Miami
athletic program for three years and taught high school
learning disabled students for thirteen years. Nicole
is a recipient of the university wide 2000 President’s
Leadership Award and the division of Student Affairs
1997 Karl F. Ijams Humanitarian Award, 2000 Exceptional
Act Award, and 2003 Distinguished Service Award. 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. Her goal is not just to make
sure students graduate, it is also to give them tools
for the future. Nicole’s favorite quote is,
“Attitudes are the real disability,” by
Henry Holden.
Lynn Gil, Assistant Director (lgil@fau.edu)
Lynn joined the Office for Students with
Disabilities in 2005. Lynn is originally
from Massachusetts, where she received her M.S.Ed.
in Special Education from Simmons College. She earned
a bachelor's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from
Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. She previously worked
with high school students with varying exceptionalities
within an inclusion model. She also helped to facilitate
their transition to the post secondary setting. Lynn
enjoys assisting FAU students in their
pursuit of educational and career goals.
Barbara Bazinsky, Coordinator (bbazinsk@fau.edu)
Barbara is a counselor with the Office for Students
with Disabilities, working 20 hours a week, Monday,
Wednesday and Thursday. She received her M.Ed. from
the University of Illinois and had previous experience
working with students with disabilities for five years at Broward
Community College. Her job includes working with students
on academic issues relating to their disability, and
providing study skills training as well as support
and advocacy. Her other duties include updating the
offices collection of informational brochures, coordinating
the equipment loan program and acting as liaison between
the Office for Students with Disabilities and the
Career Development Center.
James Walborn, Communication Specialist (jwalborn@fau.edu)
James has a Masters Degree in Sociology from FAU
and has been employed in this office since 2000. Previously
he has spent 18 years working with the visually impaired.
He researches and writes about disability related
issues for the OSD. He is responsible for the newsletter
and other communications published from this office.
He's available at the OSD on Wednesday and Thursday.
Glennis Lyew, Office Administrator (glyew@fau.edu)
Glennis moved to Florida from Jamaica in 1990 and
started working at FAU’s Office for Students
with Disabilities in 1997. Since working at OSD she
has become the backbone that keeps the office running
smoothly for both students and staff members. As office
manager, 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.
Jill Brondolo Learning Specialist (jbrondol@fau.edu)
Jill Brondolo is a Learning Specialist who works
with students with various disabilities. She is a
proud alumnus of Florida Atlantic University. In 1992,
Jill received a B.A. in psychology and then in 1995
a M.Ed. in mental health counseling. She previously
worked as a case manager for South County Mental Health
Center. This opportunity has allowed Jill to better
understand the nature and concerns of individuals
with psychological disorders. Jill also has a personal
interest in working with people with disabilities.
She has overcome many of her own challenges due to
living with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Jill strongly believes
that the question is not Can a person with a disability
do it? But the real question is how can they find
their own way of doing it? Think outside of the box
and start learning.
John Clarke, Computer Programmer (jclarke@fau.edu)
John is currently the computer programmer in the
office. He is responsible for the development and
changes to the databases used in the operations of
the office as well as technical assistance to the
staff and students. John worked for RCA Computer Division
for six years as an electronics technician and software
engineer. Travelers Insurance Company for twenty years
as a manager and software engineer, upgrading RCA
501 Emulator software, RCA Spectra 70 software and
developing: an IBM emulator for Univac terminals,
a distributed collection system for 300 off-site mini
computers, and a PC based Host application testing
system (TRAPS). Six years as CFO, Vice President of
Research and Development and Chief Software Engineer
for QES, Inc. developing the PC based Host and PC
application testing management system (Architect).
Michelle Shaw, Coordinator of Notetaking
Services (mshaw@fau.edu)
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.
Louis Ferreira, Coordinator of Assistive
Technology (Ferreira@fau.edu)
Louis is the Coordinator of Assistive Technology; he manages the labs that the Office for Students
with Disabilities maintain across the many FAU campuses.
In addition, he supports the computer network for our department and the wide variety of technical devices that we offer to students. He has recently graduated with a degree in Political Science and a Minor in Business Administration.
Jamie Aranda, Sign Language Interpreter (jaranda4@fau.edu)
Jamie joined the Office for Students with Disabilities in 2007. She is the Coordinator of Interpreting Services and arranges services for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students ranging from Sign Language to C-Print Captioning. Prior to working here at FAU, Jamie was an interpreter for the Palm Beach County School District working with fifth grade elementary school children. Jamie received her Bachelors Degree in Sign Language Interpreting from the University of South Florida in 2005. Jamie has been signing since 1992. Jamie’s other passion is photography. A favorite quote of hers is “There are no disabled people, just differently able people”.
Student Assistants
Student Assistants help fill in the many unexpected
gaps we encounter every day. They help make your accommodations
a reality. Some of their duties include: delivering
exams when taken at the Office for Students with Disabilities
testing center, helping with exam accommodations,
placing special tables and chairs in classrooms, answering
telephones, directing office visitors and answering
questions.
Jupiter Campus
Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Kern, Assistant Director of Diversity Services (Jupiter) (jkern@fau.edu)
Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Kern returned to FAU in 2008 after having served FAU in administrative and adjunct faculty roles from 1997-2004. As the Assistant Director of Diversity Services at the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, she administers the Office for Students with Disabilities in order to help students receive appropriate accommodations for their successful learning outcomes. Dr. Jackie earned her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a focus on multicultural education and a minor in visual arts from the University of North Dakota, a Master of Science degree with a major in education and minor in visual arts from the University of North Dakota, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the State University of New York at Purchase. As an artist, educator, and college administrator, she embraces opportunities to create successful, empowering, and exciting educational opportunities for all learners.
Broward Campus
Amy Schwartz Parker, Associate Director (Broward)
(aschwart@fau.edu)
Amy handles OSD accommodations on FAU's Broward Campus.
Amy works with students who attend classes on the
Broward campuses. She has been at FAU since 1998.
Her prior experience includes work as an outpatient
Mental Health Counselor, Correctional Institution
Psychologist, and University Cooperative Education
Coordinator. In addition, she has taught as an adjunct
professor for FAU’s graduate Counselor Education
program. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the
University of Massachusetts in Special Education,
and two Master’s degrees from Northeastern University;
in Counselor Education and Criminal Justice Administration.
She wants you to remember that “A bend in the
road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to
make the turn”.
Sharon Ahumada, Program Assistant (sahumada@fau.edu)
Sharon manages the office and assists Amy at the
Broward Campus.
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