Yusra Sultan
My name is Yusra Sultan, and I am a first-generation, Palestinian-American student currently pursuing my Master's in Speech Language Pathology. On-campus, I am currently involved with the Multilingualism Lab as a Research Assistant, and working in the College Link Program as an Academic Coach. Previously, I have been able to intern on Capitol Hill with the Committee on Education and the Workforce, contributing to policies that impact augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users and their families. As someone with an interest in advocacy and healthcare, I believe Project ASPIRE will allow me to deepen my understanding of neurodiversity. This experience will also expand my knowledge of how to better support individuals with Autism, especially in higher education settings. In the future, I would love to serve as a Speech Language Pathologist either providing clinical services in Title One schools, or a non profit organization for individuals who exhibit developmental disabilities.
I strive to educate multicultural backgrounds on neurodevelopmental/neurocognitive disorders in order to prevent the high stigmatization surrounding this field and delve into the intervention strategies most suitable for diverse populations. I plan on continuing my advocacy initiatives through organizational outreach for health policies that strengthen clinical services in schools, and pushing for education reform to better serve marginalized communities. During my free time, I love watching true-crime documentaries and going on runs!
Sammy Daniels
Hello, my name is Sammy Daniels, and I have an interest in working in a special education classroom. I am interested in teaching a mild/moderate SDC program in Folsom Cordova Unified School District. I attended CSU East Bay and obtained my bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a concentration in teacher preparation. I have had several years of experience as a special education aide as well as a substitute teacher. I have two brothers-in-law that have autism, and I believe that has fueled my desire to help others with emotional as well as physical disabilities in the classroom. I currently work for the Folsom Cordova school district and would love to continue to grow within the district. I have had experience as a long-term substitute working as an elementary school PE teacher for 3 months. I currently have an offer to substitute teach in a K-5 mild/moderate classroom as the teacher is going on maternity leave and is not expected to return for several months. Through the connections that I have made within the school district, I am always super busy and I work every single day. I actually have to turn teachers down because the demand for special education teachers is so high.
It really makes me feel valued as a teacher to know that the school district appreciates a good teacher and rewards them as such. I am very excited to start this program and learn more effective strategies to use in and outside of the classroom when it comes to teaching students with autism. Thank you for having me.
Jaelyn Negranza
Hello! My name is Jaelyn Negranza and I am currently a first-year graduate student in the extended Speech-Language Pathology master's program. I earned my bachelor's degree in Linguistics with an emphasis on Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders at UC Santa Barbara. My journey to becoming an SLP was driven by my mother who suffered a stroke and underwent extensive speech and physical therapy. Speech-language pathology sparked an interest in me as SLPs made a difference in the lives of their clients. Throughout my undergrad, I had the honor of being an intern at a local therapy collective in Santa Barbara where I worked alongside a neurodiversity-affirming SLP which has given me insight into the field. This role has allowed me to explore speech-language pathology through the lens of neurodiversity.
I am particularly passionate about early intervention and educational settings, where I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children. My involvement with Project ASPIRE is an exciting opportunity to further develop my skills and knowledge about autism. My hands-on experience working with neurodiverse individuals allows me to contribute valuable insights that could benefit both my peers and the program. Through Project ASPIRE, I aim to enhance my clinical skills and advocacy efforts, striving to empower neurodiverse individuals to reach their fullest potential.
When I am not studying or in class, I enjoy cooking, spending time with family and friends, painting and going to island-reggae concerts!
Nick Pio
Hi, my name is Nick Pio. I am 22 years old, and I was born in Hayward and raised in Manteca. I am a 1st year CC II at csueb. I received my speech-language pathology undergraduate degree at University of the Pacific where I obtained two years of undergraduate direct clinical experience. I have experience administering/ scoring standardized assessments, holding independent/ group therapy and clinic report writing for a couple of years in undergraduate. I also have an ABA background as an early intervention specialist where I helped infants with speech/ language, physical development, social/emotional and cognitive skills. I also am currently a substitute teacher for Hayward Unified School District for K-12 students. My job as a substitute confirmed my interest in being open to working at the schools. I enjoy working with kids specifically who are gestalt language processors and are autistic. My favorite part about working with gestalt language processors is helping them express their wants and needs and creating engaging activities.
My hope is to work at a gestalt language processing private practice or a school-based speech-language pathologist. I plan to utilize my knowledge project ASPIRE to learn about autistic individuals at the deepest level possible. I also enjoy discussing this topic and bringing awareness to be inclusive and treat autistic individuals the way they want to be treated. I also enjoy the service-based learning that ASPIRE provides.
My two sisters have a background in BCBA and Music Therapy, so I was introduced to speech-language pathology since I was 4th grade. In my free time, I enjoy singing, dancing and playing tennis. I also enjoy trying different coffee/ boba shops all across California.
Charles Lung
Charles Lung, a passionate educator and lifelong learner, is now on his fourth career path. His rich background in varied experiences has led him to the world of education, where he is dedicated to creating engaging and inclusive learning environments for students. His expertise spans multiple subjects, demonstrating his adaptability. However, it is his unwavering commitment to fostering student growth across various disciplines, including Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and CTE, that truly sets him apart. When Charles develops lesson plans that accommodate Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) students, he strives to ensure that his teaching methods are inclusive and accessible. This approach reflects his understanding of the different learning needs within the classroom and his desire to support all students in reaching their full potential.
Charles continues to further his education while helping others advance theirs. His interest in literacy development is evident in his work, focusing on improving foundational reading skills such as letter recognition and phonological awareness. His professional and personal interest in autism further informs his teaching, as he works closely with scouts diagnosed with autism, helping them thrive in academic and extracurricular settings.
Charles' journey in education is grounded in genuine care for students' development and well-being. He is also a reflective practitioner, continuously analyzing teaching strategies, including using technology to enhance learning outcomes. With his wealth of experience, a heart for inclusion, and a focus on practical and effective teaching strategies, Charles Lung continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the students he works with, shaping future generations through education.
Natalie Gold
My name is Natalie Gold, and I am a first year graduate student earning my masters degree in mild to moderate special education here at Cal State East Bay. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I enjoy surfing, going to museums, and eating food with my friends and family. During my undergraduate studies, I discovered my passion for teaching at UC Berkeley, where I earned my bachelors degree and teaching credential. For the past four years I have been a science teacher and a substitute and absolutely love working with students of all ages, backgrounds, and learning levels. During my teaching, I discovered a further passion for special education, and I am excited for this opportunity to hone my skills as a special educator. I am grateful to be part of the ASPIRE program, and am so excited to be back in the bay to continue my education and to grow as a teacher.
Lynx Best
Lynx Best (they/them/theirs) is a 23 year old Graduate Student in their first year, studying Special Education with a focus in Extensive Support Needs. They received their undergraduate degree in Music Education in May of 2023 from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. In their free time, they enjoy baking, D&D, and writing. Lynx is wholly focused on and devoted to disability advocacy, and uplifting the voices of those who have experienced Special Education and its related services. They were diagnosed with ADHD during their first semester at SUNY Potsdam, and with Autism in early 2021. They've had experiences pertaining to their disability they never want to see replicated, and therefore they want to be a voice for students and families in our public schools.
With the experience they will receive through Project ASPIRE, Lynx will be more capable than ever to advocate for disabled students. Change comes one piece at a time, and they hope to accelerate that process for our students. This project will help equip them to professionally advocate in our schools.
After Lynx graduates, they plan to work in Disability advocacy, with a focus on serving students, families, and districts. Lynx intends on being a resource for families going through the IEP process for the first time, assisting districts with policy and procedure pertaining to disability, and on working directly with students and their providers to ensure their needs are being met. They believe that compassion is a choice we all make each day, and they want to make that choice as easy as possible by providing their knowledge, their experience, and their presence to those who need it.
Sarah Green
Hello, my name is Sarah Green and I am a first year master’s student in the extended speech-language pathology program here at Cal State East Bay. I earned my BS in Psychology from UC San Diego in 2023 after starting my college education with an associate’s in Mathematics from Diablo Valley College in 2022. I have a background in education and special education. I have had the privilege of working with many students with autism, particularly in the last year as I worked as a resource teacher with mild-moderate fourth graders and then a paraprofessional in a moderate-severe autism Pre-K classroom. I truly love working with this population and getting to know each of them as individuals.
I chose to go into speech-language pathology after observing how speech-language pathologists can help foster self-advocacy and communication in a multitude of ways for children with autism. I hope to work with preschool- and elementary-age children with autism in my career as a speech-language pathologist. When I’m not at school or studying, you can find me hiking, reading, and working part-time in a boba shop.
Asia Jamison
Asia Jamison - I am a passionate advocate for community, education, and inclusivity, born and raised in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. My journey into the world of education and community service began early in my life, where I dedicated myself to volunteering activities that opened my eyes to the diverse needs of those around me. Whether it was serving meals to the homeless or contributing to projects with Habitat for Humanity, these experiences ignited a lifelong commitment to fostering positive change. My own experiences with education have profoundly shaped my career path and inspired me to create inclusive learning spaces that cater to all students. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from California State University East Bay. Currently, I am pursuing an Extensive Support Needs (ESN) credential alongside a Master’s in Education from CSUEB. This academic journey has equipped me with a robust understanding of the educational landscape, as well as the tools necessary to support students with diverse learning needs effectively.
Throughout the past decade, I have immersed myself in the field of education, dedicating seven years as an ESN Paraeducator and two years as an ESN Education Specialist. These roles have allowed me to cultivate strong relationships with students, empowering them to thrive academically and socially. I find immense fulfillment in my work, as I believe that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential in a supportive and understanding environment. In addition to my professional life, I am an avid traveler with a deep appreciation for art, architecture, and culture.
I find inspiration in exploring new places and immersing myself in the beauty of diverse cultures. Whether wandering through an art gallery, discovering historical landmarks, or indulging in local culinary delights, I cherish each experience as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Hayley Vandermey
Hello, all! My name is Haley, and I am a first-year student enrolled in the CCX program for Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at CSU East Bay. Prior to arriving at CSUEB, I graduated from UC Davis with my Bachelor’s in Linguistics and Psychology. I have spent almost all my life in the Bay Area, and so my journey into the field of speech-language pathology was heavily influenced by my admiration for the diversity and richness of different forms of communication in the Bay and across California as a whole. As I have started to pursue my education in speech-language pathology, I have developed a particular interest in autism spectrum disorder, augmentative and alternative communication, and the Deaf/Hard of Hearing population. My goal is that by working with Project ASPIRE, I will be well prepared to work in these areas and better serve my community. After graduating with my M.S., I hope to be working in elementary schools in the Bay Area. I love working with younger children and am very personally motivated to help level the playing field for children with disabilities in terms of communication and access so they can have an equal opportunity to succeed in an academic environment. In the long-term, I also hope to open my own SLP practice some day!
On a more personal note, some of my hobbies include crochet, reading fantasy novels, learning American Sign Language (ASL), and playing video games. When I can, I also love to travel, try new restaurants and foods, and spend time with my family!
Dionshane'e Campbell
Hello all :) My name is Dionshane'e Campbell and I am a 29 year old, born and raised in Oakland, Ca. I have always strived to be the best that I can be and recently I have had the pleasure of continuing my journey as I complete my Masters program at CSU East Bay. I currently work as a Resource Specialist at the high school I graduated from. I have been in this field for six years and never really understood why I wanted to help those with special needs until recently. I have always wanted to give back to the community that poured so much into my when I was young and am beyond thankful to be living in my purpose today. I realized last year that I was walking in my purpose when my three year old son was diagnosed with autism. All of the years I have spent working in this field did not make sense until the day I got his diagnosis. I received this experience, knowledge, education, patience, etc to best support my child. Who better to be a mother to someone with autism?! As a single mother, I am more than elated to have been accepted into this program to help my community, but more so, to help build up my son to be the best young man he can in this world.
Nancy “Lupita” Vasquez
My name is Nancy “Lupita” Vasquez, and I am in my second year of my graduate studies in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences department, earning my Master's to be a speech therapist. My background is in Linguistics, having earned my B.A. from Cal State Long Beach. Some of my previous work includes research in acoustic & articulatory phonetics, as well as working as an aide in a special education preschool classroom for children that are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. I currently work as a research assistant for the department's Multilingualism Lab, working on projects revolving around bilinguals with aphasia. I am excited to learn more and better advocate for the autistic community, being a neurodiverse student myself. I grew up in Southern California, the youngest of nine kids, and moved to Alameda in 2018. I spend most of my free time with my husband, our ten-year-old daughter, and our one-year-old twin sons. We have two fur babies named Basil and Dorian.
Sara Cobb
Hello, my name is Sarah Cobb and I'm a first year speech-language pathology extended graduate student at CSUEB. Alongside graduate school, I work part time as a teaching assistant at The Phillips Academy, a non-public school in Alameda that serves middle and high school students with special needs. My career in special education introduced me to the autistic community and I am so grateful to serve this unique population. My autistic students inspire me in their unabashed passion for life, unique perspective on the world, and resilience in the face of challenges. I joined Project ASPIRE due to my affinity for working with the autistic community, a dedicated interest in imparting life skills to high school students on the spectrum, and a strong commitment to acquiring contemporary and research-backed methodological expertise.
Tatiana Novikova
My name is Tatiana Novikova. I was born in Murmansk, Russia, in 1985. My family consisted of 4 people: mom, dad, older sister, and myself. Since our grade system is different, I can say that I graduated from my school with an average point of 4.9 out of 5 in 2002. After school, I passed the exam and became a Murmansk State Pedagogical University student. There, I got a stipend as an honored student. My specialization was Early Childhood Psychology and Development. The primary purpose of our program was to prepare the specialists who could develop the educational programs for the state's kindergartens. In my third year of education, I started to teach kids aged from 1,5 to 3 years. I worked there for three years. I graduated with a Master of Arts in Education with honors in 2007. After graduation, I moved to Saint Petersburg to start my Ph.D. program but did not get a stipend, so I stopped the educational process and only worked. After a couple of years and two maternity leaves, I opened my kindergarten and ran it before I moved to the USA because of my husband's work. My second daughter did not speak before her three years and acted differently than her peers.
I tried to help her. I did research and found that she had three out of nine symptoms of autistic syndrome. After that, I found the classes to become an SLP in Russian Language. In 2021, I graduated from the program with a Russian Language Speech-Language Pathologist certificate. The diagnosis for my daughter was not confirmed, but she struggled with language disease and lousy adaptation. To help her overcome these difficulties and be next to her, I applied for the instructional assistant position at the same school she attended, Dougherty Elementary School, Dublin, CA. There, I met a lot of highly professional specialists who encouraged me to apply for the teacher credential program. I worked as an aide for almost two years, and in 2023, I used to be a teacher. I'm a middle school teacher in the ESN self-contained classroom with eight students there.
Xochitl Lauro
My name is Xochitl Lauro, I am 27 years old, I was born and raised in the East Bay. I am first generation to go and graduate from college. I received my B.A in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Human Development.Currently i’m a graduate student in the Educational Specialist program at Cal State East Bay. I currently teach a Special Day Class grades 9-12. Prior to teaching I worked as a paraprofessional for three years in an extensive support needs special day class with students ranging from 9th-12th grade. I feel in love with my job when I was working as a paraprofessional, which was a big push to join the graduate program so I could become a teacher. I am so excited to be a part of this years Project ASPIRE’s cohort.
Noe Coughenour
Hi, my name is Noe! I moved to the East Bay from Idaho to earn my Masters in Speech Language Pathology. I enjoy film and digital photography in my free time and I love being outside! I am super excited to be an ASPIRE scholar and look forward to my future career as an SLP serving and advocating for the neurodiverse community!
Erika Pendleton
I am a first year student in CSU East Bay’s Speech-Language Pathology extended master’s program. I grew up in the East Bay, completed my undergraduate degree at Mills College in Oakland and served Hayward Unified School District as an elementary school teacher; I am proud to call the East Bay my home. At Mills College I received my bachelor's of science in Biology with a Concentration in Ecology and Animal Behavior with a minor in Mathematics and contributed to research projects about the California ground squirrels in the Mt. Diablo area. I decided to pivot my focus and work with people instead of animals. I taught elementary school classrooms for four years where I found my passion for teaching children.
I plan to continue my service to my community by becoming a public school speech-language pathologist after I graduate. I enjoy working with students and families from culturally diverse backgrounds. I strive for equity and inclusion in my practice, so I am excited to learn more about autism and neurodiversity. I look forward to collaborating with other professionals and with people in the autism community and learning how I can best support my future clients and their families. I am grateful to have this opportunity to participate in ASPIRE!
Robin Taylor
I am thrilled to be in the Project Aspire program. Within my family, there are several people who have autism and I have always wanted to have a broader and deeper understanding of autism. My husband and I have a blended family of four (now) adult children, and one of our “kids” has autism. Years ago, my adult child who has autism received speech-language therapy services from the graduate students at CSUEB. After seeing the positive effects that the speech-language therapy provided, I would have liked to have changed careers from engineering/business in the telecommunications industry to speech-language pathology; however, I was not able to make a career change at that time. I have since retired from telecommunications and am pivoting to become a speech-language pathologist. I am a first year graduate student in the extended program. Regarding autism, based on my personal experiences, I am a solid believer in the merits of early intervention and would like to learn more about current approaches. I am also interested in learning about strategies to facilitate a smooth transition for students with autism from school to their first steps in building an adult life. I am looking forward to learning as much as possible and in the future working with people who have autism. I hope that I may be able to improve their quality of life in small ways. In my “spare” time, I have too many hobbies that I enjoy pursuing: hiking with my husband and our golden retriever, swimming, gardening, welding structures for the garden (arbors), cooking, and remodeling.
Vinita Chaturvedi
I am pursuing my Education Specialist Credential and Master of Science in Special Education with a concentration in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. I am grateful to be a part of Project ASPIRE and broaden my understanding of autism spectrum disorders so that I can better support my students. I started on this journey by taking child psychology classes and studying early childhood education. I am also interested in child language development as it relates to developmental psychology and neurodivergent functioning. My background is in English and Italian literatures. I enjoy yoga, reading, studying, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends.
Sara Gilmartin
I am from San Diego CA. I am currently working in the Poway Unified School District where I attended school, as in intervention teacher for general education and as an onsite substitute teacher. I went to school in Northern California at Shasta College and then to CSU Chico. I am the first person in my immediate family of four to earn a bachelors degree and now I am getting my masters. I have always had a passion for helping young individuals who have learning disabilities, as I have had to learn how to work around my own.
Erica Carreon
My name is Erica Carreon and I’m part of the 2022 extended graduate program. I also completed my undergraduate degree here at CSU East Bay in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and General Management. I have a background working with children as a nanny, daycare employee, and preschool teacher. I’ve always been passionate about helping others and working with children, and I was introduced to the Speech Language Pathology field when my close friend’s son started attending sessions at a clinic. After shadowing sessions and researching the field, I decided to make a career change. I’m excited to be an ASPIRE scholar because I plan to work in either the school or early intervention setting. I’m looking forward to gaining invaluable knowledge that will prepare me as an outspoken advocate for individuals with Autism and be an impactful interprofessional collaborator. I have a lot of public speaking experience and if I work in schools, I hope to be a point person in professional development days to educate fellow staff about the Speech field and Autism.
In my free time, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my friends, family, and boyfriend, going to the gym, and discovering the best spots for food/dessert. I love doing yoga, painting, and going on nature walks as part of my self-care.
Diane Taylor
Hi, my name is Diane Taylor. I am currently a first year Special Education Mild/Moderate graduate student at CSUEB. I received my undergraduate degree from SF State and majored in both Child Adolescent Development and Studio Art/Art History. I decided to go into special education because I believe I can relate to and understand people who have disabilities, since I have a disability myself. When I was young, I was diagnosed with autism. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I started to better understand why I behaved differently in social situations than most people. I hope that by being a participant in Project ASPIRE I will deepen my understanding of autism so I can effectively support other students who have autism. In my journey of self-discovery, I developed a passion for the arts, especially ceramics and painting. I love being on the pottery wheel and creating sculptures that you can’t buy in the store. I’m creative that way. I hope to bring my passion for the arts into my future classroom and to teach students with disabilities that if you have passion for something, then you should strive to develop that passion. I want to teach people that even if someone has a disability, a disability does not have to be a barrier for them in their life. I am honored to be part of Project ASPIRE and can’t wait to see how I can apply what I’ve learned. I am excited to find out what life has to offer.
Sonja Amoroso
My name is Sonja Amoroso, and I am currently pursuing a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology through the extended program at California State University, East Bay. I was born and raised in a small town on the outskirts of the Bay Area. At UC Berkeley, I studied psychology and received a bachelor's degree. After graduating, I began working in a nonprofit program that sought to empower individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to expand their artistic abilities. Throughout this experience, I observed firsthand how powerful art was as a tool for self-expression. Despite the intensive work done within the area of creative expression, communication barriers continued to interfere with the artists' daily lives. Supporting these individuals in growing their communication skills was one of the most rewarding and inspiring aspects of my work. These experiences in working with issues arising from communication disruptions led me to pursue a degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Specifically, I connected with autistic children and youth and enjoyed working with the families and teams who supported them. I want to provide services to children and youth in their critical periods of development and to advocate for these individuals within systems that may not always recognize the goals and priorities of the individual. Outside of academics and occupations, I spend time crafting and making art; most recently, my artistic energy has been consumed by printmaking and cut-paper collages. I also love to spend time in the peace provided by the dark understories of our local redwood forests.
Diana Escobedo
Hola, my name is Diana Escobedo. I hold a Child Development degree and am currently pursuing my masters degree in Special Education. I am a proud first generation latina with parents from Mexico and Guatemala. My passion for teaching and working with students on the spectrum has crossed many different fields. From the East Bay to Humboldt county, through aquatics programs, to public schools I have learned and grown as an educator. As I continue my learning through Project ASPIRE, one of my main goals is to target needs, be able to give back to my surrounding latino community and be an advocate for spanish speaking families and individuals. Es importante tener acceso a servicios y apoyo en español en el mundo de la educación especial. Teniendo familiares con autismo, sé lo difícil que pueden ser los procesos y juntas de las escuelas. Estoy dedicada a poder servir a mi comunidad latina y apoyar a estudiantes con autismo y orientar a sus familias.
Brianna Frazer
Hi, my name is Bri. I am a first year CCII Speech-Language Pathology graduate student. I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA. I received my Bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in childhood and adolescent development. While in my post-bacc program, I worked at a private practice where I had the opportunity to work with autistic individuals. I was always ambivalent about what area I wanted to specialize in, but the moment I began working with the autistic population it immediately clicked. Ever since then, I have developed an immense passion to learn all there is to know about Autism and be a neurodiversity advocate. Project ASPIRE is what drew me to CSUEB so I am honored and thrilled to be a part of Cohort 4!
Angie Granger
My name is Angie Granger, and I’m a graduate student in the extended Speech-Language Pathology master’s program here at CSUEB. I was born and raised in the East Bay but temporarily relocated to Louisiana to pursue my undergraduate degree in Music Therapy at Loyola University New Orleans. I returned home in 2017 to complete my Music Therapy internship with a focus on mental health. In my free time, I enjoy snuggling with my pets, catching up with friends, and visiting my favorite coffee shops.
Over the years, I have had the joy of connecting with the autistic and neurodivergent community as a summer camp counselor, music therapist, caregiver, behavior therapist, and, most importantly, a friend. All these experiences have enriched my life and motivated me to pursue a career that will allow me to uplift the voices of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. As a future speech therapist, I hope to do just that and be a resource for autistic individuals and their families. I’m delighted to be joining Project ASPIRE’s fourth cohort because I am dedicated to serving this community in alignment with the shifting neurodiversity paradigm. I am confident that my involvement with Project ASPIRE will give me the tools to become an informed, collaborative, and engaged clinician.
Kiley Hoffman
Hi I'm Kiley! I am from Visalia, Ca. I received a bachelor's degree in Linguistics from UCSB and am currently a grad student in the Speech Language Pathology program. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of ASPIRE and am excited to get more involved in activities within the Autistic community. In my free time, I enjoy being outside and writing!
Sierra Overton
My name is Sierra Overton, and I am from Sonoma County, California. I am honored to participate in project ASPIRE as a current Speech Pathology Master's student. I completed my bachelor's in psychology at Sonoma State University in 2018 and a Post Baccalaureate for Speech Pathology at Cal State University San Marcos in 2021. My career goal has always been wanting to help others and work with children. Through a private practice, I assisted and led adaptive behavior groups designed to assist kids and adults with autism. I found a deep connection with my clients and wanted to know more about how to help them and their families best. I learned about the role of a Speech Language Pathologist and knew what I wanted to do. This role sparked my interest and desire to support and advocate for children with autism. I am excited to learn, grow, and collaborate with the Special Education Masters students to discover new tools in this field. Throughout this program, I hope to gain a lot of experience with autism and build a network that will support working as a school Speech Pathologist. In my free time, I love hiking, bike rides, playing with my niece, and hanging out with my boyfriend and friends.
Alexis Moreno
Alexis is an SLHS Graduate student.
Mauria Harris
Hi, my name is Mauria Harris, I was born and raised in the Bay Area and honestly hope to continue to live here. I’m a mom of 2 cool kids, a five year old and a newborn and they are the highlight of my day. I like reading manga and watching anime. Some of my hobbies consist of drawing and bike riding. I also really love animals, currently have one cat and a dog. When not working I try to stay active or don something creative which I usually bring to work that my kids usually enjoy, I try to keep a lot of activities available.
I’ve spent three years as an RBT working with children and I thought why not further my career and become an ESN teacher. From working with the kiddos I’ve been with, it really made me want to do more for those who are on the spectrum and try to create a better school environment for them. Besides working with students, my main reason for becoming a teacher is thanks to one of my high school teachers that I am still friends with, she helped me through a tough time in my life. I just hope to be a similar support to my future students.
Michal Levachev-Kelly
My name is Michal Levachev-Kelly. I was born and raised in Israel, where I received my Bachelor's degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. I moved to the US in 2021, and am currently a first year CC II graduate clinician in the Speech Language and Hearing Sciences department. Working with autistic individuals was always a passion of mine and it was strengthened by participating in Conversation Club as part of the College Link Program. I am excited to be part of the ASPIRE program, learn more about neurodiversity and become the best advocate I can be.
Katie Inoue
My name is Katie Inoue. I am studying at CSUEB for my M.S. in Special Education. I was born in Santa Fe, NM where I resided for 16 years before moving to Cape Cod, MA. I obtained my BA in Fine Arts from Westfield State University in Westfield, MA. After living in MA for 6 years, I packed up the car for the big adventure out west, and headed out for California. I have lived here for 6 years. Since moving here, I’ve worked a bunch of different jobs, trying to find something that fit. Finally, I became a Behavior Technician for a company that works with children with ASD. I knew I had found my calling, and began a new path as I applied to graduate school at CSUEB. I have had a wonderful first semester, and have chosen to pursue being an RSP SPED Teacher for elementary school after graduation. In my spare time, I enjoy doing art, taking adventures around the Golden State, trying new restaurants, and watching movies. I have a guinea pig named Squeeks, and I am a super plant mom!
Alexandria Tollast
Hello! My name is Alexandria Tollast and I am a first year CC2 speech language pathology graduate student. I am a mother of three, 10, 4, and 1 and they keep my days busy when I am not working on school. I obtained my undergraduate degree from East Bay and I have been actively involved in research, volunteer, and work-study jobs to further my knowledge and experience of working with a wide range of individuals with different communication needs. I first became interested in Autism after my oldest was diagnosed on the spectrum. This is also how I became aware of the field of speech pathology and I knew I had found my calling. I always wanted to work with children and work within a school environment to support children to be the best learners and individuals they can be. I am excited to be a part of Project Aspire and to learn how to collaborate with special education teachers to better support individuals with autism and their families. I strongly believe that working with other disciplines will further my ability to serve all individuals more effectively by looking at the needs of the people I serve with different perspectives.
Bao-Quyen Tran
Hi! I go by BQ and I am currently in my first year of the Mild/Mod Education Specialist credential and Master's program. I am originally from Westminster, CA and received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and post-bac multiple subject teaching credential at the California State University of Long Beach. Go Beach! I have had the privilege of teaching general education ELA for 7 years throughout the state of California. I have also taught Adult Basic Education, high school diploma and GED programs in Visalia, CA. This year, I transitioned from general education to RSP and it has truly been a worthwhile experience. I still have so much more to learn about the neurodivergent population and I am grateful for this opportunity to be a member of Project ASPIRE’s Cohort 4. I am excited to collaborate with speech language pathologists to better support our students. I have a passion for animals and currently share my home with our two rescue pitbulls, New Caledonian giant gecko, crested gecko, Kenyan sand boa, and red-footed tortoise. On the weekends, I work as a server at a local Japanese handroll restaurant. I am used to staying busy! Although I have lived in Oakland for the past five years, I still love to explore the bay area on my days off.