Meet the team

I have a passion for accessible learning reform and advocating for universal design in course creation.  I believe that each and every student should have the tools to fully grasp the material taught in a classroom and not just a statistical majority for whom learning comes easy.  Consequently, I think student advocacy is very important and want to be a voice for those who feel marginalize by a system that often seems monolithic and unchangeable.  I also have a particular interest in the latest assistive technology, biofeedback, and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance human intelligence.  I feel particularly adept in helping people with long term goal setting, idea analysis, and the practical logistics of getting set up with existing or potential resources on campus now.

Before going back to graduate school to study biomechanical engineering here at UMass, I worked to educate children and teenagers in schools and summer camps and as a computer programmer.

My name is Anncy, I go by she/her pronouns, and I am a second year graduate  student in the dual Higher ED and MPPA program.  Meetings with me will consist of a relaxed conversation in which we discuss what your current academic needs are. I love making color coordinated calendars and to do lists so expect a lot of that in our meetings as well! I find a little humor in every situation so trust, our meetings will always be lighthearted and effective. 

Hi (: my name is Emily Stewart, I use she/her/hers pronouns, and I am beginning my second year at UMass as a Learning Specialist and in the Social Justice Education master’s program. Attending to these two commitments simultaneously is a transformative experience, and the work I do in each constantly informs the other and are oriented towards the same goal— to strategize to make learning accessible for everyone and break down societal barriers to access. These roles also inform my professional goalset to become an accessible community educator focused on building community capacity and resiliency through tools such as intergroup dialogue, transformative justice, sustainable agriculture, and food justice. In meetings with me, you can expect that I am well versed in all up-to-date learning strategies from studying to skimming, though I am strongest at supporting clients in self-advocacy/ self-awareness and time management and overall time and schedule organization. I am absolutely invested in your success, so if you have a need in the scope of the program we’ll attend to it, and if the need falls outside the scope of the program I’ll get you connected to someone who can help and we will make a plan of action. A fun fact about me is that I have two fur babies at home: a big dog named Zephyr and an orange cat named Winston!

Hey, I’m Julie. I go by they/them pronouns. As a nonbinary individual with multiple disabilities, I am keenly aware how intersectionality can affect how one navigates university life. Meetings with me generally take a holistic perspective of the college experience while troubleshooting issues as they arise. As a former physics teacher, I use my educator background to help students tackle challenging courses. In my free time, I love to take my dogs to the dog park where they can run free. 

My name is Shona (she/her) and I am a third year M.Ed. / Ed.S. student in School Counseling and also earned my BA in Psychology from UMass. It is such a joy to be part of the learning specialist team and I am excited to be in my third year in this role! I enjoy working directly with students and am passionate about building community and understanding identity, finding strategies that work for you such as time management plans, and developing lifelong skills to help you achieve your goals. I consider myself to be a friendly person and with a background in school counseling, meetings with me are student-centered and solution-focused, adaptable to your style and preference. In my free time I hang out with dogs, check out local restaurants, and read. My favorite authors are Octavia E. Butler and Sally Rooney. 

Hi! I'm Becca (she/her) - big fan of movement outside (Bikes! Running! A little walk around the pond!), community, and my cat Champion. As I finish up my M.Ed./Ed.S. in School Counseling, being a Learning Specialist means I get to be one member of your support team, of which you are captain. With an academic background in English, Sociology, and Critical Race & Ethnic Studies and professional work as a Park Ranger/EMT and educator, I try to bring a sense of groundedness and optimism to our meetings. It's a true pleasure to get to know students, learn about your goals, and strategize about how to pursue them in a sustainable, real way.

Hi! My name is Sarah, I use she/her/hers pronouns, and I am a second-year doctoral student studying higher education. I am excited to be on the learning specialist team! I enjoy working with students on their organization and executive functioning skills including coming up with calendar systems, online organizers, and time management tools. I also have experience with academic writing conventions, and I enjoy helping students navigate the writing process in college! Meetings with me are fun and relaxed, but I always make sure you leave with a next step or path forward. I look forward to meeting many new students this year and learning even more about UMass. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, baking, and hanging out with my cats and my partner.