Faculty / Staff

Jo Hendrickson, Ph.D.

Interim Director

Immediately prior to joining REACH, Jo M. Hendrickson served as the 

Coordinator of the Special Education Program in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education at the University of Iowa.  Her academic and professional career includes almost twodecades of preparing master’s level special education teachers and doctoral students at the University of Iowa.  Before joining the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Iowa, Dr. Hendrickson was on faculty in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florida where she served as an educational diagnostician, home-school liaison consultant, and project manager in a multidisciplinary educational agency serving students with complex medical, learning, behavior, and social needs as well as working with interns and residents at the university.  Dr. Hendrickson also worked in the private sector developing and implementing class wide peer-tutoring in reading and math for k-12 students, including students with behavioral, learning, and cognitive disabilities and secondary students in vocational preparation programs.   

Dr. Hendrickson’s research interests group into two broad areas of investigation (1) teacher preparation and professional development and (2) practices and strategies for improving the learning and social-emotional-behavioral development of students with disabilities and students who may be at-risk for school dropout. She has over 100 publications and served for six years as the co-editor of Behavioral Disorders.  Dr. Hendrickson earned a Ph.D. in human development (special education) from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree and a teaching license from the University of Wisconsin (Madison), and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin (Madison).

Contact Information:

Email:jo-hendrickson@uiowa.edu

Telephone: 319-384-2127

Office Hours: 8 am–5 pm, Monday-Friday

Katie Dasse

Department Assistant

Education and Experience

Katie obtained a B.A. in English from The University of Iowa. She has worked for many offices at both The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and The University of Iowa. Most recently, she provided support for the Vice President for Research Office with the Office of Corporate Partnerships at The University of Iowa.  In 2006, Corporate Partnerships moved to the University Capital Centre, located in the Old Capitol Mall, where Katie worked in the IOWA Centers for Enterprise supporting both Corporate Partnerships and the University of Iowa Research Foundation.  Katie is also the mother of a special needs daughter and is actively involved in the special needs community in Iowa City.

Responsibilities

Katie assists in the coordination of administrative processes including admissions and enrollment. She organizes the marketing efforts and publications for REACH Program students.  Katie also assists in financial responsibilities.

Contact Information:

Email: katelyn-dasse@uiowa.edu

Telephone: 319-384-2127

Office Hours: 8 am–5 pm, Monday-Friday

Janis L. Mendenhall, M.A.
Coordinator of Career Development

Education and Experience

Janis obtained a B.S. and a M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling, from The University of Iowa.  She is a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) and has worked providing vocational services to persons with disabilities for over 19 years in Iowa  City and other local communities.  Her experience includes working in non profit environments as well as starting and directing her own private for profit organization.

Responsibilities

Janis oversees the Career Development component of the REACH experience.  She will be teaching courses in career exploration, interest assessment and the job search process.  As well, she will be developing career internships and experiences for students with employers in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area.  Janis chairs an Employment Advisory Council for the REACH Program to facilitate and develop job placements statewide.

Contact Information

Email: janis-mendenhall@uiowa.edu

Telephone: 319-384-2128

Office Hours: 8 am–5 pm, Monday-Friday

Amy L. Vander Busard, M.A.

Coordinator of Student Life

Education and Experience

Amy obtained a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a M.A. in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University. She has worked in Housing and Residence Life administration for seven years at two large, public universities. She also has experience teaching at the elementary and collegiate level.

Responsibilities

Amy oversees the Residential and University Life experience for students involved in the REACH Program. She will be instructing students in developing independent living skills. As well, she will be collaborating with Housing and Office of Student Life staff to engage students in campus life.

Contact Information:

Email: amy-vanderbusard@uiowa.edu

Telephone: 319-384-2083

Office Hours: 8 am–5 pm, Monday-Friday

Julia W. Shaw, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Academic Life

Education and Experience
Julia obtained a B.A. in English, M.S. in Special Education, and a Ph.D. in Workforce Education from Southern Illinois University. She has worked in community mental health and provided academic support to persons with disabilities. Her experience includes computer education and issues of retention. She has also provided program evaluation and research on adult student learning.

Responsibilities
Julia oversees the Academic Life component of the REACH experience. She will be teaching courses in ePorfolio development, computer learning, and student academic success. She will also act as a Liaison to Academic Units and Student Disability Services.  Julia also oversees curriculum development in each of the four core areas and is facilitating design of the REACH Program's student evaluations and outcomes measurement.

Contact Information:
Email: julia-shaw@uiowa.edu
Telephone: 319-384-2176
Office Hours: 8 am–5 pm, Monday-Friday

Wendy Stokesbary, M.A.

Coordinator of Community Life

Education and Training
Wendy earned her B.A. in psychology from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, and her M.A. from the University of Iowa Rehabilitation Counseling program; she is certified as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC). She has 16 years of experience working in a variety of rehabilitation programs including substance abuse and mental health treatment, as well as vocational rehabilitation services in Colorado and Eastern Iowa.

Responsibilities
Wendy oversees the development of community living skills for REACH students. This area of student development focuses on interpersonal skills, self-care and personal advocacy, diversity awareness, and skills for independent living beyond the University.

Contact Information:
Email: wendy-stokesbary@uiowa.edu
Telephone: 319-384-2177
Office Hours: 8 am–5 pm, Monday-Friday

Amy Kearns Larsen

Student Life Instructor

Education and Training
Amy obtained a B.A. in Family Services as well as a certificate in Youth Agency Administration, and has completed graduate coursework in Special Education – Vocational and Transition Programming at the University of Northern Iowa. She has over nine years of experience working with individuals with disabilities in setting and obtaining vocational, academic, and independent living goals. She worked with undergraduate and graduate students at The University of Iowa for over two years in the Office of Student Disability Services. She is the advisor for the NAMI-UI student organization and has collaborated with many offices on campus through programming and committees.

Responsibilities
Amy is a member of the Student Life staff for the REACH Program. Amy will be instructing students in developing independent living skills. She will be collaborating with University Housing, the Office of Student Life, and Student Services staff to engage students in campus life.

Contact Information:
Email: amy-kearns-larsen@uiowa.edu
Telephone: 319-335-6440
Office Hours: 8 am–5 pm, Monday-Friday

Deborah Larson , M.A. Ed

Career Life Instructor

Education and Training

Deborah obtained a B.A. in English and Psychology from the

University of Maryland University College and an M.A. Ed in

Adult Education Training and Development from Touro University International. Deborah has certification as a Certified Federal Job Trainer and has training as a transition counselor. She has experience working as a social work educator, providing educational programs and support in the areas of family life, finances, relocation, transition and career development.  Deborah’s previous work experience also includes curriculum development, teaching and advising middle and high school students at a private school for special needs students.

Responsibilities

Deborah is a member of REACH’s Career Development staff and will be instructing and advising students in the career development areas as well as overlapping and helping out in the other courses too.  Deborah will be assisting Janis with developing career internships and experiences for students with employers in the Iowa City area, working with the Employment Advisory Council and developing post program support.

Amy Kahle , M.A.

Personal Relationships and Sexuality Course Instructor

Tutor Coordinator

Amy obtained both a B.A. in English and a M.A. in Student Development in Post Secondary Education from The University of Iowa.  She has over 15 years experience working with students with disabilities at private colleges, community colleges and state university settings.  Most recently she was the counselor at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Sheri Gallo , M.S.

Computers and Technology Course Instructor

Sheri obtained a B.S. in Math and Science for Elementary Education from Angelo State University and an M.S. in Computers in Education and Cognitive Skills from the University of North Texas.  She has taught elementary for 13 years and was an Instructional Specialist before coming to Iowa. 

Kassia Scott , B.S.

Science and Civics Course Instructor

Kassia Scott was born and raised in the UK until she met her Iowan husband at Brown University in 1989.   Since then she has lived in Providence,  Rhode Island; Los Angeles; Iowa City; and Madison.  She is delighted to be back in Iowa City with her family teaching for the REACH Program and closer to the grandparents. She has a background in social work, biological research and teaching science and languages in the community college and  Big Ten University environment. She will be introducing students to the wonderful and exciting world of Biological thinking and how everything is connected.

Lora Morgan Dunham , B.A.

Human Services Seminar Instructor

Lora Morgan Dunham gradauated from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education-English. Lora has almost 20 years experience at Goodwill and has trained teachers in the Peace Corp in Lesotho for 3 years.

OFFICE ASSISTANTS
Laura Berger Laura is in her second year of the Rehabilitation Counseling Master's Program and has a special interest in College Transition.  As a REACH staff member, she assists in many areas of the Program's everyday functions.	Allison Lampariello Allison is a junior Pre-Business major.  Her current focus is Statistics in Business though she also enjoys developing marketing tools.

Career Opportunities