Role within the Division: Asst Vice President for Accessibility & Disability Services
How long have you been at UMBC? : 11 years UMBC, 1.5 DOIE
How would you describe your role within the Division of Institutional Equity?
I serve as a partner and ally in the Division's equity and inclusion efforts, leading and supporting UMBC's work to advance disability access. My role centers on fostering the creation of proactive, welcoming, and disability-inclusive practices, initiatives, and policies across the university. I view accessibility as a core equity priority, a moral imperative, a legal requirement, and a central focus and passion of my work within DOIE. I am committed to cultivating a university community that works collectively and collaboratively to eliminate barriers that limit the full and equitable participation of students, staff, and visitors with disabilities. My vision is one of lasting disability culture change—where programs, services, classes, facilities, and daily operations are universally designed for all of us; where accommodations become obsolete because access is already built in; and where disability identity is recognized as a strength of our diverse community.
Can you share a moment or experience that shaped your passion for equity and inclusion work?
It is difficult to name a single moment, as my "why" has been shaped by a lifetime of experiences that continue to influence and deepen my commitment. As a person with multiple disabilities, a mother of children with disabilities, and a daughter, sister, cousin, colleague, and friend to people with disabilities, disability identity and lived experience have been a constant presence in my life. Experiencing and witnessing barriers, setbacks, exclusion, and bias have continually fueled my passion for advancing disability access and inclusion work. I have dedicated my career to being in service to people with disabilities and have found purpose and belonging in promoting disability awareness, acceptance, and inclusion in higher education, where I believe meaningful and lasting change is possible.
What is one initiative or project you're currently working on that excites you?
I'd be remiss if I didn't shout "Digital Accessibility" from the rooftops as the answer to this one! I have had the opportunity to work as part of an incredible team across multiple divisional offices on the creation of a roadmap and plan for ensuring that all of UMBC's digital web content is accessible to individuals with disabilities by April 2026, the deadline given by the Department of Justice's final rule updating the regulations of Title II of the ADA. This is exciting as it is a huge step forward in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for our disability community and a demonstration of our commitment to becoming an inclusively excellent university. We were given a limited timeline and resources to meet this goal, and in true UMBC fashion, the village has come together to make tremendous progress in a short time. I am so proud to be a part of this moment in UMBC history.
Outside of work, what's something that brings you joy or helps you recharge?
Exercise! I'm an avid Pilates and barre lover, I enjoy the gym and group classes, and love the outdoors, hiking, and adventuring with my family. A bad day for me can turn around just like that once the endorphins are flowing.
Can you share a book/quote/movie or something others can engage with from your perspective of inclusive excellence.
"Sometimes the greatest gift you can give another person is to simply include them." -Unknown
Curious about what the Office of Graduate Student Life is all about?
We're popping up in the ITE Atrium! Stop by to learn more about our events, resources, leadership opportunities, and how we support grad students across campus. Whether you're new, almost done, or somewhere in between — we've got something for you.
Come say hi, ask questions, and see how you can get involved. We'd love to meet you!
Where? ITE Atrium
When? 11am - 1pm
The Building Bridges Across Difference: A Dialogue for Every Day series equips faculty, staff, and students with practical tools to foster connection and understanding across differences in today’s polarized climate. Grounded in the Center for Social Justice Dialogue's commitment to shared power and inclusive practices, this series provides strategies to build trust, navigate challenging and emotionally charged moments, and create environments that encourage community and mutual respect. By embracing intergroup dialogue practices daily, participants will enhance their ability to inspire critical self-reflection, cultural storytelling, generous listening, and loving accountability.
All sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 11:45 - 1:00 pm and will be held VIRTUALLY.
If you have accessibility needs, please email csjdialogue@umbc.edu.
RSVP: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/151832
We all carry perspectives shaped by the stories, systems, and communities that raised us, but those perspectives are never set in stone. In this session, we will explore how loving accountability can serve as a catalyst for curiosity, inviting us to pause, question, and reframe the assumptions we hold about ourselves and others. Participants will practice perspective shifting as an act of care toward others and ourselves, and discover how wonder can open doors that judgment tends to close.
RSVP: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/151835
Moving from personal perspective shifts to collective action, this session asks a fundamental question: what does it look like when we move from protecting our own circle to building something bigger? In this session, we will explore what genuine coalition building requires, including the willingness to be uncomfortable, to be accountable, and to stay in relationship even when it is hard. Participants will examine how loving accountability serves as the foundation for justice work that is sustainable, inclusive, and rooted in shared humanity rather than shared identity alone.
Hello everyone,
Join the Economics Council this Wednesday from 6–8 PM in Commons 329 for a speaker session with Professor Hasan Shahid. He will be discussing his experience in research and his work in the field of health economics, along with insights into his career path.
We hope to see you there!
]]>The Baltimore Museum of Art seeks a visionary curator to lead its Department of European Painting and Sculpture using a globally oriented and socio-historically grounded curatorial approach. The successful candidate will be a scholar who is committed to interrogating the formation of European artistic practice within the contexts of colonial expansion, global trade, and sustained exchange with Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania.
]]>I'm excited to share that I've officially launched RepTrack Pro, an AI-powered fitness app built from the ground up and now available on the App Store.
As a Data Science graduate student at UMBC with a background in software engineering, this project was an opportunity to bridge machine learning, mobile development, and health technology into a real-world product.
What RepTrack Pro Offers:
AI-generated workout plans tailored to your goals
Real-time workout tracking with intelligent progress insights
Health analytics powered by Apple HealthKit
500+ guided exercises in one centralized platform
This project combines on-device machine learning with iOS development (Swift & UIKit), reflecting the interdisciplinary skills we develop here at UMBC — from data science to applied software engineering.
If you're interested in fitness, AI, mobile development, or entrepreneurship, I'd love for you to check it out and share feedback!
]]>Each year, communities across the nation celebrate how engineers shape our world with Engineers’ Week, running February 22-28 in 2026. COEIT expands the celebration to include the vital work of the computing community too. Join us for a week of showcases, challenges, and new connections!