Accessible Education Center Directory
Staff Directory
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Luciana Fuentes
Division Assistant
Phone: (408) 848-4865
Email: lfuentes@gavilan.edu
Hello, my name is Luciana (Lucy) Fuentes. I am the Division Assistant in the Accessible Education Center in which I provide support to our Associate Dean. Part of my duties is to maintain and monitor the AEC budget, conduct scheduling, assist with office support, and also serve as a liaison for our department. As a previous Gavilan College Alumna, I had the privilege to work as a Student Worker at Student Health Services, and I was one of the initial Peer Mentors for the Welcome Center in which has helped me become familiarized with all Student Support Services and Academic Departments at Gavilan College. I am very honored and blessed to be part of the Accessible Education Center to help provide services to accommodate all our student’s needs.
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Rosalinda Barbosa-Moreno
Office Assistant
Phone: (408) 848-4767
Email: rbarbosa@gavilan.edu
AEC Counseling Information- To Schedule a Counseling Appointment
As the Office Assistant to the Accessible Education Center, I provide the first direct contact for students who come to our office. I assist students with information on how to obtain services from AEC, as well as give assistance with scheduling appointments with our AEC Counselors, Learning Disability Specialist and Workability III Supervisor. Please stop by our office for more information on how to qualify for our services.
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Dewitt Stuckey
Accessible Education Center Counselor
Phone: (408) 840-3123 (Google Voice)
Email: dstuckey@gavilan.edu
AEC Counseling Information
My name is Dewitt Stuckey. I'm a Counselor in the Accessible Education Center and Veteran's Resource Center here at Gavilan Community College. I provide students with accommodations, academic support, career and personal counseling services. In addition, I develop educational plans and monitor the academic progress of students to ensure they are successful in their future endeavors. As a former Division 1 Collegiate athlete, who grew up being the underdog to many obstacles, I find great pleasure in motivating and educating my students to continue fighting for their dreams. I am honored and pleased to be a part of the Gavilan Community College family.
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Rosangela Navarro
Mobility Aide (Tram Driver)
Phone: (408) 825-4387 (Google Voice)
Email: rnavarro@gavilan.edu
Hello, my name is Rosangela (Rose) Navarro. I have been part of the Gavilan College Community for three years as a part time Health Clerk. Now I work in the Accessible Education Center as a Mobility Aide. I am able to work directly with students.I transport students in the tram to give them a way to attend classes when I'm not driving the tram I help in the Office.
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Irma Lopez
Test Proctor
Phone: (408) 713-1805 (Google Voice)
Email: ilopez@gavilan.edu
Hi, I am Irma Lopez, the AEC Assessment Specialist. I coordinate the test proctoring services and work in the main AEC office. I maintain the list of students receiving the testing accommodations, and I help with the organization of student files, continuously reconciling forms and updating the student information on our online database.
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Cheryl Brown
Career Prep Instructor/HOPE Hollister
Phone: (408) 465-9580
Email: cbrown@gavilan.edu
My name is Cheryl Brown and I am an instructor for the CareerPrep program on campus. CareerPrep is a 2-3 year program created for students with intellectual disabilities. The curriculum consists of career vocational courses, including: Job Readiness, Self-Advocacy and Community Integration. I also provide instruction at HOPE Services in Gilroy and Hollister, and at HOPE's Supported Employment service sites. Students at HOPE learn vocational skills necessary to stay employed at the work activity center and/or find employment in the community.
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Kim Wilson
Vocational Instructional Specialist - HOPE Gilroy
Phone: (408) 846-6946
Email: kwilson@gavilan.edu
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Fernando Ibarra
Vocational Instructional Specialist - HOPE Hollister
Phone: (831) 638-6852
Email: libarraguzman@gavilan.edu
Hi! My name is Fernando Ibarra. I have a BA/BS in Psychology from Cal Poly Tech State University. I was recently appointed as Vocational Instructional Specialist for the Accessible Education Center at the HOPE Hollister site. Before joining Gavilan College, I worked as a Community Support Facilitor at HOPE Services in Gilroy.
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Jane Maringer-Cantu
High Tech Center Instructor/ AEC Director/Coordinator
Phone: (831) 204-8430 (Google Voice)
Email: jmaringer@gavilan.edu
I have been an instructor with the Gavilan AEC for over 34 years. I currently teach many courses in our High Tech Center (HTC), which is a unique facility that provides our students access to computers and computer training through state-of-the-art assistive computer technology. The skills and knowledge a student gains in the HTC can be taken to other campuses, universities and ultimately, to the work place. I also teach an Adapted Physical Education class off-campus. For the past 3 years, I have served as the AEC Director of the Accessible Education Center.
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Frank Mendez
High Tech Center Instructor, Part-Time
Phone: (831) 245-3759 (Google Voice)
Email: fmendez@gavilan.edu
Hello! My name is Frank Mendez. I am an instructor for the Accessible Education Center. Pre-Pandemic, I could be found in the High Tech Center in the Library Building. The software packages I teach are: Plato , Kurzweil 3000 , Read & Write, Smartpen tech and Dragon Naturally Speaking software. The classes I teach are: CSIS 570 A & B, CSIS 571 A, Job Readiness and Workplace Skills class.
Because this is an online semester, I do not have traditional office hours. Instead, you can send me your questions at any time, and I will respond within 24 hours. If you have questions or need assistance, you can: email me via iLearn or at fmendez@gavilan.edu or contact me through my Google Number: (831)245-3759.
I hope your time at Gavilan College is fruitful and brings you much happiness in all your academic endeavors.
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Marina Lares
Adaptive Services Specialist (High Tech Center)
Phone: (408) 848-4891
Email: mlares@gavilan.edu
My name is Marina Lares. I am the Adaptive Services Specialist at the AEC. I provide students with any assistance that will better enable them to succeed here at Gavilan College. After the initial intake, the student may fill out the Student Request form that indicates which services will be needed. I arrange services such as Note Taking, Adaptive Equipment, Adaptive Hardware and Software, and I assist students in the High Tech Center. In addition, I assist in the production of Alternate Media for students with a wide variety of disabilities. I also assist in the research and ordering of new software and hardware for the High Tech Center. I am a former AEC student who graduated from Gavilan College so I am familiar with the challenges our students face. I recently completed my Bachelors in Business Management from San Jose State University.
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Robert Overson
Learning Disability Specialist
Phone: (831) 531-7292 (Google Voice)
Email: roverson@gavilan.edu
Hello and welcome to Gavilan Community College and to the Accessible Education Center (AEC). As a former K-12 Special Education Teacher, I have the experience to understand the learning process and the challenges it possesses. As a Learning Disabilities Specialist, I believe in assisting students through evaluation of their learning potential and recommending services and accommodations that will help them be successful. My primary goal is to assist students in overcoming challenges with learning difficulties and provide them with the tools necessary for their equal access to education.
“In order to know anything you must first know yourself.”
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Lori Burgman
Learning Disability Specialist
Phone: (408) 782-4823 (Google Voice)
Email: lburgman@gavilan.edu
As a part time Learning Disabilities Specialist, I administer achievement and cognitive tests to determine students' eligibility for learning disabilities services, and to explore students' individual academic strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles.
Additionally, I teach Math support classes, specifically Guidance 562, a support class for Math 402 and Math 411. I also work in the AEC Learning Skills Lab as part of a wonderful team who are devoted to ensuring students' academic success.
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Gilbert Horta
Instructional Program Specialist
Phone: (408) 848-4829
Email: ghorta@gavilan.edu
Hello, I find satisfaction in working as an Instructional Program Specialist. My desire is to aid students to convey their thoughts and feelings through writing. I also enjoy helping students build pathways to achievement in mathematics. Being a student with learning disabilities myself, I know the obstacles that students face. Since I have firsthand experience with overcoming my own challenges, I will be able to better help and equip students to identify their strengths. I’m not just a staff member; I’m also a student working toward my B.S. degree in Special Education.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Priscilla de Anda
Instructional Program Specialist
Phone: (831) 313-2256 (Google Voice)
pdeanda@gavilan.edu
Hi,
My name is Priscilla de Anda, and I am an Instructional Program Specialist in the AEC Learning Skills Lab and the High Tech Center.
I am an alumni of Gavilan College, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to return and assist current students to achieve their educational goals.
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Eric Lopez
Adapted Physical Education Instructor/Kinesiology Instructor
Phone: (408) 848-4878
elopez@gavilan.edu
Hello, my name is Eric Lopez and I am the Adapted Physical Education (APE) instructor as well as the Department Chair for the Accessible Education Center. I have worked here at Gavilan College since 2016 working in the Kinesiology department. In 2018, I made the switch over to the Adapted PE program and have enjoyed every minute of it. I feel that working with older adults with disabilities is my calling and I feel at home in the APE program. I am continuously looking how I can help my students lead a better life through health and wellness.
"To accomplish our goals, we must distill our dreams into daily actions". Michael Hyatt
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Irving Ploke
Adapted Physical Education Instructor/Kinesiology Instructor
Phone: (408) 848-4878
iploke@gavilan.edu
Hi, my name is Irv Ploke. Iʼm an instructor in both the Adapted Physical Education and Kinesiology departments. I teach classes off-campus for the Live Oak Adult Day Services as well classes in the Adaptive Fitness Center at Gavilan College. In the Kinesiology department, I teach self-defense, karate, strength training, stress management, and core classes for the Personal Training Certification Program. I have a passion for advising, mentoring, and guiding students towards a path of success and living a healthy and fit lifestyle.
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Stephen Gaitan
WAIII Counselor, Gavilan College
Phone: (831) 245-3387 (Google Voice)
Email: sgaitan@gavilan.edu
Hello, my name is Stephen Gaitan, and I am the WorkAbility III Counselor/ Supervisor in the AEC. Our program works with students referred from the CA Department of Rehabilitation to connect them to employment opportunities while teaching them skills to be successful in their chosen careers. I strive to connect students to resources available to boost their chances for success in and out of the classroom. Prior to my current position at Gavilan College, I worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the DOR and also held a position working with students with disabilities at San Benito High School in Hollister, CA.
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Maria Rodriguez
WAIII Job Developer, Gavilan College
Phone: (408) 848-4851
Email: mrodriguez@gavilan.edu
Hello, I am Maria Rodriguez. I am the Job Developer for the Workability III program here at Gavilan College. Our program works in a partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation to provide Gavilan students with employment services. As a Job Developer, I go out in our community to find job opportunities that will meet our students and employer needs. If you would like to know more about our program please feel free to contact me.
Be the change you want to see in the world ~ Mahatma Gandhi
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| All college information or academic materials are available in alternate media upon request at (408) 848-4891. For more AEC information, call 408-848-4865 or to schedule an appointment, call 408-848-4767. |
