Accessible Education Center Directory
Staff Directory
 |
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.
|
 |
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.
|
 |
Dewitt Stuckey
Accessible Education Center Counselor
Phone: (408) 852-2837
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.
|
 |
Michael Cleary
Accessible Education Center Counselor
Phone: (408) 848-4741
Email: mcleary@gavilan.edu
AEC Counseling Information
My name is Michael Cleary. It is a pleasure to work at Gavilan College as a counselor. My duties include providing academic support and advocacy for students, verification of students’ learning challenges and assistance in finding accommodations for their needs, and helping students decide on an educational and/or career path. Having worked 30 years as a counselor and social worker, I find it rewarding matching students' needs with the many resources this center and college have to offer. I look forward to meeting and working with you in achieving your academic goals.
|
 |
Karen Sato
Adapted Physical Education Instructor
Phone: (408) 848-4878
Email: ksato@gavilan.edu
Welcome to AEC's Adapted Physical Education (A.P.E.) Department!
In 1977, I graduated from Gavilan College, and I started teaching in 1984 at Gavilan working in the Accessible Education Center Program. In the Adapted PE classes, we can ADAPT the exercises/workouts to your specific needs. You'll be able to stretch, work on your core, balance, cardiovascular and strength building for your continued physical maintenance. The classes are informational, educational, beneficial and an enjoyable way to work on your Health / Fitness.
Remember to: HYDRATE, STRETCH, BALANCE, BREATHE, LAUGH & SMILE!!!
Please contact me with any questions that you may have!
|
 |
Lydia Casas
Mobility Aide
Phone: (408) 848-4878
Email: lcasas@gavilan.edu
Hello, I am Lydia Casas. I am a Mobility Aide for the Accessible Education Center. I assist in the tracking of positive attendance and Academic Education Plans for our department. My work contributes to the overall services of this department through daily contact with the students, providing information and assistance to them. In the summer, I also work with the students in the Adapted Physical Education program.
|
 |
Tamara Merrill
Career Prep Instructor/HOPE Gilroy
Phone: (408) 842-0334
Email: tmerrill@gavilan.edu
My name is Tamara Merrill and I am an instructor for Gavilan College AEC CareerPrep Program. I teach both on and off campus. I also work as an instructor for HOPE Services in the Work Activity Center and the Supported Employment Program.
The Supported Employment program teaches students with varying developmental and physical disabilities to acquire good work habits, and individual instruction at local businesses where students work such as; Northcoast Medical, Home Depot and Target. This job involves working with agencies that include: Department of Rehabilitation, San Andreas Regional Center, VTA, MediCal, Social Security, and various other professionals as needed to assure a student’s success in school and at work.
|
 |
Cheryl Brown
Career Prep Instructor/HOPE Hollister
Phone: (831) 638-6844
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.
|
 |
Nathan Maxey
Vocational Instructional Specialist/HOPE Hollister
Phone: (831) 637-8283
Email: nmaxey@gavilan.edu
My Name is Nathan Maxey. I'm the Accessible Education Center's Vocational Instructional Specialist for Gavilan Community College. Our program is a joint effort with HOPE Services in Hollister. My role is to offer vocational workshops and instruction with the goal of preparing our students to achieve gainful and permanent employment in the community. We are unique in that when employment is scarce during economic downturns, a vast network of local employers remain contracted with HOPE to provide onsite production employment. This network of employers enables our students to earn money and on the job training at HOPE until they are offered long-term employment in the community. If you are interested in a tour, contact Gavilan College's AEC at 848-4565, or my direct line. I am available to assist you Monday through Friday, 7:30am until 3:00pm.
|
 |
Jane Maringer-Cantu
High Tech Center Instructor
Phone: (408) 848-4722
Email: jmaringer@gavilan.edu
I have been an instructor with the Gavilan AEC for over 30 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 major function of the High Tech Center is to evaluate the range and degree of a student’s functional limitations, implement the appropriate adaptation or reduce the disability’s effect on computer access and train the student to use the adaptation within the context of general computer skills. 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.
|
 |
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.
|
 |
Irma Lopez
Test Proctor
Phone: (408) 848-4858
Email: ilopez@gavilan.edu
Hi, I am Irma Lopez, the AEC Test Proctor. 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.
|
 |
Lori Burgman
Learning Disability Specialist/Instructor
Phone: (408) 848-4861
Email: lburgman@gavilan.edu
As a 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 Guidance 563, a support class for Math 205, and Guidance 562, a support class for Math 400 and Math 402. I also work in the AEC Learning Skills Lab as part of a wonderful team who are devoted to ensuring students' academic success.
|
 |
Robert Overson
Learning Disability Specialist
Phone: (408) 848-4832
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.”
|
 |
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
|
|
Priscilla de Anda
Instructional Program Specialist
Phone: (408) 848-4829
pdeanda@gavilan.edu
Hi,
My name is Priscilla de Anda, and I am an Instructional Program Specialist in the AEC Learning Skills Lab.
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.
|
 |
Juana Lopez
Mobility Aide
Phone: (408) 848-4878
Email: jlopez@gavilan.edu
Hello, I am Juana Lopez. I am a Mobility Aide for the Accessible Education Center. I assist students who need transportation to their classes. You can also find me providing office support at the AEC. I also work with the students in the Adapted Physical Education program. Education is my passion and working here assisting students gives me a lot of joy as I have worked as a Paraprofessional for three years and I am currently studying to become a Biology teacher. I am very honored to be part of a great team who works hard to meet the needs of our students.
|
 |
Stephen Gaitan
WAIII Counselor, Gavilan College
Phone: (408) 848-485
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.
|
 |
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
|
Dr. Brooke Boeding
Associate Dean, AEC
Phone: (408) 848-4871
Email: bboeding@gavilan.edu
Kimberly Wilson
Vocational Instructional Specialist - HOPE Gilroy
Phone: (408) 846-6946
Email: kwilson@gavilan.edu
Eric Lopez
Adapted PE Instructor
Phone: (408) 848-4878
Email: elopez@gavilan.edu
Ali Aryanpour
Mobility Aide
Phone: (408) 848-4878
Email: aaryanpour@gavilan.edu
All college information or academic materials are available in alternate media upon request at (408) 848-4865.
For more AEC information, call 408-848-4865 or TTY at 408-846-4924.
