RN to BSN Program
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Jyh-Hann Chang
Dr. Jyh-Hann Chang is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at
Dr. Chang has a private practice, teaches, and sees clients at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital. In his sports psychology practice, Dr. Chang has consulted with athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL minor league, and Division I sports. Recently, he worked with the Para-Olympic team for the 2008 summer Olympics. He is also the chair of the advisory board for people with disabilities for the Northeast Pennsylvania, and he has been involved in national committees such as the American Psychological Association-Committee of Disability Issues in Psychology. His work and accomplishments have been cited in New York Times, Boston Globe, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Journal Published by the Paralyzed Veterans Administration.
One of his current projects is "Project Enable" funded by the National Science Foundation. This project is designed to promote job employment and peer mentoring for people with mobility impairment. In addition, he has researched on the topic of compassion, and he is currently in the process of designing and validating a scale to measure compassion. This scale is called the "Compassion of Other Lives scale" or the “COOL” scale.
Mr. David Carson learned at the age of 25 that he had a learning disability. This disability hampered his ability to excel in the classroom and also his belief in himself. He flunked out of three schools before finally graduating from college. Now that he has finished college and has successfully completed two further diplomas, he can see where he went wrong when he first attempted to progress through school. Mr. Carson’s perspective is genuine and his goal sincere; he truly wants to help young adults who are heading to college, assisting them in succeeding and believing in themselves.
Brenda M. Eaton, Ed. BCBA Masters in Education from Temple University, Autism Network Coordinator at the Chester County Intermediate Unit in PA for 8 years. Currently, working with individuals on the spectrum transitioning to college, as an ASD College Coach.
Timothy W. Hiles, Ph.D is Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Tennessee where his area of expertise is 19th- and 20th-century Europe. He is the author of Thomas Theodor Heine: Fin-de-Siècle Munich and the Origins of Simplicissimus and focuses his research on the intersection of literature and visual arts in the microcosms of turn-of-the-century Vienna and Munich and on the history of photography. Dr. Hiles is an advocate for accessibility on college campuses and recently co-authored “An Integrated Information System for the Disabled” in The International Journal of Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations.
Sue Klaus is the Manager of Prevention, Education & Outreach at Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania (VBH-PA) located in Trafford, PA. She has worked for VBH-PA for seven years, both as a Manager in the Member & Provider Services Department and previously as an Aftercare Coordinator in the Clinical Department. Prior to this, she was employed at Pressley Ridge in Pittsburgh for 18 years where she worked with troubled children, adolescents and their families in Pressley’s Day School, Residential Treatment Facility and Community Residential Rehabilitation Program. Sue is a graduate of Edinboro University with a Bachelor of Science degree where she majored in Special Education. She also holds a Master’s degree in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Sue lives in Delmont, PA with her husband and two children. She is a parent of a 17 year old son on the autism spectrum who has special health care needs. In her free time, Sue enjoys fishing, gardening and vacationing with family and friends.
Dr. Richard Kovalesky holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne University. Dr. Kovalesky teaches at Bloomsburg University in the Counselor Education program. In addition Dr. Kovalesky is a Nationally Board Certified Counselor, and a Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in clinical counseling services. Dr. Kovalesky has over a decade of experience working with students with disabilities in higher education. Furthermore, Dr. Kovalesky enjoys teaching and keeping current with the developing education standards and guidelines in education, counseling and student affairs. His research interests include counselor education, supervision, counselor identity, transition planning and disability issues among college students.
Paige Lewis, M.S. has over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations of people with disabilities. She has worked at a post-secondary institution in various capacities, private, non-profit, and the government sectors in various health care environments. She also has a vast array of experience coaching wheelchair sports teams. Additionally, she has extensive customer service, management, marketing, staff development and training experience. Her overall professional philosophy revolves around enhancing the individual’s quality of life via maximizing an individual’s functional independent living, as well as emphasizing the importance of empowerment. She earned a B.S. in Leisure Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation, and a M.S. in Rehabilitation Administration both from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. In the past 7 years while at Beckwith Hall/Beckwith Residential Support Services, an ancillary program of the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, she has been responsible for facilitating the Transitional Disability Management Program, and the Mentoring Program which now encompasses four target groups-alumni, peer, high school and parent. Finally, Paige has presented at conferences locally, regionally and nationally on various aspects of transitional challenges and supports for students in post-secondary education.
Dr. Sara Lichtenwalter LSW Ph.D., Associate Professor in Gannon University’s Social Work Program. Dr. Lichtenwalter teaches Introduction to Disability Studies, Social Welfare History, SW Research Methods and HBSE. Her scholarship focuses on the structural factors that contribute to the unyielding and enduring relationship between marginalized women & poverty, with a particular emphasis on mothers and other female caregivers, and most recently, on women with disabilities. Dr. Lichtenwalter is a peer reviewer for the Journal of Poverty, as well as Feminist Criminology. Her most recent publication is entitled: “Responding to the Needs of Low-income Pregnant Women with Disabilities: Doula Program Evaluation” and this was also the topic of her 2009 CSWE presentation in San Antonio TX. Her current research on health-related stigma was awarded the Drutaz Grant by Gannon University.
Sue Miller is the Prevention, Education, and Outreach Coordinator at Value Behavioral –PA for Cambria County. She has worked for VBH-PA for 4 years. Prior to this, she was employed at Beginnings, Inc., an umbrella agency for Early Intervention (EI), Parents as Teachers (PAT), Right From the Start (RFTS), Parent and Child Together (PACT), and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs for Cambria County for 15 years where she worked as a Parent Coordinator, PACT teacher, Early Interventionist, Early Intervention Supervisor, and Assistant Director of the agency. Sue is a graduate of Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education- concentration in biology. Sue lives in Johnstown, PA with her husband and big dog. She is the parent of a 26 year old adopted son and a 21 year old daughter who is on the autism spectrum and has uncontrolled seizures and other special healthcare needs. In her free time, Sue enjoys baking, gardening, photography, hiking (geo-caching), and reading.
Dr. Susan H. Packard, Ph.D., CRC, Professor, Edinboro University Professor. Susan H. Packard is a Professor and Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Counseling program at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Packard earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1994. Among her credentials, Dr. Packard is a licensed psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) , Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and Master Addictions Counselor (MAC). She has extensive work experience in the addictions treatment field. Dr. Packard holds memberships in a variety of professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA), and the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA).
Janet Pawlowski , RN MA LMFT is a PA Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She has been working as a consultant with HeadStart for more than 15 years. Janet is the sole proprietor of her private Psychology practice, the Child & Family Guidance Center of Erie, which she was founded in 2000. She is an employee of St. Vincent Health Center for the past 29 years, initially as a Registered Nurse, and currently working in Outpatient Behavioral Services. She is also the founder/CEO/Clinical Director of KaleidAScope, Inc, a new, non-profit agency providing specialized services to individuals 15 years and older with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Janet obtained her BSN from Villa Maria College/Gannon University, a MA in Clinical Psychology from Edinboro University, and Post-Master’s Certification in Marriage & Family Therapy from Gannon University/SVHC. Janet has professional affiliation with Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA) and the local NW-PA chapter, the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (AAMFT) and the state MFT association, and numerous agencies at the local and state levels. Janet specializes in evaluation and treatment of individuals of all ages with Pervasive Developmental Disorders, ie Autsim, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, marital and family therapy, and a wide variety of social, emotional and behavioral concerns with children.
Dianne D. Rogers, MS has served as Director of the Learning Differences Program at Mercyhurst College since 1998 and earned a B.S. in Special Education and Rehabilitation from Syracuse University. She has earned two Master’s Degrees, one from University of Wisconsin in Special Education and the other from Edinboro University (PA) in School Administration and Supervision. Rogers has worked in both public and private schools with populations of individuals with special needs, including students with sensory disabilities, physical disabilities, social and emotional disturbances, and learning disabilities prior to her involvement with the Autism Spectrum population. With the introduction of the Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM), Rogers has become a requested consultant to parents, autism groups and area colleges on higher education’s responsibility for providing social and academic support to individuals with Asperger Syndrome and high functional individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Most recently, Rogers has obtained a Congressionally-directed grant for Mercyhurst’s AIM program as well as co-authored a Letter of Understanding between the Pennsylvania State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation and Mercyhurst's Foundations Program. Rogers has presented at numerous conferences on the Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst including the Governors’ Conference on Higher Education, the Community of Practice on Transition Conference, sponsored by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, and the NASPA (National Association of Student Affairs Mental Health Conference .
Cary Staples is an educator, a graphic designer and a creative problem solver. Her research interest is to make information accessible. Some of her clients include: The Oriental Society of Hong Kong . Prentice Hall . Simon & Schuster Publishing . Hayden McNeil Publishing . Kendall Hunt Publishing . Delta Records . Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. She received her B.F.A. from Kent State University | Kent Summer in Switzerland and her M.F.A. from Michigan State University. Answers are boring, it is the questions that are interesting.
Karan Steele is the Recovery & Resiliency Specialist at Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania (VBH-PA) located in Trafford, PA. She has worked for VBH-PA for six years in the Prevention, Education and Outreach Department and previous to her role as Recovery & Resiliency Specialist serviced as a Health Choices Family Representative for the Grievance Level 2 process. Currently, Karan is a board member on the System of Care State Leadership Team, Youth & Family Training Institute Advisory Board and PA Families, Inc.
Karan lives with her husband of 20 years and her 2 sons in Greensburg, PA. The oldest son, age 18, has Clinical Depression, Suicidal Ideations, ADHD, and Separation Anxiety. Her youngest age 17 is on the Autism Spectrum. She worked in the travel industry for 20 years and was a Regional Operations Manager of a Wholesale Tour Operator when her children were diagnosed which fuels her passion for the current position.
