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Staff Bios

Read the bios below to learn more about the professional staff who work in Student Accessibility Services. Upon registration, students will be assigned an Accessibility Advisor who they can contact through the accommodations management portal (Ventus).

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  Alan Jeans

  (he/him), B.Ed, M.Ed

  I value education and learning. As a former teacher, I have witnessed many students develop and grow their confidence, their sense of empowerment, and their self-assurance through engaging with the education and learning process. I believe that the ability to develop confidence, feel empowered, and become self-assured should be equally available and accessible to all. This is what motivates me to do the work that I do.

• 

  Angel Varrette

  (she/her), BAA (Behavioural Psychology)

  My goal is to understand students’ individual set of circumstances that, without accommodation supports, would interfere with their participation in post-secondary education. I enjoy working collaboratively with students to develop a comprehensive accommodation plan that addresses their academic accessibility needs at Queen’s.

• 

  Caitlin Bruce

  (she/her), BAA (Behavioural Psychology)

  As a person who is partially sighted, and a former post-secondary student with a disability, I am passionate about accessibility and inclusion for everyone. My goal is to work collaboratively with students to understand and implement accommodations that will ensure them equal access and full participation in their studies at Queen’s.

• 

  Caroline Jesuthasan

  (she/her), BSc, BEd, M.PH

  As a former educator and Indigenous cultural safety trainer, I’m passionate about inclusivity and equity, and reducing barriers within education for students with disabilities. I also recognize how intersectionality can impact experiences, including learning experiences, and the importance of providing a welcoming, supportive, and compassionate space for students to create plans supporting their unique learning needs.

• 

  Caroline Teske

  (she/her), MSW, RSW

  I am a Registered Social Worker. I hold a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts Honours with a Major in Psychology, and a Minor in Sociology from Queen’s University. In my current role, I develop, implement, and support academic accommodation planning for students with disabilities. I strive to create an equitable and inclusive approach to education and services.

• 

  Cristina Cardelus

  (she/her), BA, M.Ed

  I aim to remove barriers and help you achieve your full potential. My background is in Psychology and Education, and I approach my work with compassion and understanding. I look forward to connecting with you!

• 

  Deb Bruce

  (she/her), BA, B.Ed

  I aim to provide a welcoming and non-judgmental space for students to share their disability-related needs, experiences, ideas, and concerns. My goal is to provide individualized support that not only removes existing barriers to learning, but also elevates the overall experience of students with disabilities at Queen’s. I work closely with the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, and recognize the impacts of race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and gender identity on a student’s experience of their disability.

• 

  Ellen Babb

  (she/her), BA (Psych)

  As an Advisor, I help students build an accommodation plan to meet their individual needs, as well as understand and implement their accommodations. My background is in Developmental Psychology, and I have always been passionate about increasing equity and inclusivity in educational settings.

• 

  Hannah Rowe-Young

  (she/her), BA

  I bring empathy, compassion, and deep understanding to my work supporting students. I strive to empower students to confidently seek the resources they need to thrive, both academically and personally. All students deserve an inclusive and equitable learning environment where they feel understood and supported, enabling them to reach their full potential.

• 

  Jon Oosterman

  (he/him), BAA (Behavioural Psychology)

  I aim to be a positive, welcome and accessible contact for students seeking disability-related academic support. I work with students to remove barriers to their education and connect them with other resources to help them be successful at university. I believe in the equitable access to university education and all its supports.

• 

  Kaitlin Therrien

  (she/her), BA, BEd, PME

  I believe that all students deserve equitable access to education and have the potential to succeed in the classroom and beyond. As an advisor, I strive to provide a welcoming and empowering environment for all students, provide non-judgmental support, and remove barriers to accessing educational opportunities. I enjoy working collaboratively with students and connecting them with resources across the university for further support.

• 

  Katie Trathen

  (she/her), MSW

  I am committed to creating inclusive, accessible spaces where all students feel supported in reaching their educational goals. With a focus on equity and collaboration, my approach centers around each individual’s strengths. Students can expect a compassionate, empowering presence dedicated to helping them thrive both personally and academically through meaningful, student-centered support.

• 

  Mary Buynak

  (she/her), B.Ed, M.Ed

  I value a respectful, kind, and compassionate approach to providing accessible services to learning. I strive to actively listen in order to understand each student’s experience and apply my background in education to create a well-rounded view of the academic needs of university students.

• 

  Monique Dubé

  (she/her), B.Ed, M.Ed

  I am a passionate educator who strongly believes in equity and inclusion for students with disabilities. I provide support to students with disabilities by assessing their individual disability related needs, addressing their concerns, and recommending accommodations that remove barriers present in academic settings. I enjoy working collaboratively with students to help them reach their learning potential and experience equal access to learning environments.

• 

  Neha Khan

  (She/Her)

  I am a passionate advocate for inclusive education. I strive to provide a non-judgmental space for students to share their disability-related needs, experiences, and concerns. With empathy and respect, my goal is to guide students regarding the availability of accommodations specific to their needs, so they feel seen, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.

• 

  Nikki Neranzoglou

  (She/Her)

  I strive to make Student Accessibility Services a welcoming space for all students to feel safe and comfortable expressing their needs. My goal is to answer as many questions as I can and provide helpful information on and off campus resources. Please stop in to say hello or grab a quick snack to keep you going!

• 

  Toni Thornton

  (they/she), BA, B.Ed, MA, M.Ed

  I recognize people's intersectional identities and believe in disability justice. Having co-developing many courses at Queen’s, I bring a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges that exist for both students and instructors at the university. And as both an educator and a parent, I have seen what is possible when students have equitable access to learning. My goal is to work with the Student Accessibility Services team to make those possibilities a reality for all students.