Author: Marilu Garcia-Yellin

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Virtual Mini Conference

October 20, 2023

Intersection of Testing and Disabilities

Agenda

10:00 am Join Virtual Meeting
10:15 am Ice Breaker
10:30 am When They Come In Our Door: Customer Service Skills and Accessibility for All
11:15 am Let’s Talk Accommodations!
12:15 pm Break
12:30 pm Both/And NOT Either/Or
2:00 pm Student Panel
3:30 pm Closing

Session Descriptions

10:30am – When They Come In Our Door: Customer Service Skills and Accessibility for All
This presentation will cover how test center professionals can meet students where they are when they come into a test center, through a lens of disability awareness. We emphasize that it is not important to know a student’s diagnosis, but rather to focus on internal mindfulness and universal accessibility practices.
Presented by Howard Community College
Emily Drechsler, Disability Support Services Counselor and Virginia Licona, Assistive Technology and Accommodated Testing Specialist

11:15am – Let’s Talk Accommodations
Open Discussion/ Q&A: discussion of our testing center’s space, services, equipment, and/or space adaptations. Open discussion for testing center design supporting students with disabilities.
Presented by University of Kentucky
Lindsay Jansen, Accommodated Exam Coordinator, Manager Disability Resource Center and Helen Richardson, Assistant Exam Coordinator

12:30pm – Both/And, NOT Either/ Or
This conversation will center around individuals with disabilities in post-secondary education environment while taking a closer look at the intersections of ableism with other systems of oppression that create barriers for individuals with disabilities in this setting. We will discuss how to move forward and move past the injustices through a better understanding of the historical and continual context, what we can do to support effective change, and how to advocate for the change individuals with disabilities deserve.
Presented by Anne Arundel Community College
Dana Kieran, Director of Disability Support Services

2pm – Student Panel Discussion
Students from local institutions answer questions about their experiences using testing center services. Students will talk about how they have been supported and offer considerations for improving services and engaging with others on campus to better connect with students with disabilities.

Hosted by Frederick Community College

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Upcoming MCTA Meetings

The MCTA virtual mini conference will be held on October 20, 2023. The meeting will be hosted by Alesha Rosen, MCTA President.

Call for Presentations – this is a form to share with your team or colleagues who may want to present on topics related to this year’s theme. Perhaps sharing with your institution’s disability office, DEI, or professional development area to solicit ready-made presentations that they would want to widely share with testing professionals across the state.

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 MCTA Officers Bios

President –Alesha Rosen  

Alesha serves as the  Director of Testing Center Services at Frederick Community College as well as an adjunct instructor in Adult Education. She is an active member for about 8 years and would love to see this organization thrive. She is determined to create the right conditions to make things happen with the help of an enthusiastic Executive Board.

Vice President – Marilu Garcia-Yellin

Marilu serves as the Associate Director of Testing at Howard Community College. Thank you for your nomination. She is an alumnus of Howard Community College and hold a Bachelors of English Literature from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Higher Education Administration. Her goal is to listen and support her testing administration peers through the challenges arising in higher education today.

Secretary – Natasha Williams

Natasha serves as the Director of Testing at Baltimore City Community College and her educational accolades include a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Marketing as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Political Science. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) with a focus in Executive Coaching. With over a decade of experience in the higher education field, she has developed a reputation as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional with a passion for accessibility, equity and inclusion, organizational development, student success, coaching and mentorship, professional development, advocating for underrepresented populations and addressing barriers individuals may experience in the institution. She brings a wealth of skills and knowledge to the role, including exceptional organizational and communication abilities, a keen eye for detail, and a strong commitment to moving the organization forward.

Treasurer – Kelly Fay

Kelly Fay is currently completing her 6th year as the Off Campus Testing Coordinator for Anne Arundel Community College. During this time, she has been a regular attendee and contributor to MCTA, and been active in committee service within the AACC Community. Her committee service has included leading the PSSO Employee Engagement Committee, Organizing the Student Leadership Conference, as well as serving on the Staff Compensation and Employee Grievance Policy drafting committee. In her free time Kelly founded, runs, and leads the executive board for a Nonprofit High School Girls Rugby Program. Skilled in organization, time management, and communication Kelly looks forward to seeing how she can assist MCTA if elected onto the executive board.

Technology Officer – Vacant