About DSS
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MISSION STATEMENT
Disability Services for Students administers services by the following Mission Statement:
Disability Services for Students assures people with disabilities equitable opportunities for higher education. We work to protect and promote the civil rights of students with disabilities. We challenge and support students to develop self-determination and independence as people with disabilities. We take responsibility for helping educate the campus community to the rights of people with disabilities, as well as the contribution they make to the University. At the University, students with disabilities qualify as underrepresented educational equity students. We work within the University community, assuring that it upholds its responsibilities to recognize and develop these students' competencies.
We offer a coordinated, wide-ranging program that reflects Sonoma State University's emphasis on the autonomy and responsibility of the individual. We recognize the growth catalyzing power of disability and individual differences. Our dual role is to help students use available resources and challenge them to become successful self-advocates.
Disability Services for Students provides specific services such as priority registration, accommodated testing, disability management advising, interpreters, note takers, readers, and access to specialized computers which enables students to have access to, and success and satisfaction in the educational process. These services and accommodations have encouraged students to develop self-determination and self-advocacy skills. This combination of direct services and developmental support speaks directly to the goals stated in the Mission Statement.
Disability Services for Students is part of a matrix of services under Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
History of DSS at SSU
Disability Services has a proud and noteworthy history of providing services for students with disabilities at Sonoma State University. This history stretches back to the early 1970s. Efforts are underway to collect and preserve this history, which include the dissemination of historical photographs and documents. Further, former key staff members such as Anthony Tusler are being pulled in to share their perspective.
To view some of these historical photographs and documents, please visit the DSS Historical Archives web page.
STAFF MEMBERS
Lisa Wyatt, Ph.D. - Director
Contact Lisa at (707) 664-2153 or lisa.wyatt@sonoma.edu
Lisa Wyatt received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology with an emphasis in health psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in 1997. She completed her APA internship at Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living where she received specialized training in eating disorders, psychological and neuropsychological assessment, and inpatient and outpatient treatment. Lisa completed her post-doctoral training in the Counseling and Psychological Services center at the University of Hartford and was licensed as a psychologist in 1999.
After spending four years as a staff psychologist, Lisa was hired as the director of CAPS at University of Hartford in 2001 where she remained until becoming the director of Counseling and Psychological Services and Disability Services for Students at Sonoma State University in August 2007.
Lisa’s areas of clinical interest include: mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and couples counseling.
Brent Boyer, M.A. - Associate Director
Contact Brent at (707) 664-2677 or brent.boyer@sonoma.edu
Brent Boyer has been at Sonoma State University serving as Associate Director/Advisor in Disability Services for Students, as well as teaching First Year Experience courses, since 2001. He received a M.A. in Psychology from the University of the Pacific and a B.S. in Psychology from Willamette University.
Prior to coming to SSU, Brent had over 11 years of experience working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Habilitation Plan Administrator, and Psychologist for the state of Washington. He has worked with a diverse population of individuals to provide career planning, job placement, academic advising and coordination of vocational and educational services. As a vocational rehabilitation counselor, Brent was the liaison to a school district in Seattle where he provided academic and career counseling for high school students with disabilities and coordinated accommodation services for the students at post-secondary institutions.
Brent is a transplant from Seattle and native of Portland, Oregon. He enjoys family activities, participating in and watching sports and outdoor activities, including running, snow skiing, weight training, hiking and gardening. Brent is also a very big Seattle Mariners & Seahawks fan!
Scott Kupferman, M.S. - Assistive Technology Specialist & Lab Coordinator
Contact Scott at (707) 664-4361 or kupferma@sonoma.edu
Scott Kupferman is the Assistive Technology Specialist and Lab Coordinator at Sonoma State University. He is also the point-of-contact for all alternative media/formatting production and support. Scott received a M.S. in Rehabilitation from California State University, Fresno, where he was selected as the University Graduate Medalist, an award presented to the top graduate student in the university.
Scott’s academic and professional background is diverse and includes working with individuals with learning, physical, vision, speech-language, hearing, and other disabilities. He is the founder of the Global Assistive Technology Initiative, which is a Toyota Foundation-funded non-profit organization that establishes assistive technology programs in Malaysia, South America, and other locations. Scott’s assistive technology research, development, grant writing, and teaching have been recognized on a national level by the United States Department of Education, who honored him in Washington DC with the prestigious Rehabilitation Services Administration Commissioner’s Award for Excellence.
Scott is a California native who enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, family, and friends. His hobbies include traveling, cars/motorcycles, and sports like snowboarding, baseball, and trail running.
Christy Giambastiani, B.S. - Disability Management Advisor
Contact Christy at (707) 664-2677 or giambasc@sonoma.edu
Christy Giambastiani has been at Sonoma State University serving as Disability Management Advisor in Disability Services for Students since August 2007. She received a B.S. in Biology from UCLA.
Prior to coming to SSU, Christy had over 12 years of experience working as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor and Orientation and Mobility Specialist in California, Canada, and most recently, Australia. She received a Diploma of Guide Dog Instruction from Guide Dogs Victoria, (Australia) and a Certificate IV in Orientation and Mobility, (Vision Impairment Support) from the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. Christy completed further studies in brain function and neurological vision impairment with Guide Dogs Victoria.
As a mobility specialist, Christy worked in multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams providing mobility services and training, counseling, disability access and advocacy support to adults and children with blindness and other disabilities. She also assessed and trained dogs to become guide dogs and coordinated the Pets as Therapy program.
Christy is originally from California, but has lived in Vancouver, Canada and most recently, Melbourne, Australia, for six years before she returned to the USA in 2006. She enjoys traveling, hiking, gardening, scrap-booking, and spending time with animals, particularly dogs, horses, and her two transplanted Aussie cats.
Veronica Posada, B.A. - Support Services Coordinator
Contact Veronica at (707) 664-3932 or posada@sonoma.edu
Veronica Posada is a recent Sonoma State Graduate. She graduated in May 2007 with a B.A. in American Multicultural Studies (AMCS), a B.A. in Spanish, and a minor in Criminal Justice Administration (CJA). Veronica is a member of Lambda Sigma Gamma Sorority, Inc., through which she has had the opportunity to participate in various community service activities with the California Head Start program. These community service activities include volunteering at family picnics and assisting with the donation of thanksgiving food baskets and gifts during the holiday season. Her goal is to help people and make a positive impact in their lives.
In the future, Veronica intends on earning a Master's degree in Social Work, working in the juvenile justice system, and pursuing a law degree...one step at a time! She loves spending time with her family, as well as making jewelry with glass beads and other arts and crafts activities.
