Specialist

Vineeta Ram

Disability Specialist

Greetings! My name is Vineeta Ram (pronounced Vee-nee-ta Rahm). I’ve spent the last 5 years working with students in various roles and positions in disability services in the Midwest. Prior to this, I trained and worked as an Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Counselor in various hospitals and non-profits.

My own academic journey has largely influenced my work and interest in improving access and equity in higher education. I received my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a focus on creating accessible services and programming...

Kathryn Rogers

Disability Specialist

Hi, I'm Kathryn. I moved to the Bay Area and joined the DSP team in 2024. I grew up in Seattle, Washington and attended the University of Washington as an undergraduate. I then moved to Texas where I started my work in higher education first with a non profit organization mentoring first generation and low income students. After completing my Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of North Texas I returned to the Seattle area, gaining experience in student affairs and disability services across various colleges and universities.

As someone...

Olivia Staryk

Disability Specialist

Olivia joined the Disabled Students’ Program (DSP) as a Disability Specialist in November 2024. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Visual Culture Studies from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and a Master of Education degree in Special Education from the University of Washington. When working with students, Olivia prioritizes a collaborative relationship rooted in care. Having navigated disability services in her own educational career, Olivia knows it can feel overwhelming to advocate for your access needs, and she wants students to feel heard...

Rebecca Whitney

Disability Specialist - Graduate Students

I’ve spent my career in education, first as a high school English teacher, then as a Learning Specialist for high school and middle school students. I loved the experience of working with individual students: fostering their metacognition, coaching them in self-advocacy, and helping them navigate the challenges of their classrooms and learning environments.

When I began working as a Disability Specialist in higher education in 2016, however, I discovered that this area allowed me to use my expertise towards social justice goals of educational equity and access. I...