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At UCLL, we are proud to have highly skilled and professional faculty as well as a knowledgeable and dedicated administrative, clinical, research, and business staff. Please refer to the following for more information about our staff:
DirectorCarol Persad, Ph.D. Clinical Associate Professor Dr. Persad received her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Clinical Psychology. She then completed her internship at Henry Ford Hospital and a postdoctoral fellowship in Neuropsychology at the University of Michigan. In addition to her position as UCLL Director, she holds a clinical faculty appointment in the UM Department of Psychiatry where she is also the Clinical Director of the Neuropsychology Section. Dr. Persad’s research interests focus on the cognitive changes associated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders. She is currently co-investigator on three grants funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition to teaching Postdoctoral Fellows in Neuropsychology, Dr. Persad has published numerous scientific papers and given dozens of conference presentations.
Associate Director  Joanne Marttila Pierson, Ph.D.
CCC-SLP
Associate Director
Joanne received her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Language, Literacy, and Learning Disabilities from the University of Michigan. She is responsible for providing direction to the clinical programs, business operations, public relations, marketing, and development work of the Center. Joanne provides leadership in the area of clinical diagnosis and treatment of dyslexia and of the Center’s newest website, dyslexiahelp.umich.edu.
Research Faculty & Staff Holly K. Craig, Ph.D.
CCC-SLP
Research Professor, Professor of Education
Holly has taught in the areas of language acquisition and language disorders at the University of Michigan for more than 30 years and held the position of Director at the Center from 1987 to 2011. She is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a past Editor for Language of the Journal of Speech-Language-Hearing Research. Holly has published more than 65 journal articles and book chapters on children’s acquisition of language and literacy skills and presented many scholarly papers at national meetings. Her research program focuses on the relationships between oral language and achievement, with specific projects examining behavioral profiles of dyslexia, adult economic well-being and dialect usage, and the contribution of oral language skills to narrowing the Black-White Achievement Gap for reading. These projects are funded by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education.
Stephanie Hensel, M.A.  Research Specialist Stephanie holds a B.A. in Linguistics and Communications Studies and an M.A. in Educational Studies from the University of Michigan. Her role at UCLL has been to lead the research team in transcribing and coding the language samples that are collected from local schools, and then prepare research results for publication in reports, papers, journals, books and other media. She also analyzes outcome data from the Center’s clinical programs.
Sean FitzGerald  Research Assistant Sean is a student at the University of Michigan majoring in Philosophy and RC Drama. After graduation, he hopes to go to law school and put his acting skills to work on a slightly different stage. Sean helps with maintaining the UMAP Datasets and transcribing recordings. Dayna Henn
Research AssistantDayna is an undergraduate senior at the University of Michigan. She is currently majoring in Psychology with a minor in Linguistics. She joined UCLL as a research assistant in language and literacy in September 2011. After graduation, Dayna plans to attend graduate school to obtain a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Serene Koh, Ph.D. Research SpecialistSerene received her Ph.D in Educational Foundations, Policy, and Research from the University of Michigan. She joins UCLL as a research specialist responsible for analyzing data from the center’s various classroom-based projects. Previously, Serene’s research experience has been in studying the literacy experiences of low-income children in the greater Metro Detroit area. Jennifer Kohl, B.A. Research AssistantJennifer joined UCLL in 2008 after a year of post-bachelor courses at Wayne State University in Speech-Language Pathology. She graduated from Miami University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications. Her roles at UCLL include leading the field research in the Flint and Jackson school districts, preparing reports and data presentations, and providing support to externally funded grant projects.
Giselle Kolenic, M.A. Lead StatisticianGiselle received her M.A. in statistics with an emphasis in survey methodology from the University of Michigan. She is a lead statistician at the Center for Statistical Consultation and Research (CSCAR). Her role at UCLL has been to provide statistical support for research projects and grant proposals.  Tyler LeVasseur, B.A.
Cassandra Malis Research AssistantCassandra is an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, with a major in English and a double minor in Art History and Women’s Studies. She started as a research assistant in July of 2010, and particularly enjoys working with the longitudinal data. After she graduates, Cassandra plans to teach English abroad to elementary students, as well as attend graduate school.
Adrienne Reed Research AssistantAdrienne is currently an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, studying Linguistics and Psychology. She started volunteering at UCLL in September 2010, and became a research assistant in January 2011. After graduation, Adrienne would like to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist.
Angelica Reyes Research AssistantAngelica is a senior at the University of Michigan, majoring in Linguistics. She recently joined UCLL as a research assistant and loves the work. After graduation, Angelica would like to attend graduate school in pursuit of a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Rachel Schachter, Doctoral Student Graduate Student Research AssistantRachel is doctoral student at the University of Michigan, School of Education, in the Teaching and Teacher Education Program and holds a Master’s Degree in Language and Literacy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her previous research experience is in the area of early childhood vocabulary development.
Megan Siekkinen Research AssistantMegan graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders and a specialization in Cognitive Science. She recently joined UCLL as a research assistant in November 2011, after volunteering at the Center. She plans on attending graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology in the future.
Andrea Solochek
Research Assistant
Andrea is an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, studying Psychology and Linguistics. She took a course at UCLL last Fall and started as a research assistant in September 2011. After graduation, Andrea would like to attend graduate school in pursuit of a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Julia Thomas
Research Associate
Julia is a Ph.D. student in Linguistics at the University of Chicago. She specializes in phonology, African American English, and social aspects of language use. She is especially interested in issues surrounding language use and equality in education. Julia has worked on a variety of educational research projects over the past 7 years and is currently analyzing data collected as part of the Center’s M-POWR project.
Clinical Staff  Mimi Block, M.S.
CCC-SLP
Clinical Services Manager
Mimi is a graduate of the University of Michigan. As a speech-language pathologist, Mimi has specialized in working with adults with aphasia at the University of Michigan Aphasia Program (UMAP) for over 15 years. As Clinical Services Manager, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the clinical programs for adults and children.
Beth Benko, M.S.
CCC-SLP
Associate Clinical Manager
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist
Beth received her undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and her Master’s degree in communication disorders from Boston University. Prior to joining the staff at the UCLL in 2007, she worked in acute care inpatient and pediatric outpatient rehabilitation settings. Beth enjoys working with both adult and pediatric populations.
Lynn LaRue Chenoweth, MT-BC, NMT Fellow
Music Therapist-Board Certified
Lynn is a graduate of University of Illinois (BS), Eastern Michigan University (Bachelor of Music Therapy), and has completed advanced training in neurologic music therapy (NMT) at Colorado State University. Lynn has had a private practice, Music Therapy Rehabilitation Services since 1993. Her clients have included pre-school children, children with speech and language delays, and adults with a variety of acquired speech, language, and physical challenges related to stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurogenic disorders. Lynn began facilitating group and individual music therapy for the University of Michigan Aphasia Program in 2005.
Jennifer Corey, M.Sc.
CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist
Jennifer completed a B.Mus. in vocal performance at Memorial University of Newfoundland and received a M.Mus. from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. In 2003, she earned her M.Sc. in Speech-Language Pathology from McGill University. Before joining UCLL, she worked in an acute care hospital with adult inpatients and adult and pediatric outpatients. She has also worked in a subacute rehabilitation facility. Jennifer has experience working with speech, language, cognitive, voice, and swallowing disorders.
Gordon Krainen, Ph.D.
CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist
Gordon has worked as a speech-language pathologist for 26 years. His employment has included a variety of settings from public to special education, acute and rehabilitation hospitals, home health and skilled nursing centers, and some college teaching. Gordon received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Wayne State University.
P. Lisa Kraus, B.S., T.R.D.
State Certified in Therapeutic Recreation
Client Services Coordinator
Lisa is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. Lisa has been at UCLL for 3 years working with clients and family members of the University of Michigan Aphasia Program (UMAP). Lisa plans and implements recreational activities, coordinates routine medical services, and assists in facilitating the UMAP Family Support Group meetings.
Judy L. Nantau, M.A.
CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist
Judy brings high-quality, competency based intervention services to all of the clients who come to UCLL. In addition, she coordinates the Research Outreach programs to the public schools. She is a graduate of Valparaiso University and has an M.A. from Western Michigan University.
Heather Parzynski, M.A. CCC-SLPSenior Speech-Language PathologistHeather earned her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Illinois in 1998, after completing her B.A. in English at Missouri State University. Before joining UCLL, she worked in an acute rehabilitation unit (treating adults with communication and swallowing disorders). She has also worked as a speech-language pathologist in skilled nursing facilities and the public school system.
Karen A. Wasco, M.S. CCC-SLPSenior Speech-Language PathologistKaren received her B.A. in English Literature from John Carroll University and in 2004, received her M.S. from Gallaudet University. She came to UCLL as a summer intern and returned to complete her Clinical Fellowship with us. She works in the University of Michigan Aphasia Program and provides speech, language, and literacy intervention to school-age children. Karen leads Six Steps to Academic Success (SSAS), a workshop designed for University of Michigan students with dyslexia and other language-related learning disabilities, and she provides expertise to the dyslexiahelp.umich.edu website.
Susan Watts, LMSW, ACSW Director of Social Work Training, the Psychological ClinicSusan Watts has over 30 years of clinical experience in individual, couples and family psychotherapy. She has practiced in Australia, the United Kingdom and In the USA in hospital, school and clinic settings. She has supervised at the Psychological Clinic in the Institute for Human Adjustment (IHA) for 15 years and has broad clinical interests in family systems, and couples therapy. She is particularly concerned about the ways that sudden illness or trauma impact relationships.
She has been involved with care partners of people with aphasia for the last few years and facilitates a weekly group in each UMAP program. These groups are a place where people openly share with each other and learn new skills to take home and strengthen their lives.
Margaret Wielbut Art TherapistMargaret received her Master's degree in Education from Warsaw University in 1982. She came to the United States with a strong motivation to graduate in art therapy. In 2006, she became an art therapist after obtaining her Master's at Wayne State University. Currently she specializes in working with individuals with different brain pathologies using art as a medium of communication and expression.
Maria R. Wyche, M.A. CCC-SLPSenior Speech-Language PathologistMaria earned her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University. She provides speech, language, and literacy intervention to adults in the University of Michigan Aphasia Program (UMAP) and to school-age children and teens. Maria is one of the contributing authors to the dyslexiahelp.umich.edu. She enjoys implementing state-of-the art technology to create custom solutions for clients with communication disorders and dyslexia. Maria enjoys providing conversational training to enhance the communicative experience for our clients with aphasia and their families and friends. Dinah M. Young  Assistant Clinical Services ManagerDinah joined UCLL in 2007 to provide project management for It’s a Rap: Celebrating 60 Years of the University of Michigan Aphasia Program Gala Event. Her background combines over 20 years of administrative experience, including 7 years in the non-profit sector as the Grants Coordinator for the Association for Asian Studies in Ann Arbor. Dinah facilitates the client intake process by providing program descriptions, fee schedules, session orientation, and assisting with logistical arrangements for out-of-town clients.  Randy Meyer, B.B.A.
Business Manager
Randy received his degree in business administration from Eastern Michigan University, where he majored in Accounting. He joined the business office at UCLL in 2006 and brings with him over 17 years experience within the University environment. As the business manager, Randy’s responsibilities are to ensure that all business transactions adhere to University guidelines.
Kimberly Lennex, B.F.A. Marketing Communications SpecialistKimberly graduated from the University of Michigan in 2010 with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design. Her strength lies in her ability to use both her design and writing skills to create sound marketing materials. Kimberly strives to enhance UCLL’s brand by ensuring clarity and consistency in public relations, communicative voice, and graphic presence.
La Shawn Denise Westbrook
Client Account Representative
La Shawn received her Certification in Medical Assisting in 1995. She is currently in junior status pursuing a B.A. in Social Work at Eastern Michigan University. La Shawn has worked within the administrative aspects of the medical field for many years, including billing and collections. She has been an employee of the University of Michigan Health Systems since 2001.
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