Meet the Team
The goal of the staff of the office for Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) is to assist students who can benefit from higher education and support them in reaching their academic potential. The ACCESS office provides a comfortable transition from high school to the SIUE campus. Students are encouraged to frequent the ACCESS office and enjoy the opportunity to meet other students in a relaxing atmosphere.
Dominic Dorsey is the Director of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). He has worked with students with disabilities for over a decade after serving in previous roles at Indiana University Purdue University–Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). In doing so has developed a philosophy that pushes the conversation from one of limitations, to one of possibilities by emphasizing access over simple compliance. A practice which focuses on the removal of barriers through a social justice lens while identifying and educating gatekeepers to student success through interactive processes instead of boilerplate accommodations. Acutely aware of the afterthought of equity, Dominic is passionate about being more than an advocate, but an accomplice to diverse learners and those individuals with major life impairments. His favorite phrase is that "compliance is the floor, but accessibility is the ceiling." A statement he frequently brings up administratively, while demonstrating his commitment to achieving a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for all.
After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from IUPUI in spring 2009, Dominic earned his Master of Science in Education in Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA) at Indiana University in 2011 and a certification in behavior analysis from the University of Cincinnati in 2016. He is currently finishing his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Contact Dominic at (618) 650-3726 or by email at dodorse@siue.edu.
Andrew (Andy) Koch is the ACCESS office's Assistant Director for Instructional Accessibility. He joined the office staff on March 12, 2012, first serving as the Office Support Specialist before moving into a Program Advisor position in 2016. As the office was restructured, Andy moved into his current position in May 2021. His primary role is as a consultant to the campus community on ADA compliance in the online and digital sphere including but not limited to: WCAG compliance, universal design principles, existing and emerging technologies designed to improve accessibility for the SIUE campus community. This includes the provision of guidance to faculty on the development of curricular content that is accessible to students with disabilities.
Andy earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Eastern Illinois University in Spring 2003. He completed his Master of Science in Education in College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) at SIUE in Fall 2019. CSPA has since been superseded by the Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA) program at SIUE.
Contact Andy at (618) 650-5692, ankoch@siue.edu, or @AndyKochSIUE.
Taylor Cross is the ACCESS office's Assistant Director for Inclusive Compliance. Their duties include conducting an ongoing field survey of physical spaces for compliance with the ADAAA (Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended) to evaluate resources and equipment such as ramps, rails, bathrooms, parking lots, and other physical indoor and outdoor spaces in conjunction with Disability Access Response Tool (DART) submissions. The ADIC is also responsible for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) initiatives and promoting a culture of inclusive excellence through programming and workshops for the office.
Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Southern Illinois University in Spring 2019. She completed her Master of Public Administration at SIUE in Spring 2021. She is also a Certified Diversity FaciliTrainer™ through NCCJ St. Louis as well as certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Higher Education by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Contact Taylor via email at taycros@siue.edu.
Berthine Blanc is the Assistant Director for Transition, Retention and Persistence (ADTRP) at ACCESS. Her primary duties include the development, planning, and execution of student access-related programs and activities for the BUILD (Bridging Universal Inclusion & Leadership Development) cohort(s). The ADTRP oversees the Student Success Coaching model, BUILD Graduate Assistants, and serves as a recruitment liaison/campus contact for the BUILD mentoring program. Additionally, this Berthine is responsible for planning, implementing, and assessing student engagement initiatives, programs, and activities including but not limited to the First Semester Transition (FST) and Summer Success bridge supplemental components. Berthine is also responsible for collaborating with various campus stakeholders to create a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes student involvement, personal growth, and leadership development.
Berthine earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies with a minor in Sociology in 2000 from SIUE and completed her Master of Science in Education in College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA), also at SIUE, in 2019.
Contact Berthine at (618) 650-3747 or by email at bblanc@siue.edu.
Amy Miller is the Lead ASL Interpreter for the ACCESS office. She joined the departmental staff in March 2023 before being promoted to Lead Interpreter in May 2024. Her duties include providing classroom interpreting services to identified students on a regularly scheduled basis as well as providing interpreting services for University convocations, meetings, consultations, and health services as assigned; as well as educating faculty, staff, and meeting facilitators on the role of the interpreter. Additionally, Amy is responsible for the scheduling, coordination and management of other interpreters to ensure that quality interpreting services are being provided.
Amy got her start at John A. Logan College, graduating with a Certificate in Interpreting in 1993. Later, she returned to JALC for an Associate in Applied Science in Interpreter Preparation. In 2008, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. In 2014, she graduated with honors from Capella University with her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. Amy holds an RID CI/CT certification and has a Master BEI certification. Her passions are equity and access to education, service to the d/Deaf and interpreting communities, and collaborating with community partners to create fun and creative learning environments for students.
You can contact Amy by email at amillbh@siue.edu.
Shaunte Rhodes is our Staff ASL Interpreter for the ACCESS office. Her primary duties include providing classroom interpreting services to identified students on a regular basis. Additionally, the Staff Interpreter provides interpreting services for University convocations, meetings, consultations and health services as needed. They are also responsible for educating faculty, staff, and meeting facilitators on the role of the interpeter.
Shaunte is an SIUE alumni who graduated with honors with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and an emphasis in Human Resource Management. She continued her education at Webster University and earned her Masters of Arts in Human Resource Training and Development. After years of working in Corporate Recruitment, Employee Training, and Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance she was led to make a career change. She pursued additional education and in 2014 received her Associates of Applied Science in Sign Language Studies from Southwestern College and was certified and licensed with the State of Illinois that same year. Over the last decade she has gained experience as a Sign Language Interpreter in a variety of settings. Her main focus has been working in Education, Theatre, and Deaf Ministry. She is an ally for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Community and is fueled by her passion for ensuring equal access to education and providing training to promote the benefits of inclusion and diversity.
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities." — Stephen R. Covey
You can contact Shaunte by email at sharhod@siue.edu.
Calandra Mitchell is the Test Specialist at ACCESS. Her primary duties include scheduling and proctoring students' exams and the coordination of test procurement and delivery. Calandra joined the ACCESS team in September 2015.
Contact Calandra at (618) 650-3766 or by email at calmitc@siue.edu.
Testing information should be submitted to the ACCESS office at accesstesting@siue.edu
Amanda Franklin is the Test Specialist at ACCESS. Her primary duties include scheduling and proctoring students' exams and the coordination of test procurement and delivery. Amanda joined the ACCESS team in July of 2024.
Contact Amanda at (618) 650-3778 or by email at amanfra@siue.edu.
Testing information should be submitted to the ACCESS office at accesstesting@siue.edu
Michelle Nickerson is the Office Administrator for the ACCESS office. She joined the departmental staff in May 2016. Michelle's duties consist of supporting the professional staff of the office, maintaining records, handling purchasing, monitoring the budget, staffing the front desk, assisting the clerk and supervising ACCESS's student workers. Prior to joining the ACCESS team, Michelle served in a variety of roles in other campus offices.
Contact Michelle at (618) 650-3726 or by email at minicke@siue.edu.
Halle Rickhoff is the BUILD Graduate Assistant for the ACCESS office. Their primary duties are in developing and facilitating programming for the BUILD Mentoring Program, assisting with mentor and mentee matching, assessment and communication strategies.
You can contact Halle by email at harickh@siue.edu.
Natasha Kabir is the ACCESS Graduate Assistant for the office. She started her duties in August 2023. Her primary duties will include programming such as the Ed Roberts Champions of Accessibility Celebration, Gateway Graduation, and outreach for the office.
You can contact Natasha by email at nkabir@siue.edu.
Accommodation Support Professionals (ASP)
ACCESS Student Success Coaches
ACCESS offers ACCESS Success Coaching in a mission to implement retention efforts for students with disabilities identified as "academically at-risk"; and assisting in the application of reasonable curricular and co-curricular accommodations. In addition to conducting research on assistive technology for ACCESS, ACCESS Success Coaches (ASCs) also assist identified students with skills development in time management, executive functioning and learning styles; and identifying overall strategies for success.
Identified students will connect with the ASCs via referral and by appointment through ACCESS.
