Edina Rutland Ph.D.

Edina has been the Director of the Student Accessibility Services at San Jose City College since 2014. After becoming profoundly deaf at the age of 15, she dedicated her life to provide opportunities and support for people with disabilities. She taught American Sign Language and Disability Issues classes at the University of Nevada, Reno; worked with the Legislature of three different States to help shape disability policies; and worked with non-profit organizations to provide services to individuals with disabilities. Her passion has always been education. Having completed five degrees, her goal is to encourage and inspire students with educational limitations to strive for accomplishing their dreams. She strongly believes in advocacy and collaboration to ensure that the barriers students with disabilities face are overcome both on the institutional and state level.

Darren Walters

Vice President of CAPED Interest Groups

Darren Walters, M.S., CRC

Darren has worked at San Diego City College since 2015 in the disAbility Support Programs and Services (DSPS) office.  He began as a Senior Tutor and has earned his way into his current role as an Assistant Professor/DSPS Counselor.  He has provided excellent career, academic, personal, and disability management counseling to students registered in our office.  Darren has also worked at Southwestern College as an Adjunct DSS Counselor and a WorkAbility III Intern.

Prior to becoming a DSPS Counselor, Darren served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years and his leadership and commitment to excellence from his military service has come through in both his counseling as well as his ability to aid and lead his colleagues and colleagues throughout the student services department.  He is also connected with the Veteran’s office on campus to learn how he could better support student veterans on campus.  One of Darren’s many passions is helping student veterans through the transition of becoming college students.  Along with helping student veterans, he continues to broaden his ability to understand and encourage students through learning continuously about inclusion, equity and social justice issues.    His desire to help others is unmistakable in this and all that he does.  Darren holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University

Krystle Taylor

• Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, University of Maryland
• Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling

Krystle has seven years of experience supporting students with varying abilities in community colleges. She recently transitioned into a position at MiraCosta College and serves as an LD Specialist/Counselor. Prior to MiraCosta, Krystle supported the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) in a variety of capacities. As an LD Specialist, she provided LD testing services to individuals participating in CalWORKs programs across the County of San Diego. Additionally, she taught noncredit Educational Assistance Courses, where she developed course curriculum, created course outlines, and helped to build pathways from noncredit to credit institutions. While with SDCCD, Krystle participated in numerous outreach and bridging events to connect with the community, business leaders, and support resources to support student success. Krystle also served as the Chair of the District Committee for Community, Inclusion, and Diversity at SDCCD’s District Office. Outside of the roles on campus, Krystle is one of the Learning Disabilities Eligibility and Services Model (LDESM) trainers with the Chancellor’s Office. Within CAPED, Krystle has served as the southern chair for the Counseling and Career Development CIG for several years. She has also maintained membership with community committees focused on equity and employment for individuals with disabilities. Krystle is currently a third year doctoral student in the Ed.D in Educational Leadership program at San Diego State University. Krystle holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and also earned certificates in Cognitive Disabilities and Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

Dawn Decker, Psy.D.

Treasurer
Degrees:

• Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University
• M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
• B.A. in Genreral Psychology from Niagara University

Dawn is a full-time CCCCO-certified Learning Disabilities (LD) Specialist at Cypress College. She has worked in DSPS as a LD Specialist for Long Beach City College, Santa Monica College, and Orange Coast College. She also worked as an intern at Santa Ana College. She has worked in disability services for 11 years.  Prior to working for the California Community College system, she worked in Psychological Services at two private universities, at a community mental health clinic, at two inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and was a substance abuse counselor.

Prior to becoming Treasurer, Dawn held two other positions within CAPED.  She was CAPED’s membership chair and was the Southern Co-chair for the Learning Disabilities (LD) CIG.

Non-Work Passion: In Dawn’s free time, she volunteers with dog rescue, leads her neighborhood watch, and is involved with various activities in her community. She enjoys spending time with her husband, rescue dog, and friends. They like to travel together, attend live theater, go to the movies, go out to eat, go to museums, and attend other cultural events.

DSS Counselor
Cypress College
9200 Valley View Street
Cypress, CA  90630
Phone:  714-484-7104

Jennica Krause

Secretary
Degrees:

 

• B.A. Communicative Disorders and Sciences

I have over 8 years of Sign Language Interpreting experience with 7 of them being in post-secondary education. I currently work full-time as a Senior Interpreter for Riverside City College. I oversee the staff interpreters and coordinate services for the DHH students on campus to ensure equitable communication access. I am currently working towards my M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling & Case Management from Fort Valley State University.

When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my husband and two kids outside on adventures. Camping, hiking, rollerblading, beach, and park days are my favorite ways to build memories.

Riverside City College
Jennica.Krause@rcc.edu