Shaylah Turk

Counselor

Past Education highlights: George Mason MEd. Counseling and Development (School Counseling) and Virginia Tech BS Human Development and Minor Psychology 
Past Professional Experience Highlights: Focused on supporting/counseling Veteran and Military affiliated students for 14 years
Favorite Quote: “When you come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for you to stand or you will be taught to fly.”
Something else about me: Diverse experiences alter individual perspectives. I have had the opportunity to travel and work in multiple countries and these experiences have helped shape the person I am and the counselor I continue to thrive to be. 

Denise VanderStoel

Supervisor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Favorite Quote: Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
What motivates me in the work of building accessible learning and spaces for interaction for students: I am motivated to create change when I see students struggle in spaces and environments that are not accessible, but instead are full of additional barriers their hearing counterparts do not face.
Palomar Professor who inspires me and why: Barbara Hammonds inspires me every day with her humble, never-ending support and selfless dedication to students.
What I most love about the DRC: I love that our staff collaborates so well in our shared goal of witnessing barriers being removed for all students.
What is one thing I do that the DRC: I advocate for and arrange services to provide a more equitable learning environment for Palomar College students who have hearing loss.
One thing I have learned over the pandemic: Time is precious. Life is precious.

Liz Cervantes

Student Support Specialist II 

Past Education highlights: Master’s Degree in Education from SDSU, Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and Global Studies from UCLA, Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential from National University.
Past Professional Experience Highlights: Worked in the Test Accommodation Center at SDSU, taught English in Busan, South Korea.
What I most love about the DRC: That it is a welcoming, inclusive space for all – employees, students, and members of the community. 
What is one thing I do at the DRC: I do our website!
One thing I have learned over the pandemic: Flexibility is key.
What does a campus or world built with UDL at the forefront look like: An environment with accessibility built in, rather than as an add-on to existing structures or systems.
Something else about me: I am a proud community college alumna! I attended both San Diego Mesa and City College before transferring to a four-year university.  

Brad Tenney

ASL Interpreter

Past Professional Experience Highlights: Working with Commend through DCS
What motivates me in the work of building accessible learning and spaces for interaction for students: Seeing students succeed and develop. Some have kept in contact, and it is interesting how their live continue.
Palomar Professor who inspires me and why: Charlie Ingham, it was amazing to see how much he would give semester after semester to teaching.
What I love most about Palomar: The students are inspiring to see.
One thing I have learned over the pandemic: That remote interpreting is a good thing. And I like Workshops online too.

Ariana Miller

Front Office Staff

Current Education highlights: Getting my AA
Favorite Quote: “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy.” – Walt Disney
Palomar Staff who inspires me and why: My mother, who works in the Math Department at Palomar. She works very hard helping students and I aspire to be like her.
What I most love about the DRC: How everyone in the DRC works hard to help students achieve success in their education.
One thing I have learned over the pandemic: To enjoy every moment and make every memory count with those you love.
What is key to creating community at Palomar: Kindness, being open-minded.
Something else about me: I love collecting teacups and tea pots.

Sara Anne Mitchell

Testing Center Assistant

Past Education highlights: I am a Palomar alumni and followed the path to CSUSM. Due to the Pandemic, I did not get to spend much time on campus at CSUSM, but the little I did, I felt connected to the community and well supported.
Current Education highlights: I am currently working toward my MLIS at SJSU. Although I have not decided yet specifically what type of library I want to work in, interacting with students here at Palomar has made me want to further explore and pursue my interests in academic librarianship.
Favorite Quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
What I love most about Palomar: While talking with a DRC student they mentioned that they felt out of touch with the young students who were in class. The student said they felt too old to be at Palomar, but I encouraged them to think differently about the situation. Palomar is for everyone. That is what I love about it. It is for students starting out, students who are returning, students of any age, race, ethnicity, origin, or background. Being around so many people in different points in their educational journeys is a wonderful thing and can help you give new context to your own journey or even open up unexpected options you never thought of.
One thing I have learned over the pandemic: Good communication is the key to everything.

Daniel Straub

Counselor

Education highlights: Master’s of Art: Education (Counseling) – San Diego State University; Master’s of Science: Special Education – National University; Bachelor’s of Art: Economics – University of California, San Diego; Clear Education Specialist Teaching Credential
Past Professional Experience Highlights: K-12 Educator and Community College Water Polo Coach
What I most love about the DRC: The support, and willingness to collaborate. Everyone in the D.R.C. is so friendly and go above and beyond to support our students and each other!
What is one thing I do at the DRC: One of the things I do in the D.R.C. is act as a liaison between the Athletics department and the D.R.C., and provide counseling services to students that qualify both for the D.R.C. and are on one of our Collegiate Sport teams.
What is key to creating community at Palomar: A willingness to collaborate and have hard conversations.
Something else about me: I am married to my community college sweetheart (we began dating as community college athletes), and she also works in the education setting teaching students with disabilities.

Dan Dryden

Administrative Coordinator

Past Education highlights:  Glendale College, Cal State Univ. Stanislaus
Past Professional Experience:  Financial Consultant
Favorite Quote:  “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage”. – Indiana Jones
What motivates me in the work of building accessible learning and spaces for interaction for students:  My sister, born with multiple disabilities and the struggles we faced growing up.
Proudest moment or accomplishment at the DRC:  Being allowed to work for this department.
Palomar Professor who inspires me and why:  Bob Alidae (Mathematics) His unwavering commitment to student success.
What I most love about the DRC:  The true sense of family and our common commitment to students, versus personal gain.
What I love most about Palomar:  The incredible people I meet.
One thing I have learned over the pandemic:  How adaptable we all are.
What is key to creating community at Palomar:   Kindness and humility.
What does a campus or world built with UDL at the forefront look like:  One that lifts up each individual before it has to.

Crystal Velasco

Counselor, Assistive Technology Specialist

Past Education highlights: Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from SDSU, Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from North Park University in Chicago
Favorite Quote: Nothing is impossible. The word itself say “I’m possible”- Audrey Hepburn
What I most love about the DRC:  I love the incredible camaraderie amongst the DRC team and how much each team member cares about the students and their success!
One thing I have learned over the pandemic: I’ve learned the importance of social connection and how much harder it can be to achieve but when it is experienced, it can be so healing and beautiful.
What does a campus or world built with UDL at the forefront look like: Equitable and happy!
Something else about me: I love spicy food, the burn my lips and cry, type of spicy🔥😊

Monica Rincon

Front Office Staff

Past Education highlights: Palomar College Graduate
Current Education highlights: CSU San Marcos Graduate, May 2021
Favorite Quote: Believe you can and you’re halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt
Palomar Professor who inspires me and why: Professor Jessi Mellor is amazing! She takes the time to listen and support her students.
One thing I have learned over the pandemic: Take the time to slow down and be thankful.