Get to know Lori

Lori Meyers

Lori Meyers

Counselor

Past Education highlights: Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from SDSU; Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Therapy from SDSU|
Current Education highlights: I have worked as a Full Time DRC/EOPS Counselor at Palomar College for approximately 13 years and worked as an Adjunct Counselor for DRC and EOPS for approximately 5/6 years.
Past Professional Experience Highlights: Worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for 17 years in the private sector. I worked closely with clients who were injured on-the-job and I would assist them in returning to suitable gainful employment.
Proudest moment or accomplishment at the DRC: To see a DRC Student who has worked extremely hard each semester be handed their diploma at Graduation!!
What I most love about the DRC: I love how everyone on the DRC Team works closely with each other for the sole purpose of supporting every single student and helping them reach their educational goals and dreams.
Person with a disability who expanded/shaped my mindset and daily work and why: I have worked with many, many students who I greatly admire and look up to every day.  They may have to work a lot harder than the average student, but their perseverance, determination and motivation blow me away. So many of these students when they came to Palomar College did not think they were “College Material”.  Due to hard work, their attitudes began to change step-by-step and as a result there are countless number of students who have their Master’s, Bachelor’s, Associate’s Degrees and Certificates and are greatly contributing to society today.  All these students have shaped my mindset to work hard each day, do the best I can do and get up again if I fall down.

Get to know Alyssa

Alyssa Vafaei

Alyssa Vafaei

Counselor

Past Education highlights: M.S. in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling at Sacramento State University; Assistive Technology Applications Certificate at CSUN; Deaf Studies coursework at Palomar College
Past Professional Experience Highlights: Director of Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program at University of San Francisco – Branch Campuses
Favorite Quote: “Compliance does not equal equity: access exists on a continuum. What is equitable is almost always compliant, but what is merely compliant is almost never equitable.” – Dr. Amanda Kraus
Proudest moment or accomplishment at the DRC: Establishment of “Faculty Hour @ the DRC”, soon to be renamed “Access & Equity Hour @ the DRC”
One thing I have learned over the pandemic: Many of the things we said, across our institution and throughout higher education, could never be done – turns out we could have been doing them all along. This particularly applies to policies and practices that have created barriers or disproportionately placed burdens on students and employees with disabilities. We now have almost two years of proof that we can do better.
Person with a disability who expanded/shaped my mindset and daily work and why: Andrea Dalzell, Public Figure, @TheSeatedNurse. Andrea and her life story are a constant reminder to me of how the inclusion of disabled persons in all work spaces and career fields inspires innovation and improves outcomes for patients/clients/customers in those industries. STEM-related academic and career fields, in particular, tend to exclude individuals like Andrea, and she is living proof for the argument that disabled students and professionals belong everywhere that non-disabled people disproportionately occupy.

Get to know Hannah

Hannah

Hannah Parmenter

Front Office Staff 

Past Education highlights: Graduate of Palomar College
Current Education highlights: Human Development student at CSUSM
Favorite Quote: “Good thoughts, good words, good deeds.”
Palomar Professor who inspires me and why: Fariheh Towfiq, she displays genuine interest and commitment in student success. I have witnessed her work one on one with many students, all while being the Director of the Math Center.
What I most love about the DRC: Creating a safe space for students on campus (and virtually for the last year and a half).
What is one thing I do at the DRC: I encourage and motivate students to never give up on their ideas, passions, and whatever else they want in life!