Staff Profiles
National Office Staff
Michael McManmon, Ed.D
Founder
Dr. McManmon grew up the youngest son in a family of nine children. He is the father of six children and nine grandchildren. He received his B.A. in English from Mt. St. Mary's College in Maryland and went on for his Masters in Counseling from Shippensburg University.
He attended the University of Kansas for his Masters in Human Development through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. He obtained his Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Nevada. Subsequently, he was licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Massachusetts. He worked for state, private and non-profit organizations in several states prior to founding The Berkshire Center in 1984.
During his 35 years of experience with students with Learning Differences and Asperger's Syndrome, Dr. McManmon has worked on Curriculum Development, Staff Training, Program Evaluation, and Administering Community Based Programming. He is a member of the International Learning Disabilities Association and the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Dr. McManmon speaks and presents at Professional Conferences nationally and internationally. He has an inside perspective as he himself was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and grew up in a large family with several individuals on the spectrum.
Dr. McManmon has been certified as a family teacher through the Boys Town Center in Nebraska. He has served as a PTA President, School Board Member and Parish Council Member. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Lee Chamber of Commerce, coached in the Community Soccer League and basketball league, and is an avid gardener.
Dr. McManmon's program philosophy is to provide a loving and trusting environment in which personal growth can occur. The process includes honoring each individual's talents and assisting them in using their personal power to develop skills, meet their needs and thus live independently. This process is accomplished by hiring exemplary individuals, giving them the tools to operate and working as a team.
Heather Greene, M.B.A.
Executive Director
Heather joined the College Internship Program in July 2005. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and her M.B.A. from Sage Graduate School.
For the past five years, she was living and working in the United Kingdom as an accounting contractor in telecommunication and banking industries.
She relocated back to the States in February 2005. Prior to that, Heather worked for ten years as a Financial Controller for NorthEast Health in Cohoes, N.Y. She currently enjoys life in the Berkshires with her son, Jordan and is kept very busy attending his sporting events. Heather also enjoys skiing, horseback riding, running, reading, and traveling.
Caroline Wheeler, B.A.
National Admissions Director
Caroline Wheeler received her BA from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. She is a certified high school and middle school teacher.
Caroline has been working with individuals with learning differences for many years, both as a special education teacher and as a case manager supervisor.
She is a Certified Educational Advocate and a Certified MCAS Tutor. Caroline also has taken graduate courses at Assumption College and Fitchburg State College. Caroline began her work at the Berkshire Center as an Advisor and as the Vocational Coordinator.
She then became interested in the admissions process and was Assistant to the Admissions Director for one year, after which she was thrilled to take the position of Director.
Caroline lives in Lee, Massachusetts where she enjoys gardening, hiking, photography, reading, biking, art, music, and traveling. Caroline also loves to spend time with her daughter Jennifer, who lives in central Massachusetts.
National Admissions Coordinator
Maggi Sanderson holds a B.A. in English from Smith College and has been involved with admissions and marketing for special needs/therapeutic programs for nearly 15 years.
She assisted Eric M. Plakun, M.D., at the Austen Riggs Center in admissions and in his research and subsequent contributions to the DSM-III in defining diagnostic criteria for narcissistic, borderline, and schizotypal personality disorders, and schizophrenia.
For eight years she served as Director of Admissions at The DeSisto School in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where she also supervised family casework, coordinated interdepartmental IEP development and implementation, and pursued funding options for students.
Maggi has traveled extensively as Director of Outreach for The King George School in Sutton, Vermont, and as regional representative for referral development for Brown Schools, Inc.
A staunch proponent of the arts and historic preservation, Maggi has also served as dramaturg and assistant to both Managing and Artistic Directors at the Berkshire Theatre Festival and as Director of Marketing and Visitor Services at Hancock Shaker Village.
Her greatest loves are her daughter, Greer, age 24, a freelance writer; her cat; and reading, writing and cooking.
National Administrative Assistant
Karri Ann Woodard was born and raised in Dalton, Massachusetts. She now lives in Peru, MA with her husband Charlie. She has a sixteen year old son, Zacheri and she spends much of her time watching him play football, basketball and his favorite sport baseball.
Karri attended Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, MA where she received her A.A. in Business Administration. Some of her hobbies include breeding and raising bulldogs. She also enjoys biking, reading and writing.
Melanie Moran
National Human Resources Specialist
Melanie Moran joined the College Internship Program in 2009. She has spent her career working in various human resource positions. Her previous position was at the Valleyhead School, a residential facility for adolescents with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
Melanie currently lives in Adams with her husband, Kevin. Her hobbies include reading, snow shoeing and furniture refinishing.
Dan McManmon, B.A.
National Marketing Coordinator
Dan McManmon was born and raised in western Massachusetts by his parents Michael and Linda. Growing up he enjoyed playing sports and working on various art projects. Being the brother of four sisters he now has a large extended family and three brothers-in-law which he greatly appreciates.
Dan attended Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont where he received his B.A. in Multimedia and Graphic Design. He began working at the Berkshire Center in Lee, Massachusetts and more recently moved to Berkeley, California with the opening of the Berkeley Center.
Some of his hobbies include producing music, freelance graphic design and spending time with friends. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking, biking, and playing with his dogs. Email Dan here.
Andrea Wadsworth
National Finance, Payroll Specialist
Andrea Wadsworth was born and raised in the Berkshires. She lives in Lee, MA with her husband, Kevin, son, Airen, and daughter, Tori. she has always had a passion and affinity for numbers and accounting. Upon graduating from Berkshire Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration; she began working for Mead Specialty Paper as a Financial Analyst.
Once her son Airen was born, Andrea decided to focus all her energy on raising her son, and later her daughter, Tori. Andrea first priority is to her family and children. She has enjoyed the many years she was able to stay home and raise her children. During that time, Andrea became a licensed Day Care Provider, a Nationally Licensed Group Aerobic Instructor, Junior and Varsity Cheerleading Coach, and an Award Winning Master Pastry Chef.
Andrea owns and operates A.W. Confections, a private, pastry business specializing in custom made Wedding cakes and pastries. A.W. Confections has created thousands of cakes and services many celebrity clients.
Once her children got older, Andrea decided it was time to get back to Accounting. The College Internship Program has been a perfect fit for her. She enjoys her co-workers and the challenge of everyday ‘business’.
Andrea’s hobbies include, spending time with family and friends, baking, watching her husband and son race motocross, cheering for her son as he plays basketball, traveling to horse shows with her daughter and their horse Coupe’s Cruiser, and taking care of her five Shih Tzus, Cookie, Ginger, Oreo, Lance and Buddy.
Bloomington Center Staff
Karen Thomas, M.S. Special Education
Program Director
As a special educator, Karen has supported young adults with developmental disabilities including those with autism spectrum disorders in secondary classrooms and community settings in the Bloomington area for the last 15 years. For 6 years she directed and coordinated a post secondary service for Bloomington students 18 to 21 years old. Karen's believes that curriculum and instruction is most effective when it is person centered, student directed, and related to real life experiences.
Through the years Karen has built collaborative partnerships with Bloomington community organizations, adult service agencies, local business leaders, Indiana University, and Ivy Tech Community College. These partnerships have increased student opportunities for social connections, employment options and successful college experiences both academically and socially. Karen also encourages involvement in the arts as a means of personal expression and has worked with local writers, artists, musicians, and university students to develop and promote inclusive media and arts programs.
Digital story telling is one of Karen's interest areas. She has been teaching students with autism, Asperger Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities to use a variety of technology tools (e.g., PowerPoint, video, digital photography, augmentative communication devices) to tell their own personal stories and direct their own planning conferences.
Karen has presented on topics related to transition issues, self-determination, self advocacy and technology at local, statewide and national conferences. She has directed and produced two videos focused on transition and creating family-school partnerships. She has also supported numerous student authored videos and PowerPoint presentations. Karen has co-authored an article that appeared in the journal Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.
Donald Weller, Ph.D., HSPP
Psychologist
Dr. Weller grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois and received his BA in English Literature (Major) and Special Education (Minor) from Hobart College in Geneva, New York in 1991. He then received his MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York in 1993.
In 2002, Dr. Weller received his Ph.D. in School Psychology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He completed his APA accredited Clinical Internship training at Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, Wisconsin in 2001. He received his endorsement as a Health Service Provider in Psychology in the state of Indiana in October 2007.
Dr. Weller has 13 years experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health and behavioral support needs in a variety of residential, employment, community, clinical, and correctional settings. He has worked for supported employment agencies, independent living centers, community mental health centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and community correctional centers.
His general theoretical approach is described as person centered emphasizing the use of cognitive behavioral techniques. Dr. Weller entered the field because of a strong belief that all people should be supported in identifying and maximizing their abilities to reach desired educational, vocational, and social goals.
In addition to Dr. Weller's position at The College Internship Program/The Bloomington Center, he works in a private practice in Bloomington where he works with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a broad spectrum of emotional, behavioral, and social concerns. Further, he works for The Mental Health Alliance of Monroe County as the Jail Diversion Coordinator in the Monroe County Correctional Center.
In this position he links non-violent incarcerated individuals with chronic mental health, developmental disability, and co-occurring substance abuse issues with appropriate community/correctional treatment options rather than face incarceration. He also serves as a consulting therapist for Catholic Charities of South Central Indiana.
Dr. Weller is married. His wife, Mary, is a Research Associate at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. Dr. Weller has a service dog named, Luna, who accompanies him everywhere and is a great attention getter. He enjoys spending time with his wife, friends, eating out on Saturday night, and watching NASCAR, the Colts, and IU Basketball "Go Hoosier's!"
Leah Iversen, B.A.
Advisor / Medications Coordinator / Special Therapies
Leah grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. During her high school years, Leah volunteered and worked with learning different and disabled individuals. To continue her interest in classical saxophone and also psychology, Leah attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.
She received her B.A. in Psychology and Minor in Music from Lawrence University. Throughout her four years at Lawrence, Leah devoted her free time to working at the Volunteer and Community Service Center, where she gained experience helping a variety of populations. After graduation, Leah moved back to Bloomington where she began her career in social services.
In her free time, Leah enjoys being with her family and friends, traveling, music, theater, creative arts, cooking, and outdoor activities. Additionally, she is active as a youth leader in her church.
Diana Reynolds, B.A.
Student Advisor / Vocational Coordinator
Diana grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. After graduating, she worked as a substitute teacher in the local school systems until taking a position as Youth Worker with the Tulip Tree Council of Girl Scouts, working with young girls targeted as being “at risk”.
Diana has worked with people with developmental disabilities since 1989. She has worked as an Independent Living Skills Instructor, Supported Employment Specialist, and Team Leader of the Habilitation Program at a Sheltered Workshop. Diana was a case manager for the Medicaid Waiver program for seven years. Her past experience includes developing opportunities for both paid and volunteer work, community involvement, and community connections. She has experience in the development of individualized supports for both employment and community participation.
When not working, Diana enjoys spending time with her two boys who are 11 and 14. She also manages her family's rental properties. Diana enjoys playing music, singing, hiking, camping and traveling. She also enjoys animals and has two dogs and three cats.
Brady Tragesser
Residential Coordinator
Born and raised in Tipton, Indiana, Brady graduated from Tipton High School. He moved to Bloomington to attend Indiana University in 1999. Brady earned an undergraduate in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Biology.
While in college, Brady worked in an assisted living program as a Community Living Specialist. Soon after, he received a job at Bloomington High School North working as para-professional assisting special education students. He then realized his love for teaching and earned his licensure special education services. He taught at Bloomington High School North for six years. While teaching, Brady served on the Autism Team for Monroe County Community School Corporation.
Brady possesses experience with hands-on, collaborative, and multiple intelligence instruction, and is reliable, goal-oriented, and hardworking. Brady believes every student is capable of learning and firmly acknowledges the need for lifelong learning and continual social and professional development.
He is happy to have the opportunity to help the individuals at CIP develop life skills, lasting friendships, and create social networks. He also looks forward to the experiences he will personally gain from CIP.
In his spare time, Brady enjoys camping, canoeing, handyman projects / home improvement projects, and spending time with his family; wife, Elizabeth and daughter, Eliza.
Amy Barnhill, B.A.
Social Thinking Instructor
Amy moved to Bloomington in October 2007 from Seattle Washington and joined the CIP staff in December. She received her BA in Psychology from Arizona State University. She has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 1996 and is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis.
Before moving to Bloomington, Amy was employed as a Program Manager at Northwest Behavioral Associates in the state of Washington for 7 years. During this time she provided direct intervention to individuals on the autism spectrum, developed individualized educational programs in the areas of language, academics, functional routines, and social skills, created and implemented behavior plans, and consulted with local school districts.
In 2003, Amy established Northwest Behavioral Associates' Social Skills Training Program. During her time running this program it expanded to include 13 total social skills groups and over 40 students with a variety of skill levels.
In addition to her work at CIP, Amy is employed by the Monroe County School District as an ABA consultant. In her free time she enjoys music, traveling, the outdoors, working on small house projects and spending time with family and friends. She is excited for the opportunity to work with the students of CIP and is looking forward to the learning experiences that this position will bring!
Evelyn Davis
Student Advisor
Evelyn was born in Detroit, MI and has lived all over the eastern half of the country. She has completed a program of study for jazz and jazz arranging at the School for Music Vocations at Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA.
Before moving to Bloomington two years ago, Evelyn was living in Chicago and teaching piano and voice lessons in Northbrook, IL. Having piano students on the autism spectrum first sparked Evelyn’s interest in Aspergers, and consequently, drew her to work at CIP. She is currently studying classical music composition at Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University, and continues to teach piano to CIP students as well as others from the community including individuals on the spectrum.
Evelyn’s interests are wide-ranging. She is interested in gardening, she does yoga everyday, and she is a voracious reader, especially of British literature, historical fiction, and modernist literature. After learning how to use her sewing machine, Evelyn has begun making clothes from period patterns (ranging at the moment from the 40s to the 50s), and has recently embarked upon a Gluten Free Casein Free diet to study its effects and ease of accessibility, and possible applications to her work at CIP.
Wellness and nutritional healing are a central focus of her life, and have been integral in helping Evelyn to achieve and maintain peace and balance, as well as a nimble and focused mindset. These principles are important tenets of her advising philosophy.
James Walsh, B.A.
Academic Tutor
James Walsh graduated from Indiana University in 2005 with his BA in English and East Asian Studies. During college, he published short stories in nearly every campus arts publication and received the Myrtle Armstrong Undergraduate Fiction Prize in 2002, the top award
given each year for an outstanding story written by an undergraduate.
After graduating, James taught English to elementary and high school
students for a year in Beijing, China. He became an active part of the
Chinese underground music scene in his free time and eventually landed a
job with an international record label, for which he currently manages
online album orders and shipping.
James returned to Bloomington in the summer of 2007. Presently, he
tutors for the College Internship Program, works at a local organic food
co-op, writes creative non-fiction for a Christian publishing company
and plays in a rock band.
Melinda Kossmann
Academic Coordinator
Melinda (Mendy) Kossmann is native to Bloomington, Indiana. She attended Indiana University and later transferred to the University of Wisconsin in Madison completing a degree in Horticulture. Mendy then travelled extensively, lived in Edinburgh, Scotland, New Orleans, LA and Martha’s Vineyard, MA. After 12 years she returned to Bloomington to raise her daughter, Jacquelyn, and be close to her family.
Mendy has always been interested in and involved with community education. She has worked with and written grants for not for profit organizations working with marginalized youth including those with disabilities. Since returning to Bloomington she has been involved with a variety of community projects, owned a business, worked as an organizational coach and most recently worked in an adult service agency supporting individuals with learning differences including individuals on the autism spectrum, as a case manager and supervisor.
Mendy’s personable style and genuine passion for community education has allowed her to make many connections and build relationships with not for profit organizations, local business owners as well as faculty and administrators at Ivy Tech and Indiana University.
Mendy is especially interested in the environment and learning more about sustainable living practices. She is an organic gardener and enjoys teaching horticulture, including integrated pest management, seed saving and soil management practices. Mendy is an avid reader and does not often take time to watch television. She looks forward to travelling with her daughter to foreign lands.