About Us

Nadaya Cross

Director
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Nadaya joined Disability Services in 2018 and has served the TWU community as the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Coordinator, Assistant Director and now Director of DSS. Nadaya holds a Master’s of Social Work degree from University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business from Regent University. She takes pride in advocating for disabled students’ rights at TWU and in fostering partnerships with faculty to support disabled student learning. Nadaya believes in holding students with disabilities accountable to achieving their academic dreams in accessible educational environments. Nadaya enjoys spending time with her husband, menagerie of pets and hoarding yarn for never ending knitting and crochet projects.

Azlin Saldivar

Assistant Director
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Azlin joined the TWU Disability Services for Students team in November 2023. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from New England Law, Boston and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Anthropology, and Gender Studies from Austin College. Prior to working at TWU, Azlin served as a legal project aide to the Vice President of Salem State University. She also served as a case manager at a variety of nonprofit organizations including a Texas county mental health authority, where she assisted children and adolescents. Additionally, Azlin worked as a grant writer for a Texas county domestic violence shelter, an organization dedicated to women’s safety and health, where she applied for funding to aid its missions. Azlin is a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).

Shea Hesselbacher

Coordinator of Disability Services for Students
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Shea joined the TWU Disability Services for the Students team in March 2024 as a coordinator on the Denton campus. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Texas at Dallas, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas State in San Marcos. Prior to joining TWU, Shea served as a therapist at Ellie Mental Health in Allen where she completed her hours for her LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). Throughout her journey, she found passion for working with neurodivergent children, teens and adults while also learning to embrace her own neurodivergence. Shea enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their dog, friends, going to concerts, and traveling.

Jessica Sanchez

Coordinator of Disability Services for Students
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Jessica joined the TWU Disabilities Services for Students team in July 2024 as a Coordinator for the Denton campus. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Tarleton State University in 2021, Jessica began The Texas Woman's University and University of North Texas Joint Master of Social Work Program. While working towards her Master's, Jessica was employed as the Graduate Services Assistant for the UNT Social Work Department and completed field experiences in both Hospice and High School Social Work. These roles helped her build skills in supporting the unique needs of individuals and families in their respective settings. She also served as the President of the student organization that represented students in her program, and worked on research projects as a graduate assistant in order to support the knowledge base of Spanish language service provision in the Social Work field. Jessica graduated the TWU-UNT Joint Program in 2024, is a Licensed Master Social Worker, and is excited to serve an institution she attended to support students in their college experience. Jessica is a Member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and serves locally in the Texoma Branch as a Steering Committee member.

Kristie Sekmistrz

Coordinator of Disability Services for Students
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Kristie joined TWU Disability Services for Students in February 2017 as the first on-site coordinator for the Houston campus.  Prior to joining TWU, Kristie worked as vocational rehabilitation counselor for seven years with the State of Texas.  In this position, she assisted people with disabilities in completion of education and training as well as obtaining and maintaining competitive employment in their chosen fields. In addition, she served as one of the subject matter experts on autism and employment for the Houston region and served on the Regional Developmental Disabilities Team to improve the quality of services provided to people with developmental disabilities. Kristie earned a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences/Pre-Med Studies from Michigan State University. She holds a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL.  She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and has been an active member of the National Rehabilitation Association as well as the Texas Rehabilitation Association.  She is a current member of AHEAD (Association on Higher Education and Disability).

Sharla Taylor

Coordinator of Disability Services for Students
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Sharla joined DDS in January 2019.  Prior to joining TWU, Sharla worked at several state agencies. Sharla begin her career working at Travis State School and her last job held at the state was working as a Vocational  Rehabilitation Counselor at Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Services. Sharla also worked as Acting Area Manager, Team Lead, Subject Matter expert in Traumatic Brain Injury, and Kidney Disease. Finally she has worked with the North Lake Community College to develop relationship with their Disability Office. Sharla has a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Texas in Austin and a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from University of North Texas in Denton. Sharla is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She has worked with non-profit organizations and agencies to educate about them about disabilities and mental health issues in our community.