About Us

Denton

Portrait of Crystal Hill

Crystal Hill

Director of Disability Services for Students
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Crystal joined TWU Disability Services for Students in July 2018. Prior to joining TWU, Crystal served as Director of the Disability Resource Center at The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) for 18 years. Crystal holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arkansas. Crystal is co-founder of College Bound Arkansas, a post-secondary transition camp for rising juniors, seniors, and incoming college freshman. Crystal currently serves as Director-at-Large on the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Board of Directors and formerly chaired AHEAD’s Race, Ethnicity, Diversity, and Disability Special Interest Group. She has served as an adjunct instructor within the Psychology Department of the University of Central Arkansas, where she taught general psychology. She is currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas where she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Policy with a higher education specialization.

Portrait of Nadaya Cross

Nadaya Cross

Assistant Director
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Nadaya has been with TWU since 2018, first as the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Coordinator and most recently as the Assistant Director. Nadaya believes in the right to access course materials, campus activities and student services in Deaf peoples’ native language, American Sign Language or written English. Nadaya strives to build a thriving community between deaf and hard of hearing students with their hearing peers. Nadaya is a certified Sign Language Interpreter and holds an associate degree in Sign Language Interpretation from Tarrant County College and a bachelor's degree in Business with a concentration in Management from Regent University.  In her free time, Nadaya enjoys binge-watching TV with her husband, loving on her animals, and knitting all the things!

Portrait of Jo Ann Reeves

Jo Ann Reeves

Coordinator of Disability Services for Students
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Jo Ann became a part of the TWU Disability Services for Students team in February 2016 as the Denton Coordinator. Previous experience for Jo Ann includes serving as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the state of Texas and Case Manager for a tertiary (community re-entry) traumatic brain injury rehabilitation facility.  Jo Ann holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master's degree in Rehabilitation Studies from the University of North Texas. Jo Ann is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and an active member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). Jo Ann enjoys her family, traveling, painting, jewelry-making, quiet moments, and boisterous gatherings of dear ones.

Houston

Portrait of Kristie Sekmistrz

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).

Dallas

Portrait of Sharla Taylor

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.

Page last updated 1:22 PM, November 29, 2021