2025 - 2026 Trainees
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Jessica Amedro
Physician Assistant
Jessica Amedro
Physician Assistant
Jessica Amedro is a graduate student from Morgantown, WV studying to become a physician assistant. She graduated from WVU with a B.S. in immunology and medical microbiology, receiving the IMMB research internship where she worked in undergrad research for two years. In graduate school, she was diversity chair of her PA class student government and was involved in the PA program’s first participation in Project Access. Her goals in the LEND program are to learn more about disability medicine, how best to treat patients with neuro-developmental disabilities, and how to be a strong advocate, resource, and leader for her future patients.
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Elizabeth Elmore
Occupational Therapy
Elizabeth Elmore
Occupational Therapy
Elizabeth Elmore is a graduate student in the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program. She is from Charleston, WV and graduated with a B.A. in psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Kentucky. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in research related to learning and development. Her goals with the LEND program include learning more about working with children with disabilities and to learn the skills to be the best OT possible.
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William Foster
Mental Health Counseling
William Foster
Mental Health Counseling
William Foster is a graduate student from Atlanta, GA studying clinical mental health counseling. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. in psychology. He wants to provide mental health services for children and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and his goals with the LEND program are to learn about the barriers to access this population faces when seeking out and receiving those services.
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Josiah Fout
Self-Advocate
Josiah Fout
Self-Advocate
Josiah Fout is a computer science undergraduate student from Morgantown, WV and has life experience being a disabled person. His goals with the LEND program are to learn more about the disability community and create a more positive environment.
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Sydney Galiszewski
Social Work
Sydney Galiszewski
Social Work
Sydney Galiszewski is a senior undergraduate student from Avella, PA, earning a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on psychology, criminology, and addiction studies. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Sydney actively applied her knowledge in professional settings, working in substance use rehabilitation and parental supervision, where she developed a passion for supporting families and individuals navigating complex challenges. Her goals with the LEND program are to strengthen her ability to advocate for herself and others as she continues her education to pursue a Master of Social Work degree at WVU.
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Barbara Garcia-Powell
Law
Barbara Garcia-Powell
Law
Barbara Garcia-Powell is a second-year law student from Houston, Texas, with a diverse academic background in English, business administration, and education administration. Before pursuing a legal career, she taught English language arts and reading in public schools throughout the Houston area. Through the LEND program, Barbara aims to deepen her understanding of the disability community and strengthen her skills to become a passionate and effective advocate for her future clients.
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Skylar Golden
Social Work
Skylar Golden
Social Work
Skylar Golden is a graduate student from the Philadelphia, PA area. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree with a minor in criminology from West Virginia University. During her undergraduate years, she worked with local shelters to support individuals experiencing houselessness and contributed to disaster relief efforts with the Appalachian American Red Cross. Skylar is currently working with the Regional Transition Navigator Services (RTNS) and the Mentoring and Oversight for Developing Independence with Former Foster Youth (MODIFY) programs at the WVU CED. In her roles, she helps adolescents and young adults navigate the challenges of transitioning to adulthood by offering resources, guidance, and support to build independence. With a strong commitment to advocacy and service, Skylar is dedicated to making a lasting, meaningful difference in the lives of those she works with and is focused on becoming a powerful force for positive change in the field of social work.
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Kinsey Hissam
Nutrition
Kinsey Hissam
Nutrition
Kinsey Hissam is a graduate student from Fairmont, WV, studying nutrition through the Master of Science/Dietetic Internship program. She graduated from WVU in 2023 with a B.S. in human nutrition and foods. In undergrad, she was active in Chi Alpha Campus Ministries and continued her work there for two years after graduation. Her goal with the LEND program is to learn how to better serve those with disabilities to become a better dietitian for her future patients.
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Ian Israelsen
Nutrition
Ian Israelsen
Nutrition
Ian Israelsen is a PhD graduate of West Virginia University from Logan, Utah. During his time at WVU, he studied nutrition and food science. He believes that we are all capable of achieving our most audacious dreams through focused efforts and mindfully honoring our true selves. He spends his spare time innovating food products and playing in the woods. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two dogs. His goals in the LEND program are to better understand and advocate for the disability community while learning to effectively apply his current and new leadership skills.
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Isabelle Mari
Speech-Language Pathology
Isabelle Mari
Speech-Language Pathology
Isabelle Mari is a first-year speech-language pathology student from Charles Town, WV. She graduated from WVU with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in communication studies and disorders. During undergrad, she was the historian of the Filipino Student Association, as well as an active member in the Asian Student Association and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Her goals with the LEND program are to be a better advocate as a future clinician and to learn more about patients with disabilities.
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Cheyann McQuain
Social Work
Cheyann McQuain
Social Work
Cheyann McQuain is a MSW graduate student from Fairmont, WV. She graduated from Fairmont State University with a bachelors in psychology. In her professional life, she is the program director at the Disability Action Center, where she has worked with adults with developmental disabilities for the last 7 years. Her goals for this program are to gain more understanding of services and techniques to better assist the individuals she serves.
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Zoe Pagliaro
Occupational Therapy
Zoe Pagliaro
Occupational Therapy
Zoe is from South Kingstown, RI. She completed her B.A. at Skidmore College, M.S in biology at WVU, and is currently a second-year occupational therapy doctorate student at WVU. She also teaches dance at the Artistry House.
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Brooke Parkinson
Social Work
Brooke Parkinson
Social Work
Brooke Parkinson is graduate student from Morgantown, WV studying social work. She graduated from Fairmont State University with a BS in criminal justice and a BA in political science. Her goal with the LEND program is to learn more about the disability community and how to advocate for them in the abuse and neglect system.
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Brittany Payne
Public Administration
Brittany Payne
Public Administration
Brittany Shantae Payne is a graduate student from Beckley, West Virginia, pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at Marshall University with dual concentrations in government relations and cybersecurity policy. She also holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Marshall University and brings extensive experience in policy analysis, government relations, and project coordination. Brittany is actively engaged in international research on cybersecurity, digital rights, and human rights law. Through the LEND program, she aims to deepen her understanding of disability policy, strengthen her advocacy and inclusive leadership skills, and integrate disability perspectives into broader policy and community initiatives. Building on her background in public policy, Brittany is also particularly interested in child welfare reform—especially current West Virginia initiatives to improve protective services and expand support for children in care. She looks forward to examining how disability and child welfare policy intersect, with the goal of advancing more equitable, transparent, and trauma-informed systems that better support families and communities.
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Katherine Payne
IMPACT WV/Speech-Language Pathology
Katherine Payne
IMPACT WV/Speech-Language Pathology
Katherine Payne is a graduate research assistant with the IMPACT WV program. She recently began pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, which she hopes to use in work with special needs children. Born to a family of proud West Virginians, Katherine was raised as a self-described “Navy brat”, which gave her the opportunity to experience life in many different places. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music, and going on outdoor adventures.
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Shelby Roesler
Psychology
Shelby Roesler
Psychology
Shelby Roesler is an undergraduate student studying psychology at WVU. She is active in research and within her therapeutic art and women's and gender studies minors. As a trainee at the CED for her senior capstone project, she hopes to make positive connections within the disability service community and learn how to practically apply patient-centered care across multiple disciplines.
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Regan Sites
Physical Therapy
Regan Sites
Physical Therapy
Regan Sites is a second year WVU Doctor of Physical Therapy student from Franklin, WV. Her lived experience with family members with disabilities and her interest in Pediatrics are what led her to join the LEND program. She hopes to learn more about working with children with disabilities and is excited to supplement her PT education with LEND to be the best practitioner possible.
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Olivia Twigg
Occupational Therapy
Olivia Twigg
Occupational Therapy
Olivia Twigg is a first-generation student from Berkeley Springs, WV. She is currently attending WVU Master of Occupational Therapy program with a minor in disability studies. Olivia has spent much of her time volunteering and working with organizations that support individuals with disabilities including PACE Enterprises, Project SEARCH, and Special Olympics. Through LEND, Olivia aims to gain a deeper understanding of how to better support and advocate for the needs of families of children with disabilities in rural areas of the state.
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Olivia Villeneuve
IMPACT WV/Sociology
Olivia Villeneuve
IMPACT WV/Sociology
Olivia Villeneuve is a doctoral sociology student at West Virginia University. Originally from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, she graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in health sciences. Recently, she earned her master’s degree in sociology at WVU in spring 2025.
Olivia’s research focuses on the victimization of marginalized communities, particularly examining how digital environments facilitate the exploitation and abuse of minors. Her work explores topics such as digital grooming, family vlogging and content creation, and online ideological and religious grooming.
Outside of her academic pursuits, Olivia enjoys reading, spending time in nature, and relaxing in her hammock. She lives with her partner and their two cats, all of whom help keep life fun and interesting. She is thrilled to be working with IMPACT WV and contributing to its mission of supporting families and communities across the state.
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Heather Wenderlich
Nutrition
Heather Wenderlich
Nutrition
Heather Wenderlich, originally from Philadelphia, PA, is a Master of Science in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) candidate at WVU. She earned her BS in human nutrition and foods from WVU and currently serves as a LEND trainee and graduate teaching assistant for Introduction to Nutrition (HN&F 171). Her interests focus on supporting children and young adults with disabilities in feeding and swallowing, with long-term goals of advancing clinical and community-based nutrition services through the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities.