SAS Staff
The staff at SAS is available to:
- Assist students through the admissions and enrollment processes
- Provide support during a student's academic career at UNF
- Share resources available in the UNF and the Northeast Florida community
Meet the Staff:
Dr. Rusty Dubberly
Director
Phone (904)620-5407
r.dubberly@unf.edu
Dr. Dubberly has worked with people with disabilities since 1999. He began his career as a special education teacher with Nassau County Schools. He transitioned to Duval County Public Schools in 2003 and served in an instructional and supervisory position for middle and high school students with significant disabilities. His research focus has been on self-determination for people with disabilities and creating a positive transition to adult life for young people with disabilities.
Dr. Dubberly attended the University of North Florida to complete a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in disability services. Dr. Dubberly also graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a doctorate of special education in 2008 and in 2012 completed a second master's degree in education leadership. Dr. Dubberly believes strongly in the empowerment of people with disabilities to live the fullest and most enriching life possible.
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." William Butler Yeats
Andrew W. Sullivan III
Assistive Technologist/Accessibility Service Specialist
Phone (904)620-2676
andrew.sullivan@unf.edu
Andrew has spent many years in the field of Postsecondary Disability Services. Working as an educational aide at the University of North Florida's Student Accessibility Services during both his undergraduate and graduate work he obtained a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Public Administration from UNF during that time. Concurrently he obtained his certification in Assistive Technology Applications from California State University, Northridge.
This program required him to complete over 100 hours of combined online and in person instruction in the field. As Assistive Technologist and Accessibility Service Specialist at the UNF SAS Andrew has and continues to work closely with UNF's students, staff and faculty to provide high quality services in the area of Assistive Technology for all SAS students.
Carly Hudson
Staff Interpreter DHH
Phone (904)620-2930
c.hudson@unf.edu
Carly Hudson is a staff interpreter for Student Accessibility Services. Carly graduated from Florida State College of Jacksonville with her A.S. in Interpreting and continued her education at University of North Florida to receive her B.S. in ASL/English Interpreting. She has experience interpreting in various settings such as K-12, medical, performing arts, postsecondary, and video relay. In her free time she enjoys reading, letterboxing, and hiking.
"I'm not superstitious, but I am a little-stitious" -Michael Scott
Sierra Weiner
Staff Interpreter DHH
Phone (904)620-2769
s.weiner@unf.edu
Sierra Weiner is a staff interpreter for the Student Accessibility Services Center. As an alumni from the University of North Florida, Sierra graduated with her B.S in ASL/English Interpreting and a minor in Deaf Education. She has experience in a variety of settings, with her passion lying in educational interpreting. Sierra prefers to be outside riding dirt bikes, shooting her bow, or hiking.
"I'm here to get it right, not to be right"
-Brené Brown
Amy Williams
Office Manager/Budget Specialist
Phone (904)620-2906
amy.williams@unf.edu
Amy is the Office Manager for Student Accessibility Services. She has been in the finance realm of Colleges and Universities since 2007. She has her B.S. in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University, and a Technical Certificate in Accounting Technologies from FSCJ.
"In every encounter we either give life or we drain it, there are no neutral exchanges." - Brennan Manning
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." - Mother Teresa
Emily Peterson
Testing Coordinator
Phone (904)620-2259
e.peterson@unf.edu
Emily is the Testing Coordinator for Student Accessibility Services. She has been working with the SAS since June 2015, but is no stranger to the university. She was a student from 2009 to 2013, and graduated with her B.S. in Mathematics. Emily loves spending time with friends and family, watching movies, and going to the beach.
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."- J.K. Rowling
India Hamilton
Accessibility Service Specialist/New Student Registration
Phone (904)620-2222
India.hamilton@unf.edu
India Hamilton is the Accessibility Service Specialist at Student Accessibility Services. She graduated from UNF in the spring of 2017 with a degree in History and a minor in American Sign Language. India worked tirelessly as an educational aide from October of 2015 until April of 2017 and as a Testing Facilitator until January 2018 when she was promoted. In her free time she enjoys reading, visiting Disney World, and volunteering at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." -The Lorax
Dr. Tara Rowe
Associate Director SAS/Director THRIVE Program
Phone (904) 620-2769
thrive@unf.edu
Dr. Tara Rowe has worked with UNF since 2009 and has co-founded the THRIVE (Transition to Health, Resources, Independence, Vocation, and Education) program, which is a unique program only found at the University of North Florida. Tara spent several years living and teaching overseas in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, East Timor, Laos, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Tara's career in exceptional student education started while overseas and has continued here at UNF.
Tara recently completed her educational leadership doctorate here at UNF and loves having the opportunity to collaborate with other institutions on supporting students with disabilities. Tara also serves as and adjunct instructor, teaching courses for the College of Education and Human Services. Tara is a strong believer in advocating for students with exceptionalities and centers her research on self-determination for all students.
"In order to truly learn something, you must teach it to someone else." - Dr. Stephen Covey
Tyler Charles
THRIVE Coordinator
t.charles@unf.edu
Tyler Charles, originally from Whitesboro, NY, is a registered behavior technician with Behavioral Solutions Consulting, as well as the coordinator for a program at the University of North Florida supporting matriculating UNF students on the autism spectrum. Tyler graduated from UNF with a B.A. in Psychology in 2017 and graduated from UNF with his Masters in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2020. Tyler's primary focus area is in the postsecondary setting working with individuals on the autism spectrum, though he has had a diverse range of experiences working with individuals of varying disabilities in the postsecondary setting. Tyler is working toward attaining a BCBA certification, followed by pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Tyler is a firm believer in providing assistance to individuals belonging to underrepresented populations and assisting them in finding a voice for themselves and their needs.
"No matter how learned and knowledgeable, how wise and how wonderful, how powerful and puissant, there is always one more sliver of power, one more bit of knowledge, one more secret to be learned…." - Medivh
Alexander Enos
THRIVE Staff Assistant
n01049476@unf.edu
Alexander Enos manages THRIVE's website and social media, and documents THRIVE-related events. Alex worked briefly at FSU's College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, doing design work and developing the foundation for an ad campaign to increase graduate student enrollment. He joined the THRIVE Program as a student in 2016, and returned to work for the program after graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Advertising.
