Master of Science in Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services (ATHS)

Rebecca Cagle, M.S.

ATHS 621: Assistive Technology Assessment and Outcome Measures

As a graduate herself of the M.S. Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services program, Cagle has worked in the assistive technology field for more than 20 years. She has served in many roles related to AT assessment and outcome measures. Cagle has taught for the program since 2016 and brings real-world experience to the classroom. Her many responsibilities have included academic advisement for postsecondary disability services; performing AT assessments, demos and alternative text formatting; working as a special education/secondary education high school teacher; and conducting project training for a traumatic brain injury clinic’s cognitive skills project. Cagle is deeply involved in the AT world nationally and internationally, and she brings that experience to the classroom. She is an IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals) Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies; a job skills trainer and job placement specialist; a member of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe and the International Association of Workforce Professionals; and serves on the scientific advisory committee for Vispero, an AT provider for the visually impaired. She also works with the U.S. International Council on Disabilities, which is dedicated to international disability rights, and the American Airlines Arena accessibility committee. Her array of activities and involvement give her enormous experience assessing effective AT.

Students learn how assessments grounded in standards such as the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and ICF (International Classification of Functioning) greatly increase positive outcomes for AT users, their employers and communities domestically and internationally. With her intense involvement in the field, Cagle provides students with a comprehensive understanding of AT assessment and outcome measures.

Suzanne David, M.A.

Associate Director, Distance Learning, Tseng College

ATHS 502: Seminar – Human Characteristics in Relation to Usability of Assistive Technologies

David’s master’s degree in human factors and applied experimental psychology directly applies to this class, which focuses on the needs and characteristics of the AT user. She has extensive experience handling accessibility issues, with more than 20 years of involvement in usability testing and user-centered design. She also has a strong background in anatomy, physiology and psychology, central topics of this class.

ATHS 502 is the first class that students take in this program. It is designed as a "leveling and re-entry" experience for students, getting them comfortable with writing and providing an introduction to human capability and AT. This understanding serves as a common knowledge core as the cohort moves forward into more specialized classes. Rather than providing students with a lot of facts to memorize or formulas to compute, David provides students with a different way of looking at the world – one in which the individual's specific needs, goals, priorities and values are vital to making decisions. The class provides many opportunities for students to share their knowledge and unique perspectives with each other, whether they are seasoned professionals or new to the AT field.

Erika Higginbotham, M.S.

Certificate in Rehabilitation Technology and Community-based Rehabilitation

ATHS 619: History, Law, Policy and Assistive Technology 

Higginbotham’s Master of Science Rehabilitation Technology with a Specialization in Rehabilitation Technology gives her strong expertise in all facets of assistive technology. ATHS 619 investigates the history and development of assistive technology, its legal context and public-policy issues, which include financing and accessibility of assistive technology, as well as concerns that affect users and professionals. Higginbotham’ education includes a Certificate in Rehabilitation Technology and Community-based Rehabilitation, and a Bachelor of Science Sociology, giving her a strong understanding of societal and community aspects of this field.

Her experience includes serving as coordinator and chair of the Disability Support Programs and Services department at San Diego Mesa College. As a faculty member, counselor, professor and adaptive computer technology specialist, she provides assistive technology services to students and consults on web accessibility and accessible online instruction. In addition to her extensive teaching and program management experience, she served as co-chair of the Assistive Technology Special Interest Group for the California Association for Post-secondary Education for Disability (CAPED) and regional representative for the California Community Colleges Alternate Text Production Center (ATPC). She also served on the advisory board for McGraw-Hill Accessibility Higher Education. These activities provide her with strong understanding of law and policies related to AT that she shares with students.

S. Victoria Jaque, Ph.D.

Professor and Graduate Coordinator, Department of Kinesiology
Academic Director, Master of Science Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services

Jaque has served as academic director of this program since it began, and she worked on its design and implementation. She oversees faculty teaching in the programs and coordinates course content across the curriculum. Jaque conducts research in assessing factors that influence the development of peak bone mass and learning how the autonomic nervous system responds to physiologic and psychological stressors in those with and without functional disorders, and in performing artists. Jaque earned her Ph.D. in exercise science from the University of Southern California and is a passionate advocate for the rights of children and young adults with complex medical conditions.

Jennifer Kalfsbeek, Ph.D.

ATHS 618: Research Methods and Design in Assistive Technology
ATHS 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies 

Kalfsbeek earned her master's degree in applied sociology, with an emphasis on engaging in applied, empirical research. She served as an investigator on several grant and university funded research projects, including social aspects of health and well-being (National Institutes of Health-funded Baltimore Women's Health Study), experiences of urban homeless women, and African American Alzheimer's service use. She also oversees disabled student programs and services at Moorpark College in Southern California.

She brings both her education and understanding of the needs of disabled people.to her ATHS classes. Kalfsbeek earned her Ph.D. in education leadership and B.A. in psychology. Her degrees gave her expertise in research and preparing comprehensive case studies. Students learn to envision original empirical research, design and implement program evaluations useful in their places of employment, and how to write a research proposal – which can assist in future grant writing. For those interested in pursuing a doctorate, Kalfsbeek prepares them for research project development and implementation for a doctoral level dissertation.

Dorsa Beroukhim Kay, Ph.D.

Dr. Kay has teaching experience in neuroscience and physiology. Her research focuses on neuroscience, neuroanatomy, learning and behavior and stroke recovery. Kay has published works in the fields of systems neuroscience and stroke recovery/brain plasticity.

In 2013, Kay received the Graduate Education Teaching Award from the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at USC. She also received the Pre-doctoral Training Program Award of Education, Career Development, and Ethics under the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Additionally, Kay was a 2014 Dornsife fellow at USC, and a finalist in USC’s Graduate Research Symposium.

Kay earned a B.S. in Neuroscience from University of California, Los Angeles; a Graduate Certificate in Clinical, Biomedical and Translational Investigations from University of Southern California (USC); and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from USC.

Sarah K. Mak, M.S., ATP, CPACC

Adjunct Professor, Department of Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services

ATHS 694: Seminar: Current and Emerging Topics in Assistive Technology
ATHS 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies 

Sarah K. Mak brings over 25 years of experience in the field of disabilities, specializing in assistive technology, digital accessibility, and education. She holds both a B.A. in Deaf Studies and a Master’s in Assistive Technology and Human Services from California State University Northridge (CSUN).

Sarah began her career as a specialist at an Assistive Technology resource center in Tennessee, where she eventually became the center’s director. She then took on the role of Assistive Technology Facilitator at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, supporting the K-12 special education program. After that, Sarah worked for the State of Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services, providing assistive technology assessments and training to adults and students transitioning from high school to college.

Currently, Sarah serves as a Digital Accessibility Analyst at Towson University, where she works to ensure digital content meets accessibility standards. Sarah has been an adjunct faculty member for CSUN's ATHS program since 2014, and she previously taught in CSUN’s ATACP program.

Sarah is a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and holds a certification in Assistive Technology from California State University Dominguez Hills. She is also a Certified Professional of Accessibility Core Concepts (CPACC) through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) and completed the Trusted Tester certificate in Web and Windows accessibility through the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Accessible Systems and Technology.

Rechelle Mojica, M.S., CRC

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services

ATHS 614: Assistive Technology Across the Lifespan
ATHS 622: Counseling in Assistive Technology Service Delivery
ATHS 623: Medical Conditions Affecting Quality of Life

Email: rechellemojica@gmail.com

Rechelle Mojica brings over 30 years of experience in online education and disability inclusion to the Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services (ATHS) program at CSUN. She specializes in Universal Design, assistive hardware/software training, and accessibility in online learning environments.

Her academic background includes a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialization in Deafness from San Diego State University, a Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Maryland, and a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Communicative Disorders with an emphasis in Speech Pathology.

Rechelle was named Volunteer of the Year for more than 25 years of service at the San Diego Serving Seniors Community Center and currently serves as a Faculty Fellow in the Digital Gardener Initiative at Indiana University. She is also a proud living kidney donor and advocate for organ donation. Her work in accessibility and assistive technology is shaped by her lived commitment to service, equity, and digital inclusion.

Michael Williamson, M.S.

ATHS 694: Seminar – Current and Emerging Topics in Assistive Technology
ATHS 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies

As a graduate of CSUN’s M.S Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services program, Williamson has an in-depth understanding of course objectives and goals. He is certified as an Assistive Technology Professional by RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America). That certification affirms his experience and knowledge, and that he follows the RESNA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Williamson conducts assistive technology assessments and implements assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. He also manages the Accessibility and Usability Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he helps to ensure that the entire university community can access digital assets such as software, websites, etc. He is at the forefront of knowledge about the latest topics and issues in assistive technology. His courses focus on application of the AT principles that students need and utilize daily in their AT careers. Assignments encourage students to engage with actual technologies, giving them practical knowledge of what's available and how to implement the latest technology.