Staff Profiles
Every program claims to have professional staff, with good educational backgrounds and experience. When we refer to professional staff we are speaking about not only those qualities, but also staff who are secure and available to the students.
National Office Staff
Michael McManmon, Ed.D
Founder
Dr. McManmon grew up the youngest son in a family of nine children. He is the father of six children and nine grandchildren. He received his B.A. in English from Mt. St. Mary's College in Maryland and went on for his Masters in Counseling from Shippensburg University.
He attended the University of Kansas for his Masters in Human Development through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. He obtained his Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Nevada. Subsequently, he was licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Massachusetts. He worked for state, private and non-profit organizations in several states prior to founding The Berkshire Center in 1984.
During his 35 years of experience with students with Learning Differences and Asperger's Syndrome, Dr. McManmon has worked on Curriculum Development, Staff Training, Program Evaluation, and Administering Community Based Programming. He is a member of the International Learning Disabilities Association and the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Dr. McManmon speaks and presents at Professional Conferences nationally and internationally. He has an inside perspective as he himself was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and grew up in a large family with several individuals on the spectrum.
Dr. McManmon has been certified as a family teacher through the Boys Town Center in Nebraska. He has served as a PTA President, School Board Member and Parish Council Member. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Lee Chamber of Commerce, coached in the Community Soccer League and basketball league, and is an avid gardener.
Dr. McManmon's program philosophy is to provide a loving and trusting environment in which personal growth can occur. The process includes honoring each individual's talents and assisting them in using their personal power to develop skills, meet their needs and thus live independently. This process is accomplished by hiring exemplary individuals, giving them the tools to operate and working as a team.
Heather Greene, M.B.A.
Executive Director
Heather joined the College Internship Program in July 2005. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and her M.B.A. from Sage Graduate School.
For the past five years, she was living and working in the United Kingdom as an accounting contractor in telecommunication and banking industries.
She relocated back to the States in February 2005. Prior to that, Heather worked for ten years as a Financial Controller for NorthEast Health in Cohoes, N.Y. She currently enjoys life in the Berkshires with her son, Jordan and is kept very busy attending his sporting events. Heather also enjoys skiing, horseback riding, running, reading, and traveling.
Caroline Wheeler, B.A.
National Admissions Director
Caroline Wheeler received her BA from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. She is a certified high school and middle school teacher.
Caroline has been working with individuals with learning differences for many years, both as a special education teacher and as a case manager supervisor.
She is a Certified Educational Advocate and a Certified MCAS Tutor. Caroline also has taken graduate courses at Assumption College and Fitchburg State College. Caroline began her work at the Berkshire Center as an Advisor and as the Vocational Coordinator.
She then became interested in the admissions process and was Assistant to the Admissions Director for one year, after which she was thrilled to take the position of Director.
Caroline lives in Lee, Massachusetts where she enjoys gardening, hiking, photography, reading, biking, art, music, and traveling. Caroline also loves to spend time with her daughter Jennifer, who lives in central Massachusetts.
National Admissions Coordinator
Maggi Sanderson holds a B.A. in English from Smith College and has been involved with admissions and marketing for special needs/therapeutic programs for nearly 15 years.
She assisted Eric M. Plakun, M.D., at the Austen Riggs Center in admissions and in his research and subsequent contributions to the DSM-III in defining diagnostic criteria for narcissistic, borderline, and schizotypal personality disorders, and schizophrenia.
For eight years she served as Director of Admissions at The DeSisto School in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where she also supervised family casework, coordinated interdepartmental IEP development and implementation, and pursued funding options for students.
Maggi has traveled extensively as Director of Outreach for The King George School in Sutton, Vermont, and as regional representative for referral development for Brown Schools, Inc.
A staunch proponent of the arts and historic preservation, Maggi has also served as dramaturg and assistant to both Managing and Artistic Directors at the Berkshire Theatre Festival and as Director of Marketing and Visitor Services at Hancock Shaker Village.
Her greatest loves are her daughter, Greer, age 24, a freelance writer; her cat; and reading, writing and cooking.
National Administrative Assistant
Karri Ann Woodard was born and raised in Dalton, Massachusetts. She now lives in Peru, MA with her husband Charlie. She has a sixteen year old son, Zacheri and she spends much of her time watching him play football, basketball and his favorite sport baseball.
Karri attended Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, MA where she received her A.A. in Business Administration. Some of her hobbies include breeding and raising bulldogs. She also enjoys biking, reading and writing.
Melanie Moran
National Human Resources Specialist
Melanie Moran joined the College Internship Program in 2009. She has spent her career working in various human resource positions. Her previous position was at the Valleyhead School, a residential facility for adolescents with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
Melanie currently lives in Adams with her husband, Kevin. Her hobbies include reading, snow shoeing and furniture refinishing.
Dan McManmon, B.A.
National Marketing Coordinator
Dan McManmon was born and raised in western Massachusetts by his parents Michael and Linda. Growing up he enjoyed playing sports and working on various art projects. Being the brother of four sisters he now has a large extended family and three brothers-in-law which he greatly appreciates.
Dan attended Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont where he received his B.A. in Multimedia and Graphic Design. He began working at the Berkshire Center in Lee, Massachusetts and more recently moved to Berkeley, California with the opening of the Berkeley Center.
Some of his hobbies include producing music, freelance graphic design and spending time with friends. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking, biking, and playing with his dogs. Email Dan here.
Andrea Wadsworth
National Finance, Payroll Specialist
Andrea Wadsworth was born and raised in the Berkshires. She lives in Lee, MA with her husband, Kevin, son, Airen, and daughter, Tori. she has always had a passion and affinity for numbers and accounting. Upon graduating from Berkshire Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration; she began working for Mead Specialty Paper as a Financial Analyst.
Once her son Airen was born, Andrea decided to focus all her energy on raising her son, and later her daughter, Tori. Andrea first priority is to her family and children. She has enjoyed the many years she was able to stay home and raise her children. During that time, Andrea became a licensed Day Care Provider, a Nationally Licensed Group Aerobic Instructor, Junior and Varsity Cheerleading Coach, and an Award Winning Master Pastry Chef.
Andrea owns and operates A.W. Confections, a private, pastry business specializing in custom made Wedding cakes and pastries. A.W. Confections has created thousands of cakes and services many celebrity clients.
Once her children got older, Andrea decided it was time to get back to Accounting. The College Internship Program has been a perfect fit for her. She enjoys her co-workers and the challenge of everyday ‘business’.
Andrea’s hobbies include, spending time with family and friends, baking, watching her husband and son race motocross, cheering for her son as he plays basketball, traveling to horse shows with her daughter and their horse Coupe’s Cruiser, and taking care of her five Shih Tzus, Cookie, Ginger, Oreo, Lance and Buddy.
Berkeley Center Staff
Janet Miller, M.A., CET
Program Director
Janet Miller joined the College Internship Program at the Berkeley Center in Berkeley, California when it first opened it's doors in 2007. There she specializes in developing, advocating for and delivering services to challenged college learners of all abilities.
As Director of the Academic Success Center at Menlo College from 2001 to 2007, she worked with transition age young learners and co-founded the Philler Curtis Summer Bridge Program, an innovative college transition program and winner of the CHADD 2006 Most Innovative Program of the Year.
She has spoken on panels, done poster sessions and presented for WACAC, HECA, and AHEAD. Janet values networking and brainstorming ideas to better serve college students with “hidden disabilities.”
Janet earned her BA from Hunter College in New York, MA in Organizational Development from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, MA in Special Education with a thesis on college transition programs for young adults with learning challenges. She also earned a Certificate in Educational Therapy at San Francisco State University.
Nicole Knaebel
Administrative Assistant
Nicole was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. She moved to the Berkshires upon accepting the position with The College Internship Program. She comes from a family of six, the second of four children.
Nicole attended Oakland Community College where she successfully completed the requirements for an Associates Degree in Business Administration. She spent many years working alongside seasoned professionals in the financial and executive offices within the automotive industry but is very thankful for the opportunity to spend time with her knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues at the College Internship Program.
Nicole spends her leisure time studying the Bible, exercising, enjoying the outdoors, cooking and painting.
Jennifer Woo, MSW
Student Advisor
Jennifer was raised in Southern California. After graduating from California State University at Fullerton with a major in Human Services and a minor in Sociology, she moved to the Bay Area to attend graduate school at University of California at Berkeley. Jennifer graduated with a Master's in Social Welfare in 2003 and has worked for local non-profit organizations.
As a Social Welfare major, Jennifer concentrated on subjects such as advocacy, diversity and culturally sensitive services, and interpersonal communication. While attending college she also completed internships as a school social worker for middle schools and high schools. Jennifer also spent two years as the Social Services volunteer at The Suitcase Clinic in Berkeley, working with homeless and low-income adults.
Jennifer is currently attending graduate school (again) to earn a Master's degree in Library and Information Science. In her spare time Jennifer enjoys cooking, reading, photography, and traveling.
Philiane Seher, B.A.
Student Advisor
Philaine is a native of Berkeley, and although she lived in cities across America during her years of full time volunteer work, she couldn't stay away from the Bay Area. Philaine graduated with a B.A. in English from UC Berkeley in 2007, after which time she worked on various Oakland public school sites, coordinating a Suplemental Education Services tutoring program. Philaine joined CIP in July 2008.
When she is not at CIP, Philaine is continuing her studies toward a counseling degree, loves to read, and wanders the streets of the Berkeley hills looking at the beautiful houses. Philaine also teaches Sunday School and volunteers as an Associate Advisor to a Venturing Crew, where she helps organize and supervise high school and college youth as they backpack, river raft, kayak, rock climb, and learn to make the perfect s'more.
Shawn Corne, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Shawn Corne completed her BA in Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She later went on to receive two Master's degrees, the first in Psychology and the second in Women's Studies. Dr. Corne completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California.
Dr. Corne has worked clinically with children, adolescents, and adults with learning and developmental challenges over the last 20 years in a wide range of settings that include a university counseling center, an adolescent residential treatment program, and a mobile crisis unit.
While serving as a Psychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) for five years, Dr. Corne worked on a multidisciplinary team that provided comprehensive evaluations of children or adolescents.
Dr. Corne is a licensed psychologist in California. In addition to her clinical work at CIP, she has a private practice where she sees individuals in psychotherapy who are striving to understand themselves, and learning to create positive change in their lives so they can meet their potential.
Yasin Johnson, B.A.
Residential Coordinator
Yasin Johnson who is a native of Los Angeles moved to the Bay Area in 2002 to pursue higher education. He attended Berkeley City College where he received an Associates degree in Liberal Studies.
He then went on to San Francisco State University earning a degree in English Literature.
Yasin has worked with children with learning differences for the past four years. Yasin has worked as an Instructional Assistant in special education classrooms. He has also worked with developmentally challenge children in the Berkeley YMCA childcare department for three years.
Along with working as a Residential Coordinator for CIP, Yasin has also worked for the Berkeley Unified School District as an Assistant Behavioral Therapist. Yasin's hobbies include exercising, reading, and presently learning how to swim.
Admissions Coordinator
Marjorie joined CIP as Admissions Coordinator in February, '08. Her prior experience includes working as an Dean of Students at a local College, Mentor Program Director for High School and Middle School students, and working as an attorney for over 12 years. She loves this type of work, as her personal mission is to ensure that young people have the tools and resources to live their dreams.
Marjorie and her husband live in Emeryville, about three miles from the Berkeley Center. Her interests include: kickboxing, Toastmasters, reading, thinking, cooking, making menopause fun, and helping people reach their dreams.
Social Thinking Instructor
Barbara was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. With a Bachelor (Shippensburg University) and a Master’s degree in Social Work (Rutger’s University) Barbara relocated to California in 1986 and has worked with children, youth and families for almost thirty years.
Along with her part-time work at CIP, Barbara is the supervising social worker at Heartsent Adoptions, Inc. and has a small private psychotherapy practice in El Cerrito where she specializes in working with children, youth and families with special needs and/or adoption issues.
Barbara has long been a follower of Michelle Garcia Winner’s work on Social Thinking and is delighted to work as a social thinking instructor with the CIP students as they explore and improve their abilities to navigate the social world as young adults. In addition to her professional work, Barbara and a small group of teachers and parents, started a charter high school in 2007, which is currently in it’s second year with 100 students.
Barbara is the proud mother of fifteen year old twin sons, two cats and a new (rescue) dog. She relishes the time that she spends with her family. She enjoys listening to bluegrass music, skiing, bicycle riding, going on roller coasters and playing on-line scrabble with her sister in Philadelphia. She volunteers along side her son, Robbie, at the East Bay Humane Society.
Social Thinking Instructor
Anne was born and raised in Missouri. After earning her BA from Brown University in Economics, Anne returned to her hometown to teach middle school in inner city St. Louis. After earning her Masters in Special Education from the University of Missouri, Anne moved to Boston to work as an educational specialist at a social services agency. She moved to Berkeley in Fall 2008. She loves the California climate and working with the students at CIP.
Some of Anne's hobbies include swimming, rollerblading, dancing and spending time with friends. She also enjoys farmers' markets, cooking and listening to music.
Dylan Miller-Evans
Summer Program Coordinator
Dylan Miller-Evans is a graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire & has 5 years of experience working with 17-26 year-old students with a wide array of learning difficulties.
He has previously worked for CIP Berkeley as an Academic Tutor & Career Counseling Coordinator. Dylan currently runs his own private tutoring business working with students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also a Board Member & volunteer at First Base Foundation, a Non-Profit organization which provides sports opportunities for high school students.