1. Home
2. Student Services
3. Student Accessibility Services
4. Faculty and Staff

Faculty and Staff

Following is a listing of the SAS faculty and staff and their contact information. To make a call to one of the following individuals, please dial (562) 860-2451 then the extension of the person you wish to contact.

Dean 

As the Dean of Student Accessibility and Wellness Services at Cerritos College, I'm on a mission to create a space where every student feels supported, empowered, and, of course, celebrated.

With a deep-rooted passion for advocating for students, particularly those within the disability community, I bring over 15 years of experience, including roles as Associate Director at UCLA's Center for Accessible Education and Dean of Students at Aspire Public Schools. My journey, rooted in my own experiences as a first-generation college graduate with disabilities, has led me to focus my advocacy, research, and professional work on the intersectional experiences of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color-Disabled individuals. Armed with an Ed.D. from USC's Rossier School of Education, where my research explored campus climate and belonging for students with disabilities, along with degrees from Harvard Graduate School of Education and CSU Long Beach, I'm committed to advancing informed approaches to support underrepresented students in higher education.

Whether on the radio discussing student disability experiences or presenting at conferences, including engagements with the Office of Civil Rights, I strive to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Join me in this adventure of advocacy, wellness, and a touch of humor as we work towards making Cerritos College a place where everyone thrives.

Christopher Elquizabal, Ed.D 
He|Him|el
Dean, Student Accessibility and Wellness Services
email: celquizabal@cerritos.edu
extension: 2334

---

Steven La Vigne, Ed.D.
Counselor/Associate Professor
email: slavigne@cerritos.edu
extension: 2336

Dr. Steven La Vigne has worked at Cerritos College since July 2012 where he provided Student Accessibility Services (SAS) academic counseling and academic accommodations to Students With Disabilities (SWDs). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and an additional Master’s degree in Special Education, all from Eastern Washington University. He completed his Doctoral Program in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University in March 2015. The title of his doctoral dissertation was, California Community College Administrators’ and DSPS Directors’ Perception and Understanding of Accommodating Students With Disabilities. As a result of his research, Dr. La Vigne has furthered his passion toward implementing effective change in higher education, and advocacy for the rights of students with disabilities. He is also certified as a Learning Disabilities Specialist through the California Community College Chancellor's Office. Dr. La Vigne is passionate about helping students with disabilities achieve academic success at Cerritos College, and fulfill their transfer and/or career goals.

Irving Bartikofsky, M.A.
Faculty Specialist/Instructor
email: ibartikofsky@cerritos.edu
extension: 2344

Irv is a Disability Specialist/ Instructor who has been with Cerritos College since July 2012, and possesses a wealth of experience and education. He holds a Master's degree in Special Education from California State University at Los Angeles and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He is a former Master Professor at CSULA and is a certificated Education Specialist. He specializes in Autism, Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI), Mental Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, and more. Irv oversees the SAS High Tech Center, teaches ACLR courses, and serves as a liaison and advocate on campus as well as with community agencies. He especially enjoys working individually with students with disabilities, jointly creating pathways of success via appropriate accommodations and resources.

Don Garriott, M.S.
Faculty Specialist/Associate Professor
email: dgarriott@cerritos.edu
extension: 2347

Don is a Learning Disabilities (LD) Specialist who has been with Cerritos College DSPS since April 2008. He holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from California State University, Dominguez Hills and a Master's degree in Special Education from National University. Don is a certified LD specialist through the California Community Colleges Chancellor's office. Don also teaches ACLR courses with an emphasis in Universal Design for Learning. Specialties include learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries, developmentally delayed learners, and other disabilities. Some of Don's duties include LD testing, providing accommodations for students, liaison to instructors, and the overseeing of the alternative media and High Tech Center.

Dahlene Holliness, M.A.
Counselor/Faculty Specialist
email: dwholliness@cerritos.edu
extension: 2346, VP number: 562-219-4492

Dahlene Holliness provides counseling to students from all disability groups and serves as the SAS specialist for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. She began with Cerritos College on June 15, 2015. She holds a Master's degree in educational counseling from University of Laverne and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. She has worked in various fields in both academic and social service arenas with hearing and deaf students as a professor, counselor and in specialist roles. Dahlene also has experience in career and technical education. She is fluent in American Sign Language and knowledgeable about Deaf culture. She was exposed to American Sign Language and Deaf culture through being a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and having two deaf brothers. She enjoys building positive rapports and supporting students in being successful in their academic journeys.

Rachel Martinez, M.A.
Faculty Specialist/Instructor
email: rlmartinez@cerritos.edu 
extension: 2409

Rachel Martinez is a specialist/instructor who has been with Cerritos College DSPS since July 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in music from California State University Fullerton and a Master’s degree in Education from California State University Dominguez Hills. Rachel is a certified LD Specialist through the California Community College Chancellor’s office. Rachel’s areas of specialty include learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. Prior to coming to Cerritos College, Rachel has several years of experience working with students with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. She is passionate about assisting students with disabilities with reading, writing and compensatory strategies.

Elizabeth (Liz) Page, M.A.
Counselor/Associate Professor/Department Chair
email: epage@cerritos.edu
extension: 2342

Elizabeth "Liz" Page has worked at Cerritos College since 1998 as a counselor in SAS. She holds an AA degree in General Studies from El Camino College, a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from CSU Dominguez Hills, and a Master's degree in Education with a specialization in Counseling from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She discovered her passion for counseling college students with disabilities while working as a student assistant in the Disabled Student Services department at CSU Dominguez Hills and subsequently worked part-time at several colleges and universities before obtaining her MA degree and becoming a counselor. Specialties: Liz provides counseling for students from all disability groups and serves as the program's Department Chair. 

David Rodarte, M.A.
Counselor
email:  drodarte@cerritos.edu
extension: 2466

FULL-TIME CLASSIFIED STAFF

Rocio Gutierrez
SAS Classified Specialist
email: rgutierrez@cerritos.edu
extension: 2335

Rocio has worked SAS since June of 2000, starting as an hourly employee. After graduating from Cerritos with her AA degree in General Studies, she became a full time employee for the department in 2005. Rocio has worked in various areas of SAS over the years and currently manages the main reception area of SAS. Rocio is very knowledgeable about the programs and services available through SAS as well as the Cerritos College admissions process.

Veronica Gutierrez
SAS Classified Specialist
email: vgutierrez@cerritos.edu
extension: 2337

Veronica has worked at Cerritos College for over 15 years, 10 of which have been for SAS in a variety of capacities. She attained her Associate's degree at Cerritos College, and a Bachelor's degree in Ethnic & Cultural Studies from Cal State Fullerton. Veronica currently oversees the test proctoring center, and is responsible for the hiring of in-class aides for many of our SAS students.

Janice O'Neal, MSW
SAS Classified Specialist
email: joneal@cerritos.edu
extension: 2354

Janice has worked at Cerritos College since 2008, and has been with SAS since July, 2011. She assists with department planning and administrative functions, new student applications and orientations, and coordination of alternate media. In addition, Janice is an Adjunct Counselor, and has taught ACLR 90, Orientation for Students with Disabilities. Janice has a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from USC, and has worked with both adults and children with a wide range of social, medical, and disability-related issues for more than two decades. Janice enjoys working with students, and partnering with faculty and staff to improve the educational environment for all.

Nadia Benavidez
SAS Classified Specialist
email: nbenavidez@cerritos.edu
extension: 2542

Nadia has worked in Student Accessibility Services since 2006. She attended Cerritos College and attained an AA degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. She became a Full-Time Classified employee in 2015. Nadia has worked in various SAS areas including the front desk and testing center. Currently, she assists the department's Dean.

Tonee Burdick, M.S.
SAS Classified Specialist 
email: tburdick@cerritos.edu
extension: 2341

Tonee started with Cerritos College in July 2018. Prior to accepting a full-time position with Cerritos, she worked part-time in DSPS at Long Beach City College for 5 years where she provided testing accommodation services. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Counseling, option in Rehabilitation Counseling, from California State University Los Angeles. Her ultimate goal is to become a full-time DSPS Counselor to provide academic services to students with disabilities.

April Shin
SAS Program Assistant
email: ayshin@cerritos.edu
VP: (562) 219-4466

April has worked for SAS since November 2015. She coordinates Alternate Media, oversees the High Tech Center, and Assistive Technology Training. She attained her Associate's degree at El Camino College and her Bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge.

Robin Taylor, M.A., C.T.
SAS Communication Services Coordinator
email: rtaylor@cerritos.edu
extension: 2352

Robin has headed the Communication Team at Cerritos College SAS since July 2020. She supervises and coordinates Sign Language Interpreters and Realtime Captioners working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students. Robin has a Master of Linguistics degree from CSUN as well as two BA degrees in Linguistics and Deaf Studies. She worked as an educational interpreter since 1994 and was an instructor at CSUN for their First Year Experiences program. Robin enjoys working with students and service providers to ensure an atmosphere where all can grow and learn.

---

Adrienne Sanchez, M.A., Ed.S.
Adjunct Counselor
email: asanchez@cerritos.edu

Adrienne is a part-time Counselor in SAS. She holds a Master's degree in Educational Psychology from Chapman University and a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from Long Beach State. She was a School Psychologist before she began her work in higher education in 2010. She works closely with the Cerritos Complete Program to onboard first-time college students with disabilities into SAS so that they can access the accommodations they need to be successful. Adrienne enjoys building relationships with local high schools to inform and educate transitioning students about the services SAS offers. She is also happy to provide in-class presentations about SAS to Cerritos College students. Contact her for more information!

 

Tim Kyllingstad
Assistive Technology/Senior Accessibility Compliance Specialist
email: tkyllingstad@cerritos.edu
extension: 2168

April Shin
SAS Program Assistant
email: ayshin@cerritos.edu
VP: (562)219-4676

Jennifer O'Connor
Instructor, Physical Education/Athletics
Send email to Jennifer O'Connor
extension: 2875