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Faculty and Staff

Our professional and support staff members have an average of more than 15 years at WMU. Many are WMU alumni and some have served as adjunct members of the faculty at WMU and other colleges.

Our staff members hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees earned at some of the nation’s leading colleges and universities. Some have more than 30 years of professional and management experience in communications at public and private colleges, media outlets and corporations.

	James Leja Professor and Chair B. S., M.S., Western Michigan University Rh.D., Southern Illinois University (269) 387-2645 james.leja@wmich.edu Expertise:
	Gayla Dennis Office Coordinator (269) 387-3456 g.dennis@wmich.edu
	Jeannyne Depoian Office Associate (269) 387-3868 jeannyne.depoian@wmich.edu

	David Guth Professor B.S., Eastern Michigan University M. A., University of Michigan Ph.D., Special Education, Vanderbilt University, 1986 (269) 387-3446 david.guth@wmich.edu Expertise: Factors affecting the travel of pedestrians with visual impairments; nonvisual perception; perceptual-motor coordination.
	Dae Kim Assistant Professor B.A. Economics, Yonsei University M.A. Orientation & Mobility, Western Michigan University Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Western Michigan University (269) 387-3447 dae.kim@wmich.edu Expertise: Factors affecting cane performance; factors affecting blind pedestrians' access to complex intersections.
	Donna Brostek Lee Assistant Professor B.S. Special Education (Blind/Visually Impaired)/ Elementary Education, Western Michigan University M.A. Orientation and Mobility, Western Michigan University (269) 387-5944 donna.b.lee@wmich.edu Expertise: Sleep problems in young children who are blind, early childhood topics for the blind including O&M and phonological awareness, and Electronic Travel Aids (ETAs).
	Helen Lee Assistant Professor B.F.A., Center for Creative Studies M.A., Wayne State M.A., Western Michigan University Ed.D, Western Michigan University (269) 387-3448 helen.lee@wmich.edu Expertise: Low vision, rehabilitation teaching, orientation and mobility, and travel instruction for individuals with disabilities other than blindness.
	Richard Long Professor and Associate Dean, CHHS B.A., M.S., Tennessee Ph.D., Special Education, Vanderbilt University (269) 387-3451 richard.long@wmich.edu Expertise: Factors affecting travel and wayfinding, and evaluation of program outcome.
	Monica Orsolini , Office Associate Phone: (269) 387-8395 Email:
	Doris Ravotas Assistant Professor B.A. Psychology, Olivet Nazarene College M.A. Guidance and Counseling, Adams State College Ph.D. Rhetoric and Technical Communications, Michigan Technological University (269) 387-8370 doris.ravotas@wmich.edu Expertise: Communication of health care professionals; program assessment.
	Catherine Wall Emerson , Faculty Specialist I B.A., Psychology, Concordia University M.Ed., Educational Psychology, McGill University Phone: (269) 387-8476 Email: Expertise:Orientation & mobility, electronic travel aids; in particular the BrailleNote GPS, and dog guide travel.
	Robert Wall Emerson Associate Professor B.Ed., University of Manitoba M.S., University of North Dakota Ph.D., Vanderbilt University (269) 387-3072 robert.wall@wmich.edu Expertise: Orientation and mobility of people who are blind or have low vision.
	Jennipher Wiebold Assistant Professor B.S., M.A., Minnesota (Mankato) Ph.D., Rehabilitation Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1999 (269) 387-3459 jennipher.wiebold@wmich.edu Expertise: Employment, independent living, and quality of life factors among individuals with disabilities.

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