Educational Assistance Center (EAC)
Coordinator
Patty Wendt: Patty has been a counselor in the EAC since 1996 and now serves as the EAC Coordinator. Patty has expertise in rehabilitation counseling as well as academic counseling. Patty is an advocate for determining appropriate support services and community resources for students with disabilities, while encouraging each student to be an advocate for his/her self. She serves as a Mentor for new Coordinators through the Chancellors Office CAPED Mentoring Program and assists with Title V committees.
Counselors
Maria Reyes-Sanchez: Maria joined the EAC Counseling TEAM in March, 2014 after working as a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for 16-years. She has a Masters in Counseling and Vocational Rehabilitation Administration Certificate from SDSU. She earned a BA at UCSB were she was a student-athlete. She has worked as a Disability Specialist and Workers Compensation Specialist for the State of CA, and coached Volleyball at CSUN. She is bilingual (Spanish/English) and bicultural. She believes in the power of education and takes pride in assisting each student to achieve his or her vocational, academic, and career goals.
Mario Rivera Cebollero: Mario joined the EAC as a full time counselor, April 2015. Mario has many years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, advocacy, support, and community services, including 29 years with the California Department of Rehabilitation assisting individuals with disabilities reach their potential. Mario has a BA in Political Science and MPA from Cal State Long Beach, and a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University. He and his family have been residents of the City of Ventura for the past 23 years. Mario is excited to be part of the EAC and VC community and is looking forward to assisting our students obtain and realize their academic and vocational goals, and aspirations.
Learning Disability (LD) Specialists
Leah Quiroz: Leah joined the team at the EAC as a Learning Disabilities Specialist in February, 2016. Leah was a Learning Disabilities Specialist at UCLA’s Office for Students with Disabilities for 5 years. She has her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a licensed clinical psychologist. Leah has experience working with various disability groups including students with Learning Disabilities, ADHD, psychological disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and students on the Autism spectrum. Through learning disability assessments and Learning Skills Classes Leah helps students identify their strengths and challenges in the academic environment and she develops strategies to help her students be successful.
Maya Evashkovsky: Maya joined the EAC team as a Learning Disabilities Specialist in 2024, bringing with her extensive experience as an educator. She has dedicated many years to supporting students with disabilities in both K-12 schools and higher education. Maya holds a PhD in Special Education from UCLA and previously coordinated the Extensive Support Needs Teaching Credential program at California State University, Los Angeles. She is enthusiastic about applying her expertise in learning and teaching at Ventura College and her community. Maya is passionate about helping students identify their strengths, advocating for their needs, and guiding them toward academic and personal success.
Assistive Computer Technology Specialist
Steve Turner: Steve Turner is an integral part of the EAC faculty team working in the Assistive Computer area. Steve's background with the Department of Rehabilitation & Other Human Service Agencies compliments his expertise in assistive technology which makes him a leader on the campus of applying principles of universal design to the Ventura College Basic Skills program. He also instructs assistive technology, cognitive diverse learning and our EAC job seeking skills courses. So, whether it's office skills, social and personal skills or finding a job pathway through a pass/no pass class, check the evolving schedule. Steve also heads up the innovative cognitive achievement network ICAN Certificate of Completion that helps students with intellectual disabilities develop foundational skills towards work.
Disability Services Technician
Cathy Mundy: Cathy Mundy coordinates all registration and data tracking functions for the EAC. She provides comprehensive services for students in the office.
Student Services Assistant
Mackenzie Flanagan: Mackenzie joined the EAC as a Student Services Assistant in December 2023. She proctors accommodated exams and assists students with their daily needs and inquiries. Mackenzie earned her BA in Psychology from CSUB and brings with her five years of experience working directly with DSPS students at Bakersfield College. In her spare time, Mackenzie loves to bake sweet treats and play with her enormous husky, named Loki! She has a great passion for the disability and mental health fields and looks forward to working with Ventura College's EAC students, assisting them in any way she can!
Alternate Media Specialist
William Slason: After working in the Bakersfield College DSPS Office for three years, William came home to Ventura in September 2022, promptly joining the Ventura College EAC as our new Alternate Media Specialist. He earned his BA at UC Berkeley and has been actively working to support college students with disabilities ever since. William is legally blind and understands firsthand how accessibility services are essential to our students and their academic success. As such, he finds great fulfillment in serving his local disabled community and looks forward to working alongside each and every one of you.
Interpreter Specialist
Lisa Elsousou: Lisa, a proud VC alum, has joined the EAC team as the Interpreter Specialist. After earning a B.A. Degree in American Sign Language Linguistics & Interpreting from CSULB, Lisa went on to become a Nationally Certified Interpreter through Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID NIC). She has provided interpreting services throughout Orange and Ventura Counties for over 6 years, gaining experience in K-12 and Postsecondary education, among various other settings. With this experience, certification, education, and years of involvement in the Deaf community, Lisa aims to support d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in reaching their academic goals while creating a Deaf-friendly environment at Ventura College.