Faculty
Adam Serda, MS
DSPS Counselor
Contact/Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM,
Tuesday 9:00AM - 7:00PM, Thursday 9:00AM - 4:00PM & Friday 8:00AM - 12:30PM
(818) 364-7734.
Responsibilities:
I am a full time counselor for Disabled Students Programs and Services. My responsibilities include reviewing documents for disability verification, assisting students with selecting campus accommodations, and academic advising.
Brief Bio:
My education includes a MS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, BS in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Architecture, AA in Math and Science and an AA in Business Administration. I have been counseling community college students for 14 years. I have worked in the following counseling departments: General Counseling, Disabled Student Programs and Services, Extended Opportunity Program and Services, Veterans, Online students, and high school college enrichment programs.
Robert Schwartz, LCSW, Disability Specialist/Instructor
Contact/Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30AM - 5:00PM & Wednesdays 11:00AM - 7:00PM.
(818) 364-7620
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate interpreter services
- Review verification of disability and approve appropriate accommodations.
- Provide educational services and access for eligible disabled students.
- Provide registration assistance.
- Coordinate and supervise tutors.
Brief bio:
My previous work experience was providing brief psychotherapy to Mission College and San Fernando High School students for 3 years through NEVHC. For 6 years prior, I was a psychiatric social worker for area college and high school students at a clinic in Van Nuys.
After graduate school I worked as a social worker in elementary and high schools, and in psychiatric hospitals.
Lauren Franco, MS
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies ASL Interpreting and my Masters degree in Counseling from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
Brief bio:
I have extensive experience working as a professional interpreter since 2015. I began my career in the field of college counseling in 2018 when I started working at CSUN providing academic and career advisement to students majoring in Deaf Studies. I moved onto worked at Los Angeles Pierce College as a counseling assistant providing career and transfer support to students. I am happy to be here at Mission College as the Disability Specialist.
Adrian Gonzalez, Inst. Assistant, Assistive Technology
Contact/Hours: Mondays to Fridays: 8:00AM - 4:30PM.
(818) 833-3313
Responsibilities:
Demonstrates usage of Assistive Technology and Adaptive Technology for DSPS, Textbook conversion to any format such as MP3, Kurzweil 3000, Large print, Daisy. I work closely with DSP&S counselors and helping with appropriate accommodations. I am bilingual in Spanish and American Sign Language. I provide placement testing for discovering academic skills level. I assist students with the financial aid application process. I provide consultation to campus administrators for related assistive technology accommodations.
Brief Bio:
I received certification as an Assistive Technologist from Cal State Northridge University. My present position is working at Los Angeles Mission College as an Instructional Assistant/Assistive Technologist. I regularly attend conferences and workshops facilitated by the State Chancellor’s Office of High Tech Training Center Unit in Cupertino, CA. I also attend CAPED conventions annually. In addition, I have recently been appointed to the Executive Board of the California Association of Post Secondary Education on Disability CAPED as their Historian. I have also been appointed to the ADA Advisory Committee for the LACCD.
Every semester I coordinate local High School visits to LAMC for a DSP&S orientation and invite various disciplines. I coordinate opportunities for college departments to showcase their courses as well as a campus tour for recruitment purposes. I provide campus-wide awareness of ADA Accessible Document Training. I coordinate tutoring orientation for the campus library tutoring programs. I regularly assist Dr. Larry Resendez with on-going programs and projects for DSPS students. I have been appointed to the following committees: Distance Education Committee and the ADA Advisory Committee. I am especially proud of the amazing opportunity of implementing and coordinating an annual LACCD Disability Summit since October 2015 for over 350 district wide attendees.