Kimberly McKeown
Director
kimberly.mckeown@yale.edu
(she/her)
Kim joined Yale as SAS’ director in 2021. Previously, she was part of the University of Connecticut’s Center for Students with Disabilities team, where, in addition to her own caseload, she supervised regional campus coordinators and the accommodations and assistive technology teams, as well as oversaw center outreach activities. Kim has also led projects and programs for state government, education, and healthcare, and taught high school. Kim received her M.A. from Chapman University and B.A. from Biola University. When not working, she enjoys time with her family and friends – at the beach, traveling, and playing and watching sports.
Jordan Colbert
Associate Director for Assistive Technology
jordan.colbert@yale.edu
(he/him)
Jordan joined SAS in 2021. Hailing from South Jersey, he identifies as and is proud to be a biracial first-generation and low-income graduate. He received his B.A in Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC). He started in disability services in 2015 as a Graduate Counselor and transitioned to working as an Assistive Technology Specialist for USC in 2017. Prior to working in the field of accessibility, Jordan served as a psychotherapist with high school students and provided Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to substance abuse populations. At Yale, he oversees the Student-workers for Technology and Accessible Resource Services (STARS) Team, which coordinates the delivery, training, and accessibility for assistive technology solutions. Outside of his role, Jordan can often be found debating philosophy with friends, traveling, and watching professional sports.
Jordan directly provides accommodations for students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Jackson Institute.
Jaclyn Moriarty
Associate Director for Accommodations
jaclyn.moriarty@yale.edu
(she/her)
Jackie joined SAS in early 2022. She received her B.A in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University and a M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Saint Joseph. She began working in Disability Services in 2015 at Eastern Connecticut State University’s Office of Accessibility Services as a graduate student and later as a professional staff member, conducting intakes, supervising the support program designed to foster executive functioning skills and assist students with the adjustment to the college environment. In 2016, Jackie joined UConn’s Center for Student’s with Disabilities as their Accommodations Coordinator where she over saw the exam administration process, peer notetaking process, course modification process, and managed a team of professional staff and graduate student employees. At Yale, Jackie serves a caseload of students and oversees the exam administration process in the SAS office. Outside of her role at Yale, Jackie enjoys reading and writing, hiking, going to Maine, and spending time with her friends, cats, and horses!
Jackie works with students in Timothy Dwight and Pierson Colleges.
Susan Olson
Associate Director
susan.olson@yale.edu
(she/her)
Susan Olson DIV’93 joined SAS in 2019 after fifteen years in student affairs work elsewhere at Yale. She has a Master of Divinity from Yale, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Michigan State and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Illinois. Outside of the office, Susan is a fellow and college advisor in Branford College (go squirrels!) In her spare time she enjoys singing, swimming, reading, volunteering for New Haven Reads and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and spending time with her cats, college-aged daughter, and other family members.
Susan works with students in Morse, Ezra Stiles, Branford, Silliman, Davenport, Berkeley, and Trumbull Colleges. She also works with the David Geffen School of Drama, and the schools of Music and Art. She serves as advisor to the PL program for SAS and for the Good Life Center at SAS. She represents SAS on the Accessibility Committee for the Yale Center for British Art.
Emily Sears
Assistant Director
emily.sears@yale.edu
(she/her)
Emily joined SAS in early 2023. She received her B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies as well as her M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She began working at the Center for Students with Disabilities at UConn as a Graduate Assistant in 2018 and later as a permanent employee where she engaged in student intakes, accommodation provision, and exam administration. At Yale, Emily works with a caseload of students as well. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, taking her dog for walks, and spending time with friends and family- especially when dining out!
Emily works with students in Jonathan Edwards, Saybrook, Grace Hopper, Ben Franklin, Pauli Murray, and the School of Environment.
Shami Tarlanov
Associate Director
shamshir.tarlanov@yale.edu
(he/him)
Shami joined SAS in 2021. He works with Yale College, graduate and professional students. Prior to joining SAS, Shami worked as an Access Advisor for the Disability Resource Center at Missouri State University where he specialized in working with Deaf and hard of hearing students. Shami also served as an Assistant Coordinator of Disability Resources at Washington University. He earned a MSW from Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis (go Bears!) and a BA from Baku Eurasia University. He grew up in Baku, capital city of Azerbaijan and identified as a first-generation student. Outside of work, Shami enjoys cooking (trying different fish recipes), hiking and spending time with his friends.
Shami works with students in the Health Science Education programs and School of Management.
Katherine Fahey
Accommodations Specialist
katherine.fahey@yale.edu
(she/her)
Katherine (Kappy) joined the Yale team in 2024 as a part-time Accommodation Specialist. (SAS). Working remotely from Chicago, Kappy coordinates accommodations for Yale College students with temporary access needs such as transportation, academic adjustments for concussions or injuries. She also meets with YC students who are interested in discussing challenges they are experiencing and potential support from SAS.
Kappy has worked in the field of Accessibility Services in higher education for over 26 years. Most recently she has worked for various universities in a consulting role as an Accommodation Specialist. Prior to that, Kappy served as the Deputy Director from the University of Chicago and was the Director of Student Disability Services at Cornell for 12 years.
Kappy received an MS and BS in Education from Ohio University. Outside of work, Kappy is often spending time with her grandchildren, cooking (and eating!), and walking along the lakefront trail in Chicago.
Administrative Support
Carolyn Barrett
Senior Administrative Assistant
carolyn.barrett@yale.edu
(she/her)
Carolyn is the Sr. Administrative Assistant of the office and serves as the principal source of information to students and staff. She schedules and coordinates meetings and appointments for all office staff. Outside of work, Carolyn enjoys spending time with her family, at church and with her grandson RJ.