Courtney Meyer
Former teacher Shani Feyen recentlyfound a new way to convey her love for education: working with college students who havedisabilities. Introduced to studentswith conditions ranging from Crohn's disease, to cancer, or epilepsy, the newChronic Health Ability Access Specialist must then understand the challenges eachof them are facing. With compassion, sheinteracts with students affected by conditions of a neurological, digestive, orimmunological nature, encouraging them how to think proactively about theirdisability's affect on their educational capacity and lifestyle.
Having displayed exceptional talentand character as an intern, she was appointed as the interim specialist inDecember, until a national search containing competitive interviews and apresentation about how candidates sought to impact and promote chronic healthdisabilities ended in her full time appointment in March. \I am delighted with Shani's arrival atthe RCPD. Her preparedness with degreesin secondary and post-secondary education provide an excellent foundation thatis strengthened by a positive ability-based demeanor. Her first weeks on the job are indeedvalidating our belief that she has what it takes to advance RCPD leadership inmaximizing ability and opportunity," said Director Michael Hudson.
Afterreceiving a Bachelors degree in Education from CalvinCollege, this enthusiastic Grand Rapids native knewshe wanted to pursue a Masters' degree in an additional education-relatedsubject. Having always envisionedherself working in an office similar to the Student Academic Services Centerat her college, she began making phone calls to other offices in universitiesaround the state asking which type of a graduate degree they recommended. Looking to locate something that would allowher to "engage my enthusiasm for college students and education," she chose theHigher Adult and Lifelong Education program at Michigan State University, which shecompleted in December. Her internship atthe Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities firstmade Shani "aware of the empowering resource that the RCPD is for MSU students,"and eventually compelled her to remain with the center to contribute to theimpact she admired.
Professing a strong love foranything outdoors, Shani also enjoys sports, especially ultimate Frisbee,kayaking, hiking, and playing with Sophie, her retriever. Her cheerful demeanor and enthusiasm tomeaningfully assist students are strong assets that will make her an invaluableresource for the office.