Board of Advisors
Erin Spaulding
Evan G. Vourazeris
Evan G. Vourazeris
Erin Spaulding is the current President of the Achilles Connecticut Chapter. Starting as a volunteer leader, she began working for Achilles International as part-time regional director in 2014.
Erin first joined Achilles in 2012 as an athlete, following a traumatic brain, neck and shoulder injury she sustained in 2010. A life-long athlete
Erin Spaulding is the current President of the Achilles Connecticut Chapter. Starting as a volunteer leader, she began working for Achilles International as part-time regional director in 2014.
Erin first joined Achilles in 2012 as an athlete, following a traumatic brain, neck and shoulder injury she sustained in 2010. A life-long athlete, Erin was an avid runner and triathlete at the time of her accident. She used her determination as an athlete in her recovery at Gaylord Hospital, re-learning how to coordinate her walking-and later running. Joining Gaylord’s Adaptive Sports Association and Achilles gave her back that piece of her life which she thought was gone forever. She became the President of the Connecticut Chapter to pay it forward to other individuals facing similar adversity.
Her story and accomplishments with Achilles International have been featured in local media here in CT, in the Cigna GO YOU! campaign (The Road Home), and Runner’s World Magazine (June 2013). In 2015 she was named to the Aiello Inspiration Team for the Eversource Hartford Marathon. Erin was also a finalist in Nike’s ‘Nominate Your Nike’, and a recipient of the Frederick DeLuca Community Service award.
A graduate of Boston College (BA) and Boston University’s Wheelock College (MS), Erin worked professionally as a child life specialist in hospitals in Boston and Connecticut for prior to joining Achilles International. She is active in her community, and volunteers her time and professional expertise with various boards and organizations.
Evan G. Vourazeris
Evan G. Vourazeris
Evan G. Vourazeris
Evan G. Vourazeris plays “Tuck” on Netflix’s hit series ‘Ozark’. He began his acting career in 2017 on Jason Bateman’s widely well received show and has been a recurring character for it’s first 2 seasons. His love of acting came from watching movies with his father and the well placed suggestion from a friend that he should put his talen
Evan G. Vourazeris plays “Tuck” on Netflix’s hit series ‘Ozark’. He began his acting career in 2017 on Jason Bateman’s widely well received show and has been a recurring character for it’s first 2 seasons. His love of acting came from watching movies with his father and the well placed suggestion from a friend that he should put his talent to good use. He immersed himself in the local film world and in spite of various obstacles never gave up on his dream to be on a film production with speaking lines. The experience on Ozark fueled his confidence and his engaging manner and ability to relate to people sparked a new desire to reach out and inspire others.Since 2013 Evan has visited schools, churches, and sports events throughout Texas and has spoken to over 500,000 kids and families about bullying, cyberbullying and other subjects that empower.
Evan is regularly invited to speak on radio talk shows, promoting not only his role as Tuck but his view that everyone is important and has a God given talent and that with hard work, regardless of the obstacles or disabilities, anyone can make a difference in the world.
“My message is simple, stay strong, never give up and go for your dream!” -Evan
Delphine Andrews
Evan G. Vourazeris
Delphine Andrews
Delphine Andrews is a communications professional who has spent the bulk of her career working in the non-profit sector. As someone with a disability, she has a lifetime of lived experience in diversity, inclusion, equity and access. She recently launched a blog entitled Driving Toward Thriving to reflect on her own personal journey with
Delphine Andrews is a communications professional who has spent the bulk of her career working in the non-profit sector. As someone with a disability, she has a lifetime of lived experience in diversity, inclusion, equity and access. She recently launched a blog entitled Driving Toward Thriving to reflect on her own personal journey with a physical disability, anxiety and depression. It is about accepting and loving herself through all the challenges and triumphs and doing so in an often inaccessible world. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a concentration in Visual Communications/Graphic Design, Minor in Creative Writing, from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts with a concentration in Strategic Communications from UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. As her voice and message continue to grow and evolve, she looks forward to more broadly speaking her truth and working toward change.
Deborah Dorfman
Cassandra Jeyaram
Delphine Andrews
Deborah Dorfman brings almost thirty years of disability rights legal advocacy to her role as Executive Director at Disability Rights Connecticut. Immediately prior to coming to Connecticut, she served as a managing attorney at the Northwest Justice Project, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, where she and her colleagues established a
Deborah Dorfman brings almost thirty years of disability rights legal advocacy to her role as Executive Director at Disability Rights Connecticut. Immediately prior to coming to Connecticut, she served as a managing attorney at the Northwest Justice Project, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, where she and her colleagues established a statewide, free special education legal clinic for low-income families with students with disabilities. There she also provided legal representation to individuals with disabilities on issues concerning housing discrimination and access to Medicaid-covered services. Before working at NJP she was a senior attorney at the Center for Public Representation (CPR) in Northampton, Massachusetts. There she provided technical legal assistance to the national Protection and Advocacy network. Along with her colleagues at CPR, she also co-counseled class action litigation with Disability Rights Texas and a private firm in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice to advocate for community services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in, or at risk of admission to, Texas’ nursing facilities.
Cassandra Jeyaram
Cassandra Jeyaram
Cassandra Jeyaram
Cassandra Jeyaram is director of resource assessments and eligibility at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia and South Carolina. She was previously a principal in Liquid Media Consulting, which provided clients with marketing services, including communication strategies and campaigns. She was also social marketing and promotions manager at I
Cassandra Jeyaram is director of resource assessments and eligibility at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia and South Carolina. She was previously a principal in Liquid Media Consulting, which provided clients with marketing services, including communication strategies and campaigns. She was also social marketing and promotions manager at IHG, where she built its global social media program. Jeyayam has also been vice president of eBusiness for SunTrust Banks and internet marketing administrator for SouthTrust Bank. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama and a PhD in communication law from the University of North Carolina.
Richard Ramsey
Cassandra Jeyaram
Cassandra Jeyaram
Richard Ramsey is an innovator and product developer at Nike. He is responsible for the creation of new technologies revolving around ease of entry, ease of securing, and adaptation. He actively participates in meetings with Product Creation during all phases of the development process and execute the decision-making process that leads to
Richard Ramsey is an innovator and product developer at Nike. He is responsible for the creation of new technologies revolving around ease of entry, ease of securing, and adaptation. He actively participates in meetings with Product Creation during all phases of the development process and execute the decision-making process that leads to on-time product confirmation, under budget product and on-time delivery. He helps plan and execute development according to critical dates and I ensure manufacturability of product concepts and utilize footwear knowledge and tools to effectively and appropriately achieve project objectives. Ramsey has been at Nike since May 2012. He holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Arizona State University.
Our staff
Chris Roush
Aaron (AJ) Roberts
Dave Stevens
Dean of the School of Communications
Chris Roush is the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University. He previously spent 17 years at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he was Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor, senior associate dean, and director of the master's program. He is the author or co-author of 10 books, including
Dean of the School of Communications
Chris Roush is the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University. He previously spent 17 years at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he was Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor, senior associate dean, and director of the master's program. He is the author or co-author of 10 books, including the business journalism textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster. He has written books about Home Depot, Pacific Coast Feather Co., and Regions Financial. He is advising Ability Media, and one of his sons grew up with a learning disability.
Dave Stevens
Aaron (AJ) Roberts
Dave Stevens
Professional in Residence at Quinnipiac University
Dave Stevens is the only legless player in sports history to have played NCAA football (Augsburg University, MN) and minor league baseball (St. Paul Saints) The 7 time Emmy winning sports journalist is now a motivational speaker and television host as he nears 40 years in broadcasting (20
Professional in Residence at Quinnipiac University
Dave Stevens is the only legless player in sports history to have played NCAA football (Augsburg University, MN) and minor league baseball (St. Paul Saints) The 7 time Emmy winning sports journalist is now a motivational speaker and television host as he nears 40 years in broadcasting (20 with ESPN). The father of 3 teen boys is a Professional in Residence at Quinnipiac University, and oversees the new Ability Media initiative at the college to teach media and production to disabled students and create job opportunities and careers.
Aaron (AJ) Roberts
Aaron (AJ) Roberts
Aaron (AJ) Roberts
Operations Manager/Director
Aaron (AJ) Roberts is an undergraduate at Quinnipiac University, in the Film, Television, and Media Arts, BFA, program, set to graduate a Masters in Cinematic Production Management in the 4+1 Program at QU. Throughout his time at Quinnipiac, AJ holds many leadership roles at the university. Not only is he Opera
Operations Manager/Director
Aaron (AJ) Roberts is an undergraduate at Quinnipiac University, in the Film, Television, and Media Arts, BFA, program, set to graduate a Masters in Cinematic Production Management in the 4+1 Program at QU. Throughout his time at Quinnipiac, AJ holds many leadership roles at the university. Not only is he Operations Manager here at Ability Media, he is also President of the Fishing Club, and Head Engineer of Q30 Television, the award winning student run television station. AJ is super excited help launch Ability Media into the Mainstream!
Alena Galan
Ephemia Nicolakis
Aaron (AJ) Roberts
Multimedia Host
Alena Galan, living with a rare disease, has beat all odds! Alena is an accomplished singer and songwriter who advocates. Performed at Carnegie Hall, interned at CBS 2 News, starred on a TLC Reality show, the camera continues to be her life and home. Alena even completed her undergraduate in Marketing with Communications al
Multimedia Host
Alena Galan, living with a rare disease, has beat all odds! Alena is an accomplished singer and songwriter who advocates. Performed at Carnegie Hall, interned at CBS 2 News, starred on a TLC Reality show, the camera continues to be her life and home. Alena even completed her undergraduate in Marketing with Communications along with her MBA in the 3+1 program. She will continue to make a difference in the lives of other people by bridging the world of work to inspire with her passion and dream to work in the television and entertainment industry. Continuing to climb the ladder of hard work with perseverance, and being the possibilitarian that she is, standing tall at 4’3” as big things do come in smaller package, she knows she will succeed!
Ephemia Nicolakis
Ephemia Nicolakis
Ephemia Nicolakis
Public Relations and Web Manager
Ephemia Nicolakis is in her second year of the 3+1 program at Quinnipiac University. She is a double major in Graphic Design and Public Relations. She has been an active advocate and friend for individuals with disabilities, as her sister has Epilepsy and Autism. When Ephe is not at school, you can probably
Public Relations and Web Manager
Ephemia Nicolakis is in her second year of the 3+1 program at Quinnipiac University. She is a double major in Graphic Design and Public Relations. She has been an active advocate and friend for individuals with disabilities, as her sister has Epilepsy and Autism. When Ephe is not at school, you can probably find her taking photos for her photography business, Ephemiamaria!
Deveney Paine
Ephemia Nicolakis
Ephemia Nicolakis
Web & Graphics Designer
Entering their sophomore year as an Advertising and Graphic Design 3+1 student, Deveney Paine has already finished multiple internships and professional design work, including logos, website design, and content creation. Armed with the experiences of their family and themselves, they are dedicated to advocating for
Web & Graphics Designer
Entering their sophomore year as an Advertising and Graphic Design 3+1 student, Deveney Paine has already finished multiple internships and professional design work, including logos, website design, and content creation. Armed with the experiences of their family and themselves, they are dedicated to advocating for disabled people across the country. When they're not in class, you can find them researching for their myth-busting weekly radio show, Textbook Tales, or managing the Game Club as its PR Lead and Secretary.
Melina Khan
Grace McGuire
Melina Khan
Digital Publication & LinkedIn Coordinator
Melina Khan is a reporter with an apt for engaging audiences through the interlacing of words. She is currently studying journalism and media studies at Quinnipiac University. On campus, she is a peer catalyst, School of Communications ambassador and associate news editor of The Quinnipiac Chronic
Digital Publication & LinkedIn Coordinator
Melina Khan is a reporter with an apt for engaging audiences through the interlacing of words. She is currently studying journalism and media studies at Quinnipiac University. On campus, she is a peer catalyst, School of Communications ambassador and associate news editor of The Quinnipiac Chronicle. Post-graduation, she hopes to work as a reporter for a digital publication covering underrepresented communities. Passionate about increasing representation in the media industry, Khan is excited to be working with Ability Media and contributing original reporting for its website this semester.
Will Dean
Grace McGuire
Melina Khan
Writer/Reporter
Will Dean is a senior Journalism Major at Quinnipiac, with interests in the communications field running much wider than the old world of ink and paper publications. Will works as a reporter, cinematographer and content creator for Ability Media. On campus, he hosts The Friday Factor on WQAQ 98.1 FM and writes for The Quinn
Writer/Reporter
Will Dean is a senior Journalism Major at Quinnipiac, with interests in the communications field running much wider than the old world of ink and paper publications. Will works as a reporter, cinematographer and content creator for Ability Media. On campus, he hosts The Friday Factor on WQAQ 98.1 FM and writes for The Quinnipiac Chronicle on occasion. After graduation, Will aims to break into the world of news broadcasting.
Grace McGuire
Grace McGuire
Gabriela Álvares
Anchor & Reporter
Grace McGuire is an undergraduate student at Quinnipiac. She is in her second year of the 3+1 communications program which will allow her to earn her BA in journalism in 2023 and her MS in journalism in 2024. She uses her cerebral palsy disability to her advantage by reporting and producing content for Ability Media. She
Anchor & Reporter
Grace McGuire is an undergraduate student at Quinnipiac. She is in her second year of the 3+1 communications program which will allow her to earn her BA in journalism in 2023 and her MS in journalism in 2024. She uses her cerebral palsy disability to her advantage by reporting and producing content for Ability Media. She is also a part of the university’s honors program and the Q30 newscast. Currently, she is an intern for the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio in which she edits and produces for the podcast “Baffled.”
Gabriela Álvares
Gabriela Álvares
Gabriela Álvares
Accessibility Coordinator
Gabriela Álvares is a Communications Major in her junior year at Quinnipiac University. She will graduate in 2022 with a master's degree in Public Relations with a specialization in Social Media. In addition to being a full-time student, she also works in the Admissions Office as a tour guide. After graduation, sh
Accessibility Coordinator
Gabriela Álvares is a Communications Major in her junior year at Quinnipiac University. She will graduate in 2022 with a master's degree in Public Relations with a specialization in Social Media. In addition to being a full-time student, she also works in the Admissions Office as a tour guide. After graduation, she aspires to be an ambassador, advocate, voice, and public speaker for Learning Differences. Her goal is to be an educator on the subject as she is Dyslexic. She plans to impact and break stigmas and misunderstandings surrounding learning differences with her personal experience.
Fiona Stevens
Gabriela Álvares
Tayla Castonguay
Social Media Coordinator
Fiona Stevens is currently working on her B.A. in Film, Television, and Media Arts as well as her M.A.T. in Elementary Education at Quinnipiac University. She hopes to go into children's educational programming and create content for kids who don't see themselves on the screen. As Social Media Director of Ability M
Social Media Coordinator
Fiona Stevens is currently working on her B.A. in Film, Television, and Media Arts as well as her M.A.T. in Elementary Education at Quinnipiac University. She hopes to go into children's educational programming and create content for kids who don't see themselves on the screen. As Social Media Director of Ability Media, Fiona hopes to promote connections across the diabled community and foster a movement for more disabled representation in the media.
Tayla Castonguay
Gabriela Álvares
Tayla Castonguay
Production Coordinator
Talya Castonguay is a third year Film and Media Studies double major in the 3+1 communications program at Quinnipiac University. She is a co-founder and the inaugural vice president of the Quinnipiac Women in Film Coalition and a student ambassador for the school of communication. She hopes to work to change the ster
Production Coordinator
Talya Castonguay is a third year Film and Media Studies double major in the 3+1 communications program at Quinnipiac University. She is a co-founder and the inaugural vice president of the Quinnipiac Women in Film Coalition and a student ambassador for the school of communication. She hopes to work to change the stereotypes within the film industry by writing and creating inclusive content.
Justin Janosen
Justin Janosen
Justin Janosen
Title
Bio
Robert Fritz
Justin Janosen
Justin Janosen
Title
Robert Fritz is a senior Media Studies major at Quinnipiac, with interests in sports, social media, and content creation. He hopes to get into the sports field whether it is as a journalist or in an on-camera position. Robert who was born with NF1 hopes to bring awareness to the disease. He will be taking the role as a sports produce
Title
Robert Fritz is a senior Media Studies major at Quinnipiac, with interests in sports, social media, and content creation. He hopes to get into the sports field whether it is as a journalist or in an on-camera position. Robert who was born with NF1 hopes to bring awareness to the disease. He will be taking the role as a sports producer and will work in the social media department at Ability Media.