Our Team
Board of Directors & Staff
Dr. Rod Vogl
Board Chair
Dr. Vogl has a PhD in Human Experimental Psychology with an emphasis in Cognitive Processes. He has been a faculty member of CBU for the past 20 years and has served as the Chair of Behavioral Sciences from 2012 to 2018. In addition, he has served on the Student Disability Services committee for the past 26 years; the first 6 years were served at Kansas State University. He has guided the STARS program since its inception and is the Academic Advisor for the STARS’ students. In addition, he serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors to STARS, Inc.
Dr. Colby Taylor
Board Secretary
Dr. Taylor has a PhD in School Psychology. He has been a faculty member of CBU for the past 3 years. In addition, he is a licensed health services provider in the state of Tennessee. He is also a Pediatric Fellow at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. He works as a part-time psychologist at The Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities assisting in assessment and research related to Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is a highly respected autism advocate in the Memphis community, actively involved in autism awareness and fundraising efforts. He serves as the Secretary to STARS, Inc. and actively guides the STARS events and programs.
Mr. Geoff Calkins
Board Member
Geoff Calkins is the sports columnist at The Daily Memphian and the host of The Geoff Calkins Show on 92.9ESPN. Calkins has been writing about Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He’s a member of the Scripps-Howard Hall of Fame and has been named the best sports columnist in the country three times by the Associated Press Sports Editors. Calkins has three sons, one of whom — Andrew — is on the autism spectrum.
Ms. Mary Ellen Chase
Board Member
Mary Ellen Chase has a B.A. in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. She is a parent of a young adult on the Autism Spectrum. She has been involved with the disability community for a number of years and is most recently serving on the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Community Advisory Council and on the Autism Council of Tennessee. She also is active in supporting the Salvation Army of Memphis and Visible Music College.
Mr. Connor Hagen
Board Member
Connor Hagen graduated Cum Laude from Christian Brothers University (CBU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. While at CBU, beginning in his freshman year, Connor was a prominent member of STARS. By his junior year, he was a driving force of the STARS Leadership Team by serving as the Vice President for two terms. Connor’s dedication to STARS was evident when he helped STARS’ members navigate through the pandemic by implementing the change from in-person to online social events. Thanks to Connor, STARS students could still feel a sense of community even though the university was shut down or had strict regulations regarding social gatherings. Connor has truly made a difference in the lives of many students on campus. He had been on the Dean’s list most semesters and has served the university community as a math tutor. Connor currently works as a Technical Services Engineer at Epic Systems Corporation in Verona, Wisconsin.
Dr. Bruce Keisling
Board Member
Bruce Keisling is the Executive Director of the UT Center for Developmental Disabilities and holds the Shainberg Professorship in Developmental Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. As a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities, he provides clinical supervision, conducts research and partners with community stakeholders in the area of autism.
Dr. Lewis Reich
Board Member
A 1988 graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Dr. Lewis Reich completed his residency in low vision rehabilitation at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where he later joined as a faculty member and researcher. In 1991, Dr. Reich entered the graduate program in physiological optics at the University of Houston and soon after was hired there as a Research Assistant Professor. After receiving his PhD, Dr. Reich joined the faculty of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry as Associate Professor. He was Assistant Dean for Student Affairs from 2003 to 2008. In July 2008, Dr. Reich joined Southern College of Optometry as Professor and Vice President for Academic Affairs. After serving as Interim President for nine months, Dr. Reich was named President by the Board of Trustees in January 2016.
Ms. Kim Jameson
Executive Director
Ms. Jameson is the founder of STARS, Inc. and is a community leader with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a background in cognitive neuroscience. She has been a business owner, professional florist and event planner since 1990. She utilizes the skills that she has developed over her career to coach students with ASD. She provides the students tools and tips to improve their organizational skills, refocuses their attention to details, and helps to build their self-advocacy and communication skills. In addition, Kim has served on the Board of Directors and as President of several local non-profit organizations. Ms. Jameson serves as the coach to the STARS students as well as the Executive Director to STARS, Inc.
Ms. Amy Harlan
Academic Coach
Carlos Molina
President
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Lisbeth Cisneros
Vice President
Major: Health Sciences – Nursing
Melyssa Barcellos
Public Relations Chair
Major: Accounting
Ciridany Genchi
Student Ambassador
Major: Visual Arts – Art Therapy
Noah Hendree
Student Ambassador
Major: Visual Arts – Graphic Design