The members of the Residential Pilot Program have been tasked with the responsibility of building out the vision of our residential practicum.  This will include everything from identifying safety requirements, securing housing, building community collaborations, recruiting volunteers, securing buildout funding, finalizing admission requirements, and identifying our pilot student participants. If you are interested in participating in a subcommittee, please contact us at the email or phone number below.  We are pleased to introduce you to our members! 

Dr. Ann Sjulin - Chair

 Ann is an OB/GYN physician with Mid-City OB/GYN. She and her husband David, who is an ENT physician with BoysTown ENT, have three daughters – their youngest, Jacki, is on the autism spectrum. Being in the medical community Ann and Dave both thought there would be more answers when their daughter was struggling with school. It was not only difficult to make the diagnosis; it was a rough road maneuvering how to best help Jacki. When Ann found out about NTC she was anxious to become a part of helping other families and their kids find ways to succeed after graduation from high school.

Audrey Woita - Facilitator 

 Audrey Woita has a passion for people with special abilities and her mission is to create successful learning pathways into local businesses. Incorporating adults with special abilities into the workforce requires a dedicated conduit to create and maintain sustainable relationships. Audrey has successfully proven this model over the past two years as a Project Lead at No More Empty Pots. Her partnership with Mosaic has given clients amazing opportunities including assisting in a garden downtown and helping in multiple areas at the No More Empty Pots Food Hub in Florence. This model allowed an introduction to gardening, cooking skills, communication skills and integrating them into the community around No More Empty Pots.  This partnership has seen a phenomenal impact not only on the Mosaic clients but has had an impact on the staff at No More Empty Pots. Audrey is a creative force and passionate about helping people from a variety of demographics which is seen her roles as teacher, facilitator and leader.

Aaron Goggins

 I am a lunch server at Lincoln High School, as well as a volunteer at both Bright Lights and Camp Sonshine during summers. I have a passion for those with special needs, as I am one, too. I am diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. I like to help others, and I am one to make strong friendships. I enjoy reading, music, video games, and the card games Pokémon and YuGiOh.

Rebecca Olander

Rebecca Olander has been a mental health nurse practitioner since 2011 and is a partner in a private practice, Encompass Care in Lincoln, NE. The primary focus of her practice is child and adolescent mental health with strong emphasis on autism spectrum disorder. Prior to working in the mental health field, Rebecca worked as an advanced practice nurse in cardiology for close to 20 years. In the past, Rebecca has served in various board positions with Autism Society of Nebraska, FEAT of Nebraska and Autism Family Network. 

​​Rebecca and her husband Bob adopted four of their five children at older ages and one with special needs. They lived in the autism world for 25 years with a child on the autism spectrum. This experience has given her an appreciation of the challenge’s families face when living with mental health concerns and special needs. She has a passion for working with individuals on the autism spectrum and those with other disabilities in recognizing and developing their talents and empowering them to live life to its fullest.

Carolyn May, BSN, RN

 I live in Lincoln, Nebraska. My husband and I have been married for 52 years. We have three daughters and have been blessed with 7 grandchildren. I am a retired nurse and spent 30 years in public health, home health, and school nursing. After retiring from nursing, I was employed by the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln in the Office for Evangelization. Our youngest daughter is adopted and is now 31 years old. She has Asperger’s Syndrome and we have been working for over 10 years attempting to establish residential and independent living skills for her. We have worked with other organizations to serve those with disabilities live a safe and productive/fulfilling life in their adult years. I am looking forward to working on Nebraska Transition College’s Residential Committee.

Dee Saari

Dee is mother to 23-year old Ryan, a young man on the autism spectrum. She has been involved in many autism advocate roles since Ryan’s diagnosis 20 years ago, including starting autism support groups for military family members while living in Japan and Germany. She also volunteers as a conversational English partner, working with international students. Dee works as a Litigation Paralegal with Ausman Law Firm in Omaha and in her free time, enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with Ryan, her husband Rob and her daughter Megan.

Dick Cassidy

 Dick currently works for the University of Nebraska in the IT Organization.  He and his wife Melanie have three children.  Their oldest child Anne, is on the Autism Spectrum.  It is a valuable opportunity to assist in providing a safe learning environment for children to grow into achieving independent living within the state of Nebraska.   We are thankful for the many people who are working with NTC in this important goal to assist individuals to reach their goals and full potential.

Jamie

 Jamie has worked at ESU 5 in Beatrice for 16 years. She has worked in several areas of special education as an educational consultant to ESU 5 school districts. 
​
Jamie has worked in early childhood special education as a services coordinator and early childhood special education program coordinator.  Currently, Jamie serves as the transition specialist and 504 coordinator for ESU 5. Jamie and her husband of 24 years were both born and raised in Lincoln. They have 3 daughters ages 20, 17 and 15.​

​Jamie has worked in early childhood special education as a services coordinator and early childhood special education program coordinator.  Currently, Jamie serves as the transition specialist and 504 coordinator for ESU 5. Jamie and her husband of 24 years were both born and raised in Lincoln. They have 3 daughters ages 20, 17 and 15.

Jenny Allamby

 Jenny is a big picture thinker, creative ideas generator, and lover of progressive change. She is passionate about serving the needs and improving the lives of at- risk or disadvantaged individuals. She current tends to the needs of the students at Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children as the Executive Director of Development and Advancement.

Jenny has served 10 years in the financial services industry with 8 of the 10 years in a management capacity. Her development work in the non-profit sector has spanned 17 years and includes Drake University Law School, Special Olympics of Iowa, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, and Villa Marie, as well as special assignments for the American Red Cross, and Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa.

​​Jenny has two sons studying at Nebraska Wesleyan. MJ will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelors of Art and K-12 teaching endorsement. Kobe will be a Junior in the fall of 2021, he is studying Engineering and Science. Jenny’s Goddaughter Rosalyiah is 11 and attends Villa Marie. Rex and Gigi, her Malitpoos, love that she works from home.

Leslie Bishop Hartung

 Leslie Bishop Hartung, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Autism Center of Nebraska, Inc. (ACN),  has worked in non-profit management, with an emphasis in public relations, since the early 1980s, joining ACN in 2007. Bishop Hartung previously served for nine years as Executive Director of the Arc of Norfolk, Inc., an organization advocating for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities and their families.  A graduate of Hamline University, Bishop Hartung’s work in the developmental disability field is informed by nearly 50 years of volunteer, personal, and professional work with and on behalf of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Margaret Treffer

 Margaret Treffer is an Assistant Registrar at Central Community College in Hastings, NE, where Margaret maximizes student and community success. Margaret believes through empathetic relationships, strong interpersonal skills, positive attitude, and tireless energy she can encourage others to work hard and succeed. In addition to her role, she serves as an advisor for the National Society of Leadership and Success, serves as a CARE team member, and serves on many committees throughout the college. Margaret holds a BA in Business from Doane University and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Margaret is inspired daily by her husband and three sons. In her free time, Margaret enjoys the outdoors with her family and crochets.

Mark Allen

 My name is Mark Allen and I have been taking courses through Nebraska Transition College for a year. I have enjoyed them and meeting more people like myself. I have some disabilities but try to work around them, however college was not an option for me. I have many interests such as coaching football, country music, and golfing. I work landscaping in the summer and have for 15 years. My dream is to coach someday and to live on my own and have more freedom. I am hoping that these courses will help me achieve these goals.

Olivia Nekl

 I am Olivia Nekl, I will be graduating with my masters of occupational therapy from the College of Saint Mary this July. I have a sister with autism and she had been a huge driving force within my life. I am very excited to be on the committee that will make a difference is so many people life’s.

Paige Rose

 Paige Rose, Program Director of Evaluation and Community Integration with Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), has worked with youth and adults with disabilities for the entirety of her career. She has led technical assistance projects, participates in various work groups for the Nebraska Department of Education, and has been instrumental in initiating three Project SEARCH sites. Paige serves on the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities and is the VR liaison with Nebraska Developmental Disabilities (DHHS/DD), coordinating training and communication between the two agencies. Paige monitors sub-minimum wage employment contracts in Nebraska, ensuring service providers are in compliance with the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.  Paige is passionate about competitive integrated employment and the most inclusive, least restrictive environment for all areas of learning, earning, and living.

Stuart Stofferahn, Ed.D, CAS

 Dr. Stuart Stofferahn serves as the Executive Director of Nebraska Transition College. He has taught vocal music in the elementary school, served as a director of youth and family ministries, and finished a 31-year United States Air Force career of reserve and active duty military service. His master’s and doctorate are both in education leadership, and he is an active volunteer in the Lincoln community.