Terri Goldstein, the new director of Disabled Student Programs and Services, shared two main messages she would like Bakersfield College students to know.
Goldstein, first, wanted to clarify that services for DSPS are different in college than in high school, which she says causes many students not to sign up.
Second, Goldstein would like to let all BC students know that DSPS is always looking for volunteers to assist DSPS students, especially in note taking for classes. Goldstein also mentioned that DSPS hires scribes, saying, “DSPS is always looking for good people, but has a hard time finding them.”
Also, Goldstein is looking to increase campus awareness.
“Access is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.
When asked what qualifies a student for DSPS services, Goldstein was quick to reply that any students with verifiable disabilities, which include but are not limited to psychological, physical, brain injuries, and learning disabilities, qualify.
Goldstein has been director of DSPS for six months, and is eager to serve BC’s DSPS students and is focused on ways to improve the department, and make it that much more efficient.
In time, Goldstein would like to see all DSPS services offered in one place by having its own location on campus. Currently, there are four different services housed in seperate buildings around BC.
One priority she has is to establish an honor society for DSPS students, which will be known as Delta Alpha Pi.
Goldstein brings a varied background with her to the DSPS department. She offers experience at the community college and university levels, and has always worked in DSPS.
Her road to BC began in the world of chemistry. While attending Cal State-Northridge as an engineering major, she came across a deaf student in her chemistry class. She began to ignore the professor and watch the sign language interpreter. Ultimately, she failed the class, but Goldstein went on to get a bachelor’s in deaf studies from CSUN. She later went on to earn a master’s in rehabilitation counseling at San Diego State and then a doctorate in educational leadership from UCLA.