Administrative Staff
Julia Koumbassa, Center Director
Julia holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Seattle University, and a B.S. degree in human development and family science from Ohio State University. Julia had nine years of prior leadership experience and 16 years working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2013.
Michelle Freund, Program Director
Michelle holds a B.A. degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University, and an Infant Mental Health-Infant Family Associate level I endorsement. She had 22 years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2007.
Mark Guevara, Administrative Assistant
Mark earned a bachelor's degree in communication from U-M, and has 30 years of experience in various capacities at our medical and academic campuses. He began as an administrative assistant with U-M Children's Centers in December of 2016.
Teaching Staff
Shonnae Adams
Shonnae holds a B.A. degree in communications from U-M Dearborn. She had eight years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children’s Centers in 2016.
Safiyah Aimen
Safiyah holds a B.A. degree in early childhood education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She had three years of experience working with children prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2019.
Arzu Aksu
Arzu was born in Turkey and has lived in Ann Arbor for 26 years. She has bachelor’s degrees in music and in social science from Eastern Michigan University. She also has a medical assistant degree and a child development associate credential from Washtenaw Community College. She joined the U-M Children's Centers in 2019.
Elena Avedisova
Lena holds a B.S. degree from the University of Chemistry and Technology in Russia. She had eight years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2008.
Randee Beckey
Randee holds a B.S. degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. She had five years of prior experience working with children when she joined the U-M Children’s Centers in 2017.
Zachary Bernstein
Zach holds an M.A. degree in literature from Middlebury College and an M.F.A. in creative writing from the California College of the Arts. He had 10 years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children’s Centers in 2017.
Alessandra Bertuccelli
Alessandra had 15 years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children’s Centers in 2016.
Mollie Bogan
Mollie holds a B.S. degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. She had 10 years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2010.
Sandra Brown
Sandra holds a child development associate credential. She had six years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2010.
Jennifer Crutchfield
Jennifer holds an associate of applied science degree in early childhood education from Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio. She had six years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2019.
Paige Dubisky
Paige holds an associate degree in early childhood education and elementary education, along with an advanced certificate in child care and education from Washtenaw Community College. Paige had six years prior child care center experience before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2019.
Emily Fanelli
Emily holds a B.S. degree in child development and elementary education from Michigan State University, along with her ZA endorsement. She had seven years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2008.
Maggie Fritz
Maggie holds a B.S. degree in early childhood education from Eastern Michigan University. She had two years of experience working with children before joining the U-M Children’s Centers in 2016.
Emily Gordon
Emily holds a B.A. degree in human development and family studies from Michigan State University. She had two years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2019.
Stacia Hill
Stacia holds a B.A. degree in elementary education with endorsements in reading and math from Eastern Michigan University. She had 13 years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2012.
Laney Hoatlin
Laney holds a B.S. degree in early childhood and elementary education from Eastern Michigan University and an associate’s degree from Washtenaw Community College. She had three years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2015.
Daniel Hussong
Dan holds a B.F.A. degree in fine art from the Ohio State University. He also has one year of study at the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute. He had two years of experience working with children before joining the U-M Children’s Centers in 2018.
Janna Kitchen
Janna earned a child care professional associate in applied science degree from Washtenaw Community College. She had 3 years of experience working with children prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2017.
Laura MacGregor
Laura holds an associate’s degree in dramatic arts from American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, NY, as well as a child development associate credential. She had four years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers Centers in 2010.
Mandy Martinez
Mandy holds a B.S. degree in child and family studies from Tarleton State University. She had five years of experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2018.
Yvonne Porter
Yvonne holds a child development associate credential. She had 20 years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2012.
Joan Rehak
Joan holds a B.S. degree with early childhood certification from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree in early literacy from Eastern Michigan University. Joan has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since 1983.
Gabby Rundall
Gabby holds a B.S. in early childhood education from Central Michigan University. She had two years of experience working with children prior to joining the U-M Children Centers in 2018.
Olivia Schoel
Olivia holds a B.S. degree in children and families from Eastern Michigan University. She had five years of experience working with children prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2018.
Terese Theophilus
Terese holds a B.S. in psychology from Eastern Michigan University. She had 27 years of experience working with children prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2018.
Emily Vigo
Emily attended the University of Michigan, and earned her child development associate credential through the T.E.A.C.H. program, at Washtenaw Community College. She had 11 years of experience working with young children prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2019.
Sydney Whack
Sydney holds a B.A. in biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience from the University of Michigan. She had 6 years of prior experience before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2019.
Tracy Winkelman
Tracy holds a B.S. degree in children and families, and a master’s in early childhood special education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Tracy had six years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 1997.
Stacy Wright
Stacy holds a B.S. degree in elementary education with an early childhood endorsement from Eastern Michigan University. She had 14 years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2012.
Kathryn Young-Kendall
Katie holds a B.A. degree in child development from Central Michigan University. She had two years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children’s Centers in 2016.