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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Joelle Gates

Joelle holds a master’s degree in education from Capella University, and a B.S. degree in social work from Hawaii Pacific University. Joelle had 8 years of prior experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2021. 

Nafsika Georgili

Nafsika holds a B.A degree in educational sciences and early childhood education from the University of Patras, Greece. She had three years of experience working with children before joining the U-M children's centers in 2021.

Dee Harrington

Dee 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.

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.

Rani Junior

Rani holds a B.S. in elementary education along with an early childhood education ZS endorsement from Eastern Michigan University. She had five years of experience in child care prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2020. 

Janna Kitchen

Janna earned a child care professional associate in applied science degree from Washtenaw Community College. She had three 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.

Alexa Markley

Alexa holds a B.S. in elementary education with an early childhood education ZS endorsement from Eastern Michigan University. She had seven years of experience working with children prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2021.

Katerina Mendel

Katerina holds an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Washtenaw Community College. She had experience working with children prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2018.

Minja Park

Minja holds a B.S. degree in biology from South Korea. She had eight years of prior experience with children before joining the U-M Children's Center in 2019. 

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.

Sujata Rao

Sujata holds a B.S. in microbiology and zoology from University of Mumbai, and postgraduate qualifications in mass communication and early childhood education. She had five years of prior experience working with children before she joined the U-M Children’s Centers in 2021.

Mary Roach

Mary holds a B.A. degree in early childhood education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She had five years of experience working with children prior to joining the U-M Children’s Centers in 2020.

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.

Parker Sevcik

Parker holds a B.A. degree in psychology from the University of Michigan. Parker had three years of experience working with children before joining the U-M Children's Centers in 2021.

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.

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.