SDS Team
Karen Pettus | Director
karen@mailbox.sc.edu
Dr. Pettus earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of South Carolina in 2006. She has over 30 years of experience in education as a K-12 interpreter and teacher, and in higher education in counseling, career counseling and disability services in the 2 year college and 4 year university settings. Karen serves on several university and community advisory boards for individuals with disabilities and serves as a consultant for the South Carolina Department of Education. She also teaches courses in educational psychology and disability studies in the College of Education along with University 101 courses at Carolina. Additionally, Karen serves as the Co-Director of CarolinaLIFE, a program for students with intellectual disabilities on campus.
Dorothy Prioleau | Executive Office Assistant
dorothy@mailbox.sc.edu
As an Executive Office Assistant at the Office of Student Disability Services, Dorothy orchestrates the administrative activities including personnel, payroll, travel and budget. She is responsible for the overall administrative day-to-day operation of the office.
Charlotte Helms | Disability Resource Coordinator
helmsc@mailbox.sc.edu
Charlotte earned her M.Ed. degree from the University of South Carolina in 2008. Charlotte has work experience working with students with disabilities in the 2 year and 4 year higher education settings. She also worked in the medical field for 20 years. Charlotte currently works with students with visual, hearing, physical, health, and temporary disabilities. She also coordinates the test proctoring services in our office. She works closely with the faculty and staff on campus to assure the accessibility of classes and other activities. She also teaches University 101 courses at USC.
Omar Troutman | Learning Disability Specialist
troutman@mailbox.sc.edu
Omar is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) who holds an Ed.S. in Counseling and maintains state credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor/Intern (LPC/I). He currently serves as the case manager for students with diagnosed learning and psychiatric disabilities. Since joining the office in 2006, he has worked with students in higher education in both a supportive and clinical capacity. In addition to his current duties, Omar is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision.
Bahiyyih Young | Assistant Disability Resource Coordinator
youngba2@mailbox.sc.edu
Bahiyyih received her undergraduate degree from Carolina in 2004 in psychology. She also spent a lot of time in the theatre department. She is currently pursuing an Ed.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. In our office, Bahiyyih focuses on AD(H)D Coaching, students’ orientations to the office, communications, and other projects as they come up, including the odd bulletin board.
Stephanie Hellenga | Assistant Disability Resource Coordinator
hellengs@mailbox.sc.edu
Stephanie is a first year Graduate Assistant obtaining her Master’s in Higher Education & Student Affairs. While working in our office, she is doing first time orientation appointments for students, coaching, and organizing the communications via social media. Prior to her graduate studies, she was a varsity student-athlete at the University of South Carolina and graduated in May 2011 with a degree in accounting. She is originally from LaPorte, Indiana, but she has adjusted to the southern weather and loves it.
Sonia Badesha | Intern | Career Resource Coordinator
badesha@mailbox.sc.edu
Sonia is currently working on her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and will be working with the Career Center in assisting students who have various disabilities by providing career and graduate education planning services as well as guidance pertaining to students' disability-related issues. Her focus includes services such as major and career exploration through assessment tools; career counseling; job-seeking skills; self-advocacy skill development; self-disclosure skill development; interview techniques and preparation; graduate school assistance; information regarding rights, responsibilities and options for reasonable accommodation in the workplace; and informational resources for students, staff, faculty, and employers.
Shawn Boucher | Assistive Technology Coordinator
boucher@mailbox.sc.edu
Shawn oversees the Assistive Technology Lab. He is responsible for providing textbooks and other learning materials in alternative formats. Additionally, he collaborates with the other coordinators to determine what assistive technologies would be beneficial for the student.
Dow Hammond | Assistive Technology Assistant
hammond@mailbox.sc.edu
Dow helps in the AT Lab from introducing new students to the services provided to assisting registered students in need of technology guidance. He also manages the SDS website when changes or updates are needed.
Sam Reed | Graduate Assistant
reedsn2@mailbox.sc.edu
Sam's main focus in our office is Test Proctoring. She is a 2011 graduate from Ohio University where she studied Political Science. She is originally from Carrollton, Ohio and enjoys the sunshine, reading the news, traveling, and online shopping. She is currently studying in the Higher Education Student Affairs graduate program; she is excited to start a new chapter in South Carolina and cheer on those Gamecocks!