Rebecca M. Matter, MA, MS Ed., NBCC
Director of Office of Disability Services

Email: rmatt9@uis.edu

Education

MA in International Studies and a MS Ed in Higher Education Counseling from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA; BA in International Relations from University of Colorado at Boulder; National Board-Certified Counselor

Expertise

Twenty years’ experience working in Higher Education in a multitude of roles with a focus on Disability Services for the past 13 years. Experience working at both public and private universities in International Programs; Academic Advising; Career Services; and Counseling.

Professional Affiliations

Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD); National Board for Counselor Certification

Personal

I enjoy traveling; hiking; and reading

Kimberly Rutherford
Program Coordinator

Email: kruth2@uis.edu

Education 

BS in English and Political Science from Central Michigan University.

Expertise 

18 years in higher education as a specialist in the UIS Office of Disability Services.

Professional Affiliations 

AHEAD, (Association of Higher Education and Disability); NASPA, (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators).

Personal

I love movies, art, cooking. I collect amateur art, rocks, and tote bags. I enjoy travelling to Michigan to see family and friends.

Chrisa Potthast-Leezer
Disability Specialist - Adaptive Technology

Email: cpott1@uis.edu

Education 

B.A. in Business and Management from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Expertise 

18 years of experience working in the Office of Disability Services at the University of Illinois at Springfield

Professional Affiliations 

AHEAD, (Association of Higher Education and Disability); NASPA, (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators).

Angela Dagnino
Graduate Assistant

Education 

I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a Pre-dental concentration.

Personal

I was born in Mexico and Spanish is my native language, so I really enjoy visiting my family in Mexico as well as listening to Latin music and eating authentic Mexican food. I play on the UIS women’s soccer team and am very passionate about working out and staying healthy. I am in the Capital Scholars Honors Program and am currently a Peer Tutor aside from working at ODS. In my free time, I really enjoy watching movies and tv shows, specifically How I Met Your Mother,  working out, going on bike rides, or just hanging with my friends.