SDS Staff

Dr. Charnessa Warren

Director
charnessa@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Dr. Warren is a highly respected executive, educator, and disability advocate with over 25 years of leadership in disability services, assistive technology, compliance, and organizational change. Currently she serves as the Director of Student Disability Services at the University of Chicago, where she oversees daily operations, staff, and technology supporting more than 2,000 registered students. Her professional experience spans K-12, higher education, Illinois State government, and U.S. Federal Government support where she served federal employees with disabilities and wounded soldiers.

Dr. Warren has led transformative initiatives in universal design, case management, inclusive practices, and nationwide training workshops. Her research focuses on advancing disability inclusion within institutional policies and practices.

She holds an Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership—Diversity & Equity in Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, an M.S. in Disability & Human Development—Rehabilitation Technology from the University of Illinois Chicago, and a B.S. in Speech & Hearing Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Her scholarly interests include disability equity and inclusion strategies, justice, accessibility compliance, assistive technology, and policy impact on all communities. Dr. Warren regularly contributes to academic publications and conferences, serves on the board of the Association on Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD), and has earned multiple awards for her excellence in leadership and service.

A proud Chicagoan, Dr. Warren enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and their dog. In her free time, she loves running and music.

Amber DiCosola

Associate Director
adicosola@uchicago.edu 
(she/her)

Amber joined the UChicago team in 2020 and has been dedicated to promoting inclusion, access, and equity for students in the learning environment. She began her career as a university mental health counselor before transitioning into disability services. At UChicago, she oversees the document conversion portfolio and communication access services while also managing a caseload of students. Amber is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and, outside her role at UChicago, also works as a mental health provider. In her free time, she enjoys long walks along the Chicago lakefront and attending concerts.

Sandra M. Fernandez, Jr.

Associate Director
smfernandez@uchicago.edu 
(she/her)

Sandra Fernandez is the Associate Director of Disability Services at the University of Chicago. In this role, Sandra oversees the testing portfolio and manages student cases. Beginning her work with SDS in 2015, she has contributed in many capacities over the years, including note-taking and other direct student support. A Tulsa, Oklahoma native, Sandra is an alumna of the University of Chicago (AB’15, with honors) and the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (Class of 2011). She lives in the south suburbs with her husband and their three cats, Bonkers, Charlie, and Tulip.

Taylor Allnutt

Assistant Director
tallnutt@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Taylor Allnutt is from Dallas, Texas. She has two cats: a tabby and a tortoiseshell. Taylor joined Student Disability Services in Fall 2022 as an Assistant Director. She graduated with an undergraduate degree with honours in Communication from the University of Oklahoma in Communication in 2017. In 2022, she graduated with her master’s degree in Disability Studies and a certificate in Disability Studies in Higher Education. Taylor enjoys traveling, exploring Chicago, reading, and trying new recipes.

Diamond Cole

Assistant Director
diamondc@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Diamond Cole, MPH, is a dedicated public health and accessibility advocate committed to fostering inclusive, student-centered environments in higher education. She holds a Master of Public Health and brings extensive expertise in accessibility, health education, and student support to her role as Assistant Director of Student Disability Services at the University of Chicago. Throughout her career, Diamond has led accommodation services, managed large-scale health promotion initiatives, and contributed to institution-wide efforts to advance access and equity. Her professional experience spans the intersection of public health, disability services, and student engagement, enabling her to effectively bridge policy, education, and community care. Driven by a passion for social justice, Diamond is focused on removing barriers and building equitable systems that empower all individuals to succeed. She works at the crossroads of health equity, education, and community engagement, continually advocating for meaningful impact and inclusive opportunities for all students.

Carol Young-Walker

Access Administrator
cyoungwalker@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Since 2018, Carol advances accessibility and equity as part of Student Disability Services. She holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and, in her role as Access Administrator, reviews documentation, supports accommodation determinations, and collaborates with faculty and staff to ensure compliance. She leads staff training, develops standard operating procedures, and streamlines workflows to improve service delivery and student support. Beyond campus, Carol serves as Chair of the AHEAD REDD Knowledge & Practice Community and President of AHEAD ILLOWA, shaping accessibility practices on regional and national levels. Passionate about equity and inclusion, she brings expertise in accessibility services, compliance, and process improvement to expand opportunities for all students. Outside of work, Carol enjoys theater, travel, reading, personal training, motivational coaching, and time with her dog.

Caprice Butts

Senior Access Coordinator, Testing Services
caprice1@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Caprice joined Student Disability Services in May 2024. She grew up on the West Side of Chicago in the Austin neighborhood, attending Catholic schools during K-12. Caprice received her B.A in Journalism and M.A. in Communications at Northern Illinois University. Several years later, she attended National Louis University and earned her Ed.S. in Higher Education Leadership in 2024, from which she will also earn an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership in December 2025. She is passionate about education, believing that all students deserve a fair chance at a quality education. Caprice enjoys reading, writing, playing video games, watching anime, and spending time with those she loves.

Morgan Severeid

Access Coordinator for Document Conversion Services
msevereid@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Morgan manages alternative format accommodations and text-to-speech software licenses. She works closely with faculty, campus accessibility partners, and her team of Document Conversion Specialists to provide students with accessible course materials. Morgan enjoys working one-on-one with students to understand how they use assistive technology to access information and create unique solutions for converting their course materials into accessible formats. Morgan enjoys sewing and other fiber crafts, and she is working towards her CPACC certification through the IAAP.

Beth Moy

Access Coordinator for Notetaking and Communication Access Services
moyb@uchicago.edu
(they/them)

Beth joined the SDS team in 2022. They received their B.A. in Music from Augsburg University in Minneapolis and their Master of Public Administration from Adler University in Chicago. Beth got their start in disability services as a part-time exam proctor at Columbia University in New York and later as an employee in testing administration. They are happy to be back in their hometown near family and friends. Outside of work, Beth enjoys cooking, reading, and taking their dog to the beach.

Kitty Clark

Coordinator of Disability Training Programs and Communications
kittyc@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Kitty joined the SDS team in 2023 as the Coordinator of Disability Training Programs and Communications. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from Western Michigan University, where she was named a Presidential Scholar. In her role at UChicago, she collaborates with students, staff, and campus partners to promote accessibility and ensure individuals with disabilities can fully participate in university life. Kitty first became involved with equity work when working with Corporate Philanthropy through the Student Corps program at General Motors. In her free time, she enjoys movies, reading, and exploring the Chicago comedy scene.

Maggie Madro

Testing Coordinator 
proctor@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Maggie Madro joined Student Disability Services at the University of Chicago in February 2024 as the Testing Coordinator. She oversees the scheduling and coordination of exam accommodations to ensure equal access for all registered students. Maggie earned her B.A. in Broadcast Multimedia from the University of Missouri in 2020. Following graduation, she completed a year of service with City Year Chicago, working as a 7th and 8th grade English teacher—a role that deepened her commitment to educational equity. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Chicago and practices part-time as a therapist. Outside of work, Maggie enjoys biking by the lake, trying new coffee shops around the city, and spending time with her kitten, Mister.

Nancy Le

Senior Program Administrator 
nancyle@uchicago.edu
(she/her)

Nancy Le joined Student Disability Services with a commitment to student empowerment and breaking down barriers in higher education. As a first-generation professional from Los Angeles, she is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where students from all backgrounds can thrive. Prior to SDS, she worked at UCLA School of Law, leading initiatives that supported students’ academic journeys, improved access to resources, and strengthened community connections. Nancy continues to foster environments where every student feels seen, heard, and empowered.

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