CIDE is Expanding!
Apr 4, 2022
The Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering is growing! With new projects and initiatives underway, CIDE is excited to welcome seven new employees!
Ashley Barker joined CIDE in March 2022 as an Administrative Assistant III and the Tech For Tykes Loan Library administrator. Ashley grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University. She then taught 4th grade in Denver Public Schools for four and a half years. She’s excited to join the team at CIDE to support the amazing, innovative work being done! Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, skiing, concert-going, singing, and cooking with her husband.
Claudia Dupuch joined CIDE in January 2022 as an Administrative Assistant III and Assistive Technology Clinic administrative assistant. She has previous experience working as an administrator at a charter school. She is always striving to be the best at what she does. When not working, she enjoys spending her time with family. She is excited be part of CIDE and looks forward to continuing growing as a professional.
Kim Koole joined CIDE in January 2022 as the new Assistive Technology Clinic Coordinator. Her previous leadership and administrative experience include higher education and nonprofits, and most recently serving as an executive assistant in the c-suite of a large local hospital. She has a BA in Business Management & Communications from Central College. Originally from Iowa, Kim has lived in Colorado for over 20 years. She enjoys walking, reading, cooking, and watching her high school kids in cross country meets & golf tournaments.
Catherine Merritt, MS CCC-SLP joined CIDE in March 2022 as a Research Instructor working with SWAAAC and Project Include. Catherine is a Speech-Language Pathologist with previous experience in the early intervention and school settings working with children with a variety of assistive technology needs. Catherine graduated with a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Salus University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech. Originally from Virginia, Catherine moved to Denver in July 2021. In her free time, she loves to read, go to concerts, and visit the botanic gardens.
Brenda Ortega joined CIDE in January 2022 as an Administrative Assistant III and SWAAAC Loan Library administrator. She graduated from CU Denver with a degree in sociology and has previous experience working as an administrative coordinator at a charter school. Brenda considers herself a lifelong learner and loves learning new things. She enjoys helping people and always strives to make a positive impact in someone’s life. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, visiting museums, traveling, and attending concerts.
Mary Kay Rodriguez joined CIDE in February 2022 as Dr. Bodine's Administrative Assistant III. Before joining the team, she most recently worked for FirstBank as the Senior Executive Administrative Assistant for three regional presidents and as a Technology Hiring Coordinator. Mary Kay is a Colorado native and has lived within the same 20-mile radius, except when she was attending Colorado State University. In her free time, she loves scrapbooking, card making, organizing and decorating for holidays. Mary Kay has been happily married to Steve for 29 years, has a son, Owen, who is about to graduate from MSU in the spring, and adores their lively miniature schnauzer, Luka.
Claire Simpson, MS OTR/L joined CIDE in March 2022 as a Research Instructor and Occupational Therapist with CIDE’s SWAAAC and Project Include programs. Her professional experience includes recent work as an occupational therapist in hospital and home health settings with both kids and adults. Claire graduated with a Bachelor of Science from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University, where she had the opportunity to work as a student with the Assistive Technology Resource Center and Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources. In her free time, Claire loves reading, puzzles, hiking, camping, and cooking.