Jonathan Lidgus, Ph.D. - Director
lidgusj@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5537
Jonathan has been a member of the University of Missouri - St. Louis community since 2002. He began his career at UMSL as a graduate student in the Office of Student Life and was brought on full time in 2005. Two years later, he joined the Office of Residential Life where he became its Director. From there, Jonathan worked at UMSL Succeed for five years until he was promoted to Program Director in August 2017. He holds a Ph.D. in Education and an M. Ed. in Counseling. His academic research interests are in the area of intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) in higher education. Jonathan's role is instrumental in the planning and establishment of the Succeed Program at UMSL and its subsequent transition to the Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education.
Andrew Johnson Kliethermes, Ed. D. - Assistant Director
johnsonandrew@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5901
Andrew Johnson Kliethermes has over 15 years of experience in business management, employee training, as well as working with individuals with disability and their families. Before joining the UMSL Succeed Program, he served as Employment Advisor with St. Louis Arc, where he collaborated with the leading team, Special School District, Vocational Rehabilitation, and SSM St Mary’s Health Center. Andrew is credited with facilitating and completing Year 2 of a pilot Vocational Skills Employment Training Program or V-SET at St. Louis Arc. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Lindenwood University, a Master's Degree in Higher Education and Adult Learning from The University of Missouri - St. Louis, and is currently a doctoral student at the UMSL College of Education.
Glee Schmitt - Learn Pillar Academic Support Coordinator
gasdgb@umsl.edu
(314) 516-4350
Glee graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2020 with a Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies with an emphasis in Youth and Adult Development. Her career at UMSL OIPE began with an internship where she accumulated over 600 hours work before transitioning to a staff role. Glee's role at OIPE involves leading all academic advising and enrolling 60+ students in courses, connecting with faculty across the university to support students by building inclusive practices and supervising all volunteers. Glee is currently pursuing her Master's in Higher Education.
Maya Harris - Work Pillar Vocational Coordinator
harrismay@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5945
Maya Harris’ mission is to be the change she wants to see in today’s society. A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Maya has 16 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. She was a team member of the Succeed Program’s Work Pillar from 2016 - 2020, before setting up her private practice, MJ’s Coaching Corner, LLC. Maintaining ties with the OIPE, Maya was invited to be an adjunct professor to our first- and second-year Succeed Program students. Then in December 2024, she accepted the position of OIPE Vocational Coordinator. Maya is excited for her return to the OIPE team and her role in our students’ vocational experiences.
Bob Summers - Work Pillar Senior Student Support Specialist
bobsummers@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5922
Bob has a background in 10 different industries and all employment statuses. She worked five campus jobs as a student at UMSL, and graduated in 2019 with a B.A. in English, two writing certificates, and a Professional Résumé Writing Certificate. Her current role involves overseeing vocational data and utilizing routine management technology to support all OIPE students. Bob's strengths include crisis counseling and vocational support for individuals of diverse ability levels. She also practices American Sign Language (ASL) and uses technology to help cross other language barriers.
Madeline Siener - Play Pillar Coordinator of Campus Inclusion
m.siener@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5925
Madeline graduated from Saint Louis University in 2018 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education with emphasis in Special Education. Prior to joining UMSL Succeed in 2021, she worked for the Special School District in the Kirkwood School District. As the coordinator of the OIPE Play Pillar, Madeline works with multiple partners on- and off-campus to promote student engagement. She also co-directs the UMSL Social Peers Program, a university-wide student group that aims to promote an inclusive campus community for students of all abilities.
Heather Cowan, M. Ed., PLPC - Coordinator of Counseling and Family Support
hcowan@umsystem.edu
(314) 516-5901
Heather is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) with over 23 years of experience in disability services. Her training includes early childhood special education, transition planning, employment support, and program leadership. She joined the OIPE team in 2022 and earned her M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2023 from UMSL. Heather provides individual and group therapy services to students in the OIPE programs and facilitates family engagement and growth. A dedicated advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families, Heather uses a person-centered, solution-focused approach grounded in neuro-affirmative care. She is passionate about helping neurodiverse students thrive while fostering strong family-professional partnerships.
Aina Ferris - Senior Communications Coordinator
ainaferris@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5918
Over 20 years of experience as a writer, designer, and creative director for consumer advertising, B2B and direct marketing, and digital media production come to the fore in Aina's role as the OIPE team's communications and events coordinator. She produces all internal and external communications, including graphic design, photo/videography, and social media marketing. She also manages the OIPE website, coordinates recruitment events, and represents the team at transition fairs for the neurodiverse. Aina enjoys meeting and engaging with community members, so stop by the red OIPE table at transition events for a chat with her about our programs: Succeed, Succeed+, and Link.
Mary Harden, MSW - Adjunct Instructor and MIPSA Coordinator
m.harden@umsystem.edu
(314) 516-5901
Mary is the coordinator for the Midwest Inclusive Post Secondary Alliance (MIPSA) and is based at the UMSL Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (OIPE) in St. Louis, Missouri. She teaches First Year Experience and Accessing Community Networks courses for the UMSL inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program. After completing her BSW at UMSL, she went on to complete a master's in social work from the University of Missouri with a focus on Disability Advocacy. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of IPSE programs across the United States as an Alliances Specialist for Think College.
Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education TPSID Team:
April Regester, Ph. D.
Chair and Associate Professor
regestera@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5917
Magen Rooney-Kron, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor
rooneyma@umsl.edu
(314) 516-4580
Lindsay Athamanah, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor
athamanahl@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5863
Wen Zeng, Ph. D.
Senior Program/Project Support Coordinator
wzeng@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5863
