Who We Are
Leadership
Philip "Phil" Wilson, Ph.D., HDC Director
Philip (Phil) Wilson is director of the Human Development Center and LEND, and a Professor in the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans. Phil began working at a residential facility for youth with intense and pervasive intellectual disabilities in 1979 after completing an undergraduate degree at Wabash College in psychology. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at Southern Illinois University- Carbondale. He worked in a supported independent living center for youth with disabilities and a group home for individuals with traumatic brain injuries who were transitioning from acute care to supported community living while obtaining his Masters. In the early 1980’s, during the “early days of the supported employment movement”, Phil took a job at an institution in western North Carolina, where he focused on finding employment opportunities in the community for residents of the institution. Although he was able to successfully place and support a number of residents of the facility obtain and maintain employment; he was disappointed that the despite achieving community employment the individuals he supported were not able to participate in the full array of community settings and activities due to their institutionalization. Discouraged by the seemingly insurmountable obstacles to community living and agency caused by institutionalization, Phil went back to school and earned a Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of Illinois’ Transition Institute. Subsequently, Phil worked at the Colorado Department of Education as a senior consultant in Severe Disabilities, and later as a member of the National Fragile X syndrome evaluation and research team before taking a job at Western Kentucky University as head of the Severe Disabilities teachers training program. In 1999, Phil joined the faculty of the Human Development Center and in 2006 he became the Director of the Human Development Center. He served as an “at large” member of the Board for the Association for University Centers on Disability from 2016-2018.
Throughout Phil’s career, his focus has been on supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to participate fully in the community and preparing future generations of professionals to continue moving society toward improved quality of life, agency and full participation in the community by persons with disabilities.
Business Office
Mitze Bruce Jones, Business Manager
Lynn Lallier, Associate Business Manager
Angelica Bruno, Assistant Business Manager
Angelica is driven by supporting others in common goal. She takes pride in providing the best possible outcome with mindfulness, multitasking and processes geared to streamline tasks efficiently as a team. Before coming to LSU, she worked in the private sector for nearly two decades and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Alabama. She is excited to work for programs that do so much good for the community.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband, who is a New Orleans firefighter, and three grown daughters and granddaughter. Her hobbies include renovating their historical home and working in garden with Saints dog, cat and the occasional cruise or camping trip in the popup camper.
Aaliyah Rouzan, Department Coordinator
Aaliyah Rouzan is an experienced Department Coordinator. Earning her degree from Dillard University with a Business Management, she plans to excel in the Human Development Center. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her puppy and her family.
Wilbert "Will" Johnson, Administrative Coordinator
Wilbert Johnson serves on the CAC as a self-advocate. Wilbert strives to be the best version of himself everyday through humility, humor, and a zest for life. His biggest passion is seeing other people overcome their disability, and strives to show others that a disability won’t stop you from being who you are.
After proudly graduating from high school in 2016, Wilbert is now working on a certification in business management. He strives to one day own his own business. Wilbert also works with a Family Advocacy Group at Families Helping Families GNO and is involved with Partners in Policymaking. Wilbert’s first affiliation with HDC is through the PAY Check program’s pilot in 2017.
Outreach and Web
Laura Stazio, MS, CESP, Head of Outreach Team
Laura Stazio is a Certified Employment Support Professional. She has been working at HDC since 2012 on Employment Initiatives to increase the capacity of Supported Employment Agencies in Louisiana through training and mentoring. At HDC, she also works on Web and Graphics Design, and is the Data Coordinator for the National Information Reporting System (NIRS). She is currently the President of the Louisiana Association for Persons Supporting Employment First (LA APSE). Laura completed the HDC training program in Leadership Education on Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) in 2013. Prior to living in New Orleans, Laura lived in Montreal Canada where she was an Assistive Technology Specialist for Canada’s Eastern Provinces. She was called upon to teach, implement, program and adapt assistive technology devices and was involved in the development of French products. Prior to working in Assistive Technology, Laura Stazio worked in the telecommunications industry as a Senior Systems Engineer. Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Tulane University in Biomedical Engineering, and from Columbia University in New York City with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Stuart Simon, MM, MLIS, Digital Technology Specialist
Stuart, whose father is a photographer, was born in St. Louis but grew up in New Orleans. Stuart holds a BS in Music from Millsaps College from 2007, and two Master’s Degrees, both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and both from 2012. One is in Music History, and the other is in Library and Information Science. After that, Stuart returned to New Orleans and pursued a post-baccalaureate certificate in applied computing with an emphasis on Integrated Application Development, receiving it in May 2016. In 2018, Stuart received a Certificate in Web Accessibility from the University of South Australia in Adelaide and the Centre for Inclusive Design in Sydney, Australia. Stuart began working at HDC in February, 2016. His duties are varied and include: graphics specialist, webmaster, database specialist, and photographer. Outside of work, he enjoys music, New Orleans cultural life, and singing in the choir at Touro Synagogue. Stuart can be reached at ssimo3@lsuhsc.edu or you can visit him in his office in the Human Development Center building in room 468.
Jolie Robichaux, Coordinator of Outreach and eLearning
Jolie Robichaux is the outreach coordinator for the Human Development Center. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Public Relations from the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, she gained experience in digital marketing, event production, and outreach initiatives that support individuals with developmental disabilities.
Jolie is driven by outcomes that connect the community with services and resources that enhance quality of life and wellbeing, and so, she works hard to create accessible outreach campaigns targeting those who need it most. Her highest priority at the HDC is to strengthen its influence across Louisiana and within the UCEDD network by highlighting the HDC’s unique regional characteristics that shape its excellent services and success stories. She is also eager to nurture an identity within HDC to better bind its initiative areas together.
You can find Jolie bopping around HDC’s halls to learn about the initiatives’ latest developments or managing HDC’s social media pages in her office at room 473 - please visit! When she’s off the clock, you can find Jolie eating Cajun boiled crabs when they're in season or dancing in a crowd when it's safe to do so (bio was written during COVID-19 lockdown). Otherwise, Jolie is happily at home with her partner and two cats in Bayou St. John.
Leadership
Maria Blanco, M.Ed.
Maria Blanco is an experienced early childhood specialist. Driven by a desire to help all children reach their potential, she takes pride in building the capacity of systems to provide quality early learning experiences. As an early childhood advocate, her goals include working with communities to increase access to high quality, inclusive early childhood programs and supporting professionals and families to identify developmental concerns as early as possible. In addition to developing, implementing and evaluating early childhood programs, she provides training and technical assistance in early intervention, inclusive practices, and developmental screening and surveillance. Maria represents the interests of children and families with disabilities on numerous state and local boards and commissions. Maria and her husband enjoy entertaining friends, and spending time with their three daughters (the youngest of whom has autism), four grandchildren, and two Australian shepherds.
Staff
Alexis Allen (ELC)
Courtney Bissonnette (EHS)
Clarissa Carmouche (ELC)
Ritu Dua (EHS)
Asia Edwards (EHS)
Susie Jones (ELC)
Kisha Petty (ELC)
Diane Polk (ELC)
Katie Rambeau (EHS, IPEC)
Christine Stewart (ELC)
Jhane Varnado (EHS)
Leadership
Ali Kowitz, M.Ed., T/P
Ali originally joined HDC as a Facilitator for the LSUHSC Human Development Center’s LASARD Project. She received her Bachelor of Science – Elementary Education degree from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) in 2007. In 2012, she received a Master of Education – Special Education (grades 1-12) from Northwestern State University. Prior to joining the HDC, Ali worked as a Special Education Teacher (inclusive and resource settings), Special Education Coordinator, Section 504 Coordinator, PBIS Chair, SBLC Chair, and IEP Facilitator in St. Tammany Parish. Additionally, Ali is an Educational Therapist and focuses on helping children and adults with ADHD, learning disabilities, and executive functioning skills. Ali is an advocate for inclusive practices and is passionate about working with schools to build inclusive and accessible environments for all learners. When she’s not at work, you can find Ali out on the water (boating or paddle boarding); doing other outdoorsy stuff; and, hanging out with her family, two dogs (Louie and Echo), and Cactus – the Bearded Dragon.
Staff
Constance Alphonse (LASARD)
Rose Angelocci (LADBP, WSC WIPA)
Jennifer Boyter (LASARD)
Chris Champagne (LASARD)
Lisa Davison (LASARD)
Brittany Clark, LASARD
Madeline Estes, LASARD
NIcky Gillies (LADBP)
Donna Hammons (LASARD)
Krista James (LASARD)
Tara Lark, Facilitator
Donald "Ray" Leger (WSC WIPA)
Melinda Luna (LASARD)
Cathy Miller (LADBP)
Brenna Nopenz (PAY Check)
Tracy O'Donnell (LASARD, PAY Check)
Laura Stazio (Employment)
Maia Thibodeaux (LASARD)
Amy Ward (LASARD)
Staff
Konstance Causey (LEND)
Chris Champagne (LEND)
Lisa Davison (ASDID Clinic)
Liz Gary, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
Megan Guidry (LEND, from SAHP Audiology)
Mary Jacob (LEND, ASDID Clinic)
Krista James (LEND)
Leslie Lopez (LEND, from SAHP Speech-Language Pathology)
Cathy Miller (ASDID Clinic)
Michael Norman (LEND, IPP)
Julie Schiavo (LEND, from LSUHSC Libraries)
Kim Sherman (ASDID Clinic)
Stuart Simon (LEND)
Brittney Wright (ASDID Clinic, from SAHP Communication Disorders)
Leadership
Michael Norman, Ph.D.
Michael Norman is an experienced special educator and speech-language pathologist. Driven by a desire for universal student success, he takes pride in providing students, families, and professionals information and support in their efforts to assure access to education for all students. In addition to his primary job functions for the LA DBP, Michael also directs a personnel preparation grant which prepares students from allied health professions for practice within schools and school systems.