Our Staff
Administrative Team
Vacant
Currently, our office is Co-Directed on an interim basis by Dr. Brandi Levingston and Dr. Chris Parthemos.
For questions about the accommodations process, contact Dr. Chris Parthemos. For questions about SAEO Scholars, faculty outreach, or inclusive education, contact Dr. Brandi Levingston.
Lisa works as the Office Manager of SAEO or “SAEO Mom '' to many. Her focus is on supporting, encouraging, and being a positive influence on our students and office staff.
"I will always greet all persons with a smile."
![](/media/saeo/images/Turner.L_230712_192_km_sr_4x6(1).jpg)
![Lisa Turner 2023 Headshot](/media/saeo/images/Turner.L_230712_192_km_sr_4x6(1).jpg)
Case Management Team
Supporting students with last names D-G
Brandi is the Associate Director for SAEO. In addition to her role as a case manager, she oversees the SAEO Scholars program which provides incoming students with supports needed to transition into college. She also oversees the learning specialist program, which provides additional supports for students with disabilities to support their academic success. Brandi is a person with a visual impairment and has faced many obstacles in her educational pursuits, so she is very invested in supporting the needs of college students with disabilities.
![](/media/saeo/images/Levingston_1500.png)
![Levingston Headshot 2023](/media/saeo/images/Levingston_1500.png)
Supporting students with the last name A-C
Chris is an Assistant Director at SAEO, passionate about connecting VCU students with the support they need to embrace their educational destiny. He oversees the Assistive Technology Lab and Dining Accommodations for all SAEO students, in addition to serving as a student case manager. As someone who experiences chronic pain, Chris is uniquely attuned to the experience of students with chronic conditions.
![](/media/student-affairs-sites/dsa-headshots/Parthemos_Chris.jpg)
![](/media/student-affairs-sites/dsa-headshots/Parthemos_Chris.jpg)
Cedar Smithson, MSW
Access Specialist
Vacant
Supporting students with the last name M-R.
We expect to have a person in this role prior to the start of the Fall '24 semester - in the interim, please contact Chris Parthemos with questions regarding students in this range.
Access Specialist
Vacant
Supporting students with the last name S-Z
We expect to have a person in this role prior to the start of the Fall '24 semester - in the interim, please contact Chris Parthemos with questions regarding students in this range.
Testing Access Center Team
Rebecca coordinates all tests and note-taking requests for the SAEO office.
![](/media/student-affairs-sites/dsa-headshots/Shepherd_Rebecca.jpg)
![](/media/student-affairs-sites/dsa-headshots/Shepherd_Rebecca.jpg)