Staff Profiles

CIP Berkeley Berkeley, California

CIP Berkeley has an experienced, professional staff with strong educational backgrounds and solid experience working with young adults with Asperger’s, ADHD and other Learning Differences.

Get to Know The CIP Berkeley Team

Michael McManmon, Ed.D.

Founder

Michael McManmon, Ed.D. founded the College Internship Program (CIP) in 1984. He received a B.A. in English from Mt. St. Mary’s College in Maryland, a Masters in Counseling from Shippensburg University, a Masters in Human Development from the University of Kansas (through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health), and a Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Nevada.

Dan McManmon, President

President

Dan McManmon grew up in western Massachusetts with four sisters, six foster brothers, and an adopted brother. Dan’s father, Michael McManmon, founded the College Internship Program (CIP) in 1984 and was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in his late 50’s.

Michael Noel, M.Ed.

Director of Program Operations

Michael has earned a M.Ed. in Psycho-Educational Processes from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where he was born and raised. When he’s not at one of our CIP centers, you can find him enjoying the beach, hiking, and maybe even going on an extreme adventure.

Sharona Sommer, C.P.C.

Director of Learning & Development

Sharona has worked in the field of Special Education for over 25 years supporting students and families in various positions throughout her career.

Alejandro Pena

Assistant Program Director

Alejandro has worked in Education for over twenty years from Kindergarten to Doctorate degrees. His roles have ranged from Academic Advisor to Associate Vice President.

Lindsey Anderson

Office Manager

Lindsey is the Office Manager of CIP Berkeley. She is passionate about team building, compliance, and creating and maintaining healthy happy work rapports. She has a very collaborative mindset and has helped grow companies from start ups to full scale operations.

Leah Kaplan, L.C.S.W.

Clinician

Leah has worked in the mental health field for 6 years as an Independent Living Program Coordinator, Case manager, and Therapist. As a Clinician at CIP, Leah helps students receive emotional support, manage life stressors, and achieve their goals by using mindfulness-based strategies.

Lacey Rodriguez, A.S.W.

Clinician

Lacey has worked in the fields of education and mental health since 2015 in public and private elementary and secondary schools as a paraprofessional, school social worker, and wellness center coordinator.

Laurel Sherer, L.C.S.W.

Clinician

Laurel Sherer has worked in the fields of mental health and education for the past 10 years as a behavior intervention specialist and mental health clinician.

Wendell Tull, M.Ed.

Head Student Advisor

Wendell Tull has worked in Higher Education & Student Support Services for over fifteen years. Prior to joining CIP Wendell worked as a Director at Arizona State University, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cal Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and various global tech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Antoinette Grant, M.A.

Student Advisor

Antoinette has worked in the field of education trauma and other complex learning differences for more than a decade, as a counselor, tutor and clinician. She found success in supporting and working with young adults who are pursuing higher education.

Alex Crúz, M.A.

Academic Coach

Alex (they/them/ theirs) has worked in the field of education for four years as a college writing tutor and as a college lecturer. They are experienced in mentorship, academic advising, writing feedback, and curriculum development.

Lauren McCaffrey

Life Skills and Wellness Coach

Lauren has been around individuals with disabilities her whole life. Having a learning disability herself, she was a student here at CIP-Berkeley for five years.

Anna Bernick B.A.

Academic Coach

Anna has worked in the field of disability since 2014. First as an intern for Mayor's Office on Disability in San Francisco and doing disability rights work at University of California Berkeley.

Matt Leone, M.A.

Life Skills and Wellness Coach

Matt has worked collaboratively with a variety of individuals in the counseling field for about 2 years. His past experiences included identifying strategies with young emerging adults both on how they self identify and which solutions are helpful to navigate barriers challenging those self identified life goals and pursuits.

Randall Dunn, M.A.

Life Skills Coordinator

Randall has worked in the field of human services and working with children and adults with ASD, ADHD and other complex learning differences for 10 years as a direct support professional, and a Residential Home Administrator.

Kelsey Kohlman, B.S.

Student Advisor

As a student advisor at CIP, Kelsey aims to help students find independence and balance in their daily lives by setting goals and teaching self-advocacy skills, financial literacy, and problem-solving.

Bri Shaffer-Eldridge, B.A.

Academic Coach

Bri has worked in the field of academic support for three years as a Peer Academic Coach and has now transitioned into an Academic Coach role.

Stina da Silva, B.S.

Academic Coordinator

Stina has worked in the field of education since 2004 as a classroom teacher, teaching science to middle school, high school, and college students. Currently, she works at the College Internship Program teaching students academic and executive functioning skills needed to succeed in college.

Aaron PenKruger

Academic Coach

Aaron has worked in the field of special education since 2015 as an instructional aid, paraeducator, and substitute teacher. He has previously found success in assisting students with disabilities to find a path through the education system that suits their needs.

Domonique Ousborn, B. S.

Career Coordinator

Domonique has worked in the field of Education for 10 years in public elementary, secondary, and higher education settings as an AmeriCorps volunteer, Special education teaching assistant, Therapeutic Support Specialist and Student Support Coordinator.

Mia Kirkendoll, B.A.

Student Advisor

Mia has worked in the field of education since 2018. She previously found success working with young students as an English teacher in South Korea.

Gemma Jerez, M.A.

Student Support Specialist

Gemma has worked in the field of higher education for over five years as a Summer Bridge Intern, and as an Academic Coach Intern, where she supported first-generation young adults, and young adults with learning differences.

Elaine Reichenbach, B.A

Student Advisor

Elaine has worked in the field of social work and office administration for over 12 years serving as a Refugee Support Officer & Family Caseworker for a local government organization in the U.K.

Ivianna Law, B.A.

Social Skills Coach

Ivianna has worked in the field of Special Education for 2 years as an Educational Specialist. She previously found success working with/for in education as a tutor and focuses on student success in education and their academics.

Ralston Gracie, B.S.

Wellness Coach

Ralston Gracie has worked in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu his whole life, as an instructor for 15 years, and in caregiving for six months as a client care specialist, assisting mostly dementia and hospice patients.

Learn More About CIP Staff

We understand the unique strengths and challenges that each student can possess. Learn more about our diverse and experienced staff across all CIP locations.

Spotlight on Success

Hear from CIP Berkeley students and families share their personal journey, finding CIP, and experiencing success.

Call +1 (877) 566-9247 or fill our our online inquiry form to request assistance in finding a CIP location.

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About CIP

We’ve been helping young adults on the autism spectrum and with learning differences find success in college, employment, and independent living since 1984.

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