Meet the Team

Career & Community Studies

Mary Morningstar, Program Director

Mary coordinates PSU and CCS systems to ensure students are fully included with support for students and staff. She is faculty in the Department of Special Education. Her research includes college and career readiness, teacher education, and secondary inclusive practices.

Career & Community Studies employee Dan Rankin

Dan Rankin, Academic Coordinator

Dan Rankin supports students and instructors to create a fully inclusive classroom experience at Portland State. Dan has worked directly with persons with disabilities for 16 years, 10 of which were in public schools as a special educator and Autism Specialist.

Photo of Employment Coordinator Stephani Day, a young woman with red hair and fair skin.

Stephani Day, Employment Coordinator

Stephani supports the planning and implementation of employment services for CCS students. Stephani is an employee for Trellis, Inc., an agency that specializes in supporting individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in career development and successful employment.

Eleanor Houston, Advisor & Coach

Eleanor provides essential support and skill development for CCS students in a wide variety of areas including time management, scheduling, social communication, problem-solving and advocacy. These services support students with non-academic skills needed to be successful in a postsecondary environment.

Photo of intern Alec Bondetti, a smiling young man with brown hair, fair skin, and glasses.

Alec Bondetti, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Intern

Alec supports CCS students' educational journey by counseling students regarding their careers and their overall well-being. He uses a strength-based approach to support students to find career paths where they can shine and live up to their own unique individual potential.