About Us

ARC Drop-In Office Hours

The ARC is offering Drop-In Office Hours for students to connect with a Disability Advisor and ask ARC-related questions. These meetings are confidential and should take no more than 10 minutes. If you anticipate your question taking longer, you can schedule a meeting with a Disability Advisor. Drop-In Office Hours are hosted at the following dates and times: 

Wednesdays: Virtually from 11-1pm
Use Meeting Zoom Link

Thursdays: In-person 2-4pm
Check-in at the Front Desk in Leavey 338

*Please note that no accommodation decisions will be made during these meetings.

Office Information

The Academic Resource Center
Leavey Center 338
Washington, D.C. 20057

  arc@georgetown.edu

  arc-testing@georgetown.edu – for emails about accommodated testing

  (202) 687-8354

  (202) 687-0077

Directions to the Academic Resource Center

The Leavey Center is located on the north side of Georgetown’s main campus.

To get to the Academic Resource Center, enter the Leavey Center through the pedestrian bridge entrance and turn right. [An elevator to the pedestrian bridge is located on the north side of the stairs.] Once inside the Leavey Center, there are two blue elevators located next to the Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union (GUASFCU) office. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. We are located to the right of the elevators.

If you enter the Leavey Center through the Regents Hall Science Center, go through Sellinger Lounge towards the bookstore. Once you reach the bookstore, turn right and go towards the main entrance doors. From there, turn left towards the GUASFCU office and you’ll find the blue elevators. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. We are located to the right of the elevators.

Henle Village Construction: Please note there is extensive construction happening near the Leavey Center that might impact your travel to our office.

ARC Appearance Requests

Students, faculty, departments, and campus partners can request an ARC staff member at your event – please complete the ARC Appearance Request form (new window)!

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Our Team

Joseph P. Fisher, Ph.D.

Executive Director

jf1492@georgetown.edu

As the Executive Director of the Academic Resource Center, Joseph P. Fisher works to establish a culture of access for the Georgetown student community. Joe sees disability as a natural part of human diversity, and he seeks to foster this understanding among the campus community as a whole.  

Joe’s academic training is in literary studies. He holds a Ph.D. in English, with sub-specializations in critical theory, disability studies, and writing pedagogy. Prior to his time in the ARC, Joe was an Assistant Director at The George Washington University’s Disability Support Services office, and he taught a variety of classes at George Washington and at Northern Virginia Community College. Joe is a lifelong distance runner, and he sometimes plays the drums. (Pronouns: he/him/his)

Clare Hennigan, M.Ed.

Associate Director

(202) 687-6923
clare.hennigan@georgetown.edu

As the ARC’s Associate Director, Clare advises students with disabilities, collaborates with the Office of Residential Living to coordinate housing accommodations, and coordinates CART and ASL interpreting services for courses. She also provides support to the Student Wellness and Counseling Center at GU Qatar.  

Clare holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from The Catholic University of America and a Master’s of Education in Special Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Prior to coming to Georgetown, Clare taught Social Studies and coordinated a program for students with learning disabilities in a private high school in Prince George’s County, MD. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Debra Martin, MAED/ADM, Ed.S.

Associate Director, Academic Services

(202) 687-8861
debra.martin@georgetown.edu

Debra coordinates accommodated testing and works with undergraduate, graduate, and medical students with and without disabilities. She also works directly with academic leaders, including faculty and deans, related to student success. Prior to  her role with the ARC, Debra served as the Associate Director, Academic Services for Men’s Basketball.

Before transitioning to Georgetown, Debra spent 18 years as an administrator with Prince George’s County Public Schools and served as an adjunct professor at Prince George’s Community College. Debra earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education from Oakwood University, a Master’s in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix, and an Education Specialist Degree from Argosy University. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Molly Socha, M.S.

Associate Director of Student-Athlete Services

ms4879@georgetown.edu

As the Associate Director for Student-Athlete Services, Molly serves as a liaison between faculty, deans, students, and coaches. Primarily focusing on the holistic development of student-athletes, Molly provides support through individual and team academic check-ins. As well as mentoring and guiding, Molly works to prepare student-athletes for class registration, academic rigor, study habits, organization, time management, and other skills to help them succeed in their years at Georgetown. She holds a Master’s of Science in Organizational Psychology. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Shenise Miller, M.Ed.

Associate Director, Academic Services for Men’s Basketball

Shenise Miller, M.Ed, a native New Yorker, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master’s in Special Education from Howard University. Shenise is currently completing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at American University, focusing on literacy intervention and programming. As the Associate Director, Academic Services for Men’s Basketball, Shenise assists student-athletes with academic support and advising to ensure educational excellence and eligibility while members of the Georgetown University community. Shenise joins the Georgetown community after ten years of service in Washington, D.C. public and public charter schools. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Betsy Milarcik, M.Ed., M.F.A.

Learning Skills Specialist

(202) 687-2163
em911@georgetown.edu

In her role as the Learning Skills Specialist, Betsy provides one-on-one consultations to students experiencing academic challenges. She facilitates study skills workshops for groups of students across campus, as well as highlighting different study techniques in the Academic Success Webinar Series. Betsy also manages the ARC’s foreign language tutoring program.

Betsy received her M.Ed. in Higher Education from Harvard University. She also holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College, as well as a B.A. in English from Villanova University. Before working with the ARC, Betsy worked for Georgetown’s Office of Residential Living. She came to DC following her time working as a writing instructor in the Boston area. Outside of work, Betsy enjoys exploring local hiking trails and staying up late with a good book. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Rachel Behrmann-Fowler, M.S.

Disability Specialist

(202) 687-7105
rb1861@georgetown.edu

As a disability specialist in the ARC, Rachel advises students with disabilities, coordinates the Workforce Recruitment Program, advises high school students enrolled in the Georgetown Summer Academies, and advocates for accessibility and disability inclusion on campus. Rachel received her M.S. in Student Affairs Administration from Binghamton University where she focused her studies on disability in the college setting. She also received her B.A. in business administration from McDaniel College. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Sara Emerick, M.Ed.

Disability Specialist

se624@georgetown.edu

As a dedicated Disability Specialist, Sara has worked at multiple schools and Universities advocating for students with disabilities and ensuring they receive the personalized support and accommodations they need to thrive in the academic setting. Sara works closely with students, faculty, and campus partners to create inclusive environments where students are empowered to reach their full potential. Sara received her M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University and her B.A. from Oregon State University. In her free time, Sara enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants with friends. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Wesley Wood, M.A., M.A.T.

Disability Specialist

(202) 784-8353

ww658@georgetown.edu

As a disability specialist, Wesley guides students with disabilities through the accommodation process and supports faculty in helping to create more accessible and inclusive learning environments. He also assists in the outreach efforts for the ARC in making its offerings better known to both the student body, faculty, and staff.

Wesley comes to Georgetown from a career as an award-winning language educator. He was named Teacher of the Year by the Greater Washington DC Association of World Language Teachers as well as an Innovation Fellow by the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages for his work in neurodiversity and inclusion. Wesley holds an M.A. in Classics from the University of Colorado Boulder, an M.A.T. in Foreign Language Education from Miami University (Ohio), and a B.A. in Classics from the University of Notre Dame. (Pronouns: he/him/his)

Kari Nelson

Coordinator of Administrative Services

kjn23@georgetown.edu

In her work as the Coordinator of Administrative Services, Kari implements accommodations for students with disabilities, handles hiring and payroll for student workers, and oversees administrative responsibilities for the Academic Resource Center. Kari is an alumna of Georgetown University, where she majored in American Studies with minors in Business Administration and History. Prior to joining the Division of Student Affairs, Kari served at the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and completed a fellowship at the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama. Kari has a particular interest in Jesuit Higher Education and serves as a fellow with the Ignatian Leadership Seminar through the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)