Our Staff
Karen Pettus, Interim Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Karen graduated in 1976 from the University of Tennessee with a B. S. degree in Special Education. She completed a Master’s Degree in Adult Education (1996) and Ph. D. in Educational Psychology and Research (2006) from the University of South Carolina. Karen worked in higher education for the past 30 years as the Director of the Student Disability Resource Center at the University of South Carolina and was the Director of the Counseling, Career, and Disability Services Center at Midlands Technical College for three years. Her desire to see students included in all aspects of life led her to Disability Services at the University of SC in 1994. At the university, Karen educated faculty and staff on the importance of providing appropriate accommodations for students in all aspects of university life. She focused on using the CAS standards as one form of assessment in continuous improvement efforts and using data in decision making to lead the department. Karen was the Co- Principal Investigator for a $150,000 grant to begin the CarolinaLIFE program for students with intellectual disabilities on campus. She won the Student Affairs Diversity Award in 2021. Karen served on numerous campus committees regarding student success and retention, strategic planning committee, and the SACS accreditation committee on Diversity and Inclusion. She chaired the Student Veteran’s Committee and the Disability Affairs Committee. She also served on the Advisory Board for the Rehabilitation Counseling Master’s Degree program. She also served on the Advisory Board for the South Carolina Department of Education, Office of Exceptional Children for 10 years. Karen is a member of the Association of Higher Education and Disability where she served as Co-chair of AHEAD’s DISC Knowledge Community and served as an AHEAD Mentor for new professionals from summer 2020 to spring 2021. She conducted numerous presentations and webinars on management of DS offices, assessment, diversity and inclusion. She was one of the first AHEAD Presidential Fellow Awardees of $1,000 research grant in 1999. AHEAD awarded her $500 for her presentation on Using Data to Develop Our New Student Disability Resource Center in May 2020.
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Jalynn Grosz, Accessibility Specialist
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Jalynn Grosz obtained an undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, a post-baccalaureate certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She currently holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She comes to Loyola University Chicago after working as a speech-language pathologist in a variety of settings, including K-12 institutions and outpatient clinics. Jalynn is excited to continue helping students access their curriculum, now at the higher education level. For fun, Jalynn loves exploring all Chicago has to offer, keeping up with NCAA gymnastics, traveling, and spending time with her rescue dog, Sunday!
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Eric Perry, Testing Coordinator
Pronouns: he/him/his
Eric earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Purdue University, and is currently a graduate student in the Information Systems & Analytics program within Loyola's Quinlan School of Business. He has previously worked in Indianapolis with the Public Allies and AIDS United AmeriCorps programs, where he provided testing, counseling and case management services to people living with HIV/AIDS. After relocating to Chicago, he worked as a case manager, connecting people newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS to medical care, before coming to Loyola. In his free time, he bartends in the Northalsted neighborhood, and also loves traveling, tennis, and concerts!
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Grace Hunter, Accessibility Specialist
Pronouns: She/Her
Grace obtained her undergraduate degree in Special Education at Purdue University-West Lafayette, IN, and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Kansas with a focus on inclusive education. Grace has diverse experience as an educator and case manager in public and private settings for individuals with disabilities and other health-related support needs. Grace recently moved to Wilmette with her husband and two children, and looks forward to bringing her past experience to her new role supporting the faculty and students at Loyola University Chicago.
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Nathan Rider, Accessibility Specialist
Pronouns: He/Him
Nathan earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language and Hearings Sciences at Purdue University followed by a master's degree from Bowling Green State University in Special Education with a certificate in Assistive Technology. He moved to Chicago following his undergraduate education and has quickly made Roger’s Park his home. With his role within the Student Accessibility Center (SAC), he is excited to advocate for the needs of Loyola’s student body. In his free time, Nathan likes to play games, watch (occasionally cheesy) horror movies, walk along the beach front and play/listen to music with his friends.
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Camryn Brown, Administrative Assistant
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Camryn earned her bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and is currently a graduate student in the English department at Loyola. Camryn began her journey with the SAC as a graduate assistant working alongside the staff to create the best services possible for LUC students. She also has experience in management and customer service as she worked in retail and a coffee shop for several years. In her free time, Camryn enjoys reading, watching the Great British Baking Show, cheering on the Memphis Grizzlies with her husband, and learning new things.
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Tom Osman, Accessibility Specialist
Pronouns: He/Him
Tom earned his bachelor's degree in Special Education from Purdue University and a master's degree in Higher Education Leadership from Concordia University Chicago. He has experience working with individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings. His experience includes working as a special education teacher across all grade levels, working as an autism therapist serving students of all ages, and working in residential/home -based services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In his free time, he enjoys attending Purdue football and basketball games, being with friends and family, and attending classic rock concerts. A fun fact is that Tom is a direct descendant of former Loyola University President Father Robert Kelley. Tom is looking forward to serving students with disabilities as part of Loyola University and being a positive influence on the students he serves.
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Jake Pikula, Accessibility Specialist
Pronouns: He/Him
Jake earned his bachelor's degree in Special Education from Indiana University- Bloomington. In 2020, he went back to school and received his master's degree in Instructional Design and Technology from the American College of Education. Jake spent the last six years teaching special education at the middle school and high school level. He is excited to begin this new role and looks forward to the new experiences that will come from working in Higher Education. In his free time Jake enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and spending time exploring the city.
