Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle

Faculty Advisor
734.487.6483
[email protected]

Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle, sister to a person on the autism spectrum, served on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) at the federal level, and has focused her life and career on improving the education and lives of people with autism and other challenging behaviors. Dr. Burton-Hoyle was Executive Director of the Autism Society of Michigan from 1994-2006 prior to coming to her current position at Eastern Michigan University. At her current position, she developed both the undergraduate program and the Masters of Autism Spectrum Disorders Program at Eastern, and currently is the Faculty Liaison for the College Supports Program for students with autism. She has been facilitating person-centered plans since 1985, and has trained mental health agencies and direct care staff in several states in this process.

Dr. Burton-Hoyle holds a doctorate in counseling psychology and special education from the University of Idaho and a master’s degree in special education from the University of Kansas.

Callie Merkel

Program Coordinator
734.487.4418
[email protected]

Callie Merkel received a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences while attending Northern Michigan University and competing on an NCAA athletic scholarship on the women's Track and Field team. After receiving a Bachelor of Science from NMU, Callie continued her education at the University of Colorado where she found her interest and passion in the area of autism while providing speech and language therapy.

Callie joined the College Supports Program in 2012, and holds a double masters degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Clinical Social Work from Eastern Michigan University, and is the Coordinator of the College Supports Program. 

Jessica Miles

Academic Support Coach
734.487.4418
[email protected]

Jessica Miles received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Biology from Eastern Michigan University. Before becoming an Academic Support Coach, Jessica worked as a Study Tables Supervisor at the College Supports Program in addition to serving as the Inclusion Specialist at the Ann Arbor YMCA. Jessica intends to pursue a doctorate in Occupational Therapy and promote successful transitions to independence for young adults with Autism.

Hollie Arnett M.A.

Associate Coordinator / Academic Support Coach
734.487.4418
[email protected]

Hollie joined CSP in August of 2016. She is currently the Associate Coordinator and an Academic Support Coach. She brings a hands-on action oriented approach to provide individualized support to students on the autism spectrum. Her focus is to identify barriers that contribute to daily challenges and create individualized solutions that allow all students to achieve academic and social success. As a parent of 4 children, Hollie understands the impact executive functioning has on daily life skills, social development, social emotional learning, and academic growth. Hollie continues to seek opportunities to advance her skills by participating in continuing education and she recently obtained a certificate from Cornell University in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

Hollie holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a major course of study in Mathematics and a minor in Physics as well as a Masters degree in Learning Disabilities with a concentration in Autism both from Eastern Michigan University.