advisory council
Alan
Asay x
Alan Asay By profession, Alan is a professional Mechanical Engineer specializing in the field of accident reconstruction. He has lived in Utah the majority of his life and served an LDS mission to Arcadia, California. He and his wife Tammy are the parents of 4 children. He attended Brigham Young University and obtained his BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics in 1990 and 1992. Alan loves serving young adults and has volunteered in various capacities over the years. He has worked with BSA Venturing Scouts as a Venturing Advisor for over 12 years. Additionally, since 2003, Alan has served on the Advisory Council of ScenicView Academy. In that capacity, he has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities provided to him, as well as the ability to associate with such skilled and motivated professionals whose purpose has been to improve the independent lives of so many who have learning disabilities. Alan also enjoys mountain biking, photography, golfing, climbing, skiing, and boating. |
Barbara
Yearsley x
Barbara Yearsley Barbara has a Bachelor of Science in Special Education with an emphasis in Mild/Moderate from Brigham Young University. She taught special education and resource classes as a certified professional teacher in the state of Utah. Barbara raised a child with autism and knows from personal experience the thrill of seeing a neurodiverse child grow and reach for independence. She also understands the challenges and difficulties that individuals with autism and their families face and has participated in developing and promoting various support groups to help meet their needs. Barbara first became involved with ScenicView Academy as a parent; her son attended ScenicView in 2011. She began working in the Education Department in 2013, later became the Education Unit Supervisor, and is currently the Live Program Supervisor. She enjoys her current role which focuses on teaching students educational and independent living skills. Her hobbies include reading, singing, boating, walking and traveling the country to see her 4 children and 11 grandchildren. Barbara believes that all individuals have the ability to learn and succeed when given the right environment to build upon their own unique talents and strengths. |
Boyd
Worthington x
Boyd Worthington Boyd was born in Payson, Utah, in 1946. He served an LDS Mission to the Netherlands, served as an administrator in the Utah Army National Guard, and graduated with a Master's degree in Accounting and Economics. He spent 10 years working in the Administration at Brigham Young University before venturing into a career of commercial construction and property management, where he built and managed large and complex facilities of high technology companies for 25 years. He has four children and 16 grandchildren, and since his retirement has served several additional LDS missions as a facility planner and construction manager. He enjoys team sports and golf, music, and theater. |
Eric
Allan x
Eric Allan Married to Stephanie and a proud parent of four, family serves as both Eric’s motivation and inspiration. Eric is a champion of people, culture, and a servant leader who creates success. He has the gift of connecting with young people with learning disabilities and has a passion to help them reach their goals. He has experience in directing organizations to thrive. At ScenicView he has created a budgeting course, cooking course, and wrote a cookbook for those with learning differences. As a business owner and entrepreneur Eric finds fulfillment by hiring and job carving to those who have learning differences. Eric mentores adults with neurodiverse challenges and gains the respect for challenges they face. He loves to see young people thrive and discover their strengths amidst their weaknesses. Eric has an MBA and is a successful entrepreneur and currently owns and operates 2 bakeries. Eric loves anything to do with food, service, the outdoors, and being with his family. |
Jason
Johnson x
Jason Johnson Jason earned an EdS degree in School Psychology and worked as a school psychologist in the largest school district in the state of Utah (Alpine School District). He has published research on adolescent resilience and student performance. Jason is a passionate advocate for under-resourced students and currently consults and trains educators, counselors, and therapists across the nation as the director of training and research for the WhyTry organization. Jason is a thought leader on resilience education and has spoken at hundreds of education conferences around the country. He has led successful implementations of resilience programs and has pioneered training for partners in education, healthcare, corporate, and the US Military. His areas of expertise include resilience, student motivation, student engagement, and building and improving student relationships. Jason and his wife Rachal are the proud parents of 5 children. Their great joy in life is supporting and watching their children pursue their passions in life. When not training on resilience Jason can be found watching his children play sports and helping carpool them to practices and events throughout the valley. |
Lane
Steinagel x
Lane Steinagel Lane was born in Sacramento, California. He is married to Jennefer. They have five children and currently have five grandchildren. Lane attended BYU and received the following: BA in International Relations (1990), MA in Linguistics(1995), PhD in Instructional Psychology and Technology(2005). He has served three LDS missions: once to Tahiti and twice to Ukraine. Lane can speak Maori, Spanish, Russian, French, German, and some Ukraine. Lane taught linguistics at BYU from 1996-2015 and is the author of the book Kia Toa: Unto the Isles of the Sea. He is currently working as area mission specialist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. |
Laurie
Bowen x
Laurie Bowen Laurie’s current role as Interim Director of the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism at Utah Valley University provides her the opportunity to build communities where belonging is prioritized and opportunities to contribute and experience the many facets of life are accessible to everyone. She is dedicated to collaborating with partners and individuals nationally and statewide to address gaps in services and safety for autistic individuals and their families. Her focus is to foster growth for autistic young adults transitioning into the adult years with interdependent living skills and bright futures of hope and possibilities. In her current research projects, she seeks to amplify the autistic voice and establish ways for autistic young adults to strengthen their self-advocacy skills. Laurie has served in various leadership roles in the autism community in Utah for over 25 years, including early intervention, pre-school and school age programming, and early young adult transition services. Laurie has played key roles in the development and ongoing organization of Autism Resources of Utah County Council (ARUCC). Laurie also regularly teaches courses in the Autism Studies program at Utah Valley University. Laurie regular provides autism specific trainings to professionals on safety, suicide awareness, medical and dental care, supports for college success and more. Laurie has degrees in Behavioral Science, Communication Disorders, Applied Behavior Analysis and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She is currently working on her dissertation for a PhD in Special Education from University of Northern Colorado. |
Melissa
Hirschi x
Melissa Hirschi Melissa is passionate about social work and educating social work students and is committed to educating the next generation of social workers as well as continuing to strengthen the profession. Her teaching has spanned many areas of the curriculum including research methods and fostering critical thinking among students in bachelor’s master’s, and doctoral programs. Her research focuses on the intersection of first responders and individuals living with mental illness, including their role as frontline mental health workers. She is also interested in better understanding power, including the role of power in racism, oppression, and stigma. In addition, she has worked with individuals living with HIV and children with special healthcare needs, focusing on improving access, health outcomes, and social justice for these individuals. Melissa is also passionate about integrated health care and has done work with free integrated healthcare clinics. She has practice experience working with members of disadvantaged and marginalized communities such as formerly homeless women and as a clinical caseworker with the Division of Child and Family Services. She received her MSW from Boston University in 2007 and her joint sociology and social work PhD from Boston University in 2017. Melissa has her LCSW and is licensed in both Utah and Tennessee. She is currently an Associate Professor at Utah Valley University and is also the BSW Program Director. |
Mikle
South x
Mikle South Mikle is an Associate Professor of Phsychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University. He received his PhD from the University of Utah with postdoctoral training at the Yale Child Study Center. His research utilizes a variety of techniques including neuroimaging, psychophysiology, and behavioral measures to study the interplay between emotion and decision making in autism spectrum disorders, especially related to fear and anxiety. He is also a licensed child psychologist and president of Timpanogos Assessment and Psychological Services, which specializes in assessment of complex developmental concerns. |
