Project Memphis Home and Community Team

Charmaine Sego, Program Coordinator
cssego@memphis.edu

Charmaine is a native Memphian and has been the Director of Early Intervention service programs at the University of Memphis since 2014. Charmaine has more than 3 decades of experience working with families in Memphis, she has been an Early Interventionist since 2000, primarily at the University of Memphis. Charmaine works closely with Project Memphis program sponsor, the Tennessee Department of Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)/Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), to enhance the mission and values of the University and to serve our community with high-quality service in a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Charmaine values inter-disciplinary and collaborative practices with Project Memphis staff, colleagues, and the early intervention community of Shelby County and Tennessee. She has 4 children, 1 grandchild, and enjoys gardening, listening to audiobooks, and cooking.

Lara Hunter, Director of Home and Community Services
lmhunter@memphis.edu

Carol Hunter, Project Memphis Coordinator
zchunter@memphis.edu

Carol Hunter serves as Project Memphis Coordinator for Project Memphis where she coordinates administrative and/or operational functions of the organizational unit under the supervision of a manager or director. Carol has over ten years of experience working as a Project Coordinator. She received her master’s degree in Human Resources Leadership from the University of Memphis. Carol also earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis in Management with a concentration in Public Administration. She enjoys spending time with her family. 

Elena Harvey, Quality Assurance Coordinator
dlxnder4@memphis.edu

Elena Harvey serves as Quality Assurance Coordinator for Project Memphis. She supports the quality and implementation of early intervention services through direct staff and family support and training. Elena received her Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Christian Brothers University. Elena started serving as an early interventionist in 2016 and has experience working with children with varying needs of support from birth to grade 12. Elena also serves as a bilingual interventionist with our Spanish speaking population. Elena is passionate about supporting families and their precious children as they invest in their future. Elena enjoys spending time with family, outings in nature, and shows from the 60s.

Demetras Cowlie, Developmental Therapist
dcowlie@memphis.edu

Demetras Cowlie is a graduate of Tennessee State University. She received a Master Degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and 45+ hours above  her Master Degree from Freed Hardeman University. Demetras is a full- time Special Education Teacher with Shelby County Schools. Demetras has been an Early Interventionist since 2008.  She is extremely passionate about serving the community, and working with children and families individual needs.

Samantha Alperin, Developmental Therapist
salperin@memphis.edu

Dr. Samantha Alperin has been a teacher and professor for over 28 years. She started her career as a special education teacher with legacy Shelby County Schools then worked for TEIS before going back to the UofM to complete her doctorate in instruction and curriculum. Sam taught at the higher education level ‘teaching teachers to teach’ for over 20 years before returning to her roots as a DT with Project Memphis. Sam has been married to her husband Lon for 32 years and they have two grown children, Leeya 23 and Parker 26 and Parker’s new wife, their new daughter in law Rachel. In her free time Sam loves to read, play pickleball, and practice yoga.

Geronetta Griffith, Developmental Therapist
ggrffith@memphis.edu

Geronetta Griffith, holds a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Radford University. In additional to her current role as an Early Interventionist, Geronetta is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience and has also worked as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing ABA Therapy. 

Geronetta has experience working with children of all ages and adults in a variety of educational and healthcare settings, including early childhood programs, public schools, private schools, outpatient programs and the private sector. Geronetta is most passionate about working with children, especially young learners. Throughout her career, Geronetta has served on various multi-disciplinary teams and enjoys collaborating with other providers and team members to devise individualized plans and strategies to support and better enhance the lives of children with disabilities and their families. Geronetta embraces the opportunity to refine her skills and broaden her knowledge on various topics through continuing education.  

Geronetta enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her two children, Jordan and Jeremiah, along with their dog, Chloe.