Cheryl Grenwelge, Ph.D.
Program Director
Dr. Cheryl Grenwelge is an Associate Professor with Texas AgriLife Extension. This position includes dual responsibilities between Texas AgriLife Extension and The Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University. Dr. Grenwelge received her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University May, 2010. She has a B.S. in Special Education and a M.Ed. in Education with an emphasis on Educational Diagnostics and Texas Certification. She has teacher certifications in Special Education K-12, Elementary Education 1-8, and English as a Second Language. Previous to working with Texas A&M University, she was lead teacher at a large transition center at the secondary level.
Dr. Grenwelge is the program director and disability specialist for the Texas AgrAbility project. Her expertise in the disability field and personal background in agriculture gives her a distinct level of expertise in working with the individuals in the field of agriculture who have acquired a disabling condition. She works closely with the farmer/rancher and vocational rehabilitation. These efforts are directed at assisting the individual who has acquired a disabling condition in the agriculture field to return to their chosen profession.
phone: 979-321-5019
email: chgrenwelge@ag.tamu.edu
Makenzie Thomas
Program Manger
In 2016, Mrs. Thomas completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Leadership and Development from Texas A&M University. She is also a certified Professional Event Manager, Certified Business and Technical Assistance Consultant, and has completed over 30 hours of assistive technology specialist training through RESNA. Makenzie is a woman beginning farmer rancher with her husband on their small cattle operation in East Texas. She has a production agriculture background on her family’s 4th generation cattle and hay operation where she grew up. Makenzie also acquired a disability after a car accident as a teen, which gives her unique experience living with a disability as an agriculture producer. In her role with the Texas AgrAbility Project, she contributes her expertise by facilitating client and partner relationships, developing educational programs, conducting farm and ranch assessments, and providing assistive technology recommendations. Living with a disability herself, she believes that support for individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions is critical for the success of an individual and agriculture operation. Her greatest career accomplishments are seeing farmers and ranchers achieve their goals and return to work.
phone: 979-321-5226
email: Makenzie.Thomas@ag.tamu.edu
Megan Peveto
Program Coordinator
Megan (Azopardi) Peveto graduated from Texas A&M in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Leadership and Development. Megan grew up riding horses and competed in rodeo throughout her childhood. Her family has a long history in the Texas horse racing industry, both her father and her great-grandfather were inducted into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame. She was an active member of 4-H as a child, and gained experience with agriculture through showing llamas, rabbits, horses, and working on her grandfather’s pecan farm in South Texas. Megan is the spouse of an Army veteran which has driven her passion for working with military populations. She started working for AgriLife Extension in 2019 and has worked in several educational and training capacities. Megan has supported individuals with disabilities through post-secondary education and training programs as a mentor. Megan will be assisting Texas AgrAbility and BattleGround to Breaking Ground by coordinating educational events and programs, assisting with client case management, and providing support for program development.
phone: 979-321-5239
email: megan.azopardi@ag.tamu.edu