Executive Director
Second Life alias: Saxet Uralia
Saxet Uralia is the avatar of Janyth Ussery. Janyth is the Director of Web Education at Texas State Technical College and has 14-years experience in higher education. With a specific focus in distance-education opportunities, exploring new frontiers in education is what has led her into Second Life over two years ago as a way to engage learners in online learning. Once there, she not only found a creative and engaging learning environment, she also saw opportunities that Second Life offers disabled individuals.
Janyth holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from Hardin-Simmons University and a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology from Texas Tech University. Janyth also has given many presentations on how virtual worlds can be used in education.
As one of the cofounders of SecondAbility Mentors, Janyth has worked with others on making this a resident assistance group specializing in assisting real-life disabled people learn how to navigate the Second Life interface and to find groups of their common interests. Among other activities the group designed a unique call system allowing residents to call and request help from a SecondAbility Mentor.
Janyth has often said, “While we make create, learn, work and play, the social opportunities offered for those that are disabled in real life may be Second Life’s finest hour.” Janyth is also the founder of Virtual Helping Hands (VHH), our fledgling non-profit that is committed to finding and supporting projects benefiting the disabled via virtual worlds.