Initiative One: Neurodiversity Center for Excellence

The Neurodiversity Center for Excellence initiative leverages the College’s expertise, experience, and reputation for supporting students with learning differences to broaden its impact by reaching new markets, generating new revenue, and strengthening its position as a leader in supporting neurodivergent learners and workers. Building on its Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL), which Curry pioneered over 50 years ago, the Center aims to expand Curry’s leadership in neurodiversity education by providing specialized support and services to a broader population of neurodivergent learners and workers and serving as a thought-leader and convener on the issue.

Implementation Team

Bob Shea, Provost
Neurodiversity Center for Excellence Executive Director (TBD)
Nicole Parsons, Co-Director and Associate Professor, PAL
Janis Peters, Co-Director and Professor, PAL
Sarah Hannigan, Speech and Language Pathologist & SAIL Coordinator
Michelle Bracken, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management & Dean of Admission
Mike Bosco, Associate Provost for Academic Administration
Bill Boozang, Executive Director, Continuing Education & Graduate Programs
Margie Hutter, Director of Grants and Partnerships 

Advisory Committee

Giordana Basta, Associate Professor, Chairperson, Department of Education
Kirsten Shepard, Senior Instructional Designer and Technologist
Bridget Green, Community and Operations Coordinator, Residence Life
Ruth Joress, Associate Vice President of Finance
Bridget Leung-Rogala, Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Strategic Priorities

• Launch Center: Establish the Center to coordinate all the College’s neurodiversity initiatives and hire an Executive Director to lead the Center.
• Social Achievement in Learning (SAIL): Expand newly developed SAIL program to support students with social and emotional challenges due to autism, anxiety, or other factors.
• Summer Programs: Increase summer program opportunities for neurodivergent learners by expanding Summer PAL and SAIL options.
• Strategic Partnerships: Strengthen partnerships with employers and educational institutions to enhance experiential learning and training opportunities, in collaboration with the Center for Innovation.
• Gap Year Program: Establish a transition year program for neurodivergent high school graduates with both credit and non-credit courses.
• Online Coaching: Launch an online coaching program with structured 1:1 and group support for students and workers.

Fiscal Year 2025 Key Action Items

• Hire Neurodiversity Center for Excellence Executive Director
• Develop summer programs for 2025