Congratulations to the 2021 Think College Policy Advocates

March 11, 2021

For more than 40 years, there has been a Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) in the nation's capital, organized and hosted by numerous disability organizations. Until last year! And this year it's all virtual.... It doesn't make it any less important or impactful, though. This unique seminar has offered the opportunity for passionate advocates, self-advocates, experts, and professionals in the field to come together and learn about key issues.

As in 2019, teams of two from postsecondary education programs were invited to apply for the Think College Policy Advocate yearlong policy education program, including scholarships to attend the DPS sponsored by Think College and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). Each team had to include one student in a postsecondary program and one staff person, both with a desire to learn more about public policy and advocacy. They will continue after DPS to learn, expand, and apply their DPS lessons to the work they do to promote their programs with policymakers at home.

Thirteen teams applied, and ten were selected; they are:

Briana Kimble & Christi Kasa from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Marina Martinez & Alexis Szelwach from University of Georgia
Brea Rodriguez& Lyndsey Nunes from Westfield State University (MA)
Anna Ward & Kenneth Kelty from University of North Carolina
Majolyn Nunez & Steve Kleinberg from Hostos Community College/City University of New York
Megan Beals & Rachel Najdek from Bowling Green State University-Firelands
Elizabeth Stevenson & Jan Goings from University of Cincinnati
Hannah Humes & Megan Macon from Vanderbilt University
Elise McDaniel & Emma Burgin, PhD, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Isaiah Young & Chris Parthemos from Virginia Commonwealth University