Student Accessibility Support (SAS) Fellows
The Student Accessibility Support (SAS) Fellows support their peers in their adjustment to college life, both academically and socially. SAS Fellows are current Brandeis University undergraduate students who have had experience effectively navigating campus resources.
The SAS Fellows Program works to create a welcoming, stigma-free environment that promotes disability awareness so that all students have an opportunity to flourish and embrace differences. Students who identify as having a disability(ies)/condition(s) may benefit from meeting with a SAS Fellow. By having a conversation with someone who has been in a similar position, students will be able to relate and seek meaningful guidance.
Additionally, SAS Fellows help with student engagement efforts, hold assignment accountability hours and disability-specific affinity groups, collaborate with student groups, and perform alternative text services for the office.
Student Accessibility Support (SAS) Fellows
Intended field of study: Health, science, sociology and policy (HSSP) and African and African American studies (AAAS)
What does an inclusive campus look like to you?
I believe an inclusive campus would be a place where things were equitable and everyone regardless of their disability status would have access to the resources needed to earn a degree and get the most out of their Brandeis experience. It would also be a campus that was physically accessible with the structures required to allow all members of the community to navigate Brandeis with ease.
Fun facts: I'm originally from Stone Mountain and have loved spending the past three years exploring the city of Boston. Outside school, I enjoy camping, hiking, reading and traveling. Some of my favorite places to visit are national parks and museums. I am foodie who loves trying new foods at local mom-and-pop restaurants. My perfect day would include relaxing on the couch with a good book and my cats Finn and Sir.
Intended field of study: Sociology and anthropology
What is one thing you would like to say to other students with disabilities who are navigating higher education? Remember that it is not your job to educate anyone else on your, or any other, disabilities if you do not have the desire and/or capacity to do so. You're here to learn, and you have every right to do that without expending emotional labor to teach about yourself if you don't feel called to do so.
Fun fact: I'm a pyrographer!
Intended field of study: International and global studies, French and Francophone studies.
Minors: Social justice and policy, creative writing.
What does an inclusive campus look like to you?
An inclusive campus is one that sees, understands and respects the intersecting identities of each individual community member. Moreover, it is one that listens to each member of the community, and creates equitable spaces (like SAS and the fellows' office hours) for its students to express themselves in whatever ways they may need and want.
Fun fact: New York's Yuh-Line Niou became the first openly autistic woman to be elected to a U.S. state legislature this past September!
Intended field of study: Applied mathematics and history; minor in chemistry
If you could go back to yourself in your first year in college and offer a piece of advice, what would it be? Asking for help can include lots of different things, even beyond Student Accessibility Support: emailing professors with questions about classes they're not even teaching, checking in regularly with academic advisors, going to a community therapist for tips about self-care, or even trading chores with roommates to find what works best. In my first year, I was scared to ask for any help, but since then I've asked for help in all of these ways. If I could offer a piece of advice to myself in my first year, I would suggest being purposeful about looking into what supports are available and self-advocating to be able to use those resources.
Fun fact: My all-time favorite album is AC/DC's "Back in Black."
Intended field of study: Biology and health, science, sociology and policy (HSSP); minor in chemistry (pre-med track)
If you could go back to yourself in your first year in college and offer a piece of advice, what would it be? I would tell myself to live in the moment more. I spent so much time preparing for the next few years and not enough time enjoying the time I was spending with the amazing people around me.
Fun fact: I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa when I was 14, and I started my own business when I was 16.
Intended field of study: Politics; minor in legal studies
If you could go back to your first year in college and offer a piece of advice, what would it be? I would tell myself not to be afraid to ask for help. Whether it is an accessibility issue, a hard class or any other struggle, there are tons of resources available to support students (like SAS, BUGS tutors, the writing center, etc.). These resources are there to help you, so don’t be afraid to use them.
Fun fact: I play a sport for the blind called Beep Baseball.
Intended field of study: International and global studies,; minor in creativity, the arts and social transformation (CAST)
What is one thing you would like to say to other students with disabilities who are navigating Higher Education? Do not be afraid — and do not hesitate — to ask for help! There are so many caring and compassionate people (here at Brandeis and elsewhere) that want to support you and, with multifaceted support, I genuinely believe that anything is possible!
Fun fact: I have practiced Kung Fu for 15 years!