Rowan University to celebrate Access and Inclusion Week

A point of pride at Rowan University is the broad and growing range of diversity among its students, faculty and staff.

To further its goal of being a diverse, inclusive learning community, Rowan in 2019 became one of the first universities in the nation to create a Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

From Oct. 25-29, Rowan will celebrate the diversity of voices, faces, people and personalities that make our university great with a week of programming dedicated to access and inclusion.

Leading up to it, Rowan on Oct. 20 formally announces its all new Center for Neurodiversity, a campus focal point for events, student support and programming, professional development, community engagement, research and more.

John Woodruff, director, Academic Success Center & Disability Resources, said programming for this year’s Access and Inclusion Week was built around the notion that Rowan remains a nimble, flexible, willing-to-serve community.

“Our theme - Moving Forward - celebrates Rowan’s ability to come together during a pandemic,” Woodruff said. “Students, faculty and staff shared a common bond demonstrating the importance of access, equity, neurodiversity and universal design in the classroom and across campus. The week is dedicated to programming and events showcasing the lived experiences of students with disabilities and best practices in supporting the diverse needs of all members of the Rowan community.”

Programming for the week includes activities for promoting inclusivity; an access and inclusion resource fair; a program exploring stigmas around disability in the South Asian community; and a segment discussing Jeune's Syndrome, a rare genetic pulmonary disorder. See the full week's programming.