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Article Type

Professional Proficiency

Article Abstract

Related Issue:

Health impacts individuals from birth and throughout life. When health is compromised, shame, fear, and denial often arise. The hidden majority of chronically ill individuals face challenges in higher education and career progression, including disclosure, resource availability, and navigating career expectations. Current disability efforts in higher education primarily focus on students, leaving a gap in inclusion for faculty and staff. Failure to consider these individuals hinders disability inclusion and belonging in universities. The importance of including faculty and staff in disability-related processes cannot be understated. Disability must be a part of diversity to keep true to the goals of higher education.

Author(s)

west-w--smWhitney N. West, Ed.D., has been in higher education for more than fifteen
years and is currently Director of Student Records at LSU Law. She has worked
at universities in D.C., Maryland, and Louisiana. Whitney is a two-time
graduate of The George Washington University and has a graduate certificate
from University of Maryland Baltimore County. In July 2023, she completed her
doctorate of education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her
doctoral studies focus on the intersection of race, gender, and disability. In
addition, she currently serves as Co-Chair for the American Association of
Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) Accessibility Task
Force.

She is also a DEI/Disability awareness advocate and speaker who was diagnosed
with a chronic illness in 2014 that almost took her life. From there, Whitney
set out to make the most out of life and live her best and most authentic
life. She uses her platform and her position in higher education to help
people appreciate their lives and advocate for themselves even when unexpected
and uncomfortable things happen. She is also on a mission to educate the world
on ableism and has spoken at National Co-op of Grocers, Aquent, AACRAO’s
Annual Meeting and Strategic Enrollment Management Conference, and Texas
Women’s University.

riddick-i--smIman Riddick serves as Registrar and Assistant Dean of Students at The
Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C. She is passionate about access
and equity for all student populations. Having worked as registrar for Kennedy
King College, one college part of the City Colleges of Chicago, assistant
registrar at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and associate
director of enrollment services at the Johns Hopkins University, Center for
Talented Youth., Riddick has contributed to policy creation supporting student
success for students K–12 to graduate level. She has earned a Bachelor of
Science from Chicago State University and previously served the Chesapeake and
Potomac Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
(CAPACRAO) Committee. She currently serves as a committee member for the
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
Accessibility Task Force.

References

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