Heidi Potrykus

About

As an individual with a disability who has had to navigate high school, college, graduate school, and the professional setting, I have learned a few things. First, grit and determination are vital to moving past some of the inevitable academic challenges. Second, thinking outside the box to mitigate the adverse effects of a disability can help people develop additional skills they wouldn't have otherwise fostered. Lastly, helping others with disabilities tackle the ever-changing academic environment has been and continues to be my passion.

My disability has led me to spend 14 years working in Higher Education as a leader in Disability Services. This position allowed me to work alongside college students with all types of disabilities and find success in the higher educational environment. Throughout my experience as a professional in Higher Education, I have:

• Reviewed medical documentation to determine a student’s eligibility for accommodations

• Assisted with the development of institutional policies that increased the overall accessibility of the institution

• Wrote and received funding twice for a $1M+ federal grant to support students with disabilities

• Collaborated with local high schools to share information about the unique transition from high school to college for students with disabilities and how best to prepare

• Counseled students on disability acceptance and how to best advocate for their needs

• Developed Transition Coordinator position to assist incoming students with disabilities during the transitional period from high school to college

• More than tripled the number of dedicated staff at the institution working with students with disabilities

I aim to ensure students are prepared for college as it relates to their disability while allowing IECs to focus on the college admissions process. My goal is to share the knowledge I gained as the director of a Disability Services Office at a mid-size university and first-hand experience as a student who received accommodations with IECs and their students.