Susan Asselin recognized for exceptional leadership in access and inclusion
Susan Asselin, professor and chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education in Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, has been named this year’s winner of the Sally Bohland Award for Exceptional Leadership in Access and Inclusion.
The award, presented by the office of Services for Students with Disabilities, goes to a teaching faculty member who is a model for others, whose leadership fosters a culture of access and inclusion, and who modifies or develops new instructional methods to be more inclusive for all students.
A member of the university faculty for more than 30 years, Asselin is nationally recognized for her research and service aimed at improving the lives and futures of youth with disabilities as they transition from school to work and higher education. Her most recent research interests include universal design and the use of assistive technologies.
Asselin introduced the concept of universal design in instruction to the university in 2002 and has presented training on the concept nationally. She also co-founded and directed College Bound, a transition program for students with disabilities who are interested in attending college.
Asselin, along with faculty, staff, and students, were recognized for their service to students with disabilities at an awards reception April 23.
She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Florida State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
