QCC Employee Named President of New England Association of Higher Education and Disability

WORCESTER, MA— August 3, 2023 — The New England Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) has announced that Terri S. Rodriguez, associate director of Student Accessibility Services at Quinsigamond Community College, has been elected AHEAD president for the 2023-2024 academic year. Rodriguez served on the board of New England AHEAD since 2015 as the community college representative, moving into the role of vice president/president-elect last year. She is the first representative of a community college to be elected president of the organization. The president sets New England AHEAD’s direction and provides oversight for all activities of the association and is a liaison to the national AHEAD organization.

New England AHEAD members are comprised of postsecondary disability services professionals, ADA Compliance Officers and accessibility support staff from two-year and four-year colleges and universities, including graduate and technical schools, across six New England states. Currently, 140 professionals representing 70 institutions are members of New England AHEAD.  New England AHEAD provides disability service professionals with a network of local colleagues and accessible consultation and professional development opportunities.

Rodriguez, a resident of Holden, first joined Quinsigamond Community College in 2001 and has held several roles supporting the college’s efforts to provide access and academic opportunities to students with disabilities. Rodriguez has presented locally and nationally on issues of disability, recently in June at the Postsecondary Disability Institute in Boston.

“Terri is a tireless advocate for students with disabilities and supports individual colleagues here at the college in their understanding of disability resources and what access means on many levels,” Director of Student Accessibility Services Kristie Proctor said. “She has been an invaluable asset in preparing the college for the MAIHE students (Massachusetts Inclusive Higher Education legislation allowing students with developmental disabilities, severe autism, and other disabilities to attend college) and leading the project planning team. Terri brings her voice to conversations about inclusive campus culture and supports disability and belonging in her various roles at the college. I am pleased to see Terri recognized and be the first New England AHEAD president from a community college.”

For more information about QCC’s Student Accessibility Services, visit www.qcc.edu/services/student-accessibility-services.