We are thrilled to announce that the A-SCENE initiative has been honored with the Excellence in Accessible STEM Leadership Award at the Accessibility in STEM Conference hosted by NC State University. This prestigious recognition celebrates efforts that transform accessibility from aspiration into tangible action within STEM education and career pathways.
Dave Thompson, representing the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, accepted the award on behalf of the entire A-SCENE team. While Dave stood at the podium, this honor truly belongs to the many dedicated individuals across our partner institutions who have worked tirelessly to build systems that genuinely support neurodivergent students and engineers.
The conference presentation brought together voices from across our collaborative network, including Dr. Connie Syharat from the UConn College of Engineering, and Dr. Erik Brenner from the Northeastern University College of Engineering. Together, they demonstrated how A-SCENE integrates research, student support, employer engagement, curriculum innovation, and systems-level change into a cohesive and practical framework.
A-SCENE is anchored by the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University under the leadership of Dr. Keivan Stassun, and is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Broaden Participation in STEM program. Our work is made possible through partnerships with outstanding engineering programs including Vanderbilt University School of Engineering, UConn College of Engineering, Northeastern University College of Engineering, University of Missouri College of Engineering, and many others.
Each partner brings unique expertise and strengths to the table. Together, we’re building accessibility into the foundation of engineering education and career pathways in ways that are sustainable, scalable, and truly responsive to student needs.
Congratulations to Dave and to every member of the A-SCENE community who has contributed to this vital work. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and we’re excited to continue this important journey.