Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College are proud to support Neurodiversity Celebration Week (NDCW) 2025, Monday, March 18, through Sunday, March 23, 2025. The celebratory week offers numerous opportunities to attend introductory webinars, virtual panel discussions, and more—all aimed to expand awareness via education and sharing while inspiring more conversations about neurodiversity.
Allison Jenson serves as director of the Office for Accessibility Resources (OAR) at Inver Hills. Allison appreciates the essential strengths and constructive outlooks neurodiverse students, staff, faculty, and alumni contribute to the college community.
“Neurodiverse people provide creative solutions and unique takes on problems,” she said. “They often bring energy, enthusiasm, humor, and lots of passion to their work. Every workplace I’ve ever been in has been greatly enriched by my neurodiverse colleagues and friends! I’m so grateful to have had the chance to broaden my worldview by hearing their perspectives.”
“Acknowledging, embracing, and celebrating neurodiversity in education and the workplace fosters innovation, creativity, and inclusivity,” she reported. “By valuing diverse ways of thinking, we unlock the full potential of every individual. That approach helps create environments that go beyond helping people survive or just get by.”
Anna added that valuing diverse ways of thinking works to build and sustain communities that help all of us thrive and flourish, not only as students or employees, but as people.
“As an autistic and (likely) dyslexic individual, I am grateful for the DCTC and Inver Hills communities for how they have acknowledged, embraced, and celebrated my differences,” she said. “That acceptance helps me bring my authentic neurodivergent self to work each day.”
What is Neurodiversity?¹
When it comes to inclusion, neurodiversity refers to a world where neurological differences are recognized and respected as all other human variations.
Depending on how our brains are wired we think, move, process information, and communicate in different ways. Many people in our community use neurodiversity as an umbrella term used to describe alternative thinking styles such as dyslexia, DCD (dyspraxia), dyscalculia, autism, and ADHD.
But regardless of labels, neurodiversity is about recognizing those who think differently. And no matter whether you are a school, university, or organization, you can benefit from different thinkers!
Approximately 15–20 percent of population has a neurological difference. Instead of labelling people with deficits or disorders, when we use the term neurodiversity, we take a balanced view of an individual’s unique strengths and challenges. Many “challenges” neurodivergent people face are more to do with the environment and systems they are placed in, often designed by a majority population.
All events are virtual, but DCTC and Inver Hills departments will be hosting viewing parties, where students and employees can gather and watch a webinar session together on campus.
NDCW 2025 schedule breakdown
Monday, March 17, 2025
Celebrating Different Minds – An Introduction to Neurodiversity
Breaking Barriers – The Power of Language in Neurodiversity
Neurodivergence Seldom Travels Alone: The Unexplored World of Co-Occurring Conditions
Neurodiversity: Where can HR Professionals make a difference?
Perspective of Young People on Neurodiversity*
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Neurodiversity at Work Q & A: Products & Customer Services
Neurodivergence & LGBTQIA+: A Conversation on Identity, Intersectionality & Empowerment
Empowering Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Neurodiversity & Mental Health – Acquired Neurodivergence
Navigating Neurodiversity: Parental Perspectives, Professional Insights, and Policy Changes in 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Neurodiversity and Nutrition – Food For Thought
Shaping Neurodiversity through Innovation & Technology
Neurodiversity at Work Q & A: Designing Neuro-inclusive Working Environments
Person-Centered Management for Neuroinclusion
What makes Spaces and Places Neuroinclusive in Further and Higher Education?
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Is Neurodiversity a Community? Exploring Identity, Inclusion, and Intersectionality
Building the Neuroinclusive Classroom of Tomorrow…Today!
Workplace Burnout: How to Reclaim Your Energy as a Neurodivergent Woman at Work
Navigating Neurodiversity & the Criminal Justice System
Neurodiversity around the World*
Friday, March 21, 2025
Late Diagnosed Neurodiversity in Women
Parents & Carers – Supporting Children Through Times of Transition
Is the Business World leading society on Neuroinclusion?
Celebrating Different Minds: Future Directions and Continuing Conversations
* Denotes a webinar watch party at DCTC or Inver Hills.
Get details about hosting a viewing party on campus for any NDCW webinar by contacting Anna Voight at anna.voight@dctc.edu by Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 8 a.m.
Note: NDCW is based in the United Kingdom. Times listed on the NDCW website need to be converted to your timezone. If you register for a webinar, adding the event to your calendar will automatically correct for your timezone.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week highlights the strengths of the neurodivergent population. I have ADHD, and I learned about my superpowers, such as hyperfocus.”
Adrienne Zarn, CPC, CAN-PC Medical Coding Specialist Faculty Minnesota State BOT 2023 Outstanding Educator Dakota County Technical College
Anne Johnson: Administrator perspective
“It is important to celebrate Neurodiversity in education and the workplace because I believe in the relevance of uplifting and respecting differences in people and all that students and employees have to offer to the colleges. I have worked with people who have been very transparent about who they are as a neurodiverse person. They offer so much to the colleges.
“Based on statistics, I imagine I work and interact with several people who are neurodiverse. Thus, the importance of being sensitive to differences in people and leaning into their strengths. We all have much to offer no matter who we are. Celebrating neurodiversity allows us to learn, grow, and lift neurodiversity up!”
Anne Johnson, MBA Vice President of Enrollment Management and Outreach Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College
Megan Petersen: Staff Perspective
“I attended Neurodiversity Celebration Week sessions in previous years and found them to be so helpful. As I interact with students of all stripes every day, learning more about different types of brains and different sorts of people is invaluable to me. I strongly encourage folks to get involved, learn more, and think about how we can celebrate neurodiversity on our campuses!”
Megan Petersen TRIO/SSS Academic & Financial Aid Advisor Dakota County Technical College
Allyka Faye Lianza: Student Perspective
“Celebrating neurodiversity supports inclusiveness, innovation, and equality, allowing everyone to grow and succeed.”
Allyka Faye Lianza Information Systems Management Major Music Club Co-Director Dakota County Technical College
Wendy Marson: Staff Perspective
“Last year, I wrote about experiencing neurodiversity through the lens of a mother with a neurodiverse daughter. This year, my lens is that of a friend watching another friend struggle. We first met years ago, when we were both servers at a white tablecloth restaurant. She was working in healthcare in addition to her server job, as was I at the time. She had experienced a horrific car accident as a young woman with a closed head injury, which continues to impact her. I saw it through her disorganization in her home and car, even while she was high functioning in the workplace. We had a falling out over a text message meant for someone else about me that was sent to me.
“About two years ago, we ran into each other on the street after maybe 15 years had passed. As we reconnected, I learned more about her struggles and her continuing bravery in the face of them. She has a diagnosis now of ADHD, and I regret that I did not have more compassion about what she was experiencing. I apologized to her for being a bad friend to her. I can’t fix any of the multiple things that are keeping her stuck right now—I can direct her to resources; I can gently remind without nagging; I can share my own struggles with getting everything done. I can be a better friend.”
Wendy Marson, MS Director of Institutional Effectiveness Inver Hills Community College Dakota County Technical College
Ali Hassan: Student Perspective
“I think its important to celebrate neurodiversity at school. The reason why is because it’s all about learning and teaching education. Education is what everybody needs at school or when you are trying to get a job. In life, people are trying to become successful. But wait there’s a disability or a problem in your way.
“I’ve learned so much through my journey with ADHD, even my difficulties as well. So the best advice that I give anyone with neurodiversity or who has a disability is the quote that I heard plenty of times in my life: ‘Never Give Up.’
“In life, if you ever want to something, you must fight and always keep going—never ever stop. Being relentless is one of the keys in succeeding in life. It will get where you need to be. Never stop until you get it.”
Ali Hassan Exercise & Sports Science Major Dakota County Technical College
Inver Hills News stories related to neurodiversity
Jeremy Clark with Minnesota Ethnic Councils panelists representatives
Campus Resources & Networking for Neurodivergent Employees
Employee Resource Group
The mission of the Neurodiverse Employee Resource Group (ERG) is to provide a supportive community for neurodivergent employees and allies, increase representation of neurodivergence, and elevate experiences and perspectives of neurodivergent students and employees.
ERG Goals
Support: Provide a supportive and understanding community where neurodivergent employees and students are valued for who they are and feel like they belong.
Represent: Increase awareness, understanding, and full inclusion of neurodivergent individuals in our campus community.
Uplift: Elevate the voices and support the needs of Neurodivergent individuals through ongoing engagement with the campus community
Neurodiverse ERG flyer
DCTC and Inver Hills employees interested in joining the Neurodiverse Employee Resources Group (ERG) are encouraged to complete the Online ERG Interest Form.
Inver Hills Campus Resources & Networking for Neurodivergent Students
Disability Club
Purpose: The purpose of Disability Club socializing, studying and support. Bringing activism to invisible and visible disabilities.
CONTACTS:Allison Jenson, Disability Club Staff Advisor, and Marika Reese, Disability Club Faculty Advisor
Accessibility Resources
Ensuring access to educational programming and activities.
The Office for Accessibility Resources (OAR) is dedicated to creating an accessible learning community where individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to pursue their educational goals, limited only by their abilities, not their disabilities.
New or currently enrolled students with disabilities are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the director of accessibilityresources, to discuss their individual needs and further determine if they are eligible to receive reasonable accommodations.
DCTC Campus Resources & Networking for Neurodivergent Students
Unified Club
The Unified Club is amazing program which combines students with and without disability to come together a build those relationships with their peers. Unified Club also helps to spread acceptance and make sure that everyone feels included and welcome in their school.
Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) provides support services for qualified students with disabilities. Students with disabilities may obtain assistance during any phase of the education process including admissions, registration, advising, instruction, and placement. View more.
CONTACT:Melissa Fletcher, Educational Access & Disability Resources Director
Inver Hills Campus Resources & Networking for Neurodivergent Students
Disability Club
Purpose: The purpose of Disability Club socializing, studying and support. Bringing activism to invisible and visible disabilities.
CONTACTS:Allison Jenson, Disability Club Staff Advisor, and Marika Reese, Disability Club Faculty Advisor
Accessibility Resources
Ensuring access to educational programming and activities.
The Office for Accessibility Resources (OAR) is dedicated to creating an accessible learning community where individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to pursue their educational goals, limited only by their abilities, not their disabilities.
New or currently enrolled students with disabilities are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the director of accessibilityresources, to discuss their individual needs and further determine if they are eligible to receive reasonable accommodations.
Allison Jenson
Office for Accessibility Resources (OAR) Director
Disability Club Staff Advisor
Inver Hills Community College allison.jenson@inverhills.edu
Marika Reese Social Justice Studies Faculty
Disability Club Faculty Advisor
Inver Hills Community College marika.reese@inverhills.edu
Anna Voight Campus Merger Coordinator
Neurodiverse Employee Resource Group (ERG) Chair
Dakota County Technical College anna.voight@dctc.edu
Erin Manthey
Mathematics Faculty
Neurodiverse Employee Resource Group Vice Chair
Unified Club Co-Advisor
Dakota County Technical College erin.manthey@dctc.edu
Maggie Laurel
Learning Technology Support Specialist
Unified Club Co-Advisor
Dakota County Technical College maggie.laurel@dctc.edu
