NDAG October Highlights We had a productive October! Dear NDAG (neurodivergent affinity group) Community,

As October comes to a close, we wanted to provide an update on our recent work in NDAG. First, we wish to acknowledge that October is National ADD/ADHD Awareness Month, along with being...
  • Sensory Processing Awareness Month
  • "I'm Just Me Because" Month
  • Physical Therapy Month
  • World Blindness Awareness Month
  • Dysautonomia Awareness Month
  • Rhett Syndrome Awareness Month
  • Spina Bifida Awareness Month
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • LGBTQ History Month
  • among others....
Instead of all these themes detracting from ADHD Awareness, I'm intrigued by their varied roles and relationships within the ND community.

Here's a recap of how NDAG leaders have taken action during October 2025...
  • NDAG leadership planning meeting on 10/10
  • Gina Hoagland presented a talk titled "Unlock the Power of Different Minds: Neurodiversity Awareness at Work" to UMBC HR's Thriving Thursdays seminar series on 10/16
  • Karen Chen & Tory Williams attended a working breakfast with other UMBC Affinity Group leaders, representatives of Faculty Affairs and Community & Culture on 10/16
  • Tory Williams attended the Middle States Evaluation UMBC Team Chair Meeting (Shared Governance & Affinity Groups) on 10/20
  • NDAG was highlighted during a Faculty Development Center workshop for Community Building and "Critical Hope" book discussion, on 10/22
  • Updates to the NDAG myUMBC page: posting resource files, inviting new members/followers

Finally, here are some tasks and events that are being planned for the upcoming months...
  • NDAG Leadership/Planning meeting on 11/14 and 12/12 at 1:30pm WebEx (see our Events page)
  • Create a NDAG promotional flyer to share with faculty department chairs
  • Begin scheduling 'Writing/Working Accountability" WebEx sessions
  • Scheduling our first official leadership election (current Co-Chairs are interim Chairs)
  • One or more guest speaker presentations

We invite you to collaborate with NDAG leadership as you are able to! We will post events as they become available.

Thank You,

Tory Williams
NDAG Co-Chair
UMBC IRB Manager, Office of Research Protections & Compliance
UMBC Alumnus (PhD, Biology, 2013)


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  • Gina Hoagland, Nikki Monczewski, and Karen Chen, for supportive leadership to keep the momentum to reach this point
  • Lauren Allen and Zoe Brown of the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center--who graciously provided space and refreshments for two meet & greet events for our pre-formed group
  • Ana Oskoz, Walter Parrish, & Manfred H. M. van Dulman for reviewing, guiding, and approving our affinity group application
  • The supportive UMBC community who responded to our google form to help demonstrate that a neurodivergent faculty & staff affinity group is desired and warranted at our campus
  • Leaders of other UMBC affinity groups who provided early support and guidance in forming this initiative
Now the work begins! We will be in touch with resources as well as asking our members' feedback on future events, campus visibility, service projects, leadership elections and more. 
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Thursday, September 18

Belonging on Their Terms: Friendship Experiences of Autistic College Students
Students, Employees, Alumni
12:00 pm, Online Seminar

Meeting Link: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/94625574235

Presenters: Katie Tobin McDermott – Consultant; Dr. Karly Ball Isaacson – Michigan State University

College Autism Network: This presentation highlights autistic undergraduate college students’ perspectives on friendship using data from the PEACES project, a national, longitudinal, mixed methods study. We present key findings related to participants’ engagement in autistic spaces, practicing autistic authenticity, and bonding over shared interests. Drawing from these findings, we discuss strategies for higher education professionals and researchers to support belonging among this unique student group.

NOTE: This event is not hosted by, and is not associated with, any individual or group at UMBC.

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