Presenters
Dr. Christin Monroe, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA; Rebecca Matte, Landmark College, VT, USA.
Abstract
Efforts to improve inclusion in STEM for individuals with disabilities often emphasize institutional change, yet less attention is given to how neurodivergent students themselves experience and shape these environments as emerging scholars. This session centers the lived experiences and professional trajectories of 4-5 neurodivergent scholars engaged in the AIE-STEMPLOS program, a structured initiative designed to support undergraduate and graduate participation in STEM through cohort-based learning, research engagement, and science communication.
Through a facilitated panel, scholars will share how participation in program components-including a weekly cohort seminar, science outreach, co-authorship of blogs and peer-reviewed publications, and conference presentations-has contributed to their development as scientists, educators, and advocates. Panelists will reflect on how these experiences have influenced their sense of belonging in STEM, their professional identity formation, and their approaches to navigating and reshaping academic spaces.
Grounded in a strengths-based and neuroinclusive framework, this session highlights how structured opportunities for collaboration, visibility, and authentic contribution can foster both individual growth and broader cultural change in STEM. Attendees will gain insight into the design of programs that center student voice, recognize diverse ways of thinking and working, and create pathways for meaningful participation in scientific communities.
By elevating neurodivergent perspectives, this session contributes to ongoing conversations about access, equity, and innovation in STEM education, offering actionable considerations for educators, researchers, and program developers seeking to expand inclusive practices in their own contexts.
Presenter Biographies
Christin Monroe, Ph.D. Educational Research Associate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Landmark College
Christin Monroe is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Landmark College and principal investigator of an NSF S-STEM program that supports neurodivergent students pursuing STEM degrees. Her work focuses on inclusive STEM education, undergraduate research, mentoring, and accessible teaching practices. She will be joined by Rebecca Matte and STEM students from Landmark College, who will participate in the panel to share their experiences as neurodivergent learners, researchers, and emerging STEM professionals.
Rebecca Matte Landmark College, Vermont, USA
Rebecca Matte joins this session from Landmark College. Together with Dr. Monroe and participating STEM students, she will discuss strategies that foster belonging, academic success, and career readiness in STEM.