DASLP PhD Student Nancy Williams-Nettles Recognized at ACPA 2026 for Leadership in Disability Inclusion

The Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy (DASLP) at Morgan State University is proud to share that Nancy Williams-Nettles, a PhD student in the Higher Education program, was recognized at the 2026 annual meeting of ACPA—College Student Educators International for her leadership and scholarship on disability inclusion in higher education.

At the conference, Williams-Nettles presented a session titled “Invisible and Unheard: Addressing the Support Disparity for Black/African American College Students with Invisible Disabilities.” Her presentation focused on the experiences of students whose disabilities are not always visible and the ways higher education institutions can better support their academic success, well-being, and sense of belonging.

Her work and leadership in this area were recognized by both the ACPA Commission for Academic Affairs and the Coalition for Disability, highlighting the importance of addressing gaps in support for students navigating both racial inequities and disability-related barriers in college environments.

Williams-Nettles currently serves as the Director of Accessibility at Goucher College, where she leads efforts to support students with disabilities across their academic journeys. Her professional work and doctoral studies reflect a sustained commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and student success, particularly for students who are often underserved in higher education systems.

Her presentation contributes to ongoing national conversations about disability inclusion in higher education, support for Black students, and equitable student affairs practice. These conversations are especially critical as institutions work to create more inclusive environments for diverse student populations, including adult learners and students with invisible disabilities.

This recognition reflects the mission of DASLP to center Black education, promote equity-oriented teaching and research, and prepare leaders and scholars who address complex challenges in education. Through her work, Williams-Nettles exemplifies the kind of scholar-practitioner leadership that DASLP seeks to cultivate in its graduate programs in higher education.