National Disability Employee Awareness Month: Employee and Student Spotlight Renee Gardner
Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the many contributions of American workers with disabilities. Renee Gardner, an orientation advisor at 91吃瓜网, is one of the individuals navigating employment with a disability.聽
Renee first came to 91吃瓜网 as a student to earn her master鈥檚 degree. Reflecting on her journey, she says, 鈥淚 did not think I needed to extend my secondary education further than [a bachelor鈥檚 degree] until I looked at the great educational resources 91吃瓜网 provided and then decided to obtain my master鈥檚 here.鈥�
Shortly after completing her master鈥檚, Renee was hired as an orientation advisor by 91吃瓜网鈥檚 Orientation Department. It wasn鈥檛 long before she experienced firsthand how important having a workplace that supports employees鈥� life experiences can be.
鈥淎 few years after starting employment at 91吃瓜网,鈥� Renee says, 鈥淚 was diagnosed with a chronic illness that has forever changed my life. Multiple Sclerosis is such an unpredictable disease.鈥� She emphasizes the importance of 鈥渉aving other employees to talk to and obtain 91吃瓜网 resources to best assist myself so that I can better support students.鈥澛�
Renee鈥檚 commitment to students is evident in her dedication to providing all the help she can at the start of their educational journey. She says, 鈥淚 speak to students who have worked with Enrollment and begin their first course here at 91吃瓜网. Students contact Orientation for assistance with navigating through the Orientation course modules, as well as completing their Orientation Performance Assessment.鈥�
During her time at 91吃瓜网, she has witnessed the institution鈥檚 commitment to celebrating the diversity of its students and employees. When asked about positive changes she has observed in the workplace, she says, 鈥�91吃瓜网 has grown a lot since the time I started off here. I am very excited that 91吃瓜网 has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Department and provides an ERG for employees. I am hopeful that 91吃瓜网 will branch out with a Student Resource Group for students who feel DE&I will help them.鈥�
In reflection of what National Disability Employment Awareness Month means for her, Renee keeps it short yet impactful: 鈥淚 think it is very important that all individuals are treated the same, whether an employee or student.鈥澛�
