Chancellor King Highlights SUNY Student Participation in National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit
August 10, 2026
Students from Five SUNY Campuses Selected to Attend the Annual Summit in Colorado
SUNY Has Worked to Expand Resources for Neurodiverse Students Throughout the System
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted SUNY student participation in the National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit. The event is the nation's largest gathering of neurodivergent students and young adult leaders. This year, students from five SUNY campuses were selected by The Neurodiversity Alliance to attend the annual summit in Denver, Colorado.
"There is a place at SUNY for everyone, and we are proud of our work to support neurodiverse students at every stage of their academic journey. SUNY students participating in this year's Neurodiversity Leadership Summit will gain valuable leadership skills and foster important connections with other neurodiverse students throughout the country," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Congratulations to the students selected to attend this year's summit, I look forward to seeing how they use their experiences to further our work to build an inclusive and accessible environment for all students throughout the SUNY System."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY works to ensure that every student is supported and empowered to succeed on campus and thrive after graduation. We applaud the student leaders chosen to represent SUNY and participate in this year's Neurodiversity Leadership Summit, and we commend them for their continued excellence."
The National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit, hosted by The Neurodiversity Alliance, brings together students, recent graduates, and leaders from across the country to build confidence and community, develop leadership and professional skills, share resources and promote peer-to-peer support, and raise awareness of neurodivergent students. Five SUNY students from the State University of New York at Binghamton, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Orange Community College, and SUNY Oneonta were selected to participate in the summit this year, which took place from August 6 through August 9. The event featured inspiring speakers and special guests, engaging workshops and hands-on activities, and opportunities to connect with other students, graduates, and leaders in the neurodiversity movement.
The Neurodiversity Alliance CEO Jesse Sanchez said, "Neurodivergent students bring exceptional talent and unique perspectives to every campus they touch. Our partnership with SUNY reflects a shared belief that these students deserve real pathways to lead, not just accommodation. We're proud to welcome these five SUNY students to this year's Summit, and we look forward to building on this partnership to open even more doors for neurodivergent students across the SUNY System."
State University of New York at Binghamton President Anne D'Alleva said, "I thank SUNY System for all it has done to support Binghamton University's neurodivergent students, including facilitating participation in the National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit. I'm glad to know that we are providing opportunities for these students that go beyond success in the classroom and focus on their capabilities as leaders of the campus community. Increased access to personal and professional development further cements the University's mission to educate all students holistically."
SUNY Brockport President Dawn Meza Soufleris said, "Our institutions and communities are strengthened when diverse perspectives are empowered and heard. We are incredibly proud of our student who was selected to participate in the National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit and engage in this important conversation. It will not only serve as an outstanding leadership development opportunity but a real opportunity to explore and shape how neurodiversity can drive positive change."
SUNY Morrisville President David Rogers said, "We are proud to have one of our students representing SUNY Morrisville at the National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit. Every student brings unique strengths and perspectives to our campus community, and opportunities like this help students build confidence, develop leadership skills and thrive. We are grateful to SUNY for its continued commitment to expanding opportunities and support for neurodivergent students."
SUNY Oneonta President Alberto Cardelle said, "We are fortunate to have student leaders at SUNY Oneonta advancing neurodiversity awareness on our campus – along with a committed Accessibility Resources team amplifying and supporting our students' voices. Thanks to their efforts, we have a thriving Neurodiversity Club and increasing mindfulness among faculty and staff about how to best support our neurodiverse students. We are grateful to all the participating students and young adult leaders for their courage and advocacy. And we look forward to applying the National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit's learnings as we inspire rising neurodiverse leaders on our campus this upcoming school year."
SUNY Orange President Kristine Young said, "I am incredibly proud to see a SUNY Orange student participate in the National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit. SUNY Orange has a strong history of recognizing the unique abilities of neurodivergent students and creating innovative opportunities for them to thrive. Every student brings valuable perspectives and talents, and it is our responsibility as educators to help them recognize and nurture those gifts. This Summit provides our student with the opportunity to connect with other young leaders, learn from their experiences and build their confidence. Just as importantly, they will return to campus with fresh ideas and perspectives that will enrich the College's community and help advance our commitment to neurodiversity, inclusion and student success."
State Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara said, "As the father of a son with autism, I know how important it is for every person to be seen for their abilities, ideas, and goals. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, lead, and reach their full potential. Those selected for this national summit are not only learning from one another—they are speaking for themselves and showing what leadership looks like. They are building confidence, developing leadership skills, and giving colleges a better understanding of what students need to succeed. I congratulate each participant and thank SUNY for giving them the opportunity to share their voices, inspire others, and help shape the future for the next generation."
SUNY has worked to expand accessibility and inclusivity throughout the SUNY System, including expanding access to resources for neurodiverse students. In April, SUNY announced the launch of neurodiversity training for student leaders. In February, Chancellor King announced the expansion of SUNY's Mental Health Internship Program, a workforce development initiative that provides paid, hands-on learning opportunities for community college students pursuing careers in mental and behavioral health. In December 2025, SUNY announced the launch of the SUNY Disability Support Leadership Institute to help foster the success of emerging campus leaders in supporting students with disabilities, as well as the second cohort of Accessibility Advocates and Allies Faculty Fellows to work to expand digital accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices across their campuses.
SUNY has also invested $10 million in annual recurring State funding each year to support State-operated campuses in increasing support for students with disabilities. SUNY campuses have utilized their portion of the state investment to expand services for students with disabilities in a variety of ways, including hiring staff to mitigate barriers and support students with disabilities, purchase new accessibility technology equipment for student and faculty use, and make physical space improvements to increase accessibility.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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