TechieForLife Student Boosts Inclusiveness at Utah Tech with Neurodiversity Club
TechieForLife (TFL) student Ian Kelly founded Utah Tech University’s first neurodiversity club giving autistic and neurodivergent students a voice and social connections on the campus of over 11,000 students. “Club of Diverse Minds” boasts 78 active members who participate in activities and events sponsored by TechieForLife, Utah Tech’s Science, Engineering, and Technology Department, and has included collaborations with the E-Sports Club.
21% of students at Utah Tech are from diverse populations. The open-access state university promotes inclusivity and the neurodiversity club has been well received. “I was inspired to start this club so people who are neurodivergent have a voice and somewhere to belong on campus,” said Ian Kelly, Founder and President.
With a goal of bringing like-minded people together, the club is following up their last successful event, a Lan Gaming Party, with a movie theater style night on April 15th, at 7 pm, at Utah Tech campus with popcorn, candy and soda. The featured show- episodes of “Love on the Spectrum” a Netflix original about autistic young adults navigating the dating scene. We hear Brooks the Bison, Utah Tech’s mascot may be making an appearance as well.
About TechieForLife
TechieForLife (TFL) is a co-ed, residential, postsecondary school with wrap-around career support in beautiful St. George, Utah. Autistic and neurodivergent students with social, emotional, and academic challenges receive neurodevelopmental mentoring at TFL so they can build social connections, confidence and independence. Licensed as a vocational school, TFL offers in-house computer tech training, college or trade school help, apprenticeships, internships, and job support for individualized paths forward. At TFL, students have a place to belong and support to succeed.
‘Autism & Neurodiversity’ podcast– Join Jason Grygla, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Director of TechieForLife, and his wife, Debbie Grygla, Certified Life Coach, every Friday for relevant insights, discussions with leading experts, and supportive tools.