{"id":223,"date":"2025-12-11T10:50:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T15:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/dscommunique\/?p=223"},"modified":"2025-12-11T10:50:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T15:50:40","slug":"gratitude-resilience-and-rest-reflecting-on-fall-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/dscommunique\/2025\/12\/11\/gratitude-resilience-and-rest-reflecting-on-fall-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Gratitude, Resilience, and Rest: Reflecting on Fall 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the days get shorter and the final exams wrap up, a distinct quiet begins to settle over the campus. It is in this quiet moment\u2014before the holiday rush truly begins\u2014that I like to pause and reflect on the semester we have just completed.<br \/><br \/>This Fall has been, in a word, <strong>momentous<\/strong>.<br \/><br \/>When I look back at the last few months, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude, not just for the work we do, but for the community we are building together. As we prepare to turn the calendar to 2026, I want to share a few thoughts with our students, families, colleagues, and generous supporters.<br \/><br \/><strong>Small Team, Massive Impact<\/strong><br \/><br \/>It is no secret to those close to our office that this semester brought unique challenges. We have seen an unprecedented number of students registering for services this fall. The demand for access is higher than it has ever been, which is a wonderful sign that students are advocating for themselves\u2014but it also brings a heavy operational load.<br \/><br \/>I want to take a moment to publicly applaud my incredible team. We are an office of only <strong>four<\/strong> full-time staff members.<br \/><br \/>Despite the sheer volume of requests, this small but mighty team has moved mountains. Day after day, they have:<br \/>\u2022 Navigated complex access barriers.<br \/>\u2022 Coordinated thousands of accommodations.<br \/>\u2022 Engaged in difficult conversations to ensure equity in the classroom.<br \/>\u2022 Worked late hours to ensure no student fell through the cracks.<br \/><br \/>To my staff: <strong>Thank you<\/strong>. Your dedication to navigating these challenges is the backbone of this university\u2019s commitment to inclusion.<br \/><br \/><strong>Celebrating Our Students<\/strong><br \/><br \/>While the logistical numbers are high, the real story of this semester is the students themselves.<br \/><br \/>To the students registered with our office: <strong>We see you<\/strong>.<br \/><br \/>We see the tremendous hard work you put in\u2014not just to learn the course material, but to manage the &#8220;invisible curriculum&#8221; of navigating a disability in higher education. We see you self-advocating with professors, managing appointments, utilizing assistive technology, and balancing your health with your ambition.<br \/><br \/>You are meeting academic and career goals that are setting the stage for your future. Your resilience is not just a trait; it is a skill that will serve you well beyond these campus walls. You are the reason we do this work, and celebrating your success is the highlight of our year.<br \/><br \/><strong>A Community of Support<\/strong><br \/><br \/>To the families, faculty\/staff partners, and donors who support our mission: <strong>Thank you.<\/strong><br \/>\u2022 To our Donors: Your contributions allow us to bridge gaps that our operating budget cannot cover. You help us turn &#8220;access denied&#8221; into &#8220;access granted.&#8221;<br \/>\u2022 To the Families: Thank you for entrusting us with your students and for partnering with us as they transition into independent self-advocates.<br \/><br \/><strong>A Wish for Rest and Renewal<\/strong><br \/><br \/>Finally, as we head into the winter break, my wish for all of you is simple: <strong>Rest.<\/strong><br \/><br \/>In a world that constantly demands productivity, rest is a radical and necessary act. Whether you are celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or simply the beauty of a winter pause, I hope you find time to disconnect.<br \/><br \/>Please take this time to recharge your minds and bodies. Step away from the screens, enjoy the company of loved ones, and be gentle with yourselves.<br \/><br \/>Happy Holidays to you and yours. We look forward to seeing you refreshed, renewed, and ready for another semester of growth in the New Year.<br \/><br \/>Best wishes for an accessible and joyful 2026 &#8211;<br \/><br \/><strong>Dr. Courtney Jarrett, ADAC<\/strong><br \/><em>Director, Disability Services<\/em><br \/><br \/><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the days get shorter and the final exams wrap up, a distinct quiet begins to settle over the campus. It is in this quiet moment\u2014before the holiday rush truly begins\u2014that I like to pause and reflect on the semester we have just completed. This Fall has been, in a word, momentous. 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