SHU Hires New Director for Office of Student Accessibility

Kathy Radziunas will work to empower students who have disabilities

Sacred Heart University has hired Kathy Radziunas to provide guidance, leadership and academic-focused decisions as the new director for the Office of Student Accessibility (OSA).

The OSA’s role is to empower students with documented disabilities through various academic tools and strategies. With more awareness of their unique strengths and weaknesses, the students will be able to take full advantage of the University's accommodations and meet academic standards.

Radziunas will supervise the University’s testing center and support staff, help improve student learning and increase graduation and retention rates. Her other responsibilities include administrative workflow, liaison and communications duties, record-keeping and assessment reports.

Radziunas is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist with more than 20 years of experience working in both clinical and community settings. Her background includes extensive work with adults and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She is the founder of RAD Consulting, which specializes in the inclusion of individuals with ASD. Prior to Sacred Heart, Radziunas worked at Benhaven Academy in Wallingford, where she facilitated select treatment modalities, including assertiveness training, relaxation, life skills, leisure education and parent education. She also established and managed a peer mentor program in educational and clinical settings. In 2004, Radziunas received the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association’s award for therapeutic recreation. This year, she earned her master’s degree in disability services in higher education at City University of New York.