California State University San Bernardino Reappoints Disability Inclusion Faculty Fellow

The reappointment of Dr. Jess Block Nerren as the Faculty Fellow for Disability Inclusion at California State University San Bernardino signifies a continued institutional investment in creating equitable educational environments. This fellowship, now entering its third year, was a pioneering initiative within the California State University system when first established in 2023. The system serves over 461,000 students, making the fellowship's influence on policy and practice across its 23 campuses particularly significant.

The role is designed to foster an inclusive academic climate through faculty-to-faculty mentoring, group learning opportunities, individual peer coaching, and the creation of tailored multimedia resources. These activities aim to enhance faculty awareness and pedagogical effectiveness in accommodating students with disabilities. A key function of the position is its capacity to bridge the work of Faculty Affairs and Student Affairs, ensuring coordinated efforts across university units. This includes close collaboration with the Services to Students with Disabilities office, which supports over 2,000 disabled students with academic accommodations and resources.

Dr. Nerren succeeds Dr. J. Chad Sweeney, the 2024-2025 fellow, who advanced discussions on disability inclusion and expanded support for neurodiversity on campus. In assuming the role, Dr. Nerren acknowledged Dr. Sweeney's foundational work and expressed her intent to build upon it to further disability inclusion efforts. Her professional background provides a strong foundation for this work, including prior service as Interim Faculty Director of the university's accommodations office and a faculty appointment in the Department of Communication and Media.

Her scholarly contributions, including a 2022 book on disability inclusion, demonstrate a deep commitment to the field. Furthermore, her perspective is informed by personal experience as a neurodivergent parent advocate, which enriches her approach to developing an inclusive academic community. The fellowship's ongoing existence and Dr. Nerren's leadership underscore a strategic, long-term commitment by California State University San Bernardino to accessibility, aligning with broader goals of equity and student success across the entire California State University system. This work has implications for faculty development, student retention and achievement, and the creation of institutional models that other universities may emulate.