AUCD’s Denise Rozell Receives George Jesien National Leadership Award

Congratulations to AUCD Policy Innovation Director, Denise Rozell! Denise received the George Jesien National Leadership Award, which honors dedicated individuals “who reflect significant work either at the federal level or across state lines, in terms of advocacy, assistance, and/or research on inclusive higher education.” The George Jesien National Leadership Award is named in honor of George Jesien, PhD, a long-time national leader in the disabilities field. In 2013, he retired from the position of executive director of AUCD.

Denise accepted her award at the 2024 State of the Art Conference on Inclusive Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual Disability in late October in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 

Denise has dedicated more than 35 years of her career in disability policy at the federal and state level, working on almost all issues and legislation affecting individuals with disabilities. Denise was a part of the instrumental work of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At AUCD, Denise works primarily on issues affecting transition age youth, post-secondary education, and employment. Denise's policy work also includes a focus on inclusive post-secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities in partnership with Think College and on employment and transition age youth in partnership with the University of New Hampshire.

Denise shares her passion for inclusive higher education:

“From my point of view, this award is for the students. They are the ones who have stories to tell. They are the ones who push us. They are the ones who demand and deserve a more just and equitable world. They are the ones whose lives are affected by the policies that we work on and they are the ones who are changing the world.” 

Please join AUCD and SOTA in congratulating Denise for this incredible achievement!