Annual Student Success Summit focuses on supporting neurodiverse learners

The landscape of current college campuses is not just more diverse—it’s more neuro-complex, populated with students experiencing multiple, overlapping conditions. 

“The complexity of the student is growing,” Alexander Morris-Wood said Wednesday during Randolph College’s annual Student Success Summit. “So how we think about the college transition and the college experience from our perspective is going to be different.” 

Known for his expertise and development of specialized programming around college readiness and transition planning for neurodiverse students, Morris-Wood is the head of school at Franklin Academy, a Connecticut boarding school for neurodiverse students.

He is also co-chair of the Learning Differences Special Interest Group of the National Association of College Admission Counselors and was named one of the Top 100 Educational Leaders in America by the Global Forum for Education and Learning.  

During the Student Success Summit, which is held each year for faculty and staff, he discussed the social and educational challenges faced by neurodiverse students, followed by a hands-on workshop.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities estimates that one in five students has a learning challenge, meaning many students who arrive on college campuses may experience difficulties in reading, writing, math, or executive functioning.

That reality places colleges at an even more pivotal point in a student’s development. 

Morris-Wood emphasized the importance of creating a bridge to support students, with intentional services and scaffolding set up to help them adjust to college. 

He recommended promoting agency among students, encouraging self-determination, and fostering problem-solving. 

“The best thing we can do is create new experiences that are positive, multi-sensory, and combat trauma,” he said. “Think about, ‘How are we supporting students as they adapt? How are we getting them to engage with our system?’ And then, ‘How can we scaffold in performance so when they get to the end of their first year, their second year, their third year, they’re able to utilize school-based resources to perform independently?’’’

President Sue Ott Rowlands called the summit a “day for growing together” that reinforces Randolph’s commitment to supporting students. 

“We’re deeply grateful to have Alexander Morris-Wood on campus and for the opportunity to engage in this important conversation. Supporting neurodiverse students requires intention, understanding, and collaboration, and events like this help us strengthen how we show up for our students every day.”