When Dr. Kimberly White-Smith, Dean of the School of Leadership and Educational Sciences at the University of San Diego (USD), discusses the importance of supporting all students, she often recalls a deeply personal story.
Her face lights up as she describes her brother, Prince, who became a successful union member and a vital part of their family. Yet, his achievements defied the expectations of those who met him as a young child.
At 4, he was labeled “uneducable.” It wasn’t until many years later that their family learned that he had a physical disability and was deaf.
With the advocacy of their foster parents, Prince gained access to the support he needed to thrive. But as Dr. White-Smith knows, not every student has someone to fight for them.
Partnering for Educational Equity
Prince’s story underscores the importance of initiatives like USD’s Black InGenius Initiative (BiGI) and the newly established Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity (CEEN).
These programs, supported by a $1.5 million grant from San Diego Foundation (SDF), dismantle systemic barriers and provide equitable opportunities for students across San Diego.
“Our Black InGenius Initiative… [recognizes] the genius in our students that have been moved further and further from opportunity due to the barriers that are embedded within our school,” Dr. White-Smith said at CEEN’s launch event in November.
CEEN, pronounced “seen,” is housed within the USD School of Leadership and Educational Sciences. It celebrates and supports neurodivergent individuals by fostering collaboration, innovation and advocacy through programs and workshops.
Neurodiversity is the recognition that variations in brain function and behavior – such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia – are natural differences that contribute unique strengths and perspectives.
CEEN embraces these differences, transforming educational systems so that neurodivergent individuals are not only accommodated but empowered.
Inclusive Educational Environments
CEEN’s mission is to challenge traditional mindsets about neurodiverse learners, equip educators with tools and training and advocate for systemic reform to create more inclusive spaces. The program offers the necessary support, training, and resources to preschool through post-secondary educators, child-serving professionals, and caregivers.
“Because our education systems promote a narrow definition of success, we limit neurodivergent learners’ opportunities to showcase their unique strengths and make valuable contributions,” said Dr. Niki Elliott, the center’s director.
By focusing on equity and providing training to educators and child-serving professionals, CEEN ensures that students with neurodiverse needs can thrive.
“San Diego students will benefit when educators and caregivers who teach neurodiverse students receive an equity-based social-emotional training experience that is unparalleled,” said Pamela Gray Payton, VP, Chief Impact & Partnerships Officer at SDF.
Dr. Elliott emphasized the complex intersections of identity, including race, gender, socioeconomic status and neurodiversity, noting that these factors profoundly influence stress, emotional regulation and cognitive development. CEEN integrates trauma-informed approaches to holistically support learners’ well-being and success.
Empowering Educators and Caregivers
CEEN serves a wide range of professionals, from classroom teachers and special education aides to therapists, social workers and juvenile detention staff.
“Through our innovative professional development initiatives, [the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity] will help open doors that previously have been closed,” Dr. Elliott said. “The true measure of success for [the center] is when educators and student-serving professionals no longer look away because they have the knowledge and tools to support neurodiverse learners.”
About the Black InGenius Initiative
Launched in 2022, BiGI helps Black students from 6th to 12th grade graduate high school and prepare for college. In fall 2023, the program welcomed its first cohort of 60 students. It will add a new 6th-grade group each year, serving 420 students by 2030.
The program empowers educators to create environments that celebrate Black students’ potential and transform the learning experience for future generations.
With the establishment of CEEN and the growth of BiGI, USD and San Diego Foundation are leading the way in creating inclusive, equitable learning opportunities. These programs are transforming lives today while paving the way for a more equitable future.
