At the University of Maine at Augusta, staff member Dylan Sullivan is a voice students can trust. As Neurodiversity Liaison and Student Success Specialist, he helps learners with diverse needs see their differences as strengths, guiding them through academics and campus life with encouragement and practical support.
Dylan’s own path informs his work. As a person with dyslexia, he attended Landmark College, a school that specializes in teaching students with learning disabilities. There he earned his bachelor of life sciences in 2024, and he discovered a new perspective. “At Landmark, not only did I become comfortable with how my brain works, but I learned to celebrate it,” he said. That celebration now underpins his approach at UMA, where students find in him an ally who understands their challenges from the inside.
At UMA, Dylan works directly with students to help them navigate classes and university life, build confidence, and celebrate their strengths. He also consults with faculty and staff who want to better support neurodiverse learners. Additionally, Dylan hosts a weekly “Social Table” lunchtime get-together in the Randall Student Center, building community between students, faculty and staff. His approach exemplifies UMA’s mission to meet students where they are and ensure that all learners have the support they need to succeed.
Beyond working one-on-one with students and faculty, Dylan is shaping broader conversations about equity and accessibility. He has published research in the “Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities” and “New Directions for Higher Education.” Most recently, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Center for Learning Disabilities, serving as the Young Adult Leadership Council Representative. The role gives him a national platform to amplify student voices and advocate for systemic change.
For UMA students, Dylan’s leadership means more than representation; it means having someone at their side who has walked a similar path and who believes their differences are worth celebrating. His journey is proof that when learners are supported and understood, they don’t just succeed—they thrive.