DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS APPOINTS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
THE CENTER FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
After conducting a comprehensive national search, the Division of Student Affairs has named Christine Wenzel as Executive Director of the Center for Students with Disabilities effective June 16, 2023.
Christine has been working in the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at UConn since 2003. Christine received her bachelor’s degree from UConn in Audiology and her master’s degree, also from UConn, in Higher Education: Student Affairs. Christine has a particular interest in working with students with autism spectrum disorders in a higher education environment. She brings an impressive base of UConn experience to this position, including serving as the CSD Interim Executive Director for the past year. Prior to that she coordinated and oversaw the Beyond Access program at UConn—a fee for service program designed to help students work smarter, not harder. Christine also served as the Center’s liaison for career and post-graduation initiatives and worked alongside her colleagues in the Center for Career Development to provide resources, services, internships and career opportunities for students with disabilities.
In addition, Christine has co-authored the following publications: “Teaching Social Skills and Academic Strategies to College Students With Asperger’s Syndrome,” Council for Exceptional Children. May/June 2010 Vol. 42 No.5, “A First Year Experience,” Association on Higher Education and Disability ALERT Newsletter. July 2010, “Collaboration Strategies to Facilitate Successful Transition of Students with Disabilities in a Changing Higher Education Environment,” New Directions in Higher Education. Number 154. Summer 2011, “Beyond Academic Intelligence: Increasing College Success for Students on the Autism Spectrum ,” in Yale’s Handbook on Autism, 4th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. In press, “Evidence based and Promising Practices in Post-Secondary Education,” in Temple University Press’ Handbook for Educators and Parents, Temple University Press, 2021. She has presented at several professional conferences across the country and was featured on Good Morning America in 2008.
The Division of Student Affairs appreciates the work of the search committee chaired by Cyndi Costanzo (Executive Director of UConn Recreation), administered by Janice Canniff (Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs), and composed of Mike White (Executive Director, Dining Services), Maureen Armstrong (Interim Dean of Students [DOS], Director of the DOS Office), Kimberly Proulx (Interim Co-Executive Director of Residential Life), and Jennifer Lucia (Senior Associate Director of the CSD).
Many thanks are given to all the CSD staff who stepped up during this time of transition under Christine’s interim leadership and continued to produce high-quality services that the CSD is known for. Please join me in welcoming Christine to this role.
Michael Gilbert
Vice President for Student Affairs
860.486.2265