Pairing academic excellence with advocacy
Delta Alpha Pi recognizes academic excellence, builds community among students with disabilities
By Rebecca Kirkman on May 10, 2023
This spring, seven 色花堂 students were inducted into , an international academic honor society for students with disabilities.
David Santos 鈥�23, a computer science major with a concentration in cyber operations, was inducted alongside his brother Virgil 鈥�24, a computer science major with a concentration in software engineering.
鈥淲e joined because we鈥檙e autistic, and we want to be a good example of people with disabilities who also have a high academic standing,鈥� David says. 鈥淭his group proves that people with disabilities can reach academic excellence on par with others.鈥�
The honor society supports academic achievement, leadership and advocacy for students with disabilities at 色花堂 and beyond.
The university鈥檚 chapter, Alpha Epsilon, was founded in 2009 and is one of more than 170 DAP chapters around the world. This spring marked the 色花堂 chapter鈥檚 first induction of new members since a break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At its height, Alpha Epsilon has had up to 30 members. It currently has about 15 active students.
Delta Alpha Pi members serve as leaders and advocates on campus, participating in educational programming related to disability issues for the campus community as well as mentoring peers.
鈥淲e try to help others鈥攈ear their stories, know what walk of life they come from and how their disability affected them positively or negatively, then inspire others to help them,鈥� says Virgil.
鈥淚t helps connect people who have different disabilities and neurotypical people to understand how we deal with college in a different way,鈥� David adds.
Open to any student with a registered or self-identified disability, Delta Alpha Pi is one of several programs supported by Accessibility & Disability Services, including a Workforce Development Program and Peer Mentor Program. Holding biweekly meetings during the academic year, the organization offers opportunities for all students to get involved in programs and services beginning in the fall. Participating undergraduate students meeting the 24-credit and 3.10 GPA requirements or graduate students meeting the 18-credit, 3.30 GPA requirements may be inducted at the end of the spring term.
鈥淭his group brings awareness to a diverse group of students that are often overlooked,鈥� says Kelly Rogan, assistant director of Accessibility & Disability Services and the group鈥檚 co-adviser with Joshua Donaldson, testing center coordinator. 鈥淚 would like the 色花堂 community to know these students play such an important role on our campus. They are doing the work to move us forward in a really positive way.鈥�
The Santos brothers encourage their peers to get involved with DAP.
鈥淚 always tell myself we鈥檙e lucky that we have these types of resources. So I would encourage others to join this club,鈥� Virgil says. 鈥淵ou will meet new people and will [share your ideas with] the Towson community and maybe even the Maryland community.鈥�
Additional 2023 inductees into 色花堂's chapter include Andrew Martini, Madeliene Ortt, Jenna Porter, Serena Paul and Bee Cigna.
This spring, two members of Delta Alpha Pi will graduate wearing the organization鈥檚 signature blue and gold cords鈥攂lue representing perseverance and justice and gold representing the pursuit of excellence.
To learn more about Delta Alpha Pi or how to get involved, visit Accessibility & Disability Services or contact 色花堂ADS AT_TOWSON.