Spring 2017 Raines Colloquium

“Autism in College: Creating a Spectrum of Opportunity,” featuring Edlyn Peña

As the numbers of students diagnosed with autism have increased to one in 68 students, institutions of higher education are currently experiencing an upward trend in enrollment of college students with autism. As students with autism transition into postsecondary education along with their neurotypical peers, they face additional social and academic challenges. Dr. Edlyn Peña discusses evidenced-based ways in which college faculty, administrators and staff can work together to facilitate the success and retention of students with autism.

Dr. Edlyn Peña is an associate professor in Higher Education Leadership at California Lutheran University (CLU). Her expertise and research center on social justice issues for students with disabilities, particularly autism, in the preschool through higher education pipeline. As the co-director of the Autism and Communication Center (CLUC) and an appointed member of the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, Peña is well known for her scholarship, service and advocacy to support students with autism at the state and national level.

The Raines Colloquium honors the significant contributions of Emeritus Professor Max Raines to the department, the college, the university and the field of student affairs in higher education. Raines, a faculty member in the Department of  Educational Administration from 1965 -1993, and his wife Tomie established the Colloquium in 1993 in memory of his parents, Loren and Opal Raines.

The purpose of the Raines Colloquium is to foster intellectual, professional and personal growth and collegiality among the students, faculty and alumni of the Department of Educational Administration in the College of Education at Michigan State University. A national leader in the field of student affairs, Raines was also a critical figure in creating a strong academic and professional foundation for MSU’s nationally recognized programs in student affairs, adult education, and higher education. The Raines Colloquium hosts distinguished scholars and practitioners within student affairs, adult education and higher education for a series of lectures and discussions with students, faculty, staff and alumni.