MaryKate Carter
Renee Craig, Specialist, Psychiatric and Autism Spectrum Disabilities
MSU's Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities enthusiastically welcomes Renee Craig as the new Specialist for Psychiatric and Autism Spectrum Disabilities.
With a growing number of students on college campuses with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Craig is already working hard to provide resources to these individuals that empower them and encourage success. Each Spartan has something to offer and cultivates the rich sense of community on campus and around East Lansing. Craig is determined to make sure students with disabilities are fully included in this process.
"I am passionate about creating supportive communities and believe those connections and networks enable achievement," Craig said.
As an RCPD Specialist, Craig will be available as a resource to students who need accommodations in the classroom, but she expands her work to the larger community as well. She is actively involved with the MSU Neighborhoods and the Intercultural Engagement Team where she voices the needs of those with disabilities. Craig says she wants to maintain a continual conversation on disability as a part of diversity here at MSU and for students as they consider their future workplace.
Transitions can be challenging for everyone, but they can be especially overwhelming for those with psychiatric or Autism Spectrum Disabilities. These challenges are not insurmountable with the right resources and attitude, and Renee Craig is here to help with both.
"For all individuals there is value in having real, attainable action-oriented goals," Craig said.
Renee Craig is out in the MSU community, rallying support, raising awareness and creating an environment for students to attain goals. Success is a goal development and achievement process, and Renee will meet students wherever they are in that journey.
Whether it's learning how to succeed in college as a freshman or figuring out what comes after graduation, Craig offers support. RCPD is excited about expanding partnerships with the Career Services Network through Renee as well. She is involved with them and aims to help students attain their future employment dreams with tangible objectives along the way.
Craig is a Spartan through and through. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Special Education-Learning Disabilities here. After graduation, she returned to her native Houston, Texas where she taught life skills and vocational skills in the public high school system, taking students into the community for hands on experience in addition to classroom learning.
Building on her career as an educator, Craig returned to MSU for her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. While studying, Renee made a positive impact by founding the BOND (Building Opportunities for Networking and Discovery) Program which offers students on the Autism Spectrum a chance to develop their social and communication skills.
Craig continues to give back as an RCPD Specialist devoted to her students. She is a living example that Spartans who set goals and work hard can positively influence the lives of others.
Renee lives the Motto she shares with others, "Go green. Go white. Go forth."