The Presidential Commission on Persons with Disabilities (PCPD) serves as a university-wide advocate promoting awareness, educating the university community and assisting individuals on disability-related issues. Each year, the commission selects an outstanding student, faculty or staff member to be honored for their efforts in service, leadership and advocacy to persons with disabilities.
The Exemplary Advocate Award for Faculty/Staff – Allison Gladfelter
The Exemplary Advocate Award is presented to an NIU faculty or staff member with an outstanding
record of service and/or leadership to persons with disabilities and the NIU community. Nominees have committed their time, energy and resources as a role model in going above and beyond advocating for disability awareness as well as creating opportunities for advancement for persons with disabilities. The 2025 award winner is Allison Gladfelter, professor of speech-language pathology and founder of NIU Autism Caregiver Group.
As the founder of the NIU Autism Caregiver Group, Gladfelter works tirelessly to provide information, resources, and a supportive environment for families of children with autism. This initiative, which she co-leads with local parents of autistic children, offers a critical space for caregivers to access evidence-based resources while building connections with others navigating similar experiences. Nominators praised Professor Gladfelter for her dedication, adding that “her work has had a profound and lasting impact on the lives of autistic individuals, their families, the broader community and the students she teaches.”
Gladfelter said she holds the work of the PCPD in very high regard, so having her advocacy efforts acknowledge by this outstanding group is “incredibly humbling.”
“Across various points in my life, I have had the fortune of getting to know a lot of amazing people with disabilities who have challenged my assumptions and pushed me to see the world differently,” Gladfelter said. “This has helped me to become a better researcher, teacher, and I think (a better) person in general. We all learn and grow from a better understanding of one another.”
Forward Together Award – Bryan Dallas
The Forward Together Award is presented to an NIU faculty or staff member who has demonstrated leadership, advocacy and awareness for persons with disabilities throughout their career. It is meant to honor an individual for engaging in activities to support empowerment as well as limit stigmatization and discrimination on our campus and in the community. The 2025 award winner is Bryan Dallas, professor of rehabilitation counseling and founder of the Huskie’s BELONG, a program that supports college-bound high school students with disabilities who are interested in STEAM careers. The program includes a summer camp, a year-long connection, and ongoing support for college applications.
Nominators for Professor Dallas described him as a longstanding faculty advocate for people with disabilities who has demonstrated exemplary service to the university. “He has not just been a leader by education and word, but in action,” a nominator wrote. They pointed to Dallas’ collaborative efforts to identify barriers in the education system and implement solutions. “He has demonstrated an outstanding level of dedication to both leadership and advocacy and truly models what it looks like to be committed to providing accessible resources and promoting disability awareness.”
Dallas said he is honored to be considered for the award, and appreciates the recognition of the work his team has accomplished through Huskies BELONG.
“I believe in creating and maintaining a level playing field for all students in higher education, including those with impairments that impact their education,” Dallas said. “Attaining a college degree is one of the best ways for individuals with disabilities to enter the workforce and can significantly improve their overall quality of life.”
Committee chair Susan Dalton, along with members Melissa Burlingame Greenhagen and Angela Gray presented the awards during a reception on April 17 in Altgeld Hall. Learn more about the Presidential Commission on Persons with Disabilities at NIU.
