Kellen Story
About
Kellen received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Michigan University, followed shortly by a master’s degree in higher education administration from Ball State University. Since 2012, Kellen has worked at the University of New Hampshire as a hall director and at the University of Colorado Boulder as a Program Manager. Later, he became Assistant Director of Disability Services, where he helped develop a testing center specifically for students with accommodations. Growing up in a small, rural northwestern Michigan town of 400 people, Kellen has a passion for advocating for first-generation students and students with disabilities, and for helping those who may not have had the privilege of exploring multiple learning styles in a K-12 setting.
Kellen is an avid runner who enjoys running, weightlifting, chalk art, spending time with his wife and children, and reading. You’ll find him every Sunday in the fall at Mile High Stadium watching the Denver Broncos.
Why this Work is Important to Me
I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD and executive functioning challenges until I had nearly completed my educational journey, which meant I spent most of my life trying to navigate academics without any accommodations. I thought that all students shared the same struggles as I did. Once I began working with college students, I realized many were sharing stories with me that mirrored my life journey, which made me want to continue this important work to ensure all students have a voice and ownership over their educational experiences. Another reason why I am passionate about this work comes from my daughter. She had a stroke in utero, which has caused many learning and cognitive delays, and was later diagnosed with autism. I’m fortunate to grow with her and explore multiple methodologies to learn and develop as she becomes older. She’s the absolute rockstar of our family – I can’t wait to see what she can do in the future!