Shoshana Holt-Auslander
About
Shoshana Holt-Auslander has been part of The Neurodiversity Alliance community since 2015. She first became involved with the organization as a high school student and has since grown alongside the ND Alliance as a Public Speaking Ambassador, student leader, and participant in many of its programs.
Shoshana earned a Bachelor of Arts in French and Francophone Studies from Colorado College before serving as Associate Center Director at the Twin Cities Center for Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, where she supported neurodiverse students while deepening her commitment to educational equity and accessibility. She later graduated from the University of Chicago in December 2025 with a Master of Arts in Social Work and a Master of Arts in Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management. During her time at the University of Chicago, she was selected as a 2024–2025 Obama Foundation Scholar, where she further developed her vision for expanding equitable educational opportunities for neurodivergent students.
Outside of work, Shoshana enjoys practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, horseback riding, coloring, and spending time with her dog, Clover.
Why this Work is Important to Me
The Neurodiversity Alliance was one of the first places where I truly felt smart. Although I was diagnosed with dyslexia at 14, it wasn’t until I found this community that I began to see the way my brain works as a strength instead of something I needed to overcome. Through mentors, leadership opportunities, and people who believed in me, I learned how to advocate for myself, understand how I learn best, and realize that I could dream big and achieve goals I never thought were possible.
That experience changed the trajectory of my life. It gave me the confidence to dream bigger than I thought was possible while embracing the way my brain works. Having been part of this community since 2015, creating those same opportunities for other students is the greatest way I can give back. I know what it feels like to struggle in academic environments and wonder whether you belong. My hope is that every student who connects with The Neurodiversity Alliance gains the confidence, community, and resources to recognize their strengths, advocate for themselves, and realize they are capable of more than they ever imagined.