Shannon Bessette, a Jamestown Community College anthropology professor, has been named a State University of New York Accessibility Advocates and Allies Faculty fellow.

Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced Bessette as one of 11 inaugural fellows across the SUNY system to be chosen to join the cohort, which brings together a community of faculty leaders and champions committed to promoting and growing accessibility practices in and out of the classroom on their campuses.

The program, created by SUNY’s offices of the Provost and Student Success, kicked off on Jan. 8 and 9 in Albany. Fellows will meet virtually and in person throughout the year.

“Shannon’s career-long dedication to inclusion, accessibility, equity, and learning for all make her the perfect choice for the SUNY accessibility fellowship program,” said Jessica Kubiak, JCC’s academic affairs vice president. “I’m excited for what she will bring to the cohort and for the knowledge that she will bring back to JCC as we make every effort to fulfill our mission of providing inclusive educational opportunities.”

Rebecca Mushtare, the associate dean of Graduate Studies and a professor of Interaction Design at the State University at Oswego, is facilitating the cohort, which will work to expand digital accessibility and Universal Design for Learning practices across their campuses.

Students with disabilities self-identifying with their campus disability services or accessibility resources offices are increasing as a share of total enrollment, with more than 10% of students enrolled across SUNY. This number does not capture the many students who do not self-identify with the student disability office, either because they do not know they are eligible or have chosen not to disclose due to a wide variety of reasons, including stigma.

“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and we are committed to excellence and inclusivity across our 64 SUNY campuses,” King said. “The work of our inaugural Accessibility Fellows is crucial to ensuring our faculty have the support to consistently adopt inclusive teaching practices to guarantee student success and upward mobility.”

Besides her professor responsibilities, Bessette serves as chair of JCC’s Direct Support Professional and Community Health Worker programs. She is also a member of the President’s Wellness Task Force, which seeks to make JCC locations a hub of wellness for the college community and surrounding communities.

While at JCC, Bessette has worked to spark and expand conversations about diversity and meeting the needs of all learners. She recently created a new course, Introduction to Dis/Ability studies.

“The course has been really energizing for me,” Bessette said. “It is a terrific opportunity to discuss with students the importance of systems of power and activism in the disabilities community. As I join the fellowship program, it is my hope to amplify the voices of people with disabilities and to ensure that they will be a part of all discussions and planning for improvement.”

Bessette also created JCC’s Direct Support Professional microcredential and certificate and was part of a team that secured a grant to provide free college courses for DSPs in this area.

Bessette has master’s degrees in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Oklahoma, and in Public Health from the University of New England.

As part of her community involvement, Bessette has helped manage an accessible community garden for more than a decade; volunteered with several organizations focused on food access; and is part of efforts led by the Jamestown Justice Coalition to regularly collect hats, mittens, scarves, and warm socks that are accessible to people with limited mobility, people who are elderly or who have disabilities, and those who are unhoused.