Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity
Welcome to the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity at 海角乱伦社区 University: You Belong Here
The Center for Neurodiversity is dedicated to聽advancing the academic, social, and professional success of neurodivergent students.聽Building upon聽nearly two聽decades of pioneering experience, we offer a comprehensive suite of programs that empower students to transition into college successfully, excel in their studies and college life, and launch meaningful careers post-graduation.
Our center continues to grow and expand to meet the needs of our community,聽and we welcome a broader range of neurodivergent learners through innovative programming and community partnerships.
The center features several elements, all of which聽seek聽to help neurodivergent students transition into college, succeed on campus, and find success post-college.聽Admission to all programs聽require聽an application, but they do not聽require聽a prerequisite鈥搒tudents can enter at any point.
- IGNITE is a one-week program for rising high school sophomores and juniors.
- CREATE is a three-week program for rising seniors or graduating students.
The Center for Neurodiversity offers a pair of summer programs, responding to growing interest from families to start preparing for college early in high school years. 聽
As dual enrollment (taking college courses while enrolled in high school) has grown聽nationally,聽there are very few programs that support neurodivergent learners. The Center for Neurodiversity offers one to two courses per semester that are remote,聽asynchronous, and include a weekly support meeting with center staff.
Contact us at聽neurodiversity@mercyhurst.edu聽to learn more about upcoming dual enrollment opportunities.
The signature program was founded in 2008, making it one of the oldest and largest programs of its kind in the world.聽This comprehensive support program includes weekly one-on-one and Career Path meetings, various social activities,聽vocational and experiential trips, and much more.
Neuroinclusive Workplace Solutions: Partnering for Talent
The Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity is committed to not only developing exceptional neurodivergent talent but also聽to connecting聽them with inclusive employers.
We partner with corporations, non-profits, and organizations to offer:
- 狈别耻谤辞颈苍肠濒耻蝉颈辞苍听罢谤补颈苍颈苍驳:聽Customized training for management and聽human resources聽to understand the benefits that neurodivergent employees bring,聽including skills like attention to detail, deep focus, and innovative problem-solving.
- 颁辞苍蝉耻濒迟颈苍驳听厂别谤惫颈肠别蝉:聽Expert guidance to help your organization be more neuroinclusive in your recruitment, hiring, and retention practices.
- Talent Pipeline:聽Opportunities to connect directly with motivated students and alumni, who are prepared for the demands of the modern workplace.
With approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population identifying as neurodivergent, most workplaces have more neurodivergent employees than they realize. We can help you effectively support,聽retain, and聽leverage聽this valuable, innovative talent pool.
In October聽2025,聽the Center for Neurodiversity launched the Neurodiversity and Higher Education podcast. The show seeks to be a resource for students and families who are navigating the transition into higher education through the journey from higher education into the workforce.聽We聽will welcome聽industry leaders, employers, admissions personnel, students, families, and more as guests to our show, hosted by Ryan Palm, executive director of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity.
Honoring Our Past,聽Building for the Future
The center is proudly named in memory of聽Brad McGarry, a true pioneer in college support programs for neurodivergent students. Brad served as the passionate director of the聽Autism Initiative at 海角乱伦社区 (AIM)聽from 2014 until 2021. His dedication and vision laid the groundwork for the robust center we are today. He passed away in December 2023 after a聽two-year聽battle with ALS.
Autism Initiative at 海角乱伦社区
