Chelsea Crabtree

35, San Luis Obispo

I believe California should be and can be a national leader in making higher education more accessible to autistic students. This would require more data collection and measurement of this population. Autism is sometimes an invisible disability on campuses and this population needs more support and visibility. I would like to see a California autism in higher education initiative, dedicated state funding for autism awareness, faculty/staff training, neurodivergent student-success programs, high school to college transition services, and research across UC, CSU, and community colleges.”

Chelsea is a first-generation college student and single mother whose path through community college stretched across nearly a decade as she balanced parenting, work, and school. With support from family, flexible professors, and a mentor who consistently connected her to scholarships, resources, and opportunities, she continued moving forward even when the path was not straightforward. Her experiences as both a student and a parent have shaped how she understands the additional demands many learners carry outside the classroom. Today, Chelsea draws on that experience to support neurodivergent students, including her own 13-year-old daughter, as well as students with dependents as they navigate higher education.