By Madeline Cooke | Guest Writer
On April 2nd, the Neurodiverse Student Alliance (NSA) welcomed guest speaker Chelsea Piechowski, a licensed professional counselor who currently serves as the Associate Director of Counseling for Johnson Health Center. During the meeting, Piechowski discussed the importance of neurodivergent individuals practicing self-awareness and recognizing personal needs in the workplace.
Students shared their experiences within the workplace, which were both good and bad. Piechowski listened to each story and advised students based on her experiences and expertise.
“Everybody deserves a space,” said Piechowski. “This is a space for people to be able to collaborate and feel seen and heard.”
As an ally of the NSA and a neurodivergent person, Piechowski stressed the importance of having a space for neurodivergent people to form their own community.
“Having a space that can advocate for them and their needs then enables us to be empowered- enables us to reach our full potential,” Piechowski stated.
The NSA serves as a sanctuary for such students to get together, have fellowship, and to simply be understood. The NSA hosts many events throughout the semester for students, such as their upcoming baking event, which provides an inter active way for neurodiverse students to be seen and feel understood.
“We always have a good time,” says Nic Stammer, co-president of the NSA. Stammer also noted NSA’s efforts in supporting neurodivergent individuals, such as himself, on campus.
“It encourages me to be not only a better advocate, but a better leader, a better person, and just overall more understanding of a community that lacks understanding in the overall scope of our society,” Stammer said.
To learn more about the NSA, follow their Instagram @lynchburg_nsa.
