SEAS Events

Elevating Neurodivergent Voices and Supporting Mental Health, Well-being & Belonging

The Neurodiversity Project will be hosting the 3rd Annual Beautiful Minds Conference on April 14, 2026. This year's theme "Elevating Neurodivergent Voices, and Supporting Mental Health, Well-being and Belonging" is designed to provide an opportunity to hear directly from the neurodivergent community and will include University of Michigan faculty, clinicians, staff and student voices, as they share their lived experiences, challenges and success. We will explore pathways that seed cultural transformation as we focus on our commitment of building a neuro-inclusive and neuro-affirming campus.

Our conference will feature distinguished voices from across the University of Michigan Community, all sharing their stories and how their lives, research, and work is touched by neurodiversity. Their journeys each a snapshot of the impact that neurodivergent minds bring to the table.  

• Jessica Wynne, head coach, U-M Wheelchair Basketball
• Adam “Dutch” Hazlett, professor, Henry Ford College and Neurodiversity Advocate 
• Jessie Sanchez, co-founder and president, the Neurodiversity Alliance
• The Neurodiversity Alliance Student Ambassadors and U-M Student Panel
• Micheal Metzger, professor at Ross School of Business
• Genna Ashymov, graduate student, U-M School of Social Work 
• Dr. Jeramy Donovan, professor, University of Michigan-Flint
• Hira Jamshed graduate student, U-M School of Information
• Ezra Landon, Erica Ervin and Denise Leyton, U-M Libraries  

Stay tuned for speaker profiles, session highlights, and opportunities to connect. Join us as we celebrate neurodiversity, promote well-being, and create spaces where everyone belongs.

The Motor Visual Development Lab will be on site to share an interactive experience, the UM therapy dogs will make a visit and there will also be 22 exhibitors on hand to share valuable resources and information that is available.

More information at: https://events.umich.edu/event/145735

If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at [email protected]